Meet the Team
Tobias
Chairman
Tobias has over 15 years leading major global engineering recruitment and staffing companies. Tobias was CEO of EPCglobal, a technical staffing firm focused on the EPC sector with offices in the UK, the US, India, and the UAE. EPCglobal provided senior-level project staff to the civil, power, rail, oil and gas sectors. Tobias was also CEO of Swift Worldwide Resources, a technical staffing firm with over 3,500 employees operating from 26 office locations in 16 countries. Tobias then helped engineer the formation of Airswift a $1.3 bn company that had a diversified engineering customer base, through the merger of Air Energi and Swift Worldwide resources to form a global business with 56 office locations in 26 countries and over 7,000 employees. Tobias served as Non-executive Director of Airswift after the merger.
Fun fact: Has competed in the IronMan World Championships
If Tobias could trade lives with anybody, who would it be: Thomas Edison
Favourite food: Ceviche
Perfect Holiday Destination: His House in Silverthorne, Colorado.
US: +1 (832) 289-1366
Tom
Senior Consultant
Before starting AQRA International, Tom worked in Houston, TX as the director of driver recruitment for a Texas-based delivery company, TUYA. During his time at TUYA, Tom oversaw the recruitment of over 300 Independent Contractors and transformed the recruitment process from old-fashioned paper applications to a platform-based system to help develop candidate sourcing and management capabilities. Tom manages AQRA's contracts, finances, and operations.
Fun fact: Tom had Harry Potter's (Daniel Radcliffe's) French Text Book at school, unfortunately, it didn't come with useful notes for potions and spells
If Tom could trade lives with anybody, who would it be: Lewis Hamilton
Favourite food: Velvet Taco
Perfect Holiday Destination: Favignana
tom.read@aqrainternational.com
UK: +44739535292
US: +1 (720) 259-1433
Haydn
Head of US Civil Infrastructure
Haydn previously worked for an international recruitment firm where he was instrumental in the growth of the Civil Infrastructure team. The firm went from a general provider of Infrastructure Recruitment to one of the key suppliers in their respective markets.
Haydn has learned what values are important to prospective clients and candidates. This has made him very well suited to building and developing AQRA’s DNA. Haydn AKA "Coach" leads the team of recruitment consultants at AQRA International.
Market US Civil Infrastructure
Fun fact: Not so fun but I only have 2 fingers not broken.... Goalkeeping Injuries!! I can also recite the entire film of Forrest Gump.
If Haydn could trade lives with anybody, who would it be: Forrest Gump
Favourite food: Bubba Gump Shrimp... Or anything I have cooked
Perfect Holiday Destination: Camping in Dorset
haydn.read@aqrainternational.com
+1 (720) 259 -1433
Mark
Director of Recruitment - Texas
Market: Mark leads the Texas Civil Engineering team
Fun fact: Lived in Paris for 8 Months.
If Mark could trade lives with anybody, who would it be: Jose Mourinho
Favourite food: John Dory & Crab Risotto
Perfect Holiday Destination: Southern Spain/ Portugal
mark.coramjames@aqrainternational.com
+1 (832) 460-7339
Jacob
Director of Recruitment - South East
Market: Jake leads the South East civil engineering team
Fun fact: He teaches Skiing when and where he can
If Jacob could trade lives with anybody, who would it be: Didier Drogba
Favourite food: Sushi
Perfect Holiday Destination: Zermatt, Switzerland
Jacob.mn@aqrainternational.com
+1 (813) 246-4002
David
Recruitment Manager - North East
Market: David leads the Mid-Atlantic civil engineering team
Fun fact: He can tell you any Chelsea FC Score and scorer over the last 20 years.
If David could trade lives with anybody, who would it be: Usain Bolt
Favourite food: Seafood Linguine
Perfect Holiday Destination: Maldives
david.james@aqrainternational.com
+1 (240) 200-1453
Ellie
Recruitment Manager - Midwest
Market: Midwestern
Fun fact: Can pour the perfect Guinness.
If Ellie could trade lives with anybody, who would it be: Louis Theroux
Favourite food: Coconut curry
Perfect Holiday Destination: New Zealand
ellie.buxton@aqrainternational.com
+1 (708) 325-2699
Will
Recruitment Manager - GA, NC, SC
Market: Georgia & The Carolinas
Fun fact: I’m 100% from the 3-point line in NBA arenas (1 for 1 on the Miami Heat court)
If Will could trade lives with anybody, who would it be: Donald Glover
Favourite food: Lamb stew with couscous (Mum's cooking)
Perfect Holiday Destination: Sicily
will.haddadi@aqrainternational.com
+1 (404) 305 -3143
Áine
Recruitment Consultant
Market: New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island
Get to know Áine: "I have worked as a primary school teacher for 5 years in Ireland, where I am grew up and lived until 2024. I love spending time with Friends and Family sharing great food and hiking. Travelling is something I thoroughly enjoy having recently travelled to Australia, Sri Lanka, Kuala Lumpur and India."
What drew you to AQRA International: The friendly welcoming team at AQRA International really drew me to the company.
If Áine could trade lives with anybody, who would it be: Beyonce
Favourite food: Fried garlic prawns, Butter Chicken with Garlic naan, Chocolate Fudge brownie with vanilla ice-cream
Favourite Movie: Up
Perfect Holiday Destination: New Zealand
aine.leahy@aqrainternational.com
+1 (646) 475 - 2399
Lara
Recruitment Consultant
Market: Illinois, Tennessee, and Alabama
Get to know Lara: " I enjoy cooking, spending quality time with friends, and doing anything in the sunshine".
What drew Lara to AQRA International: "The team work closely together and always support one another."
If Lara could trade lives with anybody, who would it be: Grace Dent
Favourite food: Tiger prawns in garlic and Chili butter (homemade bread on the side) - Tomahawk steak (rare), creamed mash, asparagus - Lemon Sorbet
Favourite Movie: What’s Eating Gilbert Grape
Perfect Holiday Destination: Siesta Key, Florida
lara.erkul@aqrainternational.com
+1 (312) 549-9230
Fred
Recruitment Consultant
Market: DMV, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky
What drew you to AQRA International: Supportive and personable environment (plus Friday trips to kuma)
If Fred could trade lives with anybody, who would it be: Richard Hammond
Favourite food: Lamb Samosas, Chicken Rogan Josh Garlic naan, Espresso Martini
Favourite Movie: Lord of the Rings Two Towers
Perfect Holiday Destination: Argentina
fred.fordham@aqrainternational.com
+1 (703) 705 - 4646