Our Culture

Andy Preston

CEO

We think he looks 55, he claims he is 43 but the grey hairs don’t lie. Has successfully built numerous recruitment businesses in specialist sectors with a global focus.

Continues to enjoy connecting at a senior level with leaders in the MedTech and Biotech industry as well as always looking for potential talent to join the VIDA brand. Lives by the mantra that the best people go to the best business at recruiting!

Often seen in his uniform of jeans and black t-shirt.

James Manby

Managing Director

Wearing many hats for the business, and with a few specialist sectors to his armoury, James is globally networked across a range of disciplines and fast growing therapy areas. He is the driver of the life sciences bus!
Quick to react to issues, ‘Manby’ as he’s known internally will often be found creating new solutions and completing the job!

Dad to two young boys, he’s a football coach, decent golfer and enjoyer of Gin.

James Gillman

Director - MedTech

Our go-to for all things MedTech, James has been doing MedTech recruitment for 12 years. What he doesn’t know about new and upcoming cardiology and neuro start-ups isn’t worth knowing. Known internally as Gillman (too many James’), he is trusted by numerous industry leaders to find great people but also feed them industry insight.

In winter he plays squash, in summer he plays golf and in-between goes to the waste recycling centre (tip) far too often to be considered normal.

John Swift

Head of Oncology

His name befits his service level. John, or Swifty to us, has built his reputation on the speed and quality of turnaround for his clients. Our lead for BioTech and Pharma markets, his placements over the years will have helped many an early-stage biotech successfully develop and launch new therapies to market.

Aside from his encyclopaedic knowledge of his market, he also has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the English Football League and for his sins is a Sheffield Wednesday fan.

Myles Clegg

Head of MedTech

Wise and mature beyond his years, Myles has developed an outstanding reputation in the market since joining us in 2018. Destined to be in this sector after studying Biomedical Science at University Myles splits his time between the UK and USA with family in Chicago.

Considered, professional and level-headed, except when Leeds United are playing, he probably knows more about cardiology and vascular devices than some of his clients. Just got a puppy so feel free to ask him for pictures.

Tom Herbert

Head Of Sales - Outsourced / Umbrella Payroll

Tom is a bit of a legend in the payroll sector – challenging, frank and assertive, his approach delivers projects time and time again. His knowledge of the sector, legislation and market influences is unquestionable – he can find people if you need someone or can create a role. His passion is travel….and that is anywhere he can get to in a weekend such as Africa or Greece for the night.

Eduardo Marinero

Head of Life Sciences Commercial - US

Aside from his from his love of golf, steaks (mid-rare or bust), the Dallas Cowboys, and Manchester City – Eduardo loves what he’s dedicated himself to over the last few years: Life Sciences recruitment.

Whether it’s a Top-10 Pharmaceutical Organization or an innovative and exciting biotech coming out of a funding round – he has partnered with them and any company in-between.

Eduardo is our first American-based hire and his love of football (or soccer as he prefers to call it) and having a pint at a local pub could rival his British counterparts.

Sam Gibbons

Consultant - BioTech

Connor Lynes

Senior Consultant - MedTech

Connor looks after all things Medical Imaging and has a passion for AI-led developments. Driven, ambitious and confident, he delivers for his clients and candidates with precision and speed. Connor has broad knowledge across MedTech and can support across all job functions, supporting early-stage to commercialised businesses.

He’s still trying to get his head around flexible working and not having to wear a suit and tie every day, but he’ll get there. Works incredibly hard and is determined to be the best-networked recruiter globally in the medical imaging sector.

Liz Moyles

International Recruitment Consultant - MedTech

Liz heads up our Robotics, Surgical and Orthopaedic Division. To her this feels a completely natural fit. She pins down her fascination for robotics to being mesmerized by r2d2 and c3p0 in Star Wars when she was 9. She did like Chewbacca a lot too but as of yet there is no equivalent in MedTech (although she is watching that space keenly).

Liz had wanted to be a surgeon since the age of 9 and studied the sciences to take that career pathway only to discover at 17 that she has a deep-seated phobia of blood and needles…. which continues to this day. She is, as you can imagine, very interested in minimally invasive surgery as this helps her manage her fear of one day having to have any operation. Discovering surgery was no longer an option, Liz revised her career direction and took a BSc in Biochemistry. This fascinated her and still does, hence her passion for MedTech. The interest in Orthopaedics?...... She puts this down to her husband………. skiing, football and running injuries have seen the two of them crossing the paths of a few orthopaedic surgeons over the years. When not doing all things robotics, surgical and orthopaedics, you’ll see Liz running with her husband and 3 huskies on long distance hill and cross country runs, climbing Wainwrights peaks (with the huskies of course), flinging herself around obstacle courses such as Tough Mudder or Total Warrior, singing and dancing dreadfully at a concert or nursing a cider (weather allowing).

Olivia MacDonald

Senior Consultant - RA & QA

Olivia, or 'Liv' as she's known to the team, is an experienced recruiter with over 11 years of experience globally. The last 7 have been spent specifically within the Medical Device space, placing Quality and Regulatory professionals, from Managers through to Vice Presidents of businesses.

Liv is known for the pace and urgency she works at, and always delivers a premium service to her clients. Her global network and expertise allows her to support clients with market intelligence, talent pooling, compensation advice through to onboarding. She will manage the entire recruitment process for you, taking away unwanted stress and making sure she finds the perfect fit for both client and candidate.

Gordon Roy

Senior Consultant - Global Finance

Gordon has over 23 years of executive search experience and finding talent in finance, strategy, and legal recruitment.

Although originally from Scotland, he fully embraces his honorary Yorkshireman status and he always drinks too many cups of tea a day to count.

Outside of work you can find him indulging in all sports, diving into war history, staying up to date on current affairs, and passionately supporting Leeds United; so it's fair to say you can have a chat to him about pretty much anything!

Vic Bolton

Head of Talent and Culture

Vic has spent over 15 years in recruitment - starting off with Andy Preston & James Manby in Consultancy, before going In-House in 2015. Since then she’s been in Talent Acquisition leadership positions with Nestlé, Molson Coors Beverages and a creative tech start up.

She’s super passionate about people, wellness and inclusivity and will be helping steer us on our B-Corp journey.

Always approachable; you can go to Vic with almost anything, so please do!

Kirsty McConville

Marketing Executive

Fresh from uni and straight into the world of work, Kirsty is our resident marketer. A creative mind determined to make her mark, she’s learning the ropes and trying to stay organised one planner page at a time.

Originally from the North East, she’s a Leeds newbie who’s on a mission to find the best local spots for a drink in the sunshine. Catch her exploring new European cities at any opportunity or feeling the burn at a barre class.

Give her a shout for all things creative - she’s always up for suggestions!