Barriers that hinder founders' ability to scale their organisations. At the core of the company is its first-of-its-kind learning platform, which guides every founder and their employees through insightful and behaviour-changing learning materials.
The platform is supported by an expert team of advisors to assist you through every step of your growth journey. Additionally, we partner with industry-leading institutional experts who can meet the demands of even the most complex and challenging solutions.
Hugo Sugden is the visionary founder of Talent Journey, an innovative ecosystem that empowers founders to scale and grow their businesses seamlessly. He is also the Chairman and Co-Founder of Wynden Stark Group, overseeing executive advisory and corporate development. In 2009, Hugo co-founded GQR, a leading international search advisory and talent acquisition firm. Under his leadership, GQR expanded its specialisations in banking, finance, technology, life sciences, and healthcare, growing to 350 employees across five offices on three continents. Hugo's extensive experience and strategic insights have been pivotal in transforming the recruitment landscape and helping businesses navigate complex challenges and achieve sustainable growth. His dedication to innovation has earned him a reputation as an industry thought leader. Beyond his professional achievements, Hugo is deeply passionate about wildlife conservation and the environment. Hugo's commitment to his professional endeavours and personal passions exemplifies his well-rounded approach to life and leadership.
Hugo Sugden is the visionary founder of Talent Journey, an innovative ecosystem that empowers founders to scale and grow their businesses seamlessly. He is also the Chairman and Co-Founder of Wynden Stark Group, overseeing executive advisory and corporate development. In 2009, Hugo co-founded GQR, a leading international search advisory and talent acquisition firm...
Reece Harrod is a partner and the Chief Revenue Officer at Talent Journey. In this role, Reece oversees all revenue-generating activities, driving growth and ensuring the success of the company's clients. Before joining Talent Journey, Reece co-founded an innovative accounting and payroll services platform that revolutionised contracting solutions in the recruitment sector. The business, known for its standout intellectual property, compliance, automation, and scalability, was acquired just a few years after its inception by a private equity-backed professional services group. Reece's expertise and vision have been instrumental in transforming how businesses grow, making him a key asset to Talent Journey's leadership team. With a passion for innovation and growth, Reece pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in the industry, ensuring that Talent Journey remains at the forefront of market trends and client needs.
Reece Harrod is a partner and the Chief Revenue Officer at Talent Journey. In this role, Reece oversees all revenue-generating activities, driving growth and ensuring the success of the company's clients. Before joining Talent Journey, Reece co-founded an innovative accounting and payroll services platform that revolutionised contracting solutions in the recruitment sector...
Mark Beal-Preston is a partner and the Chief Commercial Officer at Talent Journey, bringing expertise in market strategy, strategic relationships, and operational excellence. With over 20 years of experience in commerce and project management, Mark has held multiple executive leadership roles in innovative and fast-growing businesses. In 2014, he founded one of the UK's fastest-growing accountancy practices for small businesses and independent contractors. This multi-award-winning business was later acquired by the UK's largest private equity-backed professional services group in the sector. Following the acquisition, Mark joined the group's executive team, overseeing sales, marketing, and commercial partnerships across six brands. Under his leadership, the group achieved record-breaking sales, earning recognition as one of Britain’s top private firms with annual sales of £321 million, ranking 55th in the Sunday Times’ UK Top Track 250 mid-tier companies.
Mark Beal-Preston is a partner and the Chief Commercial Officer at Talent Journey, bringing expertise in market strategy, strategic relationships, and operational excellence. With over 20 years of experience in commerce and project management, Mark has held multiple executive leadership roles in innovative and fast-growing businesses. In 2014, he founded one of the UK's fastest-growing accountancy practices...
Sam Totham is the Founder of Peak Edge Ventures, a forward-thinking investment firm dedicated to supporting bold entrepreneurs shaping the future. With a focus on technology-driven innovation, Sam actively invests in transformative businesses across finance, talent, and clean technology.
As an investor in Talent Journey, Sam is committed to backing innovative solutions that advance the way talent is harnessed and developed. His dedication to building the companies of tomorrow is underpinned by a firm belief in the power of technology to drive meaningful and sustainable change.
Hugo Sugden is the visionary founder of Talent Journey, an innovative ecosystem that empowers founders to scale and grow their businesses seamlessly. He is also the Chairman and Co-Founder of Wynden Stark Group, overseeing executive advisory and corporate development. In 2009, Hugo co-founded GQR, a leading international search advisory and talent acquisition firm...
Tom Glanfield founded his first business, Lawrence Harvey, in 2002 with a graduate loan and the ambition to create one of the leading recruitment brands in the UK. Over the years, he built LHi Group into a successful global business with four specialist brands and over 400 consultants across the UK, USA, and Europe.
An investor in Talent Journey, Tom uses his experience as a recruitment business founder to support pioneering approaches that redefine how talent is sourced, engaged, and nurtured, helping businesses build stronger, more dynamic teams.
Reece Harrod is a partner and the Chief Revenue Officer at Talent Journey. In this role, Reece oversees all revenue-generating activities, driving growth and ensuring the success of the company's clients. Before joining Talent Journey, Reece co-founded an innovative accounting and payroll services platform that revolutionised contracting solutions in the recruitment sector...
Ben Stocken is the founder of West Peak, a BCorp certified firm. With an emphasis on scaling leadership, Ben helps businesses accelerate growth by transforming individual contributors into effective leaders. His Triple-A approach — Analyse, Accelerate, Apply — delivers customised leadership development that drives results.
