GOOD PEOPLE WHO KNOW WHAT THE ARE DOING...

Talk to JMS Recruit

Meet the family

Your JMS Team

In an industry where everyone is jostling to offer you the same services, we believe focusing on the people behind those services and the ways in which they provide them is what really makes the difference. Let us introduce you to the specialists behind JMS.

Sam THOMPSON

Sam THOMPSON

Director, Yacht Manager & Head of JMS Recruit

Carla SWAINE

Carla SWAINE

Recruitement Consultant

Jerri MURTAGH

Jerri MURTAGH

Recruitment Consultant

Sarah WOOD

Sarah WOOD

Recruitment Consultant

Gabriella JOHNSTONE

Gabriella JOHNSTONE

Recruitement Consultant

Mimi MAJENDIE

Mimi MAJENDIE

Recruitment Consultant

Commercial Director, Yacht Manager & Head of JMS Recruit

  • Experience: 12 years (seagoing), 6 years Recruitment and Yacht Management (ashore).
  • Languages: English & French
  • Certification: Cert RP, Master 3000GT.

Sam began his yachting career back in 1994 working on an 80 metre (262 feet) yacht that led him on an epic adventure to Thailand. He hasn’t looked back since.

A qualified Master 3000GT he worked on six yachts including two new builds before moving on land to start a family and specialise in professional recruitment for the Oil & Gas industry and commercial shipping working with industry leaders such as Technip, Subsea 7, BP Shipping and Bibby Ship Management.

A passionate sailor, Sam is a much liked industry professional whose known ability for getting things done is respected by Owners and Captains.

“Sam has been a massive help with finding new crew. Any crew he placed with us have been exactly what we were looking for, and are all still on board well over 12 months later.”

Marc Van Loon 42m, M/Y CLICIA

Sam began his yachting career back in 1994 working on an 80 metre (262 feet) yacht that led him on an epic adventure to Thailand. He hasn’t looked back since.

A qualified Master 3000GT he worked on six yachts including two new builds before moving on land to start a family and specialise in professional recruitment for the Oil & Gas industry and commercial shipping working with industry leaders such as Technip, Subsea 7, BP Shipping and Bibby Ship Management.

A passionate sailor, Sam is a much liked industry professional whose known ability for getting things done is respected by Owners and Captains.

“Sam has been a massive help with finding new crew. Any crew he placed with us have been exactly what we were looking for, and are all still on board well over 12 months later.”

Marc Van Loon 42m, M/Y CLICIA

Proudest Professional Moment

The first time I realised that some advice I had passed onto a young crew member helped them to get to exactly where they wanted in their career. That was an extremely proud moment.

When I first joined this industry I got some great advice and guidance from a gentleman called Adrian J. Fisher. He was the reference in crew recruitment in those days, someone who certainly didn’t need to speak to a greenie like me, but he did, and it helped me understand what the whole industry is about.

So being in a position to be able to offer the sort of help and guidance dear old Adrian offered me, is gratifying to say the least.

Professional Mantra

I detest BS so I make sure I don’t deal in it. My biggest beef? Tell it like it is…life is so much simpler when we all know where we stand.

Biggest Professional Gripe

Sorry, but I have to say it…those Crew Agency cowboys who pollute our industry by just passing over crew CVs to Owners and Captains without as much as a reference check or interview. It makes my blood boil when I hear stories like that.

We, like all respectable Crew Agencies, are here to help Owners and Captains win valuable time and reduce the risk of high crew turnover by only presenting qualified, reference and certificate checked candidates, and in our case, candidates who we have also personality and character profiled to help ensure the maximum chance of successful integration. That’s how we earn our money and its how our clients end up saving theirs.

Passions & Pastimes

CRICKET, FAMILY & FRIENDS

I love cricket – watching and playing it. I notched up 220 runs ‘not out’ in a league game in the UK once…that’s something you will hear a lot more about I am sure, if we start working together. However since moving to the South of France I have limited opportunity to play these days, so I have reverted to my second passion in life and bought a very old motor boat which I take the family out on during the summer and spend all winter fixing. I spent a large part of my adult life crewing yachts, so passing on my enjoyment of the water to my kids and friends is just fun. For me a great weekend is to sail between the islands off Cannes, have a BBQ on board watching the sun go down with a glass of wine and swim with the sunrise in the morning. Perfect!“

Got a question for Sam ?

Sam shares a lot of what he has learned over the years in the JMS HELP GUIDES aimed at helping Owners and Captains get the most from their yachting.

Carla Swaine

Recruitment Consultant JMS Recruit

  • Experience: 20+
  • Languages: English

A real ‘people’ person with an acute eye for detail, Carla has over 20 years’ experience in luxury hospitality and yachting. From growing up on the island of Guernsey, UK and spending time on her family’s boat she moved to the UK where she trained and worked as a Beauty Therapist.

Carla then went on to work at Harvey Nichols’ flagship store in London and at Your Sanctuary 5* Day Spa in Sydney, Australia before spending 11 years with a London Yacht Brokerage firm. When she moved to Brighton and started working at an IT Recruitment company her talents were quickly spotted and she was duly head-hunted by JMS Recruit

A much-liked and energetic member of the team, Carla’s exceptional profiling skills together with her attention to detail and acute sense of organisation ensure Owners and Captains save time in interviewing only those candidates that fit.

