By
Leanna Seah
January 22, 2026
Updated
January 22, 2026
Jan 22, 2026 - Houston, TX - James Allen has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, effective January 23, 2026.
Allen, who most recently served as Chief Operating Officer, succeeds Janette Marx, who is stepping down after 11 years of dedicated leadership to pursue another CEO opportunity.
“It has been a privilege to lead Airswift and work alongside such a talented team. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together and have full confidence in James Allen as he steps into the CEO role. Airswift is in excellent hands.
- Janette Marx.
Allen has been with Airswift for over 25 years, having joined as a recruitment consultant before progressing to COO. During his tenure, he has led operations across all key regions, driving operational excellence, strengthening customer relationships, and delivering sustainable growth.
He has also played a central leadership role in the group’s successful merger and acquisition activity over the past two decades. His appointment marks a confident step in Airswift’s long‑term growth strategy as the business continues to expand internationally under his leadership.
I am incredibly proud to step into the role of CEO at such a pivotal moment in Airswift’s journey. Having been part of the business for more than 20 years, I’ve seen first-hand the strength of our culture, the depth of our expertise and the dedication of our people.
Maintaining that will remain a personal priority. As we enter our next phase of growth, my focus will be on supporting clients globally with the high-quality talent they need to succeed, while continuing to invest in and care for our people.
I’m honored to build on the strong foundations established by Janette and to lead the business forward as we navigate the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly changing global market.
- James Allen, CEO of Airswift
On behalf of the Board, Ian Langley, Non‑Executive Chair and Co‑Founder of Airswift, added: “I would like to thank Janette for her contribution to Airswift during her tenure as CEO. James is an outstanding leader who knows this business inside out. Having been with Airswift for a quarter of a century, he brings deep operational expertise, continuity and a clear strategic vision. I am delighted to see him step into the CEO role and have every confidence in his ability to lead Airswift forward.”
The appointment comes at a time of continued growth for Airswift across the STEM industries. Since its acquisition by Gemspring, the business has accelerated investment in innovation and workforce solutions, strengthening its ability to support clients as they navigate evolving workforce demands amid the global energy transition.
