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The Collins King Team

We have a highly experienced and professional recruitment team with a genuine passion for the hospitality industry and a diverse network of established client relationships across all sectors of the market.

We pride ourselves on offering both clients and candidates a dedicated recruitment service with a personal touch.

Matthew Collins, Director

Matthew entered the recruitment industry as a Chef Consultant with Reed Hospitality Recruitment in the early 1990's training as a Chef in the process. After spending four years at Reed Matthew joined specialist Headhunters Farlow & Warren Search & Selection to set up a dedicated Chef recruitment Division where he spent almost four years before teaming up with former Reed Colleague Gary King in July 1999.

Gary King, Director

After successfully completing a two year Hotel Management and advanced Chef training course Gary spent three years working as a Chef in the capital before entering the recruitment industry as a Consultant with Blue Arrow Hospitality Recruitment where he spent three years.

Gary then spent a year with a Hong Kong based Search & Selection Consultancy before joining Reed Hospitality recruitment where he spent nine years before setting up Collins King & Associates with former Reed colleague Matthew Collins in July 1999.

Martyn Smith, Associate Director

Martyn trained as an apprentice Chef with Hilton Hotels before joining Sodexho UK and spending four years at three of their London units. He then moved to Charters Catering as a Directors Chef in a high profile City based Merchant Bank where he spent almost three years.

Martyn entered the Recruitment industry with Berkeley Scott Chefs Division where he then spent three years before joining Collins King & Associates in August 2001. He is primarily responsible for all levels of chef recruitment

Martyn was promoted to the position of Associate Director in July 2006.

Shaun Highfield, Consultant - Chefs Division

Shaun entered the Hospitality Recruitment industry following a successful Management career with one of the UK's leading themed Restaurant Groups. Prior to joining Collins King & Associates in February 2004, Shaun worked for two of London's leading Hospitality Recruitment companies recruiting a range of Culinary and Management Personnel. Shaun specialises in the recruitment of Chefs for the Contract Catering sector & Private Members Clubs.

Richard Foster Thorn, Consultant - Restaurant, Bar & Club Division

Richard Foster Thorn joins Collins King & Associates with a wealth of experience gained in leading London Hotels and award winning Restaurants. After completing a two year Management training apprenticeship at the 5* Goring hotel Richard moved onto to Che Restaurant in St. James in a Supervisory capacity before joining Gordon Ramsay Restaurants at The Connaught Hotel in Mayfair as Restaurant Supervisor, then moving to The Boxwood Café at the Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge as Maitre D'. Following the Boxwood Café Richard undertook a number of Restaurant & Hotel consultancy assignments before joining Collins King & Associates in September 2005.

Sam Bishop, Consultant - International Appointments

Sam started her international career with Millennium & Copthorne Hotels in London where she quickly moved up the ranks within Rooms Division. Sam then joined Hilton International working in both The Netherlands and Australia before moving to Dubai where she joined the Hospitality Company focusing on sourcing candidates for opportunities in Dubai and other international locations. Sam joined Collins King & Associates in May 2007 after returning to the UK and is responsible for International appointments.

Marina O'Neill, Divisional Manager - Reception, Secretarial Human Resources & Administrative Personnel

Following a successful Managerial career with Lloyds Bank PLC Marina entered the recruitment industry spending two years as a Manager with Reed Personnel Services before joining Knightsbridge Secretaries as an Associate Director. Marina joined Collins King & Associates in April 2002 and is responsible for recruiting Reception, Secretarial, Human Resources & Administrative Personnel.

Amy Rundle, Recruitment Co-ordinator

Amy joined Collins King & Associates in June 2009. Amy's primary responsibility is providing direct operational and administrative support to the London and Dubai recruitment teams. She is also responsible for managing and updating the company website and host websites. Amy is also involved in regular project management assignments.