“We had a big crew change recently and both Carla and Sam have been a massive help with finding new crew. Any crew they placed with us have been exactly what we were looking for, and are all still on board almost 12 months later. Carla is a pleasure to deal with, she is always upbeat, friendly and has a positive outlook.”

Marc Van Loon M/Y CLICIA

A real ‘people’ person with an acute eye for detail, Carla has over 20 years’ experience in luxury hospitality and yachting. From growing up on the island of Guernsey, UK and spending time on her family’s boat she moved to the UK where she trained and worked as a Beauty Therapist.

Carla then went on to work at Harvey Nichols’ flagship store in London and at Your Sanctuary 5* Day Spa in Sydney, Australia before spending 11 years with a London Yacht Brokerage firm. When she moved to Brighton and started working at an IT Recruitment company her talents were quickly spotted and she was duly head-hunted by JMS Crew.

A much-liked and energetic member of the team, Carla’s exceptional profiling skills together with her attention to detail and acute sense of organisation ensure Owners and Captains save time in interviewing only those candidates that fit.

“We had a big crew change recently and both Carla and Sam have been a massive help with finding new crew. Any crew they placed with us have been exactly what we were looking for, and are all still on board almost 12 months later. Carla is a pleasure to deal with, she is always upbeat, friendly and has a positive outlook.”

Marc Van Loon M/Y CLICIA

Proudest Professional Moment

When I was working at my last yacht company I was told by an Owner that I was the friendliest receptionist in yachting! I was pretty pleased with that.

Professional Mantra

“When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.”

Biggest Professional Gripe

Bad manners in general! I have been in the service industry for my whole life and it takes nothing to be kind and smile, even if you don’t really feel like it. People won’t remember what you said as much but will remember how you made them feel.

Passions & Pastimes

UPCYCLING

“Two of my favourite pastimes are taking my little Yorkie-Poo for walks on the Sussex Downs (although to be honest she often takes me for walks! I have no idea where she gets her energy from!) and upcycling furniture and ornaments. When I moved house I got fed up looking at characterless new furniture so I decided to seek out antique and second-hand furniture and upcycle it into exactly the style and colour I wanted. I’ve been hooked ever since. At weekends you’ll often find me in local second-hand shops looking for bits of furniture to do up! In fact, I was probably inspired by my mum – I have a silver trophy at home that I was awarded during my hairdressing days and my mum turned it into a vase!!!”

Got a question for Carla ?

Jerri Murtagh

Recruitment Specialist

  • Experience: 2 Years
  • Languages: English, Spanish

Originally from Newcastle, Jerri holds a degree in Public Relations. Her experience spans across a wide range of sectors, specifically within the luxury goods, sports and travel industry. Jerri was the marketing manager at Newcastle United for five years, before moving into the yachting industry in 2017 where she worked as the Sales and Marketing Manager for a yacht brokerage and management firm. Following a relocation to Cheshire, she then worked as Business Development Manager for a yacht accounting software company.

In addition to her full time roles, Jerri also established a bridal wear boutique, which she sold in 2018, in addition to a concierge company specialising in luxury jewellery and watches, travel and designer handbags.

In her spare time, Jerri enjoys horse riding and spending time in the Lake District on her family’s boat in Windermere.

Originally from Newcastle, Jerri holds a degree in Public Relations. Her experience spans across a wide range of sectors, specifically within the luxury goods, sports and travel industry. Jerri was the marketing manager at Newcastle United for five years, before moving into the yachting industry in 2017 where she worked as the Sales and Marketing Manager for a yacht brokerage and management firm. Following a relocation to Cheshire, she then worked as Business Development Manager for a yacht accounting software company.

In addition to her full time roles, Jerri also established a bridal wear boutique, which she sold in 2018, in addition to a concierge company specialising in luxury jewellery and watches, travel and designer handbags.

In her spare time, Jerri enjoys horse riding and spending time in the Lake District on her family’s boat in Windermere.

Proudest Professional Moment

“Managing to co-ordinate the press interviews of a team of Premier League footballers!! ”

Professional Mantra

“Nobody who ever gave their best regretted it. ”

Biggest Professional Gripe

Companies that overpromise and under-deliver.

Passions & Pastimes

HORSE RIDING

“I didn’t start riding until I was 23 but once I started, I couldn’t stop. I quickly bought my first horse, which subsequently resulted in a (very unplanned) foal that I reared for six months before he went on to be trained as a showjumper. I then purchased an eventing horse who taught me dressage and how to jump. Unfortunately, he retired a few years back but I’m hoping to purchase another one soon. ”

Got a question for Jerri ?

Sarah WOOD

Recruitment Specialist

  • Experience: 9 years (sea going)
  • Languages: English

Growing up on Canada’s Great Lakes, Sarah has always been drawn to the water. At 18 she relocated to Grand Cayman island where she was first introduced to the yachting industry. It wasn’t long before she accepted her first position on a world traveling motor yacht and fell in love with the yachting lifestyle.

