Meet the team

Having worked in education recruitment for over 20 years, Kirsty heads up the TARA empire. Founding the business in 2007, it was her aim to create a friendly, personable company where both schools and teachers alike could build strong and effective working relationships built on honesty, trust and a caring, supportive ethos.

Originally training as a Primary Teacher at the University of Birmingham, then completing an MA at the University of York, Kirsty embarked on her first recruitment role as a Secondary Consultant in 1999. Having managed offices in the West Midlands, London and Shropshire, she is quite literally bursting with industry knowledge, and prides herself on truly empathising with individuals’ specific needs and approaching life with a positive attitude.

Kirsty lives with her husband, daughter and their three cats, and dogs, Shanti and Iggy! In her spare time she loves teaching and practising yoga, and is also a qualified hypnotherapist and Life Coach. When she’s not in the office, Kirsty can often be found walking and cycling throughout the surrounding countryside, and is growing old disgracefully by attending music gigs whenever possible!

Laura began her recruitment career back in 2002, when – after completing her A Levels – she began her career in education recruitment as an apprentice, working her way up to Recruitment Consultant shortly after completing her NVQ.

She then worked alongside Kirsty for several years, before moving into account management for various manufacturing firms and working in busy sales office environments. After eight years away, she returned to her recruitment roots and rejoined TARA 9 years ago, where she is now the Operations Director of the Head Office, supporting the consultants in the successful placement of teaching staff, and assisting local schools in their search for the perfect candidate!

Laura loves nothing more than walking her Chocolate Labrador and Rescue dog around the countryside with her husband (usually ending up at the local country pub...) and reading a good book. She also loves the sun, and in her spare time enjoys travelling, particularly visiting her parents in sunny Spain (and sampling the tapas and sangria, of course!)

Having started her career in the hospitality industry, Laura made the leap to recruitment in 2015 and has not looked back! Initially employed as the office administrator, Laura quickly progressed to consultant and has a solid background in the recruitment process after serving her schools and teachers for the last 8 years! Laura works with the Telford & Shropshire Secondary schools and has developed fantastic relationships with schools and staff!

Outside of work, Laura likes to spend time with her Fiancé, 2 young children and her Collie Jess, whilst trying maintain a good level of fitness (to balance out the amount of chocolate digestives and wine!), and has previously run several Marathons including one in Paris!

John is the Director and Cofounder of Tara London. He has been with Tara since 2017 and has been a friend to the company since its inception in 2007, having worked together with Managing Director Kirsty Jandrell at another education agency from 2005-2007. Originally from Ireland, John has been working in recruitment in London since 2000 and has covered several sectors including secretarial and banking, but since 2005 has been working in Education Recruitment. At his two previous agencies John ran the SEN and Support Staff desks and is continuing in this field with Tara London.

Away from work John enjoys playing tennis (very badly), drinking (very well actually), travel (especially Germany and Spain), reading (novels, short stories, biographies) and music (there is nothing this man doesn’t know about Madonna or Eurovision!).

Joining the company in July 2021, Mary works with John and Jessica in the London branch. She started her career in recruitment in 2017 working in the private household sector recruiting mainstream and SEN nannies for families, prior to that she worked as support worker caring for individuals with complex care and behavioural needs. With her experience and background, she understands how important this sector is and is very humbled to be part of it.

Outside work, Mary likes cooking, astronomy, travelling, going on long walks with Wiz and chilled nights in with her partner watching films of varying quality.

Having previously owned her own Bakery, Charlotte made a change in career and started in Recruitment in early 2021. She joined TARA in September 2021 as a Consultant Support and, has since worked her way up and became the Primary Division Consultant in April 2022, now working with Primary schools in the Shropshire area she has never looked back.

In her spare time Charlotte enjoys Crossfit and is now taking classes 3 or 4 times a week (it is highly addictive!), spending time with her Fiancé and her beloved Chocolate Miniature Dachshund Winston. She also loves all things organisation and has a spreadsheet to organise every aspect of her life!

Joining the company in May 2023, Courtney works in the Midlands branch. Courtney started her career in recruitment in 2019 after completing a Law Degree. Courtney supports Laura Hadebe on the Shropshire Secondary team!

Outside of Tara, Courtney has a part-time baking business which opened in 2021, and loves baking brownies, traybakes and cupcakes! Alongside spending time with her partner and family.

After completing four ski seasons across the French and Swiss Alps working within the hospitality industry working in chalets and hotels, Lizzie returned home to settle in Shrewsbury where she started her role as Admin and Compliance Officer here Tara in June 2022. She enjoys being part of the Tara team, supporting the consultants and teachers with anything she can help with.

Outside of work (when not in her Ski’s!!) Lizzie enjoys getting out and about in the Shropshire hills walking and putting the chalet host skills to good work; spending the weekends cooking food to enjoy with friends and family, accompanied by a nice glass of wine too of course!

Wiz is officially Mary’s dog but has been unofficially adopted by everyone in the London office. He is the undisputed Top Dog at the London branch and brings nothing but joy to his colleagues.

Away from work he enjoys barking, long walks, sleeping, meeting new frens and begging for treats.

He loves playing football and going walkies with his brother Shanti, also a Sheltie. He is very bright and loving, but also very cheeky. His favourite toys are his ‘mad cow’ and his rubber bone. He is very well trained and will do anything for a favourite doggie treat! He loves to tease his fellow feline housemates and is a constant bother to them!