Meet the Team

Team member
Vanessa Jakubowski
International FMCG, Dubai
Vanessa joined Quest in August 2016. She has a degree in Law and started her career as a Crime and Tax Paralegal before training as a Recruitment Consultant. Vanessa was initially tasked with expanding the Dubai office’s FMCG desk and now focuses on sales and marketing role in tobacco, alcohol, confectionary and soft drinks ranging from AED 15K – 65K per month in the MENA region.
Vanessa Jakubowski
International FMCG, Dubai
Vanessa joined Quest in August 2016. She has a degree in Law and started her career as a Crime and Tax Paralegal before training as a Recruitment Consultant. Vanessa was initially tasked with expanding the Dubai office’s FMCG desk and now focuses on sales and marketing role in tobacco, alcohol, confectionary and soft drinks ranging from AED 15K – 65K per month in the MENA region.
Vanessa Jakubowski
International FMCG, Dubai
Vanessa joined Quest in August 2016. She has a degree in Law and started her career as a Crime and Tax Paralegal before training as a Recruitment Consultant. Vanessa was initially tasked with expanding the Dubai office’s FMCG desk and now focuses on sales and marketing role in tobacco, alcohol, confectionary and soft drinks ranging from AED 15K – 65K per month in the MENA region.
Team member
Thea Kearse
Consultant – Hospitality and Food & Beverage Sector, Dubai
Thea Joined Quest’s Dubai office after having a successful international career in Hospitality management spanning 10 years. Her experience has proven to give her a niche understanding of the luxury Hospitality & Leisure market. She specialises in roles within internationally renowned 5 star hotel groups, luxury independent restaurants and QSR.
Thea Kearse
Consultant – Hospitality and Food & Beverage Sector, Dubai
Thea Joined Quest’s Dubai office after having a successful international career in Hospitality management spanning 10 years. Her experience has proven to give her a niche understanding of the luxury Hospitality & Leisure market. She specialises in roles within internationally renowned 5 star hotel groups, luxury independent restaurants and QSR.
Thea Kearse
Consultant – Hospitality and Food & Beverage Sector, Dubai
Thea Joined Quest’s Dubai office after having a successful international career in Hospitality management spanning 10 years. Her experience has proven to give her a niche understanding of the luxury Hospitality & Leisure market. She specialises in roles within internationally renowned 5 star hotel groups, luxury independent restaurants and QSR.
Team member
Samantha Silva
Divisional Manager, London
Samantha Silva heads up the UK Retail team from Quest’s London office. Her specialist areas include nationwide Retail Operations recruitment across all sectors and also Head Office recruitment across the South and Midlands. Samantha joined Quest as a graduate and has worked her way up during ten years’ recruitment experience. She has managed the retail team over the last six years, including a one-year secondment in Manchester. Samantha has won a number of internal accolades and awards and has become the most successful consultant in Quest history.
Samantha Silva
Divisional Manager, London
Samantha Silva heads up the UK Retail team from Quest’s London office. Her specialist areas include nationwide Retail Operations recruitment across all sectors and also Head Office recruitment across the South and Midlands. Samantha joined Quest as a graduate and has worked her way up during ten years’ recruitment experience. She has managed the retail team over the last six years, including a one-year secondment in Manchester. Samantha has won a number of internal accolades and awards and has become the most successful consultant in Quest history.
Samantha Silva
Divisional Manager, London
Samantha Silva heads up the UK Retail team from Quest’s London office. Her specialist areas include nationwide Retail Operations recruitment across all sectors and also Head Office recruitment across the South and Midlands. Samantha joined Quest as a graduate and has worked her way up during ten years’ recruitment experience. She has managed the retail team over the last six years, including a one-year secondment in Manchester. Samantha has won a number of internal accolades and awards and has become the most successful consultant in Quest history.
Team member
Rubee Variava
Consultant, London
Rubee recently joined the fashion team at Quest with 7 years’ experience in Fashion Buying within high profile brands including Net-A-Porter, Ralph Lauren and Timberland. Rubee completed a Fashion Design and Technology degree from Manchester Metropolitan University, prior to pursuing her career within Retail. With her invaluable understanding of the retail industry, her specialist areas are recruiting for head office roles including Buying, Merchandising, Design and Production/Technical roles.
Rubee Variava
Consultant, London
Rubee recently joined the fashion team at Quest with 7 years’ experience in Fashion Buying within high profile brands including Net-A-Porter, Ralph Lauren and Timberland. Rubee completed a Fashion Design and Technology degree from Manchester Metropolitan University, prior to pursuing her career within Retail. With her invaluable understanding of the retail industry, her specialist areas are recruiting for head office roles including Buying, Merchandising, Design and Production/Technical roles.
