info@waltonstjames.co.uk            ☎︎ +44 (0)207 235 3075

“Mark has a remarkable ability to understand the tone and nuance of the the culture of an organization. He applies his considerable energy, resources and curiosity about people in general to make a link that has proven to be invaluable for us at the Firehouse.  His confidence in our work has emboldened him to shoot for the most qualified people, and then his natural abilities to see the value in all angels for all the parties involved (no small feat) enables him to gracefully and successfully bring together a marriage of supreme possibilities. It is a supreme pleasure to work with Mark, and I look forward to expanding our relationship across all aspects of our business”.

André Balazs, CEO of André Balazs Properties

“Our relationship with Walton St James is invaluable to us because the team really understands what sets a members club apart from other venues: superior service; a high level of guest engagement and a strong brand identity. Time and again, they have found the right person for us in terms of expertise, personality and cultural fit, thereby allowing us to continue delivering our vision. Walton St James are always committed to deliver to the best and this is commendable”.

Rémy Lysé, Chief Operating Officer, The Arts Club

“The success and longevity of Sketch relies on strong and enduring relationships with its suppliers - our collaboration with Walton St James is a good example of this. At its helm is the Managing Director , Mark Wakefield . To put it simply - Mark gets Sketch - consistently delivering the appropriate candidates for the role  , management expansion does not happen without Mark’s input . Through a process of forensic examination and keeping his ear to the ground Mark over delivers every time thus ensuring the right candidate is appointed with minimum disruption. I have no doubt the industry will be hearing a lot more about Walton St James in the not too distant future.”

Sinead Mallozzi, CEO of Sketch

“The Birley Clubs is a diverse collection and we are only interested in retaining the best people. As a result, our staffing needs are varied, challenging and subject to change. In Walton St James we have found a recruitment partner who understands the intricacies of our business as well as the broader context of London's luxury Members Club market. The service offered is efficient, smart and very professional; as a client you feel in safe hands throughout the recruitment process.”

Graziano Arricale , Operations Director, Birley Group

"Walton St James understand our business across our collection of brands: they take the time to get to know our culture, the way we work, the operational needs and our expectations. For each assignment, they continually engage with us to ensure delivery on the brief. It is a pleasure to partner with people who care about people development and their career journey, and who are extremely passionate about the Industry. Walton St James come highly recommended by the Hakkasan Group."

Nina Lam, Head of HR - UK, Europe & Middle East, Hakkasan

"I have watched the development of Walton St James since its foundation and have been delighted to see how it has grown from strength to strength. There is no doubt that the secret to its success is the passion of its founder Mark Wakefield. Mark has an unrivalled network of contacts amongst the finest establishments in London and discreetly and intelligently weaves his way throughout them. He has placed a large percentage of the senior managers within the top private clubs and restaurants and is certainly the first person to whom I would turn when we need to recruit. Above all else Mark is a delightful person to work with, charming and discreet, he is a man who cares about his client's needs and those of the candidate.
Walton St James is to my mind the premier recruitment agency for London's five star market and I have no hesitation in highly recommending them to you."

Brian Clivaz, Founder of Home House, The Arts Club and Devonshire Club, Chairman at L’Escargot

''Walton St James have played a key role in helping us recruit some of the very best candidates in the hospitality sector to fill some of our key positions within Inception Group.''

Charlie Gilkes, Director & Co-Founder, Inception Group