Page 48 - 2018 Powerlist

Business, Corporates, Financiers & Entrepreneurs

Gary Elden
CEO, SThree plc

As CEO of SThree recruitment Gary has always strived
to make a difference. He prides himself on running
a meritocratic company that recognises and rewards
individuals regardless of their background.
Gary, who propelled himself to the position of CEO of
the white-collar recruiter, is proof that hard work and
determination can get you to the top.
He grew up on a tough south London council estate and
left school at 16 clutching just a handful of O-Levels.
He is one of the few people in his company without a
degree, but ever since his childhood he was determined his
lack of privileged background wouldn’t hold him back. His
motto is: “Where you go – that’s up to you.”
He moved into recruitment consultancy in 1990 at
Computer Futures, the company which was to later become
SThree. Gary worked his way up through management to
MD and then Chief Strategy Officer. He was appointed CEO
in January 2013. The firm specialises in recruiting mid-
management positions in science, banking, technology,
engineering and IT with salaries of between £45,000 and
Steven Bartlett £100,000 a year. It employs 2,500 staff worldwide.
As a father of two daughters, Gary is passionate about
Co-founder, Social Chain breaking down barriers for women in the workplace. He is
on the Lord Mayor of London’s diversity forum of CEOs and
is keen to see more girls take up science and engineering.
Thrown out of school for spending too much time on his In his position at SThree he is also changing the way
businesses and not enough in class, 24-year-old tech management spots talent so that female candidates
entrepreneur Steven has had the last laugh. aren’t overlooked. He drives SThree’s Corporate Social
The ‘social media guru’ is chief executive and co-founder Responsibility (CSR) programme from the top and is
of Social Chain – dubbed “Europe’s largest influencer involved at all levels.
agency”. This year The Times cited the firm as one of He frequently gives motivational talks with groups of
Britain’s most influential companies. unemployed job seekers and supports SThree apprentices.
He is an award-winning entrepreneur, investor, public Last year his hard work was honoured when he received an
speaker, internet personality and leads a firm of more than OBE for service to diversity in business.
100 people dedicated to busting the rules of social media
marketing. His campaigns have sparked controversy, and he
cites the “inflammatory and reactive” marketing of Donald
Trump as proof that bold tactics work.
When Social Chain marketed a gaming app, Tippy Tapp,
as the worst app in the world, it became a best-seller.
The company also caused uproar after a marketing hoax
that saw clothings retailer Lyst apparently selling real-life
dogs as accessories online. The stunt caused a huge Twitter
storm, with charities including the RSPCA slamming it as
irresponsible. But Steven insists the ploy not only raised
awareness of Lyst but also of the animal charities whose
responses went viral.
Last year he pulled off a coup in the run-up to the
Soccerex global convention in Manchester, inventing a
16-year-old footballer, Rex Secco, who Social Chain claimed
had been bought by Arsenal for £34 million. It went viral,
with one person claiming they had been watching Secco
play for years.
Steven launched the firm in 2013, with a £300,000
investment from Emerson Osmon, the former head of
information at UCAS, Remo and two other private investors.
Social Chain now boasts offices in Manchester, London,
New York and Berlin.
The average age of a Social Chain employee is 21.

44 Powerlist 2018