25 YEARS AGO TODAY…………

Behind the Desk: Getting to Know Daniel Williams

Behind the Desk: Getting to Know DanWelcome to the first instalment of Behind the Desk—a new series designed to help you get to know the consultants behind our business. First up is our Business Manager, Dan Williams. From his journey into the world of finance and accountancy recruitment to his thoughts on the future of the industry in Yorkshire, Dan shares personal insights, professional lessons, and even a few light-hearted confessions (including his go-to karaoke song!). Whether you’re a client, candidate, or colleague, this Q&A offers a great chance to get to know Dan a little better—both in and out of the office.Understanding the Journey: Personal Insights and InspirationsCan you tell us a bit about your career journey so far? How did you end up in finance and accountancy recruitment?I’ve always had a keen interest in people-focused roles, which naturally led me to a career in recruitment. I started my journey in Sales where I developed strong relationship-building and analytical skills. Over time, I realised that finance and accountancy recruitment was the perfect fit—it allows me to connect talented professionals with the right opportunities while staying engaged with the ever-evolving financial landscape. It’s been a rewarding journey, and I enjoy making a real impact on businesses and candidates alike.When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your time? Any hobbies or interests?Outside of work, I spend most of my time with my wife and two young daughters who keep me on my toes! I also enjoy watching football and supporting the Might Reds! (Liverpool). I also try to hit the gym and stay fit and healthy, which helps me unwind and stay balanced. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received is "Listen more than you speak—which is key to understanding people is key in any industry". This has stuck with me throughout my career, especially in recruitment, where building relationships and maintaining trust is crucial. It’s a reminder that persistence, adaptability, and a genuine approach always pay off in the long run.Industry Perspective: Lessons and Approaches in RecruitmentWhat do you enjoy most about working in recruitment, especially in the finance and accountancy sector?The most rewarding part of recruitment, especially in finance and accountancy, is being able to connect talented professionals with opportunities that genuinely align with their skills and career goals. The finance sector is always evolving, and I enjoy staying up to date with industry trends while building long-term relationships with both candidates and clients. Seeing the positive impact a great hire can have on a business—and knowing I played a part in that—is incredibly fulfilling.What’s one thing you wish more people knew about working in recruitment?I wish more people understood that recruitment is much more than just matching CVs to job descriptions. It’s about understanding people, businesses, and industries at a deep level. A good recruiter is a consultant, advisor, and problem-solver, working behind the scenes to create the right fit for both clients and candidates. There’s a lot of strategy, relationship-building, and market insight involved, making it a dynamic and rewarding career.What’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learned since starting in this industry?One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of resilience and adaptability. Recruitment is a fast-paced industry where things don’t always go as planned—candidates decline offers, roles get put on hold, and market conditions shift. Learning to navigate these challenges while staying focused on long-term success has been invaluable. It’s all about persistence, building trust, and staying proactive in an ever-changing environment.Lunch Laughs and Career WisdomWhat’s your favorite lunch to have at the office?A Meatball sub from the deli!What’s your go-to karaoke song (or the one you secretly love to sing)?My singing voice is best appreciated by the hard of hearing! And for those brave enough to endure my rendition of Livin’ On A Prayer, you might want to reconsider your life choices!If you could turn back time and give yourself one piece of advice at the start of your career, what would it be?I’d tell myself to focus on building genuine relationships and not stress too much about immediate results. Recruitment—and career success in general—is a long game, and the connections you build today can open doors in ways you don’t always expect. Also, don’t be afraid to take risks and step out of your comfort zone—it’s where the best opportunities are!The Future in Focus: Aspirations and Industry OutlookWhat excites you the most in your career right now?Right now, I’m excited by the fast-paced evolution of the finance and accountancy sector and how recruitment is adapting to it. There’s a real demand for top talent, and it’s rewarding to help businesses find the right professionals while supporting candidates in securing roles that align with their career goals. The industry is always changing, and staying ahead of trends—whether it’s new regulations, digital transformation, or shifting job market dynamics—keeps things fresh and challenging.What do you think the future holds for finance and accountancy recruitment in Yorkshire?Yorkshire’s finance and accountancy sector continues to grow, with more businesses investing in specialist roles and embracing hybrid working models. I see a strong demand for skilled professionals, particularly in areas like financial analysis, risk management, and digital finance. As companies focus more on automation and data-driven decision-making, the need for top-tier talent will only increase. Recruitment will need to stay agile, building deeper partnerships with businesses to help them attract and retain the best people in an increasingly competitive market.If you could change one thing about the industry to improve it for candidates or clients, what would it be?I’d love to see even greater transparency and communication throughout the recruitment process. Sometimes candidates feel left in the dark after an interview, or clients don’t always have clear insights into candidate expectations. Improving communication and setting better expectations on both sides would make the process smoother and more efficient. Recruitment works best when it’s a true partnership, and fostering trust and openness benefits everyone involved.We hope you enjoyed getting to know Dan and gaining a glimpse into his journey, insights, and personality. Behind the Desk is all about celebrating the people who make our team special, and we’re excited to continue the series with more of our brilliant consultants. Keep an eye out for the next feature—you might just discover something new about the person on the other end of the phone (or email)!Thinking About Joining the Team?If Dan’s story has inspired you and you’re interested in building a career in recruitment with a supportive, people-focused team—we’d love to hear from you. We’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals who want to make a real impact. Get in touch for a confidential chat about life at our company and the opportunities we have available.Check our our Careers Page

