Meet Our Team

Meet 4myschools Multi Award Winning Team

Meet 4myschools Multi Award Winning Team

Meet our amazing team below!

4myschools have won four industry awards and been shortlisted in many more. Together we work as a team and are experts in all that we do.

Best Recruitment Company to work for 2023

Candidate experience of the year 2023

High Standards in Recruitment 2022

Temporary worker of the year 2022

We are a REC Audited in Education holders

Meet the Team below!

Simone Payne

Simone Payne

Chief Executive and Co Founder of 4myschools

Elected Board Director of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation in 2021.

Simone was voted onto the The Board as a representative of Corporate Members of the REC. Key to this Non -Exec function is support and guidance to ensure the business plan and strategy is delivered by the CEO and the Senior Management Team at the REC.

Elected Vice Chair Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) Education Sector 2013.

Simone works with the Chair of the education sector to ensure the sector is kept up to date with important issues effecting businesses and candidates working in the education sector. 

Member of the REC Industry Comms Forum 2020.

A forum for comms and PR staff in the recruitment industry to talk regularly. Discussing emerging issues, and work together to demonstrate the positive impact the recruitment industry is having for people’s lives and the economy.

Simone co-founded 4myschools in 2008 quickly making a difference to recruitment into schools across Essex, Suffolk, Hertfordshire and Norfolk. Simone is passionate about quality of service, and making a social impact to people’s lives across the UK and those less fortunate around the world. Simone also enjoys climbing mountains and has conquered Base Camp Everest and Mount Kilimanjaro. Each time raising money for causes which impact education in the UK and overseas.

On her last trip to Tanzania Simone was able to experience the impact 4myschools makes to children there and one day hopes to visit the Well we built in Ethiopia.

Simone has four children, four grandchildren and a Weimaraner dog called Monty who takes her on long walks across Hertfordshire where she lives.

Helen Darling

Helen Darling

Associate Director

With extensive experience and a strong dedication to excellence, Helen plays a pivotal role at 4myschools Teacher Recruitment. Consistently advocating for the success of candidates, individual schools and trusts. Her professional journey showcases her ability to build enduring relationships in the education recruitment sector. She ensures that every placement is ideally suited.

In November 2023 Helen won the Recruitment and Employment Confederations prestigious “Candidate experience of the year award”. Helen displayed real initiative that the judges really felt should be rewarded. As one judge said, ‘what 4myschools do should be standard operating procedure. Let’s roll it out everywhere!’

Outside of her professional achievements, Helen expertly juggles her career with a vibrant family life. With three children alongside her adventurous Red Fox Labrador who enjoys frolicking in the sea and very muddy ditches.

Her enthusiasm for personal and professional growth allows her to turn challenges into opportunities! Making her an indispensable member of our team and a true champion for outstanding education recruitment.

Megan Hunter

Megan Hunter

Head of Compliance & Standards

Megan joined 4myschools in June 2025 after working in education recruitment compliance for 15 years. Megan is passionate about ensuring all candidates are thoroughly vetted and compliant, with the safety of children being of the utmost importance.

 

Outside of work, Megan volunteers as the vice-Chair of Governors at a local primary school and enjoys family days out with her two young daughters and her labrador Bruno.

Syvonne Wilson

Syvonne Wilson

Senior Recruitment Consultant Suffolk, Cambridge & Safeguarding Lead

Joining 4myschools in November 2013, Syvonne had come from a retail management background. She was able to develop her career within 4myschools by completing a level 3 REC Certificate in Recruitment Practise. Syvonne is also currently working towards a Level 4 REC Diploma in Recruitment Management. Additionally, in her spare time Syvonne is a CrossFit athlete and is very creative when it comes to baking cakes. Syvonne lives on the Essex/ Suffolk/Cambridge borders so is well placed to work with candidates and schools in Ipswich, Stowmarket, Saffron Walden and Cambridge to name but a few.

Paul Matthews

Paul Matthews

Senior Recruitment Consultant Norfolk

Meet Paul, he has been with the 4myschools team since 2012 following a long-term role working in HR and recruiting within the private healthcare sector. He likes the fast-paced environment and enjoys helping clients with their permanent recruitment needs and candidates in their career pathways. In his spare time Paul is a keen fitness enthusiast and frequents the gym on a regular basis!

Katie Joyce

Katie Joyce

Senior SEN Recruitment Consultant Norfolk

Katie first joined 4myschools in 2009 within the Compliance Team and quickly progressed to Recruitment Consultant for Hertfordshire. After a career change and relocation to Norfolk, she re-joined 4myschools in 2018 as a Support Consultant within our Norfolk branch, where she rapidly became an expert in SEND recruitment.

Katie is passionate about visiting schools in person and building strong relationships across the county, particularly within the SEND community.

Outside of work, Katie is a busy mum of three and volunteers her time with Costessey Sports.

Bryony Lopez

Bryony Lopez

Senior SEND Recruitment Consultant Essex & Suffolk

Bryony was always destined to work in the education sector in some capacity. Initially she thought it was as a teacher but then, in 2006, she started a position as a trainee Education Recruitment Consultant and has loved it ever since. Bryony takes her responsibility of finding quality, specialist staff for SEND and vulnerable students seriously. She is passionate about finding the right person for the right job. Her job satisfaction comes from hearing that a young person with identified needs feels encouraged and supported enough to meet their individual goal(s). When she speaks to her candidates and they say that she has helped find them their perfect job Bryony feels hugely satisfied and content she has made a difference to someone’s life.

