An Interview With: Aaron Breslin

1. What do you do at Thor?

I lead the Life Sciences team across Europe, with a primary focus on contract roles, though we handle some permanent positions too. For me, the real buzz comes from people management - seeing team members achieve their potential and build their own success is incredibly rewarding. Every day, I aim to help them develop the skills and confidence they need to thrive.

2. What’s a project you’ve worked on that you’re particularly proud of?

Over the past year, I had the opportunity to source an entire team of contractors for a European client involved in a pioneering clinical study. It was a massive, complex project that involved recruiting top talent and aligning everyone’s skills with the client’s unique needs. Beyond that, I’m proud of a range of projects where I helped build new markets and bring in new clients from the ground up. A standout for me was launching the Irish medical device market in 2021, working closely with my colleague Toby Lawrence. We built a solid network in pharmaceutical engineering and opened up a brand-new market in Ireland - a journey that’s been full of challenges but has been deeply rewarding.

3. What three skills are essential for success in your role?

Active listening and adaptability are crucial - it’s vital to genuinely listen and take feedback on board because that’s how you grow and ensure you’re meeting client and candidate needs. Flexibility in approach helps me adjust to different requirements and keep improving. Consistency is also key; showing up and giving your best every day builds trust with clients and candidates, and over time, this leads to real progress. Finally, curiosity is invaluable. The more you learn about the industry, market, and people in it, the more credible you become, and people trust you as an expert who’s genuinely engaged and informed.

4. What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned / piece of advice you've received, in your career so far?

One of the biggest lessons for me has been to stick to the process. Recruitment is smoother and more effective when everyone understands and follows a clear process. Being close to clients allows us to deliver a better service, and keeping the process consistent gives candidates a stronger experience. When everyone’s aligned, fewer things fall through the cracks, and the outcomes are much better.

5. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Like most kids, my first dream was to become a footballer.

6. What’s one thing on your bucket list?

I’ve always wanted to travel around Australia. I have quite a few friends living there, and I’m intrigued to see if it lives up to everything they’ve told me. It would be amazing to experience the lifestyle, see the landscapes, and maybe even catch up with some old friends in person.

7. If you could have dinner with any person, past or present, who would it be and why?

Roy Keane, the Irish footballer who now works with Sky Sports. He’s had such a colourful career and seems like a fascinating person. I’d love to find out what he’s really like off the pitch.

8. If you could instantly master one skill, what would it be?

I’d love to master Brazilian jiu-jitsu and earn a black belt. It’s a skill that requires incredible discipline and strategy, and I think it would be an amazing accomplishment - not to mention a great workout!

9. What’s a surprising fact about you?

I speak Irish fluently!

We hope you enjoyed this glimpse into Aaron's journey as much as we did!

If you’re interested in being part of our team, head over to our ''Work for Us' page and take a look at our open roles.

Join us next week for the latest instalment of our series.