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…I joined Sharp Consultancy. That’s 25 years!
I’m not quite sure how it happened, one minute I’m a fresh faced 25 year old embarking on a change of career (several years in banking prior) and the next….well, I’m not so fresh faced!
Recruitment is a notoriously high attrition industry and additionally, many in recruitment don’t practice what they preach when it comes to career management (i.e. don’t job hop). I therefore thought I’d take a moment to reflect on what has kept me in the industry for so long, with the same business for so long and just as passionate and enthusiastic about this industry as I have ever been.
First though, a few thoughts on that career management point. If you are going to have a long and fruitful career at anything, there are going to be storms you have to weather. There are going to be lots and lots of opportunity to give up. Many of us like reading about or listening to sporting superstars or tremendously successful businesspeople, the ‘How to’ books sell in their millions. We quote them, talk about their dedication and commitment, their sacrifice and pain, the dark days and the could easily give up days – we get it, we understand why they made it against the odds – and then we do exactly the opposite.
The last 25 years has had many storms – there was the dot com bubble bursting, the worst recession for a generation after the banking led crisis in 2008, the worst recession for 300 years with the pandemic (not to mention the pandemic itself) and of course there’s one’s own demons and challenges that have to be faced. Business and life ebbs and flows (Eckhart Tolle’s book The Power of Now covers this really well – great book by the way) and is not constant. It all must be weathered. Manage the difficult times – excel in the better times….ebb and flow.
Back to my main point – why this industry and this business for so long? Sharp Consultancy’s strap line is ‘Great people are our business’. I like it – it works on different levels and its great people that make this job what it is. In what other industry do you have so many peoples hopes and dreams in your hands? In what other industry can you make such a major impact on someone’s career and future? – after all, one’s job affects every aspect of one’s life. For some this role is just transactional – get someone a job. Get a client a new employee. Just a transaction. But for me that’s just the veneer, what we do matters, and I absolutely love it – we aren’t supplying office stationery we’re supplying human beings with all the emotions and complications and possibilities that brings.
Then there are the people I have and do work with. There have been many amazing people with shared values and beliefs. We have and continue to share in each other’s aspirations, we’ve shared pain and we’ve shared great success. I have learned so much from them and I hope they have learned things from me. The business has given me every opportunity I have wanted – all I have had to do is reach out and grasp it. How many businesses really offer that?
Technology is having an impact on recruitment and it isn’t all positive – technology can remove the advisory element, the personal touch and make the process cold and transactional, it can remove the ‘person’ from the hiring process - like marrying someone you’ve never met because you are a ‘match on paper’. Despite this, I believe we have an amazing industry which still has an immense opportunity to make a difference to the success of businesses and even more importantly, to the future careers and lives of individuals; who would ever want to give that up?
With the challenges of the last year beginning to ebb away I look forward to what I believe will be many more wonderful years to come in this fascinating industry (unfortunately probably not another 25 though).