About | DNA Recruit

We believe in creative connections

We build dynamic alliances with the talent creating the future

Founded by Ali Wallace and Jo Suter in 2008, our uniquely honest and personal approach sees candidates, clients and employees as people, and jobs as careers.

That’s why we connect with everyone we work with - to create real relationships that last.

Combining our collective experience in recruiting across the advertising, marketing and technical scene, we pride ourselves on building respectful partnerships and collaborative successes, from the start of a career, right up to the top.

Incredible people are at the heart of every successful business – we are dedicated to helping you identify, attract and secure the talent you need to thrive.

What we believe in

OUR VALUES

THE DNA PILLARS

OUR BEHAVIOURS

DNA MANIFESTO

Brilliantly Effective

We’re committed to finding the right people for the right career, but we don’t just use our expertise to get them there. Getting to know everyone we work with helps us create fully collaborative partnerships that lead to longstanding relationships.

Genuinely Unique

We’re ambitious, hardworking and focused but we stay grounded. We make a great team by sharing opportunities and successes. Forever open, honest and transparent everyone knows where they stand, making us one of a kind in our industry.

Truly Personal

What we do impacts a person’s life, whether they’re recruiting or searching or even working here at DNA. We invest in every person we meet; we support their next steps and celebrate their successes. And when they’re happy professionally, they’re comfortable at home, and that’s what makes us happy.

Forward Thinking

With years of experience and knowledge behind us, we’re able to look to the future and evolve with the ever changing market we work in. Our network is doing just that when they seek new opportunities, so we use our skills, insight and intuition to make their next step the right one for them.

Relationships: Magnetic partnerships

Determined to discover what makes you tick.
Purposeful partnerships.
We're part of our clients' crew.

Technology: Steadfast systems

The tools you need to map your career path.
First rate tech = quality connections.
Premium processes for top-notch talent.

Culture: We’re people people

Connections over commissions.
Talent hunters.
Show us the real you!

Expertise: Handpicked team

Thoughtful consulting.
Devoted to detail.
We listen. We care. We deliver.

Human First

• Genuinely care - show your human side
• Be supportive and approachable
• Actively listen, building empathy and understanding
• Put people before processes – make decisions with the client in mind

Stronger Together

• Collaborate effectively, share widely and play to strengths
• Actively seek diverse views and embrace different perspectives
• Act with respect and humility, no exceptions
• Recognise achievements and celebrate success

Lead the Way

• We anticipate needs, adapt and evolve to always be relevant
• Be bold; innovate and embrace new ways of doing things
• Be solutions focused, inspire and empower others
• Learn from each other, our clients, our experience and our mistakes

Make It Happen

• Drive actions, owning your impact
• Cut-through the detail, simplify the complex and prioritise well
• Focus on quality and outcomes
• Be open, honest and transparent

Trust & respect is more important than coming to 'work'.
Quality output can be created anywhere.
Collaboration can take many forms.
Work / life balance should complete not divide.
Attracting diverse talent through flexible, fully remote role modelling.
Everybody has a right to be their authentic self at work.
We help each other personally and professionally when needed.

The essence of what makes us DNA

Meet the team

Ali Wallace

Founder & CEO

Dan Prince

Managing Director

Farooq Mohammed

Strategic Advisor

Jo Suter

Founder & Director - Finance & HR

Stephen Phillips

Head of Technology

Gemma Knight

Head of Events & Experiential

Josh Large

Head of Advertising & Healthcare Communications (USA)

Jo Wright

Senior Consultant - Events & Experiential

Leatitia Lyons

Key Account Manager

Varun Arya

Resource Consultant

Megan Davis

Resource Consultant - Creative, Client Services & Project Management

Alistair Barclay

Head of Strategy and Planning

Matt Woods

Recruitment Partner for UX, UI, Product Design and Service Design

We evolve with you

LET US
HELP

Our approach is always evolving and what makes us different is that we adapt our approach and services to best fulfill your needs.

Lets Talk

TESTIMONIALS

View All Testimonial

The keyword that I would use to describe DNA is pro-active. Ali was fantastic at approaching the types of organisations that would make a perfect fit for my aspiration. He did so from the point of real understanding. He spent time understanding my experience and what I could bring to an organisation, and what I was looking for from my next appointment. Ali understands the business and the role, and I found him insightful as we discussed my next move. Fast forward ten years, and I still love it!

Ashley Patterson

Executive Planning Director

6 / 6

Stephen rapidly provided a range of great candidates for a senior sales role utilising-DNAs platform so succinct first interviews were provided. These could be viewed, discussed internally and re-reviewed prior to shortlisting for final interviews. The main challenge was the selection decisions as all the professionals proposed were excellent.

Adam Hainsworth

CEO & Owner, be the brand experience

1 / 6

I was highly recommended to meet Ali Wallace 19 years ago after working for a few agencies and looking for a new challenge – Ali was full of great advice, very focused on cultural fit and well connected to agency leaders. Within days I was meeting the co-founders of TLC Worldwide and rapidly offered a role as an Account Director. Since then, I have been on an incredible journey around the world with TLC, for almost 2 decades. I would strongly recommend anyone in marketing to speak to Ali about hiring great talent or looking for an exciting role.

Alex Javer

Chief Strategy Officer, TLC Worldwide

2 / 6

I first engaged with DNA when Ali and his team visited UAE 10 years ago where he and the team were looking to place some very talented positions into Grey Group in Dubai. Within minutes I understood that DNA’s agency knowledge, insight and global spread was impressive, and the team had obviously done some very thorough research on candidacy and needs. Ever since then, DNA has always been engaged, looking for opportunities for my staffing needs and reassuringly, looking for the right opportunities for myself, aiding my personal creative journey. Ali recently presented me with a ‘glove’ opportunity, where the brief could have literally been written with myself in mind, and through a very interpersonal approach, DNA coached and facilitated everything needed to make the introduction and interview process an informative, pleasurable and successful experience. Always reassuring to have a team who are driven and knowledgeable, who research positions that don’t just fit, but can immerse candidates seamlessly into creative organisations – DNA is an apt naming moniker for a personal partnership like this.

Andrew Mitchell

Executive Creative Director

3 / 6

In the world of advertising, you’re only as good as the people around you. Having led creative departments for some of London’s leading agencies throughout my career, Ali Wallace is the epitome of this, and on many fronts. He has helped me find talent to make me look great for well over 15 years and introduced me to Trouble Maker, which he knew would be my dream home. All this has been made possible by Ali getting to know how I tick as a human being and creative leader, by building both a great friendship and trusted ear – he has been an amazing counsel both in business and in life, helping me navigate my way through my career and beyond. Whether you’re looking to hire, be hired, or fancy some thoroughly enjoyable company at the Oval or for someone to find your ball(s) on the golf course, I couldn’t recommend Ali more highly.

Andy Taylor

Chief Creative Officer, Trouble Maker

4 / 6

The process was inspiring and my recruiter, Yasir, felt more like my spokesperson than a recruiter. We created a video CV through the DNAScreen platform, which allowed me to demonstrate my experience and abilities as a "Video CV" for the client which helped push for exactly what I was looking for: my dream job. Communication was cogent and I was kept well informed throughout the process. It's easy to lose talent to nerves, so I recommend DNA's approach to recruitment.

Arthur Brennan

Roblox Developer

5 / 6

Ashley Patterson

Executive Planning Director

6 / 6

Adam Hainsworth

CEO & Owner, be the brand experience

1 / 6

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