Joe Hopkins: Managing Director

Shortly after graduating with a degree in English Literature from University of Winchester, Joe joined Thor Companies as a consultant becoming one of the first members of the Engineering team. Joe showed a keen interest in the market, his candidates and Norwegian culture. In the following two years, Joe successfully placed numerous candidates whilst opening new relations with exciting employers in Norway such as Skanska, AF Gruppen, A Bygg Entreprenør and many more. This led Joe to establish his own Buildings division within the company where he built a substantial network of senior candidates across Scandinavia whilst mentoring others to do the same. After carving out a new market spanning across three geographies within Norway, Joe, like many of his clients wanted to follow the green shift which is when he started the Energy Contracts Team. 

The next three years, operating across Scandinavia and the U.K, Joe and his team focused on three main sectors including Generation & Transmission (Offshore wind farms, subsea interconnections, land high voltage), Distribution & Usages (including utilities, buildings, Infrastructure) and Industry & Solutions Projects – a full solution provider. 

Most recently, having opted to move down south to be closer with friends, family and his insatiable love for the sea… Joe is now part of the Optima Group whose years of effective trade and sticking to core values of candidate quality, best service for all and being transparent lends itself well to his approach. 

Joe is recognised by his humble nature, professional demeanour and proactive approach. Numerous candidates and clients who have worked with Joe, have approached us to convey their appreciation for his dedication and his thoroughness.