Bryony covers teacher recruitment in Essex, finding teachers jobs in primary schools in Colchester, Harlow and Great Dunmow to name but a few.

Donna Payne

Donna Payne

Senior Recruitment Consultant Herts

Meet Donna, she re-joined 4myschools in May 2022 and has over 13 years recruitment experience. She first worked with 4myschools in 2009 supporting primary and secondary schools across Essex and Hertfordshire and was quickly promoted to Branch Manager. Donna recently spent time at home bringing up her three children and is now ready for her next chapter with 4myschools.

Education is important to Donna. She enjoys building relationships with schools and candidates and is passionate about ensuring the right person is placed into the right role. The thrill of finding the perfect job for a candidate and the right fit for a school drives Donna to being an expert in education recruitment.

Also, aside from juggling children’s clubs, Donna enjoys running, going to the gym, and baking.

Hope Lambart

Hope Lambart

Recruitment Consultant Essex Primary

Hope joined 4myschools in March 2024 as an Specialist Recruitment Consultant. She previously worked within the healthcare recruitment sector.  Hope works with Primary schools in Essex, including Chelmsford, Maldon, Basildon, Braintree, and many other towns across the region.

Hope loves animals, with two cats and two dogs in her household. In her spare time, she is adding to her house plant collection, going to weekly Pilate classes, and seeing new shows at the theatre with family and friends.

Jemma Terroni

Jemma Terroni

Senior Recruitment Consultant Essex Primary

Jemma joined 4myschools in March 2024 as a Senior Recruitment Consultant. She has worked in Education Recruitment since July 2020 and prior to this she managed a nursery in Chelmsford for 5 years. This included working with children from birth to 5 years.

Jemma enjoys building good relationships with schools and candidates. She is passionate about Education, supporting candidates and helping people to achieve their goals.

Jemma enjoys running and going to the gym in her spare time. She also loves spending time with her family, friends and Labrador Peanut who loves keeping her on her toes!

 

Jasmine Purcell

Jasmine Purcell

Recruitment Consultant Hertfordshire

Jasmine joined 4myschools in 2016 as a school leaver at an apprenticeship level, and then went on to complete this and gained the title of compliance team member.

Jasmine was promoted in 2020 to become a specialist recruitment coordinator within the Essex and Hertfordshire team. She enjoys being able to help candidates and loves supporting the rest of the team. She has always had a keen interest in making a difference to people’s lives, so being able to help candidates gain work and also enjoy what they do is a huge success for her.  Outside of work Jasmine has an interest in fashion and make up and the latest trends.

Olivia Mullarkey

Olivia Mullarkey

Recruitment Consultant Northamptonshire

Olivia joined 4myschools in May 2023, but has been working in educational recruitment since 2005.
She has a real passion for SEND. She has 3 children and her eldest son has a rare genetic condition and has had support in school since he was two years old. Olivia understands the variation of support children with complex needs require and how the positive impact teachers and support staff have on the students and their families. Olivia loves helping and motivating people and is also a qualified personal trainer and fitness instructor, promoting fitness and well-being.

Olivia enjoys outdoor activities and regular camping trips with her family and their Belgian Malinois, Molly

Jemilla

Jemilla

Recruitment Administrator

Jemilla joined 4myschools in October 2021 as a Compliance Officer. Having previously worked in the insurance market, with over 10 years’ experience in customer service. Jemilla enjoys listening to people and helping them to achieve their expectations as well as going that extra mile to give a fantastic customer service experience. In September 2024 jemilla joined the recruitment team and started her journey as a recruitment coordinator supporting candidates on the journey to find the perfect roles for them.

In her spare time, Jemilla is kept busy by her two young daughters and her dog. A 60kg Rottweiler Newfoundland cross called Bailey. She also enjoys cooking, live music, meeting up with family and friends and going on long walks.

Lorraine Bond

Lorraine Bond

Compliance Officer

Lorraine joined 4myschools in June 2023 with a background in Human Resources and Recruiting within the private healthcare sector.  Having worked in a range of customer facing roles over the years, she enjoys building positive relationships with new candidates and supporting them through the compliance processes.  Lorraine has extensive knowledge of safeguarding and employment legislation which she uses to support stakeholders

Lorraine enjoys going on long walks, and attending her weekly zumba class! She also loves spending lots of time with family and friends.

 

 

Millicent Siyaya

Millicent Siyaya

Compliance Officer

Milee joined 4myschools in September 2025 as a Compliance Officer, having previously worked as a background screening/employment verification analyst where she performed various screening level checks in the UK and around the world. In her role of screening candidates,  she learned the importance of accuracy and the skill of paying attention to detail, ensuring the suitability of the candidate. Milee implores the same skill as a Compliance Officer at 4myschools.

In her spare time, Milee enjoys spending time with her family, leads an active lifestyle, loves collecting books and connecting over a nice meal.

Zenani Nkonzo

Zenani Nkonzo

Compliance Officer

Zenani joined 4myschools in October 2025 as a Compliance Officer, bringing with her background in Data Analytics. In her role, she supports candidates and stakeholders throughout the compliance process, working closely with internal teams and external partners to ensure requirements are met efficiently and to a high standard.

With a strong analytical mindset and a detail‑focused approach, Zenani is committed to maintaining best practice in compliance while supporting positive outcomes for both candidates and clients.

Outside of work, Zenani enjoys reading research papers across a variety of topics, trying out new restaurants, and values spending quality time with her siblings.