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Attracting Top Finance Talent in South Yorkshire in 2026: Employer Strategies That Stand Out

Historically, the best finance professionals have not only been in high demand but have also had increasingly high expectations — and in today’s competitive South Yorkshire finance market, that reality is truer than ever. For over 33 years, Sharp Consultancy has been working closely with businesses across Sheffield, Doncaster, Rotherham, and Barnsley. In that time, we’ve witnessed firsthand how the landscape of finance recruitment has evolved. When it comes to attracting and securing top-tier finance talent, we know what works — and, perhaps more importantly, what doesn’t. ​Local Reputation Matters More Than Ever In South Yorkshire especially, local reputation counts. Candidates talk, and businesses talk. The region’s finance community is tightly knit, and news travels fast — both good and bad. Employers who invest in building a strong, authentic brand that reflects real employee experiences tend to win out. That means it’s not enough to simply advertise a competitive salary or an attractive job title. Modern candidates want to understand what life inside your business looks like — the day-to-day culture, the leadership style, and the opportunities for growth. Visibility through employee stories, community engagement, and transparent communication all help to create a reputation that draws people in rather than pushes them away. ​What Candidates Want in Today’s Market In 2026, the expectations of finance professionals have broadened significantly, particularly at the qualified level. While salary remains important, it’s no longer the sole deciding factor. In fact, some of the best offers we see accepted each year aren’t the highest in monetary terms — they’re the most considered and holistic. Top candidates want to join businesses that offer purpose, balance, and progression. They look for roles that align with their values and allow them to contribute meaningfully, while still developing their technical and commercial skillsets. If you want to attract the best, you must clearly articulate what sets your company apart — your Employer Value Proposition (EVP). Ask yourself: What makes working with you different? Is it access to senior leadership, commercial exposure, or involvement in exciting transformation projects? What development or training support do you offer? Are there structured pathways, mentoring programmes, or professional study sponsorships? How flexible are you? Can employees work hybrid schedules, compressed hours, or part-time to suit their lifestyles? What additional perks or benefits do you provide — from wellness initiatives to social impact days or volunteering opportunities? The most successful employers communicate these points clearly, consistently, and confidently — both during recruitment and throughout the employee lifecycle. ​The Need for Speed and Agility Another critical factor in attracting top talent is speed. In a fast-moving market, long or disjointed hiring processes can easily result in losing outstanding candidates. Strong finance professionals are rarely on the market for long, and delays at the offer or feedback stage can make the difference between securing or losing your preferred hire. Where possible, streamline your recruitment process. Ensure hiring managers are aligned on the role requirements, keep communication clear, and aim to deliver feedback promptly. Demonstrating decisiveness reflects positively on your business and reinforces the message that you value candidates’ time and enthusiasm. ​Transparency Builds Trust We’ve seen a notable shift in what candidates are asking during interviews. Increasingly, they want to know why a role is vacant. Is it due to growth, internal promotion, or turnover? A vague answer or a history of short-lived hires can quickly raise red flags. Conversely, when a company can confidently articulate its purpose, culture, and long-term vision, candidates engage more readily — and are more likely to accept offers. Our clients who have invested in defining and communicating these messages attract stronger pipelines of finance professionals, often before roles even go live. A clear, honest narrative about your organisation not only draws in talent but helps retain it too. ​Partner with a True Specialist If you’re looking to recruit the best talent in the market, the right partnership can make all the difference. Working with a true specialist who understands your business, your sector, and the nuances of the South Yorkshire market will save time and boost your hiring outcomes. At Sharp Consultancy, our clients benefit from: Pre-qualified shortlists of candidates who are thoroughly vetted for skills, culture fit, and long-term potential. Access to passive candidates, many of whom we’ve nurtured relationships with over years and who may not be actively searching. Honest feedback on your employer brand and market perception — so you can make informed improvements that strengthen future recruitment efforts. Because of our deep local networks, we often know when an outstanding finance professional is about to enter the market. That insight gives our clients a competitive edge in securing the very best talent before others are even aware they’re available. ​Going Beyond Recruitment Our role extends well beyond active recruitment. We pride ourselves on offering genuine consultative advice, including: Salary benchmarking and market insights Case studies from recent successful hires Ongoing check-ins and relationship management — not just when you have a live vacancy This proactive approach means that when you are ready to hire, we already understand your business, your values, and the type of people who will thrive in your environment. Contact Jack to Discuss Our Services-- Attracting the best finance talent in South Yorkshire takes more than a strong job spec and a competitive package. It’s about authenticity, agility, and alignment — knowing who you are as a business, what you stand for, and who you want to work alongside. ​After more than 30 years supporting companies across the region, Sharp Consultancy continues to help employers build finance teams that not only perform — but stay, grow, and make a real impact.

