Accountancy & Finance

Chris joined the business in 2011 as part of the Macildowie Training Programme and progressed through our Part-Qualified, Qualified and Senior Financial Recruitment desks. As part of a business growth strategy he recruited for Blue Chip clients in Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes, quickly growing and developing his desk.

After a successful period of growth in those markets, Chris established our Milton Keynes division, before returning to Leicester to run the Financial recruitment team. Following his success in those roles, Chris became Regional Managing Director for the North East Midlands and South Yorkshire.

He also specialises in Senior Executive Finance Recruitment across the wider East Midlands.

Chris' Client Testimonials

ALEX HILL

Commercial Finance Manager at Weetabix

"Chris Huffen was excellent. He listened understood what I was looking for but challenges me in the right way about what my next step needed to be. Really appreciated all his support."

SHETUL MASHRU

Group Marketing Accountant / Analyst (Manager) at Travis Perkins / Wickes

“I thoroughly recommend Chris for your recruitment needs, because he makes the recruitment process more structured and simplified than others, thereby ensuring a smooth journey from candidate registration to employment offer(s).

His competency and professionalism is the reason as to why I have already recommended Chris to my colleagues and friends looking to progress in their career.”

VICCI TAYLOR

Recruiter (Credit Risk, Finance and Marketing) at Barclaycard

“I have worked with Chris since joining Barclaycard in November 2011. Chris' understanding of Barclaycards requirements and culture is second to none and has provided some outstanding candidates. He always has Barclaycards best interest at heart and can see that his view is quality rather than quantity. I look forward to working with Chris in the future and would highly recommend Chris as an exceptional recruiter.”

Darius joined Macildowie in 2010. Having built an enviable reputation as an HR recruiter of choice across Northamptonshire, and leading our HR and Sales and Marketing Divisions, Darius was appointed as Regional Managing Director for the South East Midlands. He also specialises in Senior Executive HR Recruitment across the East Midlands.

Darius has pioneered various networking and Thought Leadership events for our customers and believes that working in a true partnership based on transparency and trust is the key to a long term sustainable relationship.

I’m a recruitment outsourcing expert.

Having worked for three of the country’s most successful recruitment outsourcing firms, in different guises and across vastly different accounts – from Operations Manager of the largest MSP in Europe, to the lone running of an SME-sized RPO – I’ve experienced a lot in my nearly 10 years in recruitment.

I believe the future for permanent recruitment for every company SME-sized and above, should be a partnership focused RPO. Most businesses state that their people are their biggest asset, and an RPO is the best recruitment method to protect those assets when they’re in the process of entering your business. In tandem with Macildowie’s Retention Service, our RPO is also the best way to help protect those assets when they’re already in your business too.

I believe all RPOs should focus on three key things for their clients: cost, time and talent.

In a post-Covid-19 society, these things will matter even more - with budgets being tighter, smaller teams doing more, and the importance of “the best, not the first” candidate being paramount - and therefore the benefit of an RPO relationship to businesses will be even greater.

Macildowie’s Managed MRS has those three elements at its heart, but it can go further than that, and in what we believe, a unique way.

Macildowie’s MRS is small and flexible and as such its service can genuinely be tailored to exactly what your business needs from a recruitment function (something that larger outsourcers with significant overheads are unable to do). We’re also able to offer two exceptional value-adding services which – from what I understand no other competitor is currently doing – in our Retention Services and People Hub facility. All of which is underpinned by years of quality Macildowie service.

My aim is for Macildowie MRS to be a trusted and valued partner for our clients, delivering on the three key objectives of cost, time and talent – and doing it in a unique way that we can be proud of.

After graduating from the University of Leeds in Summer 2022, Erin begins her journey in recruitment by joining the Accountancy & Finance Division at Macildowie with much excitement to work closely with candidates and clients focusing on permanent roles in the areas of Leicestershire, Coventry & Warwickshire. She looks after all Part Qualified Finance roles covering salaries up to £40,000 per annum.

Jim joined Macildowie at the start of 2020 after over 4 years at a competitor to lead the Finance Team in Nottingham.

Jim himself recruits for qualified finance roles ranging from Finance Manager to Finance Director within both SMEs & large corporates in Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire & Derbyshire.

James is CEO at Macildowie. He has been with the company since 1997 and was instrumental in the opening of the Leicester office in 2000. He launched the Procurement and Supply Chain division in 2009 and more recently, the Sales and Marketing division of the business.