Rubee Variava
Consultant, London
Rubee recently joined the fashion team at Quest with 7 years’ experience in Fashion Buying within high profile brands including Net-A-Porter, Ralph Lauren and Timberland. Rubee completed a Fashion Design and Technology degree from Manchester Metropolitan University, prior to pursuing her career within Retail. With her invaluable understanding of the retail industry, her specialist areas are recruiting for head office roles including Buying, Merchandising, Design and Production/Technical roles.
Team member
Renu Dalani
Senior Consultant, Dubai
Renu has a Bachelor in Commerce from the University of Gujarat. Renu’s expertise is clearly reflected in the assignments she has successfully completed for multinational companies in Asia Pacific, GCC and MENA regions. Executive roles she has filled in the top tier international fashion and consumer brands include country-level General Managers, Retail Operations, Merchandising, Marketing & Digital, E-commerce, Wholesale Management, Retail & Store Development, Visual Merchandising Professionals along with Finance and HR Professionals across the regions.
Renu Dalani
Senior Consultant, Dubai
Renu has a Bachelor in Commerce from the University of Gujarat. Renu’s expertise is clearly reflected in the assignments she has successfully completed for multinational companies in Asia Pacific, GCC and MENA regions. Executive roles she has filled in the top tier international fashion and consumer brands include country-level General Managers, Retail Operations, Merchandising, Marketing & Digital, E-commerce, Wholesale Management, Retail & Store Development, Visual Merchandising Professionals along with Finance and HR Professionals across the regions.
Renu Dalani
Senior Consultant, Dubai
Renu has a Bachelor in Commerce from the University of Gujarat. Renu’s expertise is clearly reflected in the assignments she has successfully completed for multinational companies in Asia Pacific, GCC and MENA regions. Executive roles she has filled in the top tier international fashion and consumer brands include country-level General Managers, Retail Operations, Merchandising, Marketing & Digital, E-commerce, Wholesale Management, Retail & Store Development, Visual Merchandising Professionals along with Finance and HR Professionals across the regions.
Team member
Rainer Iveson
Consultant - International FMCG, Dubai
Rainer joined Quest in January 2016. He has a Law Degree from Queen Mary University London and previous experience as a Marketing Manager for a retention marketing company based out of London. Rainer now specialises in FMCG recruitment across multiple distribution channels throughout the MENA region.
Rainer Iveson
Consultant - International FMCG, Dubai
Rainer joined Quest in January 2016. He has a Law Degree from Queen Mary University London and previous experience as a Marketing Manager for a retention marketing company based out of London. Rainer now specialises in FMCG recruitment across multiple distribution channels throughout the MENA region.
Rainer Iveson
Consultant - International FMCG, Dubai
Rainer joined Quest in January 2016. He has a Law Degree from Queen Mary University London and previous experience as a Marketing Manager for a retention marketing company based out of London. Rainer now specialises in FMCG recruitment across multiple distribution channels throughout the MENA region.
Team member
Olivia Roberts
Head of Retail, Dubai
Olivia is the Head of Retail for Quest Search & Selection focusing on senior recruitment across the Gulf region. Olivia has nearly 5 years recruitment experience from Michael Page UK & Middle East specializing solely in the Retail Sector. Previous to that Olivia has a Fashion & Textiles Degree from Leeds University, and a strong background in Business Development from a leading global mobile provider. Olivia specialises in placements of C Level Executives, Directors, Managers and Executives within Operations, Commercial, Buying & Merchandising , Design across MENA region & Asia Pacific.
Olivia Roberts
Head of Retail, Dubai
Olivia is the Head of Retail for Quest Search & Selection focusing on senior recruitment across the Gulf region. Olivia has nearly 5 years recruitment experience from Michael Page UK & Middle East specializing solely in the Retail Sector. Previous to that Olivia has a Fashion & Textiles Degree from Leeds University, and a strong background in Business Development from a leading global mobile provider. Olivia specialises in placements of C Level Executives, Directors, Managers and Executives within Operations, Commercial, Buying & Merchandising , Design across MENA region & Asia Pacific.
Olivia Roberts
Head of Retail, Dubai
Olivia is the Head of Retail for Quest Search & Selection focusing on senior recruitment across the Gulf region. Olivia has nearly 5 years recruitment experience from Michael Page UK & Middle East specializing solely in the Retail Sector. Previous to that Olivia has a Fashion & Textiles Degree from Leeds University, and a strong background in Business Development from a leading global mobile provider. Olivia specialises in placements of C Level Executives, Directors, Managers and Executives within Operations, Commercial, Buying & Merchandising , Design across MENA region & Asia Pacific.
Team member
Marcel Chahine
Divisional Manager, London
Marcel Chahine heads up the UK-based International Team. He has a degree in Business Management and worked in property and leasing for several years before joining Quest in 2007. Marcel has an exceptional level of industry knowledge and an unparalleled network of contacts. He and his team focus predominantly on opportunities across Europe, Middle East and Africa although they have also worked on assignments across the Caribbean and Asia – never one to disappoint a client!