An official investor in Talent Journey, Ben brings his expertise in leadership and organisational growth. His commitment to sustainable success makes him a valuable partner in Talent Journey's mission to help companies thrive.
Mark Beal-Preston is a partner and the Chief Commercial Officer at Talent Journey, bringing expertise in market strategy, strategic relationships, and operational excellence. With over 20 years of experience in commerce and project management, Mark has held multiple executive leadership roles in innovative and fast-growing businesses. In 2014, he founded one of the UK's fastest-growing accountancy practices...
Anne Marie Butts is the Chief People Officer at LHI Group, where she leads the People team in attracting, developing, and retaining top talent. With a passion for creating equitable and inclusive workplaces, she ensures every employee has the opportunity to thrive.
A dedicated advocate for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, Anne Marie drives initiatives that promote collaboration. Her pledge to inclusivity extends to her role as an investor in Talent Journey.
Mark Beal-Preston is a partner and the Chief Commercial Officer at Talent Journey, bringing expertise in market strategy, strategic relationships, and operational excellence. With over 20 years of experience in commerce and project management, Mark has held multiple executive leadership roles in innovative and fast-growing businesses. In 2014, he founded one of the UK's fastest-growing accountancy practices...
Hugo Sugden is an entrepreneur and executive advisor, and the Chairman and Co-Founder of Wynden Stark Group. With extensive expertise in corporate development and executive advisory, he helps organisations tackle complex challenges and scale effectively. Hugo co-founded GQR in 2009, a leading international talent acquisition firm, expanding its operations across banking, finance, technology, life sciences, and healthcare. His leadership in talent strategy and business growth has transformed the recruitment landscape and established him as a thought leader in the industry.
Mark Beal-Preston is a partner and the Chief Commercial Officer at Talent Journey, focusing on market strategy, commercial development, and operational excellence. With over 20 years of experience, Mark has led high-growth businesses and founded a successful accountancy firm acquired by the UK’s largest private equity-backed professional services group. He drove record-breaking sales and business growth, earning recognition for his strategic leadership and ability to build high-performance teams.
With over 20 years of dynamic experience in Sales and Sales Management, Craig is a proven leader in the recruitment sector, having excelled for 15 years in fast-paced agency environments. A consistent top biller, Craig has a remarkable ability to inspire and lead teams of over 30, driving exceptional performance and operational excellence. His strategic insight into sales and operational management has resulted in transformative growth, with a particular focus on process innovation, performance enhancement, and international business expansion. Craig’s comprehensive skill set empowers him to architect sales strategies that achieve targets and foster sustainable, long-term growth in competitive markets.
With 18 years of expertise in Talent Acquisition, Rob has transformed recruitment strategies for multiple organisations by successfully leading large-scale hiring initiatives across diverse industries. He is an authority in designing and implementing cutting-edge recruitment technologies, including on-premises and cloud-based solutions such as CRMs and ATSs. Rob's commitment to establishing IT best practices has enabled organisations to leverage innovative technology to optimise recruitment processes, resulting in scalable and efficient talent strategies. His data-driven approach ensures that recruitment efforts are strategically aligned with organisational goals, delivering hires and high-impact talent that drive business success.
Laura is a marketing innovator with 7 years of experience specialising in digital engagement strategies that drive exceptional results. Her expertise in LinkedIn optimisation and customer experience (CX) has enabled her to create compelling marketing campaigns that resonate deeply with target audiences. With a unique background in recruitment and global marketing, Laura excels at merging insights from both fields to develop strategies that capture attention, build lasting customer loyalty, and drive conversion rates. Her commitment to data-driven marketing ensures that each campaign is fine-tuned for maximum impact, empowering brands to thrive in an evolving marketplace.
Rich is a distinguished Learning and Development (L&D) consultant with a decade of experience that has revolutionised performance outcomes across various sectors. His innovative approaches to L&D have consistently driven substantial ramp-up, retention, and revenue increases, establishing him as a sought-after advisor in the field. As a founder himself, Rich intimately understands the entrepreneurial challenges and has successfully implemented impactful interventions across Life Sciences, Legal, Tech, and Financial Services in the UK, EU, and Australia. His outcome-focused mindset ensures that every initiative he leads delivers exceptional return on investment, empowering organisations to realise their full potential.
As an ambassador for Talent Journey, I can confidently say that this platform is unmatched and the first of its kind. Throughout my career building and scaling successful recruitment businesses and being exposed to hundreds of ancillary services, Talent Journey stands out for its extensive range of expert tools and resources.
As the founder of a growing recruitment business, Talent Journey has been a transformative force for us. The platform's comprehensive solution, featuring structured learning and support through various segments and training modules, has helped streamline our processes and significantly enhanced our efficiency. It has provided us with a clear roadmap for every growth stage.
The expert advisors at Talent Journey have provided invaluable guidance, helping us navigate our business path confidently. Moreover, connections with industry-leading partners through Talent Journey have significantly strengthened our capabilities. The support and resources they offer have been crucial in achieving our strategic goals.
Talent Journey has been a game-changer for my recruitment business. It offers a mix of learning modules, expert consultations, and strategic tools in one platform, helping our team stay ahead in the competitive landscape. The on-demand access ensures seamless integration into our schedules. Ultimately, the platform has streamlined processes, cut costs, and fuelled our growth.