Meet The Team
Grace Nugent; Managing Director
Grace Nugent, Managing Director of De Lacy Executive, combines a lifelong passion for agriculture with extensive industry experience. Raised on a farm and holding a degree in Agricultural Business Management, Grace has worked on farms in the UK and New Zealand, giving her a deep understanding of agricultural operations.
Joining De Lacy Executive in 2011 as a Trainee Recruitment Consultant, Grace quickly advanced through roles such as Recruitment Consultant, Senior Recruitment Consultant, Recruitment Team Manager, and General Manager. Now, as Managing Director, she focuses on business development, strategy, growth, building partnerships, and enhancing client and candidate experiences.
Grace is committed to helping clients with developing strong recruitment processes. She works closely with key clients to support them with their recruitment year planning and advice on succession future proofing their businesses.
Her comprehensive insight into the agricultural sector ensures that De Lacy Executive continues to excel in connecting top talent with leading agricultural businesses.
Telephone: 01885 485521
Mobile: 07436808024
Jon Handley; Recruitment Operations Manager
Jon began his career in secondary education eventually progressing to Head of Geography. It was a difficult decision to leave teaching, but his passion for agriculture led him to De Lacy Executive.
At De Lacy, Jon focuses on supporting the company's growth in the UK and expanding its international portfolio. He also leads a professional and knowledgeable team of consultants from varying agricultural backgrounds, all individually committed to delivering excellent standards of service and doing right by you.
Jon is known for building genuine, long-term relationships within the industry. He takes the time to truly understand each role and business, recognising that De Lacy’s work can significantly impact people’s lives and organisations. He strongly believes in De Lacy’s ethos that successful recruitment is about trust, communication, thoroughness, and finding compatibility, not just simply filling a position.
With his roots in rural Leicestershire and having married into a sheep and arable farming family, Jon maintains a strong connection to agriculture and a vested interest in its people and future.
Telephone: 01885 485522
Mobile: 07946 008667
Ollie O'Driscoll; Client Partnership Manager
With over a decade of experience in recruitment, Ollie brings a wealth of expertise and enthusiasm to his role. For the past five years, he has specialised in agricultural recruitment, developing an in-depth understanding of the industry and building an extensive network of contacts.
As a Key Account Consultant at De Lacy Executive, Ollie delivers a comprehensive, end-to-end recruitment service, supporting both candidates and clients from initial contact through to successful placement. Oliver’s primary areas of expertise include arable/agronomy, pest control, anaerobic digestion, professional services, and biodiversity.
Committed to “recruitment done right,” Ollie prioritises genuine care and a personal touch. His dedication ensures that both candidates and clients find the perfect match, fostering mutual growth and long-term success.
Telephone: 01885 485526
Mobile: 07730 218 934
Harry Porter; Key Account Consultant
Harry grew up on a smallholding in rural Shropshire, where he bred and sold chickens and ducks to local back garden poultry keepers. With many friends and family involved in farming, agriculture has always been close to his heart. After completing a marketing apprenticeship, Harry spent five years working in the medical industry. However, he soon realised his passion lay in agriculture, and he jumped at the opportunity to join De Lacy Executive, a company deeply rooted in the sector.
Starting as a recruitment consultant, Harry now holds a dual role within the business, drawing on his marketing experience to promote the company. He has had success in filling a wide range of roles and particularly enjoys working on positions in sales, marketing, poultry, livestock, and farm management.
His blend of recruitment and industry knowledge has contributed to his success in helping agricultural businesses find the right talent.
Telephone: 01885 485524
Mobile: 07875197231
George Clayton; Recruitment Consultant
George brings a strong and varied background in recruitment to his role at De Lacy Executive, with experience across both the trades and IT sectors. Before joining the team, he specialised in placing electricians, gas engineers, and IT/software professionals, building a solid understanding of technical roles and what clients need to succeed.
Having grown up in the countryside, George has a natural curiosity for agriculture – particularly the ways in which technology and machinery are transforming the future of the industry.
At De Lacy, George delivers a full 360 recruitment service, from lead generation and business development through to matching talented individuals with like-minded businesses. He’s driven by the opportunity to make a real impact – helping organisations grow their teams and supporting people as they take the next step in their careers.
Telephone: 01885 485525
Mobile: 07506 296301
Rupert Kettle; Recruitment Consultant
Rupert grew up on a family livestock farm in Warwickshire, where he developed a passion for agriculture. After earning a degree in languages, he pursued various roles in Tree Surgery, Arable Farming, and Contract Fencing. With a background in livestock, he also gained experience in combinable crops, foraging, and haymaking.
Rupert is particularly interested in the future of Agri-tech and sustainable farming, and how innovation will shape food production. His own experience navigating different roles in farming led him to recruitment, where he helps others find the right fit in the industry.
Fluent in French and Italian, Rupert brings strong skills in communication and problem solving to his work.
Telephone: 01885 485523
Mobile: 07498 665961
Edward Clift; Data and Accounts Manager
Edward comes from a strong farming background, spanning three generations in the Worcestershire and Herefordshire borders.
After graduating with a degree in Analytical Sciences, he went on to enjoy a career in hospitality where he has worked with local producers and suppliers, eventually managing his own bakery business. He has now returned to his roots in the agricultural industry, joining the De Lacy Executive Recruitment team in 2023.