Over the next nine years she worked her way up the interior ranks to Chief Stewardess on yachts between 40 to 85m. She was recruited by a previous yacht owner to work shore side managing his Florida estate before returning to yachts to travel through the Pacific, Caribbean and Mediterranean. Sarah prides herself on her astute nature, organizational skills and meticulous work ethic.

Sarah has recently relocated to beautiful south west Cornwall, in the UK with her family and is thrilled to be joining the JMS team and eager to start utilizing her skills and experience to make successful matches between clients and crew.

Proudest Professional Moment

A few years back I (very optimistically) applied for a position that I considered to be far above my experience level. After a lengthy interview process, I was offered the position. The powers that be obviously saw my potential and chose to overlook my lack of qualification. I was far outside of my comfort zone when walking on board and was truthfully unsure if it would last! When the time came to leave the vessel, I was proud to have grown into the role and had not only gained the respect of my fellow team members but found a confidence in myself to pursue bigger and better things in the future.

Professional Mantra

Attitude is everything!  “Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it” Charles R Swindoll

Biggest Professional Gripe

 I certainly find it frustrating when receiving ‘cookie cutter’ responses to our advertised jobs. My goal is to establish matches for between qualified crew and great vacancies ;).

Passions & Pastimes

TRAVEL, PHOTOGRAPHY & THRILLING SPORTS

A nine year run working onboard yachts has afforded me many opportunities to travel to spectacular parts of the world, which quickly became a passion of mine! I love experiencing new cultures and being pushed outside of my comfort zone. Along the way I have taken a few photography courses and love collecting photographic evidence of my adventures! The ocean is without a doubt my happy place and I love all water sports, from wake-boarding & surfing to kite boarding, but I am also a huge fan of bungee jumping and sky diving and anything else that gets my heart racing!

Got a question for Sarah ?

Gabriella JOHNSTONE

Crew Recruitment

  • Experience: 9 years (sea going)
  • Languages: English
Born and raised in the South of France, the yachting hub of the world, Gabriella was fortunate to spend her summers on the beautiful Côte d’Azur enjoying water sports and her winters skiing on the weekends with her doggies.

She graduated from the International School of Valbonne which then led her journey to the quirky town of Brighton to attend university where she began her career with JMS. She is now in her final year studying Business with Human Resource Management.

Gabriella has been consistent in her work as a recruitment agent with her happy-go-lucky nature. She is now a vital team member and considered one of the family. Gabriella is articulate and well-spoken to captain and owners, while her youth puts her on the same wavelength as crew.

Proudest Professional Moment

Hearing how happy and successful crew members are with the positions I help them find

Professional Mantra

Treat people how you expect to be treated.

Biggest Professional Gripe

 Rudeness will not get you anywhere

Passions & Pastimes

SKIING, TRAVEL, TENNIS

Since I can remember, I have been skiing every year. I have had the opportunity to ski in most parts of the French and Swiss Alps. I enjoy the beautiful mountain landscapes and whizzing past all the ski schools. No one can leave out the après ski alongside great food and great friends!!
Travelling is also another favourite hobby of mine as I love to learn about new cultures and see the world. Over the summer I have been inter-railing which has given me the travel-bug as there are so many more places to experience!
One of my favourite past-times is tennis because it’s competitive and social and keeps me active.

Got a question for Sarah ?

Mimi MAJENDIE

Recruitment Agent

  • Experience: 5 years yacht crew
  • Languages: English
Born in Brighton, I lived and worked there until I decided to pursue Yachting in 2015. Recently I decided to move back to the UK for a career change into recruitment. I have also worked briefly in London and spent a lot of time in Australia since leaving college. From a young age I loved horse riding, I also used to take yearly ski trips with my family and still manage to get away to the snow on occasion now. I have been very fortunate to have travelled a lot during my childhood and throughout my yachting career I have continued to travel extensively on and off of the boats, having now been to six of the seven continents of the world!

Proudest Professional Moment

Supporting talented crew, new or experienced in the industry and placing them with great yachts

Professional Mantra

A great person attracts great people and knows how to hold them together. —Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Biggest Professional Gripe

 Bad Leadership and team management. Ones approach to leadership will define the kind of team you create and their success and motivation in a role.

Passions & Pastimes

TRAVEL, YOGA

I have been travelling with my family since I was a girl and continue to do so in my adult years. There’s a lot to learn from experiencing new and different cultures, living in a fast-paced world and being able to take a step back from your reality and open yourself up to adventure. I have so much passion for it that I have pursued roles within a travel-based industry. I find yoga to be helpful at bringing me back to earth and staying grounded, as well as focusing energy on myself and not just the things around me.

Got a question for Mimi ?

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Contact Us

JMS Recruit
Citibase Brighton
95 Ditching Road
Brighton, BN1 4ST
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1273 987 962
Email: hello@jmsrecruit.com

Contact Us

JMS Recruit
Citibase Brighton
95 Ditching Road
Brighton, BN1 4ST
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1273 987 962
Email: hello@jmsrecruit.com