His role now is very customer focused and he works to develop the business in areas including:

• customer development,
• new client and candidate attraction,
• marketing
• PR
• and the training and development of Macildowie’s own people.

James has been particularly active over the past few years developing Macildowie's Retention Services and RPO service offerings.  He is also an active part of our CEO forums.

James' cllient testimonials

"I attended the LinkedIn workshop ran by James, which was a great use of a couple of hours in order to learn how to optimise my LinkedIn profile. I had previously attended a good course at Penna, this course with James reinforced, enhanced and built on what I had learnt previously.”

“James provides useful and insightful advice for executives looking to enhance their networking and job search capabilities. He is a straightforward and very enthusiastic person with an excellent ability to get his training across in a thoroughly motivational way.”

“James, from our first meeting was the consumate professional. His help and input was so influential in me finding not just a job but 'the' job. He is an outstanding communicator and with his warm and affable nature made me feel really comfortable in his presence. I cannot praise him and his team highly enough.”

Jamie joined Macildowie in 2007 and has over twenty years of recruitment experience across the East Midlands. He has recruited for the majority of the regions employers of choice and is an established senior finance recruiter specialising in helping businesses to attract and hire the best qualified Business Partners, Finance Managers, Financial Controllers and Finance Directors.

Jamie is also very well known in the senior networking space where his relationships with practice firms, lawyers, bankers and local business groups is second to none. Jamie heads up and chairs our Macildowie CFO Leadership Forum in partnership with RSM and Knights PLC.

With an exemplary reputation in the market, Jamie is renowned for his excellent candidate and client knowledge. Jamie’s role as Business Manager focuses largely on recruiting for and consulting with businesses in the Blue Chip, high growth, emerging and SME space, where he continues to develop an impeccable track record of success.

Jamie's client testimonials

SCOTT, CANDIDATE

"I found Jamie to be extremely professional, personable and passionate in his work. He identified my needs and found a position to suit me whilst at the same time offering advice and coaching in a constructive manner. He was always at the end of the phone if I needed him both before and after I was accepted for a new position. I would not hesitate to recommend Jamie and I hope our paths cross again in the future." 

ANDY LIGGINS, FD AT RCI EMEAI

​"Macildowie has developed a strong, enduring partnership with RCI’s Finance team built on a great understanding of our business and an equally important understanding of our culture and team dynamic. Their approach is refreshingly innovative and also potentially quite brave. Workshops on how to use LinkedIn from a personal and also corporate perspectives could be seen as a risk, but amazingly has strengthened our relationship driving a better use of both our resources". 

SALLY CAMPBELL, COMMERCIAL MANAGER AT SPIRE LEICESTER HOSPITAL

"I have known Jamie for over 10 years both as a candidate and a recruiter. Throughout this time I have found Jamie to be professional, knowledgeable and highly experienced at this role. As a candidate he never forced me into any roles that were unsuitable and gave me guidance that helped me gain the most from an interview and enabled me to show my best. As a recruiter Jamie always delivered a targeted selection of candidates who were best matched for the role and made the whole process seamless and stress free. Along with this the courses on LinkedIn and “How to Recruit for Free” have been a refreshing approach for a consultancy to help empower the recruiter to find and approach the best candidates out there."

SHILPA PANDYA, REPORTING & CONTROL MANAGER AT BARCLAYCARD

“I found Jamie to be highly professional & personable. Jamie offered superb advice and helped me secure a position at Barclays that matched my brief perfectly. I have appreciated the advice and quality of service and highly recommend both Jamie & Macildowie.”

PAUL HARGATE, FINANCE CONTROLLER AT GREENCORE NORTHAMPTON

“I have found Jamie to be a valuable resource both as client and candidate. He can be trusted to deliver without unnecessarily bothering you and provides an efficient service.”

CANDIDATE, FINANCIAL DIRECTOR

‘" really appreciate you taking the time to meet with me yesterday and it was a breath of fresh air talking to you about opportunities with ambitious SME's, but more importantly the candid feed back and advice about positioning myself through Linked In and improving my CV. It has given me renewed vigor and I am looking at those today. What was refreshing the most was your personal approach and look forward to working with you in the near and more distant future.

Thank you for getting me on the Linked in Session, I recognise that I need to use it as a tool and am rapidly playing catch up, so the session will be invaluable" 

Kerry graduated from the University of Exeter in 2018 with a degree in Economics and Politics before gaining 5 years of experience as an Accountant in practice. Wishing to transfer these skills, Kerry joined Macildowie as a Recruitment Consultant in summer 2023. Kerry is part of the Accountancy & Finance team and recruits Interim & Fixed Term Contract roles across Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes.

