Gaia Newton Associates

Gaia Newton Associates: specialist recruitment in construction and engineering

Gaia Newton Associates (GNA) is a British recruitment agency focused on the construction and engineering sector. The company presents itself as a specialist in identifying suitable candidates for each client's needs, considering not only skills and qualifications but also how well the profile fits the organisation's culture. Its activity covers both small and medium-sized enterprises and blue-chip companies.

History: from site services to international recruitment

The company traces its origins back to 1985, when it began operating as LJS, specialising in site canteens and site setup services. In 1995 it became an exclusive subcontractor for trades and labour. After a period of growth, in 2000 it adopted the name LJS Partnership 2000 and in 2005 it moved its headquarters to the Greater London area to support the team's expansion. In 2010 it expanded its client base nationwide.

In 2015, with the arrival of new senior management, the company was rebranded as GNA Group and entered the field of technical and office recruitment for construction. In 2018 a new senior management team was appointed to drive its international expansion. The firm notes that in 2020 it continued to secure projects in the UK, Europe and Australasia, and that in 2022 it established itself as a specialist recruiter at both national and international level. In 2024, following several acquisitions, it completed its entry into the public sector.

Recruitment services

GNA structures its recruitment offering in three ways:

• Permanent hire: a team of specialist head-hunters searches for candidates for permanent positions.
• Temporary hire: according to the company, the temporary hire team has a proven track record in providing staff.
• Contract hire: the firm states it has experience in hiring for projects or fixed-term contracts.

The agency's approach combines the candidate's technical suitability with their integration into the client company's culture, with the aim that the professional performs well in their role and contributes to the organisation's results.

Profiles and advertised vacancies

The site shows active vacancies for trades and multi-trade profiles in various areas of the UK, including carpenter multi-traders in north and south London, electricians in north London, groundworkers in south London, a wet trader in High Wycombe (Buckinghamshire) and a glazier multi-trader in north-west London. All visible vacancies are permanent.

Geographic coverage

The company distributes its activity across three areas: approximately 60% in the UK, with a presence in different regions of the country; 30% in Ireland and Europe; and 10% in the rest of the world, including other global regions. This distribution reflects the international expansion the company describes since 2018.

Senior management team

GNA's management is led by Charles Field as Chief Executive Officer, Emma Field as Chief Operating Officer and James Hanson as Chief Financial Officer.

Client and candidate reviews

The site includes testimonials from clients and placed professionals. A director of a high-end residential contractor highlights the service's attentiveness, thoroughness and diligence, as well as the effort to understand the company and its business through repeated visits to the premises. A site manager at a commercial fitout contractor emphasises the team's proactivity and approachability. An engineer hired on a permanent basis values that the agency understood their needs and found them a suitable employer. A groundworker hired for the summer reports receiving a call within a few hours and starting the next day, with a quick and straightforward process. A project manager at a fitout contractor notes that candidates were closely matched to their requirements and pre-screened, which significantly reduced hiring time.

Location and contact

Office 6, Alexander House, 39 London Road, Sevenoaks, TN13 1AR · Phone: 020 3983 4480 · Email: info@gnagroup.co.uk