Oyster News

Agency Recruitment Leader of the Year: Sasza Bandiera, CEO of Oyster

Brooke Parker

Marketing Executive

Sep 30, 2024

He’s always been our Leader of the Year, but now it’s official.


Sasza consistently goes above and beyond for his employees and our community; a walking example of one of our core company values - Nothing’s Ever Too Much.

His journey at Oyster from trainee to CEO is nothing short of inspirational, but it's the unwavering support he offers to his team, his keen ear, and the time he offers every single person in the business, which really sets him aside as a truly brilliant leader.

His ambition is unrivalled, and we can’t wait to see what’s next.

From everyone here at Oyster, thank you Sasza, and congratulations.

Here's what Sasza had to say about his journey and who helped him get to where he is today.

"I am honoured to have received the ‘Recruitment Leader of the Year’ award at the Recruiter Awards on Thursday evening. Thank you to the judges—Greg Hollis, Nicholas Barton & Lysha Holmes—for your vote, and thank you to all the team at the Recruiter Awards.

People ask me a lot what it’s like being a CEO. It’s hard work, mentally very tiring, and quite often a lonely place to be—but I absolutely love it...

I could say I’ve come all this way and done it alone, but really I haven’t. Some key people I would like to thank:

  • Andrew Marshall got me into this wonderful world of recruitment after being turned down by 3 other recruitment businesses.
  • Colin Fairbank taught me how to use a phone.
  • Mark Fisher gave me skills, strengthened my ability, and got me to a point where I could manage a team.
  • Russell Clements showed me what could be achieved as a leader and taught me the importance of having the right people on the bus.
  • Paul Flynn gave me confidence, structure, and discipline to build out Oyster.
  • Simon Calver helped realign my decisions and brought a level of commercialism that was missing from my arsenal.
  • Daniel Whomes—a friend, business partner, and mentor in every possible situation, both professionally and personally—has supported me through thick and thin and had the belief in me to follow my sense of direction.
  • My management team, who continue to put their all into this, believe in me, challenge me, laugh with me, and the rest of the Oyster team—without you, I lead nothing.
  • Finally, my wife, who has had to put up with me through all this, and without her, I wouldn’t have made it this far!"
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Marketing Executive

Brooke Parker

Brooke has joined us all the way from New Zealand, previously working for another recruitment agency as their Marketing Lead for 3 and a half years. We’re excited to show her both the London and Oyster ropes!

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