If you’re hiring into your finance team you’ll probably want pragmatic, evidence based advice in straight forward terms.
The modern job market is tough so if you want the best people or the best roles, this is how we can help to increase your chances.
Maybe your offers keep getting turned down, or you’re finding it difficult to attract the right talent? Or perhaps you’re trying to progress to the next level but can’t seem to get to interview stage?
Our business is run by qualified Finance Directors and experienced recruiters who can offer greater insight into how to overcome your challenges. For us, financial recruitment is not a numbers game.
Our story
1986
FD Yorkshire Limited is incorporated, providing part-time FD services to local businesses
1990s
Steady growth, with lots of businesses starting to appoint part-time FDs
2000s
New century, new branding – “FDYL”. Associate FD model grows
2010s
Finance team recruitment becomes additional service line to support growing clients
2016
FDYL merges with national recruitment consultancy Woodrow Mercer to create Woodrow Mercer Finance. Mixing recruitment expertise with FD advisory.
2020
Headstar is born. The management team of Woodrow Mercer Finance lead an MBO to launch a rebranded, finance-focused business.
Meet the team
Neil Muffitt
Chairman & Portfolio Finance Director
With more than 25 years experience around board room tables, Neil believes that objectivity and an ability to challenge the status quo are essential for effective FDs. He currently recruits and manages the team of portfolio FDs and in his spare time has been known to tread the boards in the local amdram society.
neil.muffitt@headstar.co.uk
James Roach
Managing Director
James initially joined FDYL in 2013 as a portfolio FD, joining the business on a full-time basis in 2014 to help launch the recruitment division. James led the MBO into Headstar in 2020 and combines his FD consultancy work with ongoing recruitment assignments. In his spare time, he enjoys things like cycling down the Death Road in Bolivia.
james.roach@headstar.co.uk
Natalie McGregor
Commercial Director
Having spent seven years with a blue-chip recruiter, Natalie has a strong track record in recruitment with experience of working across many sectors. She now specialises in the recruitment of Finance Directors. A keen runner and boxer, she has temporarily put her sporting pursuits to one side as she focuses her energies on her young family.
natalie.mcgregor@headstar.co.uk
David Clark
Operations Director
David joined us in June 2017, having worked for Michael Page for 9 years. For the last 4 he was business manager within their interim finance division in West Yorkshire, where he recruited across all industry sectors. He will now continue to act as an interim specialist for senior finance appointments at qualified level across Yorkshire. David has built his reputation on a strong technical understanding of his clients and candidates needs, resulting in a high level of repeat business. Outside of work David is one of our sportier members of the team as a keen darts and poker player.
david.clark@headstar.co.uk
Jenny Mayer
Head of Senior Finance
Jenny joined with 7 years of experience recruiting senior permanent appointments within both Accountancy & HR. Having spent time in both external agency and internal recruitment environments, she understands what everyone needs out of the recruitment process and makes sure everyone’s kept in the loop. Jenny specialises in placing Financial Controller and Finance Director roles. Jenny is one of those rare recruiters that actually does have a genuine interest in getting to know people. Developing long-lasting relationships comes naturally to her, meaning her candidates and clients come back to her time and time again. Outside of work, Jenny works hard to afford her adventurous and exotic holidays as she has an extremely long bucket list of places she’s still yet to explore!
jenny.mayer@headstar.co.uk
Alex Law
Senior Consultant – Transactional Finance
Alex joined us in January 2021 having had 4 years recruitment experience working in the Transactional Finance market across all sectors. Over that time, he has built a reputation for being a professional, diligent and honest recruiter. This along with his easy to like personality means he has a great network of both clients and candidates. He will continue to utilize his experience and specialize in the Transactional Finance world. Outside of work Alex can usually be found either green fingered in his vegetable garden or at Valley Parade supporting Bradford City.
alex.law@headstar.co.uk
Olivia Egan
Senior Consultant – Part and Qualified
Olivia joined us in 2018 initially to support purely on the candidate side. She quickly demonstrated her versatility though and became a firm favourite with clients, prompting a promotion to Consultant in 2020. Olivia specialises in placing the best talent into businesses and in her spare time is busy being a new Mum!