Louis joined Macildowie as a Recruitment Consultant in October 2023 after almost 5 years as a Tax Advisor to high net worth individuals. Louis has a passion for building meaningful relationships and looks to transfer skills and knowledge built over his time in Tax (and as an ex-candidate!) into Finance Recruitment. Louis specialises in recruiting part-qualified and newly-qualified candidates into Finance roles across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire.

Luke joined the business in 2019, overseeing the Clerical Finance Recruitment desk for interim, contract and permanent roles.
Specialising in the clerical finance sector, recruiting for SME and private equity backed businesses. Always interested in speaking with Finance professionals in Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Sheffield with the below experience:

• Purchase Ledger
• Sales Ledger
• Credit Control
• Accounts / Finance Assistants
• Book Keepers
• Payroll professionals.

Luke's client testimonials

Elaine Marshall, Candidate

"Very professional recruitment company, found me a great position suited to my skills set.
Luke Bull has been amazing, very attentive and helpful, couldn't have asked for better, always making sure I was informed. A very positive experience"

Hazel Anne, Candidate

"I called Macildowie on a Thursday saying I was looking for temp work, I spoke to Luke Bull in the morning, by the afternoon he had a role suitable to put me forward for. Friday I had a telephone interview with the company & Monday I started the job! Quick turnaround & Luke was amazing at sorting everything out for me. Thank you!"

Debs Simpson, Candidate

"My whole experience from start to finish was excellent. Luke kept me informed at all times providing support and advice even when office hours were well and truly over." 

Margarita is the Divisional Director for the Public Sector and Not for Profit Division which she established in 2018. She has been covering Public Sector and NFP since 2004 and has had national role since 2006, so she has strong knowledge and understanding and initiatives that affect the sector. The Division is responsible for permanent, fixed term and interim recruitment as well as consultancy solutions across Finance, Procurement & Commissioning, Project, Programme Management & Transformation, Marcoms, Regen & Economic Development, Policy and Performance, Planning as well as Executive appointments. The Division covers Local & Central Government, NHS, Education, Social Housing and Charities across the whole of the UK.

The Division has recently secured a place on the Crown Commercial Services RM6160 Public Sector Framework that covers the NHS and the Wider Public Sector. We also work in partnership with CIPFA and help sponsor events and seminars for the wider CIPFA members across the Midlands and nationwide. In addition Margarita and the team is able to offer psychometric assessments during restructures as well as new recruitment processes and deliver tailored client and candidate LinkedIn and CPD events.

Mark joined Macildowie in July 2013 having graduated from Loughborough University with a 2.1 degree in International Business. Mark recruits for the Accountancy & Finance Market across Leicestershire placing Part Qualified and Fully Qualified Accountants, up to Financial Controller level. In the role of Associate Director, Mark also leads our Accounting and Finance team based out of our Leicester office; covering Leicestershire, Coventry, Warwickshire, Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes.

Maz joined Macildowie in 2016 coming from an RPO background where he spent 6 years helping to manage large accounts and various ad hoc projects. He is currently responsible for recruiting part and newly qualified finance professional across Northamptonshire.

Maz has been recognised for his success at Macildowie and has been promoted on 3 occasions, most recently to Managing Consultant.

Maz's client testimonials

Akshay Karir, Candidate

“Excellent and professional support, and managed to place me in the ideal role and company”

Candidate

"I've had the pleasure of working with Maz recently in order to find the next step in my career.

I just wanted to say how impressed I was by his professionalism. I've worked with a number of recruiters over the last few years but Maz was completely different in that it felt like he wasn't simply trying to throw me in the mix for any old job that came up in the hope of a quick commission.

When he arranged to initially meet to discuss what I was looking for in a job he had come prepared with a job role that met my particular needs, I felt he understood what I was after and pitched me for the right role, at the right salary, in the right location and he was on hand throughout the process to offer me advice and guidance, always making himself available at the times that were convenient to me.
Ultimately this meant I had the tools I needed to get the role!"

Candidate

'I have worked with many recruitment consultants up and down the country and they don't come better than Maz Rawal. Maz helped me secure a fantastic role at Travis Perkins, after having a tough period since graduating. Maz went beyond his call of duty in finding an opportunity, helping me prep for interviews in the best possible way. His style and communication was immaculate. He is a great asset to Macildowie and an exceptional recruiter.
Thank you for your help Maz and I look forward to working with you in the future.' 

