CMN Educational Recruitment
Meet Jay, Emma and Sam. The people behind CMN. Get to know their stories, interests and the little things that make them who they are.
CMN promotional artwork. Individual profile photographs are awaiting approval.
Meet Jay General Manager
I’ve worked in corporate account management and education recruitment. I love getting to know people and helping schools and candidates find the right fit.
Early bird or night owl? Night owl
Favourite comfort food Mexican
Get to know Jay → Meet Emma Operations Manager and Designated Safeguarding Lead
I grew up in Portsmouth and love time with my young family. I enjoy trying new hobbies, from crafts to music.
Early bird or night owl? Early bird
Favourite comfort food Chinese takeaway
Get to know Emma → Meet Sam Education Partnership Lead and co-owner
I grew up in North Queensland and now live in Oxford with my wife. I love drumming, cooking, gardening and creative projects.
Early bird or night owl? Early bird
Favourite comfort food Spag Bol
Get to know Sam → You don’t have to work it out alone. Start with the team and tell us what you are looking for.
Get in touch → × Meet the team
Jay Norton General Manager
A little about me I come from a background in corporate account management and have spent the past few years working in education recruitment. What I have seen in the industry inspired me to help build CMN Educational Recruitment: a business focused on fairer recruitment fees for schools and making sure talented candidates are not overlooked. For me, recruitment is about getting to know people, understanding what matters to them and finding the right fit.
Outside of work, you’ll find me… Keeping active, watching football, enjoying a few drinks down the pub with friends, or spending quality time with my family. I enjoy being sociable and making the most of my downtime.
My perfect Sunday… A relaxed morning, spending time with the family, a proper Sunday roast and some football on the telly. Nothing too complicated, just good food, good company and a chance to unwind.
Early bird or night owl? Night owl
Favourite comfort food Mexican
My background I come from a background in corporate account management and have spent the past few years working in education recruitment. What I have seen in the industry inspired me to help build CMN Educational Recruitment: a business focused on fairer recruitment fees for schools and making sure talented candidates are not overlooked. For me, recruitment is about getting to know people, understanding what matters to them and finding the right fit.
Contact the team × Meet the team
Emma Clark Operations Manager and Designated Safeguarding Lead
A little about me I grew up in Portsmouth and love spending time with my young family. I’m always happy to learn something new and try a hobby, from crafts to all things music.
Outside of work, you’ll find me… Spending time with my young family in Portsmouth, where I grew up, or learning something new and trying a hobby, from crafts to all things music.
My perfect Sunday… A cosy night in with my family, a movie, takeaway and lots of laughter.
Early bird or night owl? Early bird
Favourite comfort food Chinese takeaway
My background I bring experience across education, recruitment, team leadership and quality assurance. My background includes recruiting healthcare professionals, coordinating services, teaching and vocational training. I’ve supported tutors, maintained quality and compliance, and taught English to students with additional learning needs. I also run a support group for SEN families. With qualifications in leadership, teaching, internal quality assurance and business administration, I’m passionate about inclusion and helping schools connect with capable, committed staff.
Contact the team × Meet the team
Samuel Pleass Education Partnership Lead and co-owner
A little about me I grew up in Townsville, North Queensland, and now live in Oxford with my wife. I’m a drummer, keen cook and gardener, and lifelong learner—usually with a creative project on the go.
Outside of work, you’ll find me… My background includes studying mathematics and its teaching at the Open University and integrated design engineering at the University of Bath. I grew up in Townsville, North Queensland, and now live in Oxford with my wife. Outside work, I’m a drummer, keen cook and gardener, and lifelong learner—usually with a creative project on the go.
My perfect Sunday… Having a laugh with my wife and getting a takeaway for tea.
Early bird or night owl? Early bird
Favourite comfort food Spag Bol
My background Hi, I’m Sam, Education Partnership Lead and co-owner at CMN. I build relationships with schools and candidates, helping people find roles where they can settle, contribute and thrive.
My route into educational recruitment wasn’t planned. Having experienced how difficult it can be to find a way into work in education, I understood the need for a more personal approach. When Emma and Jay showed me what they were building at CMN, I wanted to be part of it.
For me, good recruitment starts with listening. Our technology helps identify potential matches, and I bring personal conversations, careful judgment and attention to what each candidate and school needs. I want people to know that I respect their time and genuinely believe in the opportunities I put forward. Behind that is a simple motivation: lasting matches help give children continuity in their education.
Contact the team About CMN Educational Recruitment CMN Educational Recruitment is a trading name of COVER ME NOW LIMITED, registered in England and Wales. Company number: 16561888.
Registered office: 1 Crest Close, Fareham, England, PO16 8RZ.
Companies House 
