Financial recruitment consultancy sees 44% revenue rise

A financial search and selection consultancy based in Leeds saw its revenues rise to £2.6m in the year ending 31 March 2019.

Woodrow Mercer Finance said this amounted to a 44% increase year-on-year, adding that the business is planning further expansion.

The company was formed in 2016, when established Leeds financial consultancy FDYL formed a joint venture with Birmingham-based recruiter Woodrow Mercer.

Managing partner James Roach said: “Over the last 30 years, we’ve been advising businesses from our experience as strategic finance directors, which usually involved sourcing finance staff somewhere down the line.

“With traditional recruitment agencies relying increasingly on a numbers-driven business model, we knew this would produce opportunities with those who favoured a relationship focused approach, and one led by expertise rather than chance.

“Three years on, we have expanded to three offices carrying the Woodrow Mercer Finance brand with a qualified finance director running each business.

“This unique model has also allowed us to attract high calibre recruiters who have also built their reputations on long term relationships and advice.

“We’re now able to offer our clients an experienced financial recruiter at every level; from ledger clerks to CFOs, both permanent and interim. Our transactional division is flying, having placed over 30 people in January alone.”

As well as offices in Leeds and Birmingham, the business has this year established a base in Hull with plans to expand into the North West imminently.

Over the last 12 months, the company has recruited a further seven consultants, including two partners and two associate directors. It now has a 20-strong team and anticipates a further four hires in the coming months.

Roach added: “Looking to the future, we expect our main challenge to be finding the right high calibre consultants who fit with our ethos to join the team as we continue to grow.

“Having built the business on our reputation as a specialist finance consultancy run by active FDs, ensuring we have talented, experienced professionals working alongside our clients, remains a priority on which we will not compromise.”