Albert Bow Welcomes James as Head of Talent Acquisition to Drive 2025 Growth
Albert Bow is delighted to announce the appointment of James as our new Head of Talent Acquisition. This milestone marks a significant step in our journey as we continue to expand our team, invest in our people, and deliver ambitious growth plans for 2025 and beyond.
From Sports to Recruitment – James’ Journey
James began his career in the Sports Teamwear & Equipment sector as an Area Sales Manager. While he enjoyed the role, he soon realised his passion lay less in products and more in people. With education close to home, both of his parents were headteachers, and he was introduced to Anzuk Education, a specialist in supporting international teachers in the UK.
“From my very first day, I loved the recruitment process, helping clients find the right people and seeing the impact it had,” James recalls.
When family life brought him from London to Saddleworth, just outside Manchester, the daily commute was no longer sustainable. Around that time, a familiar name came calling. James had known Craig Trenier, Founder of Albert Bow, for years. With a new challenge on the horizon, joining forces with Craig was, in James’ words, “a no-brainer.”
A Longstanding Connection to Albert Bow
Though not officially part of the team until now, James has been close to Albert Bow since its early days.
“Even back in my sports days, I often worked out of their office and saw the culture first-hand,” he explains. “To watch it evolve from a small two-person setup (plus Bobbie!) into the thriving business it is today has been special. The growth has been organic, authentic, and something I know Craig is extremely proud of.”
Leading Talent Acquisition for Growth
As Head of Talent Acquisition, James’ priority is to align closely with the leadership team Craig, Sinead, David, and Chloe to understand the growth plan in detail and identify the people Albert Bow needs to achieve it.
“My role is about ensuring we bring in the right people, those who are motivated, aligned with Albert Bow’s vision, and ready to contribute across the board. Recruitment is the engine of growth, so by securing top talent, I’ll help the business scale effectively while protecting the culture that makes Albert Bow stand out.”
James will focus on attracting high performers who excel not just in the office but also bring drive, resilience, and ambition to everything they do.
Why Albert Bow Stands Out
For James, what sets Albert Bow apart is simple: the people.
“It’s the drive and authenticity of the team. They’re professional, but they also build relationships through honesty, trust, and genuine care. That combination of ambition and integrity really sets Albert Bow apart.”
With deep roots in communities across London and Manchester from his years of involvement in rugby as both a player and coach, James brings strong networks to the business. He plans to leverage these while being crystal clear on the characteristics Albert Bow looks for in future hires.
“The vision for the business is such an attractive one why wouldn’t ambitious people want to be part of it?” he adds.
Looking Ahead
In his first year, James’ goal is straightforward: to make sure every hire adds value, strengthens the team, and helps Albert Bow hit its ambitious growth milestones.
“Success is what drives me,” James says. “With the support of the senior leadership team, I want to get the right people in the right roles so we can keep building momentum.”
As Albert Bow heads into 2025, the addition of James as Head of Talent Acquisition underlines the company’s commitment to growth, people, and culture. With the right team in place, the future is full of possibilities.
