About Us
Owned by Inspirit Capital, Aquest is comprised of four companies: Peregrine, Conexia, ThirtyThree and Veredus.
Together the four businesses work with multinational corporates, SME’s and public sector clients to recruit train, deploy and develop their workforce across a wide variety of industry sectors. With operations across the UK, there are over 700 employees across the group.
Our business is uniquely equipped to deliver sustainable value for employers in a complex and changing world.
Our Companies
Peregrine has over 20 years of experience in workforce solutions offering proactive support to the challenges modern businesses face in identifying and developing their workforce for the future.
Conexia specialises in offering digital tools and resource solutions to HR teams, enabling them to concentrate on their strategic initiatives by simplifying systems and creating efficiencies through technology.
Veredus is a leading executive search firm with over thirty years heritage in the UK, delivering senior talent into the public sector, central government and regulated industries.
ThirtyThree is the UK’s leading employer brand agency supporting clients with creative, social, and digital solutions to inject excitement into their brands and engage the talent they need to succeed.
We deliver bespoke solutions and services
Employer Branding and Marketing Solutions
Talent-as-a-Service
End-to-End Volume Resourcing Solutions
Executive and Specialist Recruitment
Digital HR Management and Transformation
Payroll as a Service
Briony Lydon
Group CEO
Briony has a proven track record of developing strategic principles across operational and commercial solutions. As an expert in Commercial Direction, Briony has held several senior roles over the last 11 years within Capita Plc, notably Group Managing Director of the Capita’s People Pillar businesses. Briony successfully managed the divestment of these businesses, including Security Watchdog, in June 2023 in a sale worth £35 million. Briony has been in her current role as CEO of Aquest since June 2023.
Adam Blake
Group CFO
MSc BA (Hons) CMgr FCMI FCMA CGMA FMAAT FICB PM.Dip
Adam is responsible for the financial health and overall financial well-being of the total Aquest Group. His role is to provide guidance to the board and Group on how best to grow, scale and operationally support the business in a financially responsible way. Adam has over 18 years’ experience working in the accounting sector and 15 years working in the UK recruitment market. Adam has held various senior finance roles at Aquest, Capita plc and Randstad. Adam is a Chartered Management Accountant and Fellow Member of CIMA. As well as Chartered Manager and Fellow with CMI and Fellow of the AAT and ICB.
Gavin Anderson
Managing Director, ThirtyThree
As one of the original founders of ThirtyThree back in 1998, Gavin has been with the business for over 25 years. Starting out as Creative Director, he took on the role of Managing Director in 2018 and has grown the capabilities of the business to win some of the industry’s premium accounts (alongside some of its biggest awards), ensuring ThirtyThree continues to be the most exciting brand in their field.
Peter Wallace
Managing Director, Conexia
With over 24 years of experience within recruitment and HR outsourcing, Peter has been with the business for 17 years. Previously Vice Chairperson of Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development Northern Ireland Branch, he has spoken at events and round tables on topics such as HR service transformation, resourcing and employee experience. Peter is responsible for strategy and delivery of service for all business areas, and is highly experienced in leading teams who can deliver a full spectrum of HR transformation and delivery of outsourced HR and Payroll services.
Gavin Best
Managing Director, Veredus
Managing Director of Veredus executive search & selection, and Interim Management across the public and private sectors, also encompassing business psychology, career transition and leadership coaching.
Gavin has been personally been placing senior managers, directors and C-Suite executives into global roles for nearly 20 years. With specialisms in regulated, manufacturing and utility organisations including head office, digital and country managers.
Alex Morley
Head of Legal and Company Secretary
Alex is responsible for supporting the effectiveness of the board of directors and providing advice on alignment between strategy, governance and legislation. In particular, his role focuses on risk exposure, compliance and governance. As a qualified lawyer with over 10 years’ experience at a diverse consulting, transformation and digital services business, he has strong commercial and strategic awareness, is a trusted business partner and bring expertise in working at all levels of an organisation to identify and mitigate risk and improve business processes.