Celebrating International Women's Day with Hannah

The Power of Togetherness in Recruitment

At Sharp Consultancy, recruitment is about much more than filling job roles. It is about bringing people together, building lasting relationships, and creating opportunities where businesses and individuals can thrive. That's why one of our core values, Togetherness, is at the heart of everything we do. Successful recruitment isn't simply about matching a CV to a job description. It's about understanding people, their ambitions, and the culture of the organisations they will become a part of. That's why we meet with both clients and candidates alike, taking the time to get to know them, understand what they're looking for, and ensure we achieve the perfect match. We work closely with everyone involved to understand what success looks like from both perspectives. By working together, we create stronger matches that benefit businesses, employees, and teams for the long term.Togetherness means investing in relationships For our clients, this means becoming a trusted recruitment partner who understands their business, challenges, and future goals. We don't just recruit for today's vacancy, we help build a team that aligns with your values and ambitions. For our candidates, it means providing honest advice, guidance, and support throughout their career journey. Whether someone is looking for their first opportunity, career progression, or a complete change of direction, we're there every step of the way. The best recruitment decisions happen through collaboration We believe open communication, transparency, and shared goals lead to better hiring decisions. By encouraging honest conversations between employers, candidates, and our recruitment consultants, we create an environment where everyone feels heard and valued. When people work together, better decisions follow. Togetherness doesn't stop once a placement has been made At Sharp Consultancy, we continue to support our clients as their businesses evolve. From workforce planning to recruitment strategy and talent advice, we're committed to building long-term partnerships that grow alongside our clients. Creating Opportunities for People Every placement represents more than a job. It's a new chapter in someone's career, a fresh opportunity for a business, and the beginning of new working relationships. We never lose sight of the impact recruitment has on people's lives. By treating every candidate with respect and every client as a valued partner, we create experiences built on trust, professionalism, and mutual success. Togetherness is more than one of our values, it’s how we work every day It's reflected in every conversation, every recommendation, and every successful placement we make. We believe recruitment works best when it's built on collaboration, trust, and genuine relationships. At Sharp Consultancy, we're proud to bring people together, helping businesses find exceptional talent while supporting individuals to achieve their goals.

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In celebration of International Women's Day, we're shining a spotlight on women in financial leadership roles. In this instalment, we had the pleasure of speaking with Hannah Shilling.

After graduating from the University of Leeds with a degree in Mathematics, Hannah began her finance career as a Graduate Trainee at Croda International Plc, where she also completed her ACCA studies. She then advanced to the role of Group Assistant Accountant. Seeking new challenges, Hannah joined Costcutter Supermarkets Group, where she climbed the ranks to become Head of Finance. Currently, she is the Director of Corporate Accounting & Transactions at Card Factory, where she continues to excel in her field.

Hannah Shilling, Director of Corporate Accounting & Transactions at Card Factory.

Hannah's role at Card Factory is varied and dynamic, requiring her to wear many hats and tackle diverse challenges each day. Join us as she shares her journey, career-defining moments, and the traits that have fuelled her success.

1.Please can you provide a summary of who you work for and your current role?

I am Director of Corporate Accounting & Transactions at Card Factory. I look after Management Accounting, FP&A, Transactions and Procurement. A typical day for me can involve reviewing divisional performance, working on Finance transformation projects, and defining our procurement strategy. So, a very interesting and varied role, which involves me wearing a lot of different hats!

2.What have been the one or two most defining moments in your career to date?

I would say without a doubt when I became Head of Finance at Costcutter Supermarkets. I had joined Costcutter as an analyst 5 years earlier, so to build my career and step into a senior leadership role after returning from maternity was a very proud moment.

3.What are the most important personal traits, values or characteristics that, being a female finance leader, has really helped to contribute to your success?

Being nosy and stubborn!

In all seriousness though, opportunities have presented themselves through me stepping outside of my lane and getting involved in all sorts of things that were only vaguely linked to my role. And you’ve got to be resilient and determined if you want to be a true change agent in a larger organisation.

I describe myself as having a healthy level of discontent with the status quo, so I’m always agitating at how we do things better, faster. If apathy sets in, I know that it’s time for a new challenge.

4.What is the one piece of advice that you would share with the next generation of female finance leaders as they look to build their careers?

Build your resilience and confidence when your career is in a steady state, so you’ve got plentiful reserves to draw on when you step up to a stretch opportunity.

And don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

Hannah Shilling's career in finance is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and stepping out of one's comfort zone. Her journey from her Graduate role at Croda International PLC to a senior leadership role at Card Factory PLC is truly inspiring.

Despite the progress that has been made, women still face significant challenges in the finance industry. In the UK, women hold only 33.5% [1] of senior management roles in financial services, and while they make up 41.1% [2] of finance professionals, they are underrepresented in leadership positions. Hannah's advice to build resilience and confidence, and to seek help when needed, is invaluable for aspiring female finance leaders. As we celebrate International Women's Day, we hope Hannah's story provides inspiration to female finance professionals to embrace challenges and pursue their career goals with confidence and determination.

Looking for your next career move in finance or accountancy? At Sharp Consultancy, our expertise lies in matching your potential with the perfect temporary, interim, or permanent position. With a well-established presence in Leeds and Sheffield, our seasoned team of consultants extends their services across Yorkshire and beyond. Don't wait for opportunity to knock, reach out to us TODAY and let's chart your career path together.