Candidate

'I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience with Macildowie. Not just because you helped secure my dream job, but with your support and expert advice in everything. From helping me with my CV, through to the Interview stage and then to giving me feedback. Maz has been a great support through and through. '

Nick joined Macildowie in 2022 having previously worked in the insurance industry for several years. He brings with him a wealth of experience from a variety of sectors.

Nick starts his recruitment journey for Macildowie covering all roles within Accountancy and Finance Practices across The Midlands. Being a strong communicator and having a passion for solving problems, Nick provides a first class service to both candidates and clients alike.

Richard is the Managing Director of Macildowie’s Executive Search and Outplacement Support capabilities and as such has full oversight for the operations for both practices. Richard is responsible for sourcing Director and C-Suite level candidates for private sector companies on a retained basis. Margarita Fedoseyeva is responsible for executive search for private and NFP organisations. From an outplacement perspective, Richard manages workshops focussed on improving employability.

Richard also runs Macildowie’s MD/CEO Mastermind Forum and our NED Network. Both are peer-to-peer mentoring and networking groups which meet ona quarterly basis. Please connect with Rich if you would like further details.

Prior to working at Macildowie, Rich has recruited into both the private and public sectors in the UK, Australia and New Zealand in a specialised recruitment career that spans 20 years.

Ross has been in recruitment since 2016, he cut his teeth in Blue collar manufacturing recruitment before joining Macildowie at the start of 2018 to recruit Accounting & Finance in Leicestershire. Ross has progressed through 3 roles during his time so far with Macildowie, he was promoted to Senior in 2020 and Managing consultant in 2021 and now has one direct report Alex Beeby who recruits in Coventry and Warwickshire.

Sarah has over two decades of experience in marketing recruitment, specialising in senior leadership and c-suite marketing and communications appointments across the UK for blue-chip companies, PE-backed businesses, and SMEs. Nine of those years were spent running her own agency as well as various side hustles including a cheesecake business, networking marketing, and she also set up and co-ran an art gallery in Birmingham. Recruitment however is where her heart is and she’s genuinely passionate about making great connections with people, whether it’s working with someone to secure them their next dream job or with organisations looking to attract and retain top talent.

Sarah joined Macildowie’s Executive Search team in May 2024 to head up their marketing practice, and her USP is authentically getting to the heart of what makes a person or organisation tick and coming up with the best possible solution to achieve the result you are looking for.

Here are some excerpts from client and candidate testimonials on LinkedIn:

“Absolutely amazing experience with Sarah! Truly pays attention to all details and works incredibly hard at securing long-term career investments which are very well crafted not only to skillsets but visions and growth plans also!”

“Sarah exhibited an impressive level of knowledge about the marketing industry… It's evident that Sarah is not just skilled at what she does, but she's also deeply committed to ensuring her clients' success.”

“Sarah went above and beyond to ensure we recruited the right candidate, not only from a skills perspective but also from an all-important cultural fit… Sarah's experience meant she was quickly able to understand our business and the requirements of the role.”

“Sarah's communication skills are second to none, she is fast, efficient and is genuinely passionate about what she does and the clients that she helps.”

Simon joined Macildowie in February 2022 after 19 years with a blue-chip recruiter as the Associate Director for the Public Sector business.

Simon leads the team that specialises in the provision of consultancy services across their core disciplines of Finance, Procurement & Commissioning, Project & Programme Management, HR and Marketing.

He personally recruits permanent roles within Local Government whilst continuing to build their brand across the UK with the aim to make the Macildowie name synonymous with a consistently, high-quality delivery of services within Local and Central Government, NHS, Education, Charities and Housing.

After spending 3 years as an internal recruiter for one of the UK’s leading Multi-Site FTSE retailers where he was responsible for recruiting roles in the E-commerce Trading, Digital Marketing and Creative sectors from Entry Level through to Senior Management. Sonny took the plunge into Agency Recruitment for the first time, he joined Macildowie in 2018 and has since been able to prove himself as a valuable member of the Macildowie family being promoted twice in this time, Sonny now holds the title of Managing Consultant and is using his skill set to lead and develop the next generation of consultants.

Sonny is our Clerical Finance Specialist and recruits for Administrative Finance positions from entry level to senior management. Sonny prides himself on his integrity and honesty as a recruiter and drawing upon his time as an internal recruiter, understands the importance of relationship management and always ensuring the right fit for both clients and candidates alike.