The CFO Partnership

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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The CFO Partnership: Top-tier Financial Leadership Recruitment in Yorkshire

The CFO Partnership is an elite practice in the identification and appointment of Chief Financial Officers, Finance Directors, Heads of Finance and Non-Executive Directors across all commercial and industry sectors from SME to PLC throughout Yorkshire and North Derbyshire.

Why partner with us?

It’s all we do

Finance is our forte: we’re not only aligned with Yorkshire’s largest independent company committed only to accountancy and financial recruitment, but our Managing Partner is also both an ACA and was a highly successful FD in industry.

Integrity is a core value

Unlike some firms in this market, we’re not old-school recruiters who recycle the same candidates repeatedly. The CFO Partnership carefully manages its client base to minimise conflicts of interest and maximise our outreach potential.

Our research is pinpoint

We always find the best CFO/FD candidates, often rare individuals not actively job seeking, who are exclusive to us—and to you. How? It’s not just smoke and mirrors; it’s about structure, subtlety, and transparency, driven by our dedicated professional research.

The partners

Our Partners take personal accountability for a strong brief, smooth process and superior result. You’ll be dealing with not only a recruitment expert but also a positive advocate for your company and a likeable individual that’s easy to deal with.

Our powerful network

We’ve been recruiting Finance Directors since 1992, day in and day out, building and refining our network in your region. No other independent recruitment company in the UK can remotely compete with this depth of sector experience in Yorkshire.

Innovation is our game

We leverage cutting-edge recruitment strategies and industry insights to redefine excellence in finance leadership recruitment, ensuring access to the most innovative and effective solutions tailored to your unique needs.

Post Acceptance Management

The post-acceptance period is a key part of our process. We’ll stay in regular contact with your new employee, offering advice and information to ensure a positive conclusion. There will also be two reviews for both parties, usually after the first and fourth months of employment.

Superior identification

Using advanced tools, we provide precise market mapping across Yorkshire (and the UK), giving the search and shortlist formation clear direction. We also offer full disclosure of target companies and qualifying individuals, allowing you to share your insights and adjust the search as needed. Many clients find our research to be intrinsically valuable.

The Appointment Stipulation

Our analysis and reporting will be forensic, commercial, and shrewd. During the briefing stage, we’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of your business, the role, and the candidates we’ll target. We also provide guidance on market conditions, reputation management, role marketing, and remuneration. All this will be detailed in our Stipulation document, an authoritative brochure for clients and candidates.

Our Seal of Excellence

We would be happy to attend your interviews with the recommended candidates. This commitment not only shows our dedication to earning your trust but also reflects our confidence in the quality of the upcoming interviews.

Formal Referencing

The CFO Partnership happily obtains formal references for the successful candidates on your behalf. In fact, we often uncover more information, and many clients find our involvement enlightening.

The Smooth Landing

Our role is to anticipate issues, manage expectations, minimise counter offers, and achieve successful outcomes—and that’s exactly what we do. We also excel in discussing expectations around working patterns and compensation, including salaries, bonuses, equity participation, and LTIPs. Our approach is subtle, sensitive, and influential, leading to successful conclusions.

Our elite approach

Discover the secrets behind the innovative strategies and methodologies that distinguish top performers, revealing the unique principles and practices that drive excellence and set them apart from the competition.

Recent Appointments

Sewtec Automation

Financial Director

Michael Ball assisted Sewtec Automation with the appointment of a Financial Director

With his innovative approach and extensive industry experience, Michael was perfectly positioned to assist in this Private Equity Backed company's search for a Financial Director.

Endless LLP

Lee Sweeney helps Endless LLP with the appointment of over 10 employees to their investment and portfolio teams.

Lee used his expert industry knowledge and expertise to successfully places more than 10 candidate's with Endless LLP making a significant impact to their investment and portfolio teams.

Meet the team.