​With over 20 years of experience in the IT industry across both the UK and New Zealand, Nicola brings a wealth of knowledge and an insatiable passion for digital advancements. Here's how Nicola excels in her role.

How Do You Start Your Day?

Every day starts with a cup of tea (and is followed by at least another 3-5 before the day ends!). After her morning cuppa, Nicola hops on the bus to work, often accompanied by a favourite podcast—Ologies being a top pick.

Once she arrives at the office, her workday is straight forward, beginning by reviewing the applications that have come in overnight. From there, she moves on to phone screenings with candidates and continues on with clients calls which keeps the day flowing.

What Sets You Apart From Other Recruiters?

Nicola’s secret weapon in recruitment is her genuine passion for technology. As a self-confessed geek, she thrives on learning about new—and sometimes obscure—technologies, making her particularly adept at handling niche roles. She doesn’t just fill positions; she delves into the technical details, enjoying conversations with both clients and candidates to truly understand how things work under the hood of these businesses.

Her curiosity and love for learning set her apart, enabling her to connect deeply with the roles she’s recruiting for and the people she’s placing.

What Are the Most Challenging Aspects of Your Job?

Even with 20 years of recruitment experience under her belt, Nicola finds that one of the toughest parts of her job is delivering bad news. Telling someone they’ve been unsuccessful is never easy, especially in a competitive market where roles are highly sought after. This part of the job remains challenging, no matter how seasoned of a recruiter you are.

What’s Your Favourite Part About Working for BrightSpark?

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, it really is the people she works with. For Nicola the team at BrightSpark truly makes all the difference. They work hard, but they also have a lot of fun together, creating a supportive and collaborative environment that makes even the toughest days enjoyable. Nicola values this camaraderie and believes it’s a key ingredient in the success they achieve for both clients and candidates.

What’s Your Favourite Lunch Meal?

As a true Brit, Nicola’s lunch preferences are as classic as they come, she says nothing beats a good old-fashioned cheesie beano. When she’s in the office though, it’s usually a toastie with some sort of cheese. For Nicola, no meal is complete without it!

What Sparks You Up When You Aren’t Recruiting?

Outside of recruitment, Nicola’s love for animals takes center stage. She spends much of her free time with her dog, Marvin, and her cat, Juniper. Recently, she’s combined her passion for animals with her creative side by starting a dog photography business, allowing her to spend even more time with furry friends.

Animal rescue is also close to Nicola’s heart, and she’s recently welcomed her first foster puppy. Whether she’s snapping photos of dogs or caring for a new foster, Nicola’s life outside of work is as fulfilling and busy as her professional one.