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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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Those of you that are regular readers of my articles will know that their content is often inspired by something I have recently read or an exchange that has taken place which I’ve been mulling over in my mind for several days afterwards. That was very much the case again, however thanks to a timely phone call from a long-term business associate, you have been spared a tale involving a white shirt, laundry day and a rather unflattering revelation – which I’m not yet quite over - from my wife.

During one of our regular catch ups, my client and I commented that we had both recently read the same article with some interest. The headline – and I paraphrase at this point – claimed that Yorkshire had seen 25 per cent fewer insolvencies in 2020 when compared to 2019. And whilst, at almost any other time, fewer companies going out of business year on year would generally be welcomed by many as a positive, we were both somewhat surprised, considering the year that was in question.

Let’s be under no illusions; 2020 was a year like no other and whilst some sectors found that lockdown restrictions offered them opportunities to grow there were many more that faced – and are still facing - countless struggles and uncertainty which will take months if not years to recover from. So how could it be the case that during the most unprecedented 12-month period for businesses ever, more somehow managed to survive when compared to the previous year?

Without wishing to get political, one of the suggestions that came from our conversation was that the Government support packages have done what they set out to achieve and – whilst not perfect, with many firms and individuals falling through the cracks- these were in the most part, widely available and quickly implemented, particularly if you consider the furlough scheme. But have they been too generous in some instances? Certainly if we were looking at the number of businesses that didn’t survive being on a par with the previous year – or even slightly higher – you could conclude that the support offered had been about right as the number of casualties showed no real differences and the equilibrium maintained.

However, and whilst I certainly don’t begrudge them their survival, are we potentially facing a situation where businesses have survived because of the support they have received and in any ‘normal’ year, when such packages would not have been in place, they would have found themselves without a future?

What would be the downside to this? Jobs have been protected and businesses have survived to see another day. But in doing so, does this hamper the ability of companies to recover overall?

Take any ‘normal’ year, not all businesses survive, and the stronger operations would move into the space they vacate and take advantage of the resulting opportunities in order to grow and invest. Jobs are created, expansion takes place and so on and so forth. However, what we could now see is an artificially false competition – businesses which in any other year would not have survived, have been given a reprieve and are now fighting for their lives and, in doing so, may potentially be prepared to lower their costs way below the rest of the market making the route to recovery for a far greater number of operations a much more drawn out and difficult journey to travel.

As we tentatively ease our way out of lockdown, hopefully for the final time, it remains to be seen if the support that has been so heavily invested – currently to the tune of upwards of £280billion and counting – has indeed ensured the country can recover as quickly and as painlessly as possible or if, for some, it has simply delayed the inevitable and once that support is withdrawn, they find they are unable to survive. The question remains, will their prolonged existence have far reaching consequences for companies on the next rung up the survival ladder from which they may struggle to overcome?

Sharp Consultancy specialises in the recruitment and executive search of finance and accountancy professionals. With offices in Leeds and Sheffield our highly experienced team of consultants recruit for temporary, interim and permanent roles across the full spectrum of positions throughout Yorkshire and beyond. CONTACT US today and speak to a member of our team about your recruitment needs or next career move.