The Clever Team
James Rendell
James has a wealth of experience working within Financial Services recruitment. He has worked on a number of projects for a variant of businesses, from small niche Financial Planning firms to large national organisations. James is still very much hands on, working on various recruitment assignments for his clients, as well as the day to day running of the business.
In his spare time, besides travel, James is a keen sports fan. His early days was spent on cricket grounds across the country, where he represented Gloucestershire CCC from an early age through to adulthood and he had the honour of representing England Schools in the mid ‘90s. He supports grass roots football and plays the occasional round of golf.
He can often be found grazing the nearby Cotswold countryside with his family and Donkey-like Chocolate Lab, Monster.
In 2016, James was a nominee for the South West 42 under 42, an initiative where business owners across the region are recognised under the age of 42. Further information can be found by following the link: https://www.insidermedia.com/42-under-42-members/southwest/2016 .
He is currently joint Chairman of business networking group, Sodbury & Yate Business Association, a community group designed to offer support and opportunities for business owners in the local area.
Likes: The sound of leather on willow, Everton, travelling and Jaffa Cakes
Dislikes: Arrogance and a fuzzy radio signal
Favourite Movie: A toss up between Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Big Trouble in Little China
Tom Brown
Although only twenty-three, Tom has experience of working closely with high profile businesses in regards to their recruitment needs. Qualified with a Bachelor of Science, Tom is currently undertaking his Master of Science in Psychology. As a confident and hard-working individual, Tom wishes to complete his Masters by successfully publishing his dissertation on Confidence and Well-Being within Business Settings.
Tom is highly passionate about Sport, and he is a member of a number of local sporting associations. Among his sporting achievements, Tom has played for the Bristol Rugby Academy. Even when Tom has a full schedule, he will still find time to cram in some exercise somehow.
Naturally, as a keen sportsman and salesman, Tom is highly competitive with a burning desire to succeed in every task that he completes - This occasionally upsets his colleagues and friends. At heart, Tom is still a kid and he has a keen interest in superhero and science fiction media. Tom has a tendency to make jokes and provide humour in the majority of situations that he faces; This is best described by a t-shirt that he owns saying "I am not normal".
Likes: Sport, Helping People and Cooking
Dislikes: Losing, People who Dawdle in the middle of the Pathway, and Overtaking Lorries
Favourite Movie: Anything with Jim Carrey from the 90's!
Cat Rendell
Catherine comes from a Training and Development background and is a qualified teacher by trade. She has a vast amount of experience working within the Insurance industry where she has coached and developed a wide range of personnel. She is passionate about sourcing and developing individuals to match our clients requirements and is a real asset to the team.
As a dedicated follower of fitness, Catherine enjoys rustling up super healthy dishes and taking part in runs and various charity events.
Likes: Learning (especially about nutrition and wellbeing), Exploring the World, and Minimalism
Dislikes: Slow Walkers, Arrogance and Animal Cruelty
Favourite Movie: That's a toughy! Let me think on this one...
Sam Kotadia
Sam has over a decade of experience working with organisations in high-performance environments. Qualified with a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Psychology Sam’s work has been translated into half-a-dozen world-languages. His recent manuscript ‘Win the Day’ attracted the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo; who wrote the foreword for the book. His friends and colleagues are sick of hearing this by the way!
Sam has an unmoving passion to bring the best out of everyone he works with in a variety of professional spaces. His mother believes that watching too many Rocky films from a young age explains Sam’s love for the underdog rising to the challenge.
Despite being immersed in the world of Positive Psychology Sam is a terrible loser. Avoid him at all costs if you happen to find him on the golf course in a bunker. Sam loves film and on occasion is known to produce an oil painting. Music is another one of Sam’s keen passions; but he cannot sing to save his life!
Monte Moo
A good boy who comes in occasionally for a snooze, some treats and a lot of love.
Likes: Cheese, Cucumber and Ear Scratches
Dislikes: Being Ignored, Non-Food Sharers and Being dressed up in silly T-Shirts
Favourite Movie: Marley & Me, Turner & Hooch and Beethoven
Brenda Willmott
I’ve been in the Financial Services industry for over 30 years in a variety of roles – starting in DB pension administration, SSAS Administration, a broker consultant for a major pension provider and more recently as a paraplanner. Due to my extensive financial services experience, I decided to join the Clever team so that I can use my knowledge in helping our clients attract new clients and candidates find their next career move.
I have visited lots of interesting places over the years, including Bora Bora, Tahiti, Tokyo, and The Gambia. For my 50th birthday, I also slept in an ice room at minus 28 at The Ice Hotel, Sweden. I spend much of my free time in campsites around the UK utilising my beloved camper van or on the back of Rich’s BMW motorbike participating in charity events, including Santa’s on a Bike and Hoggin the Bridge. I have also been known to combine motorbiking and traveling, spending 10 days in Norway touring, and in March I will be off to Phuket, Thailand. I have created so many memories, including running around and around Vienna airport trying to get to my connecting flight, flying a plane, and never-ending journeys to countries.
I currently help to walk an elderly couple’s beloved dog, Star, a Cavalier KC Spaniel as part of the Cinnamon Trust. This is a great way to combine my love of dogs and helping the community.
Likes: Dogs, Maltesers, and Champagne
Dislikes: Needles, Blood, and Spiders
Favourite Movie: The Jazz Singer - Neil Diamond version - Naff Acting, Fab Singing