olivia.egan@headstar.co.uk
Ross Wallace
Senior Consultant – Practice
With over 7 years’ experience in recruitment Ross has earned himself a reputation for being mature, honest and pragmatic in his approach. Having spent the lion’s share of his career in the legal arena, he knows the value of being thorough. This – combined with his personable character – has made him a favourite amongst clients. Ross specialises in the recruitment of part- and recently-qualified finance professionals. Outside of work, Ross can often be found at the gym, cycling his bike or getting out into the wild.
ross.wallace@headstar.co.uk
Niamh Hellewell
Consultant – Transactional Finance
Having joined in January 2018 to learn the ropes, Niamh has rapidly developed through the ranks working closely with Natalie McGregor. Niamh has 5 years’ experience working within Transactional Finance recruitment and in late 2020 she was promoted to Consultant with a specific focus on helping clients find the best Credit Control and Accounts Receivable Specialists. In Niamh’s spare time, she enjoys being active in the gym and spending time with her friends.
niamh.hellewell@headstar.co.uk
Jordan MacDonald
Consultant – Part and Qualified
Jordan joined us in October 2020 after returning home from 2 years of work and travel down under. After starting his career as a Candidate Consultant in Sydney’s IT market, Jordan now specialises in the recruitment of Qualified and Part-Qualified Accountants across Yorkshire on a permanent and interim basis. Outside of work, Jordan can be found listening to podcasts, seeing friends and running his online music platform.
jordan.macdonald@headstar.co.uk
Karis Splaine
Associate Consultant
After graduating in 2020 in Human Resources and her dissertation focusing on recruitment Karis knew this was her dream job and joined us in April 2022. Karis is now developing in her career focusing on part qualified accountants across Yorkshire. Outside of work Karis enjoys spending time with her friends and family especially baking with her little helper Harry Burray – her cocker spaniel.
karis.splaine@headstar.co.uk
Maisie Clay
Candidate Consultant
Maisie joined us in October 2021 to start her recruitment career under our apprenticeship programme. Over this time, she has worked closely with various consultants to gain full understanding of the finance recruitment process. She now works closely with Niamh to help build her reputation as a new recruiter within the transactional market. Outside of work, Maisie enjoys spending time with her friends, going out for food, as she’s a foodie at heart, and being active at the gym.
maisie.clay@headstar.co.uk
Sam Goodwin
Marketing Manager
With over 14 years’ experience in marketing for industry-leading companies, Sam is responsible for implementing our marketing strategy. A jack-of-all-trades, she is equally comfortable organising our events, coordinating PR and developing our website, as she is designing our marketing collateral and ensuring everything stays ‘on brand.’ Outside of work, Sam enjoys spending time with her friends, watching movies and singing along to musical theatre shows. She is also a keen writer and recently published her debut novel.
sam.goodwin@headstar.co.uk
Georgia Dutton
Operations Manager
Georgia makes things happen across the Headstar office! Since joining the business as an apprentice in early 2019, Georgia has developed into her role as Operations Manager, while gaining varied knowledge and experience within different areas of the business. Charged with maintaining the integrity of our systems, she also looks after our onboarding and supports our consultants with their various day to day activity. During her spare time Georgia likes hiking, painting and when not at work she can also be found on a dancefloor!
georgia.dutton@headstar.co.uk
Samantha Dobney
Finance Manager
Sam initially joined us in 2015. Having had some time out to raise her sons, she re-joined in 2020 to head up our finance department. An outstanding finance professional and a stickler for the detail, we keep Sam under wraps so that clients don’t get any ideas!
samantha.dobney@headstar.co.uk
Katrina Wells
Finance Manager
Working alongside Sam, Kat handles the contractual side of the business and supports clients and contractor candidates. Practicing what we preach, we only hire the best finance people and Kat is living proof of this! A keen walker, Kat can be seen most mornings out with her 3 dogs.
katrina.wells@headstar.co.uk