Marcel Chahine
Divisional Manager, London
Marcel Chahine heads up the UK-based International Team. He has a degree in Business Management and worked in property and leasing for several years before joining Quest in 2007. Marcel has an exceptional level of industry knowledge and an unparalleled network of contacts. He and his team focus predominantly on opportunities across Europe, Middle East and Africa although they have also worked on assignments across the Caribbean and Asia – never one to disappoint a client!
Marcel Chahine
Divisional Manager, London
Marcel Chahine heads up the UK-based International Team. He has a degree in Business Management and worked in property and leasing for several years before joining Quest in 2007. Marcel has an exceptional level of industry knowledge and an unparalleled network of contacts. He and his team focus predominantly on opportunities across Europe, Middle East and Africa although they have also worked on assignments across the Caribbean and Asia – never one to disappoint a client!
Team member
Karolina Plaskaty
Consultant, London
Karolina joined Quest in March 2016 after having a successful career in retail management. Having previously worked at Vodafone and Lloyds Bank she gained management and sales experience . Specialising in Retail Operations and Head office roles in the Luxury Boutique, Jewellery and accessories sectors.
Karolina Plaskaty
Consultant, London
Karolina joined Quest in March 2016 after having a successful career in retail management. Having previously worked at Vodafone and Lloyds Bank she gained management and sales experience . Specialising in Retail Operations and Head office roles in the Luxury Boutique, Jewellery and accessories sectors.
Karolina Plaskaty
Consultant, London
Karolina joined Quest in March 2016 after having a successful career in retail management. Having previously worked at Vodafone and Lloyds Bank she gained management and sales experience . Specialising in Retail Operations and Head office roles in the Luxury Boutique, Jewellery and accessories sectors.
Team member
Emma Hutchinson
Consultant, London
Emma is part of the Fashion Team at Quest, and specialises in stores, merchandising and logistics roles for premium brands across the UK. After completing a BA Geography Degree at the University of Nottingham, she travelled South America before joining the Boots Graduate Scheme. She spent a year in various retail management positions in London, and joined Quest as a Consultant in 2016.
Emma Hutchinson
Consultant, London
Emma is part of the Fashion Team at Quest, and specialises in stores, merchandising and logistics roles for premium brands across the UK. After completing a BA Geography Degree at the University of Nottingham, she travelled South America before joining the Boots Graduate Scheme. She spent a year in various retail management positions in London, and joined Quest as a Consultant in 2016.
Emma Hutchinson
Consultant, London
Emma is part of the Fashion Team at Quest, and specialises in stores, merchandising and logistics roles for premium brands across the UK. After completing a BA Geography Degree at the University of Nottingham, she travelled South America before joining the Boots Graduate Scheme. She spent a year in various retail management positions in London, and joined Quest as a Consultant in 2016.
Team member
Barry Hopkins
Managing Consultant, London
Barry Hopkins joined Quest Search in 2016 to lead the digital business across consumer markets. He began his career working for TGI Friday’s, Game Group and O2 Telefonica before moving into recruitment. Barry has 12 years’ recruitment experience specialising within the retail, hospitality & leisure sectors.
Barry Hopkins
Managing Consultant, London
Barry Hopkins joined Quest Search in 2016 to lead the digital business across consumer markets. He began his career working for TGI Friday’s, Game Group and O2 Telefonica before moving into recruitment. Barry has 12 years’ recruitment experience specialising within the retail, hospitality & leisure sectors.
Barry Hopkins
Managing Consultant, London
Barry Hopkins joined Quest Search in 2016 to lead the digital business across consumer markets. He began his career working for TGI Friday’s, Game Group and O2 Telefonica before moving into recruitment. Barry has 12 years’ recruitment experience specialising within the retail, hospitality & leisure sectors.
Team member
Jennifer Ciminiello
Resourcer, London
Jennifer is a Recruitment Resourcer at Quest Search and Selection whilst also completing a level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship. As part of the retail team, she focuses on resourcing and market mapping the best talent as well as supporting the wider team across all divisions. Prior to joining the business, Jennifer worked in the retail industry with global leading flagship stores in central London. She is fluent in both Italian and Spanish.
Jennifer Ciminiello
Resourcer, London
Jennifer is a Recruitment Resourcer at Quest Search and Selection whilst also completing a level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship. As part of the retail team, she focuses on resourcing and market mapping the best talent as well as supporting the wider team across all divisions. Prior to joining the business, Jennifer worked in the retail industry with global leading flagship stores in central London. She is fluent in both Italian and Spanish.
Jennifer Ciminiello
Resourcer, London
Jennifer is a Recruitment Resourcer at Quest Search and Selection whilst also completing a level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship. As part of the retail team, she focuses on resourcing and market mapping the best talent as well as supporting the wider team across all divisions. Prior to joining the business, Jennifer worked in the retail industry with global leading flagship stores in central London. She is fluent in both Italian and Spanish.