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Lee Sweeney
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Lee Sweeney

Executive Director

Educated at Chesterfield Boy’s School in Derbyshire, Lee Sweeney's career commenced with a solid foundation in retail banking. He spent eight years at LloydsTSB Bank Plc, assuming various sales and junior management roles. In 1996, Lee embarked on a new chapter with Sharp Consultancy, dedicating 28 years of service (and counting!), including the establishment of the Leeds office in 2000.

Lee specialises in Professional Practice & Private Equity, encompassing a comprehensive scope of disciplines:

  • • Mergers & Acquisitions

  • • Corporate Finance

  • • Transaction Services

  • • Business Restructuring & Insolvency

  • • Audit and Taxation

  • • Investment and Portfolio Management within Private Equity

  • • Investment & Specialist Banking

His geographical focus spans West and North Yorkshire and Manchester, where he has built and nurtured long-standing client relationships.

Colleagues and clients often describe Lee as helpful, professional, and inspiring. These attributes have been pivotal in fostering trust and delivering exceptional service within his field.

Outside of professional life, Lee is an avid fly fisherman, a passion that allows him to connect with nature and unwind. He is an avid car enthusiast, having attended events like the Goodwood Revival and enjoying weekend drives in his Porsche Boxster. His love for the outdoors extends to walking, particularly in the breathtaking Langdale region of The Lake District, and cycling, which keeps him active and invigorated.

When not indulging in these hobbies, you will often find Lee and his wife hosting dinner parties for friends and family.

Lee enjoying his holidays and hobbies.
  • Quote

    ​I have no hesitation in recommending Lee to anyone in my network. In particular, he has kept in touch with me over the last 5/6 years being a source of impartial advise when needed.

    Adam
    Adam
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    ​Lee is the consummate professional and very personable. He was helpful and understanding throughout the whole process and I appreciated his openness and integrity which gave great confidence in every conversation.

    Daniel
    Daniel
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    ​Lee has been absolutely fantastic throughout the hiring process. I have a somewhat unusual background for a role in M&A, but he immediately picked up on my tremendous drive to do all the things necessary for a role. The depth of experience and love of the job enables Lee to know what firms want / need from candidates beyond the standard cookie-cutter approach which 99% of headhunters use. From a personal perspective, Lee has spent a lot of time getting to know me and helping me think about how to present myself at interview. Absolutely top-notch.

    Investment Banker, Relocating from London
    Investment Banker, Relocating from London
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    ​Whenever I’ve needed to recruit at a senior level, Lee has always been my first call—and has been for over 10 years. He and his team consistently do an outstanding job for Azets, and the calibre of candidates he introduces is exceptional. Lee has been with us every step of the way on our growth journey. His combination of proactivity, approachability, and deep sector expertise means he always finds the right person. He truly understands our culture and what drives our business, and that ‘insider’ knowledge has consistently led to great results. I would highly recommend Lee to any business looking to recruit key individuals who will make a genuine difference. ​

    Russell Turner - Managing Director
    Russell Turner - Managing Director
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    In my capacity of recruiting and growing our team, Lee and his team have been involved in a number of pivotal senior appointments as well as a steady flow of very credible candidates at all levels both in response to recruitment need, but often out of courtesy in respect of strong candidates who they think would be a good fit for our teams. I think the trust in the relationship is both ways given 2 of the Sharp senior team have encouraged their children to join Azets to begin their accountancy careers!

    Chris Butt - National Head of Audit
    Chris Butt - National Head of Audit
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    ​We have worked with Sharp Consultancy and Lee Sweeney for over 20 years. Whenever we have a role available at Park Place, Lee is our first port of call. He knows the types of candidates that are most suitable for us and, given his unmatched coverage of the Yorkshire market, does a great job of filtering the list down to the best candidates based on our specific criteria. He is also extremely proactive, bringing us exceptional candidates even when we are not necessarily in the market, but still keen to be introduced to great people.

    Ben Peacock - Partner
    Ben Peacock - Partner
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    ​I have worked with Sharp for many years. There is always a deep understanding of the position and the requirements of the role, some of which can be demanding. Furthermore, beyond the technicalities of the role, consideration of broader skill sets and personalities has helped to find the right people for my team, many of whom have I have now worked with for many years. I look forward to many more years working with Lee and Sharp Consultancy to help maintain a high performing and successful team.

    Mark Thornton - Partner, Business Restructuring
    Mark Thornton - Partner, Business Restructuring
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    The Sharp Consultancy team has built a really good understanding of our Business and culture, so can quickly identify where a candidate’s talent and aspirations match our approach. Lee’s relationship-based approach has always given us great confidence in his judgement – from an honest assessment about a candidate at the outset, Lee is straightforward to deal with and always takes the time to keep in touch, even when we’re not discussing a vacancy or specific candidate.

    Andrew Barlow - Partner
    Andrew Barlow - Partner