About J3A Recruitment

Engineering recruitment specialist supporting businesses and professionals across the UK and overseas.

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What We Do

We work within complex, skills-driven engineering markets where finding the right people takes more than simply advertising a vacancy or searching a database. It requires industry knowledge, honest communication and a genuine understanding of the challenges facing both clients and candidates.
Our role is to bring those two sides together.

We collaborate closely with our clients to understand their business, projects, culture and long-term objectives. Whether they need one critical appointment, an entire project team or ongoing recruitment support, we provide a focused and dependable service built around what they actually need.
Employers
For candidates, we offer more than access to jobs. We take the time to understand their experience, ambitions and personal circumstances before introducing them to opportunities where they can genuinely succeed. We believe a career move should be made for the right reasons—not simply because a vacancy needs filling.
Our experience spans engineering, infrastructure, mission critical and project-led environments, with particular expertise across water, infrastructure, utilities, MEICA, civil engineering, manufacturing and associated technical sectors. We recruit across the full project lifecycle, from design and pre-construction through to delivery, commissioning, operations and senior leadership
Candidates

Why J3A

We are a team of specialist recruiters who genuinely care about doing a good job—time and time again. For clients, that means taking the time to understand the business, the role and the person required before introducing carefully selected candidates. For professionals, it means honest advice, clear communication and opportunities that genuinely match their experience and ambitions. We understand that every introduction reflects the reputation of everyone involved. That is why we remain thorough, accountable and committed throughout the entire process, from the first conversation to a successful hire and beyond.

J3A was created to provide a more personal, consistent and accountable approach to engineering recruitment.

We do what we say we will do.
We communicate honestly and consistently.
We take the time to understand people and businesses properly.
We prioritise quality over volume.
We treat every client, candidate and colleague with respect.
We take responsibility for the results we deliver.
We build relationships for the long term, not for a quick transaction.

We are ambitious about the business we are building, but never at the expense of the standards on which it was founded.

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Our Approach

Engineering knowledge.

Straightforward communication.

Genuine collaboration.

Recruitment done properly and consistently.

Built Around
Collaboration

We work as an extension of our clients’ businesses, taking the time to understand their needs and introduce the right people—not just more CVs.

Our flexible approach covers permanent, contract, temporary and project-based recruitment, with clear communication, honest advice and dependable support from first conversation to placement.

More Than Filling Vacancies

We measure success by the strength of the partnerships we build: stronger teams for clients, career progress for candidates, and value that continues long after placement.

Working inside our clients’ markets every day, we understand the pressure of shifting deadlines and difficult roles. When challenges arise, we stay involved and work collaboratively to solve them—engineering knowledge, straightforward communication and genuine collaboration, delivered consistently.

The Story Behind J3A Recruitment

J3A Recruitment was founded in 2023 by Director John Lycett, following years of experience recruiting within engineering and highly specialised technical markets. His ambition was simple: to build a recruitment business rooted in genuine care, strong relationships and pride in doing things properly.
Before entering recruitment, John served in the British Army, where he developed the discipline, resilience, teamwork and high standards that continue to shape J3A’s culture and approach today.
The name reflects the family behind the business. The “J” represents John, while “3A” represents his own A-Team—his partner and two daughters, who continue to inspire and motivate him. That family connection influences how J3A operates, with pride, responsibility and a determination to build something meaningful and lasting. J3A was not created around corporate slogans or quick wins. It was built by someone who genuinely cares about running a business to the highest possible standard, supporting the people within it and delivering a service clients and candidates can rely on.
From its foundations in the water industry, J3A has expanded across Utilities, Civils & Infrastructure, Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering and Mission Critical environments. As the company continues to grow, its foundations remain unchanged: family values, mutual respect, honest communication and consistent delivery.
Our mission is clear: to do recruitment properly, and consistently.

John Lycett

Director & Owner – Utilities, Civils & Infrastructure and Mission Critical

Leading J3A’s growth while supporting clients with specialist technical, management and senior leadership appointments across complex engineering and project-led environments.

Away from recruitment, John is a family man, former soldier, ultra runner, a lifelong Manchester United and Leigh Leopards fan, talented at losing golf balls around the course and enjoys long walks with his crazy cocker spaniel, Obie.

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Abby Kent

Abby Kent

Senior Recruitment Consultant – Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering

Driving J3A’s growth while supporting Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering businesses with specialist technical, management and senior leadership appointments..

Away from recruitment, Abby loves spending quality time with her son—whether they’re at the cinema, swimming or exploring seemingly every play centre across the North West. She also enjoys bottomless brunches with friends and relaxing with a good book and a glass of red wine.

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Dan Baron

Dan Baron

Delivery Consultant – Civils & Infrastructure, Utilities

Supporting candidates across engineering and technical sectors, with a particular focus on the UK Utilities & Infrastructure industries. Dan builds genuine relationships, understands what candidates want, and helps them find roles where they can develop long-term careers.

Away from recruitment, Dan is a massive Liverpool and Wigan Warriors fan, a beginner padel player who spends more time apologising than winning points and loves escaping to the caravan in Wales to enjoy the great outdoors.

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Our Shared
Values

Selflessness

Putting the long-term career aspirations of candidates and the strategic needs of clients ahead of short-term gains.

High Standards

Delivering excellence across recruitment delivery, search precision, compliance, and ongoing care.

Accountability

Taking full ownership of our recruitment campaigns, communication, and placement outcomes.

Respect

Treating every individual candidate and hiring employer with absolute dignity, confidentiality, and professional integrity.

Express

Providing responsive, fast-paced placements and transparent, straightforward communication at every stage.

Discipline

Adhering rigorously to professional codes of conduct, industry compliance standards, and systematic search methods.

★★★★★
"I have dealt with a lot of agencies, but J3A recruitment were a lot different, Abby my recruiter she helped me revamp my cv she kept making sure i was doing ok coming up to my first day at my new job they had advertised. She seems very dedicated to getting the best out of the people she thinks suitable and that drive alone gave me more drive to try and do right by her because of how well she does her job."
Gary • Machine Operator