Joanna is an operational excellence, change and transformation specialist who helps recruitment businesses improve performance, simplify operations and build the infrastructure needed for sustainable growth.

With more than two decades of experience across the recruitment sector, including executive leadership roles with ManpowerGroup, Randstad and RGF Staffing (part of Recruit Holdings), Joanna combines strategic thinking with hands-on operational expertise. As a former Chief Operating Officer, she has worked across agency recruitment, MSP, RPO, outsourced workforce solutions and shared service environments, giving her a practical understanding of how recruitment businesses evolve as they grow, diversify and transform.

Through Argylestone Consulting, Joanna partners with recruitment leaders to review and optimise front, middle and back-office operations, helping businesses improve productivity, maximise technology investments, strengthen governance and create operating models that are scalable, efficient and commercially sustainable.

She is particularly passionate about helping businesses navigate technology, AI and automation. Her approach is business-led rather than vendor-led, ensuring organisations first understand the operational challenges they are trying to solve before investing in new technology or redesigning processes.

Joanna is also the creator and lead trainer of APSCo's Change for Transformation programme, equipping recruitment managers and leaders with the practical skills to lead organisational change successfully. She is a regular speaker and contributor to industry thought leadership on operational excellence, AI, technology and business transformation.

Specialisms:

Operational Excellence & Business Transformation
Operational Reviews & Process Optimisation
Technology Assessment & Implementation (ATS, CRM & VMS)
AI & Automation Strategy
Shared Service Centre Design
MSP & RPO Design, Readiness & Operational Delivery
Mergers, Acquisitions & Operational Integration
Governance, Risk & Compliance
Leadership Development & Change Management
Fractional COO Support


Reference 1
Over a nine-month engagement with Maxxima MSP, Joanna supported the transition of our key NHS Master Vendor contracts into Managed Service Programmes (MSPs). Her role focused on strategic advisory support, coaching, and enabling internal teams to drive change across four of the five core MSP workstreams.

Joanna began by reviewing MI and performance data for the top 20 NHS accounts, with a specific focus on second-tier supplier delivery over the past 12–24 months. This provided the insight needed to shape an effective transition approach and highlight areas for improvement.
To support client planning and internal engagement, Joanna created simplified Goldsheet LAMPs for the five largest accounts and Bluesheet-style account plans for the top ten. These are now used by account teams as live working documents to manage stakeholder relationships, outline transition steps, and drive consistency across the programme.

Alongside this, Joanna acted as a subject matter expert and coach to senior leaders, advising on people, process, and cultural change requirements as the business moved towards a more integrated and scalable MSP model. While Joanna wasn’t operationally embedded, her involvement helped lay the foundation for improved account management, clearer governance, and a more strategic approach to NHS contract delivery

Reference 2
Recognising the need for external expertise to scale our operations effectively, I sought the skills of Joanna, with whom I had previously worked. Joanna possessed the requisite know-how and capability to drive the necessary changes within our organization.
Our requirement was complex: we needed to build a scalable and robust framework of processes and procedures to deliver an RPO solution across Brunel’s global network. Following an initial discovery phase, Joanna developed an implementation plan aimed at finding her permanent successor. The project spanned nine months.

We provided Joanna with a high-level brief, granting her the autonomy to devise solutions she deemed essential while allowing her to focus on critical immediate issues. What impressed me most was Joanna's comprehensive grasp of the RPO landscape—not just from a process standpoint but also regarding team capabilities. Joanna took complete ownership of the project, actively engaging in ongoing business opportunities and demonstrating a hands-on approach with exceptional personal commitment. This level of dedication is rare in external consultants.

I highly recommend Joanna for similar assignments and look forward to the opportunity to engage her services again.

Reference 3
Joanna Oakley was engaged on a 6-month contract from August 2022 to February 2023 to support a complex implementation and optimisation of the Bullhorn CRM across our three STEM staffing businesses. At the time, one of our businesses had already gone live with Bullhorn, while the remaining two were still in the implementation phase.

Joanna faced a complex environment characterised by the unique nature of our three STEM businesses coming together onto one platform. The project involved diverse stakeholder with often competing demands, and varying levels of buy-in. As a contractor, she entered a high-value, intricate, highly profile project which without doubt presenting her with a significant challenges. Despite these complexities, Joanna was unfazed and determined, immersing herself fully in the task, challenging the status quo and existing perceptions of the project. Joanna’s efforts significantly supported and championed the project team, providing essential guidance and leveraging her extensive experience with Bullhorn to help us achieve the best possible outcomes. Throughout the project, Joanna maintained clear and detailed communication, providing weekly reports and concluding with her personal recommendations for the next steps. Her hands-on approach, expert knowledge, and excellent stakeholder engagement were invaluable. Moreover, her sense of humour and evident passion for her work made her a pleasure to work with and left a lasting positive impression on our team. Joanna’s dedication and infectious enthusiasm for her job stood out, making her an exceptional asset to our project. I highly recommend Joanna Oakley for her professional expertise, commitment, and positive influence.

Reference 4
I had the pleasure of working with Joanna during our CRM Implementation. We had quite a small project team and she did not hesitate to get stuck in to assist us and ensure we got the best out of the platforms and providers we were engaging with. She is enthusiastic and has an amazing work ethic.

At every stage she was there, and she provided sound advice and suggestions for the best ways to approach the project.

She was also an amazing mentor and coach and we couldn't have asked for a better person to support us.

Business change and improvement is more complex than I ever could have imagined and using a consultancy service like Argylestone Consulting to guide us through this really made a huge difference.

Personally, I have learnt so much from Joanna and I am so glad to have had the opportunity to work with her"

Reference 5
Working with Joana Oakley of Argylestone Consulting has been an absolute game-changer for
our organisation. Her expertise in streamlining our standard operating process, implementing
efficient systems, and recruiting core personnel has truly transformed the way we operate.
From the outset, Joanna demonstrated a deep understanding of our needs, taking the time to
thoroughly assess our requirements and develop tailored solutions. Her strategic approach to
preparing commercial terms, disaster recovery plans, and implementation plans/tools ensured
that we were not only equipped to handle any challenges but also positioned for long-term
success.
One of the standout qualities of Joanna is her unwavering commitment to adding value at every
turn. Whether it was sourcing a new Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to enhance our RPO
implementation capabilities or developing innovative marketing tools to promote our employer
brand, she consistently went above and beyond to exceed our expectations.
Moreover, Joanna played a pivotal role in our client pitches, leveraging her expertise to
showcase our strengths and capabilities effectively. Her ability to articulate complex concepts
clearly and convincingly was instrumental in securing key partnerships and driving business
growth.
In every interaction, Joanna exhibited a remarkable depth of knowledge and professionalism
that instilled confidence in our team. Her dedication to our success was palpable, and we have
no hesitation in recommending her without a doubt to any organisation seeking to elevate their
capabilities and achieve tangible results.

Joanna's engagement throughout our collaboration was simply exceptional. Her approachable
demeanor, engaging personality, and high energy were infectious, infusing our team with a
renewed sense of enthusiasm and drive. Joanna's can-do attitude was a breath of fresh air,
tackling challenges with optimism and determination, always inspiring those around her to push
beyond limits. What truly set Joanna apart was her brilliant sense of humor, effortlessly weaving
moments of levity into our interactions, fostering a positive and cohesive atmosphere even
during the most intense projects. Her ability to connect on a personal level while maintaining a
professional standard was truly remarkable, making her not only an invaluable consultant but
also a cherished colleague.
In short, Joanna is a true asset, and we are immensely grateful for her invaluable contributions
to Brunel.