After a few years away, I found myself back at Kerry Consulting in 2024, returning to my roots with the Legal & Compliance Practice, recruiting in the financial services space.
It’s an area I understand well, and while I’ve had my time in in-house roles, nothing quite compares to the energy of consultancy recruitment. There’s something raw and personal about it. You’re not just filling roles; you’re helping people find the next step in their careers, something that impacts their lives in very real ways. You get to see the immediate effects of your work, and there’s no greater satisfaction than knowing you’ve connected someone to the right opportunity at the right time.
When I left Kerry in 2017, it wasn’t out of unhappiness. In fact, it was quite the opposite—I left more out of curiosity than any dissatisfaction. I had strong connections with the people I worked with and felt aligned with the values of the team. My boss at the time presented me with a new challenge, and I went for it. But I never lost my admiration for the work I was doing before.
As I spent more time in the wider recruitment industry, it became clear that not all firms operate with the same integrity. Many are fixated on quick wins, often treating people as transactions, losing sight of the bigger picture. I’ve always appreciated Kerry’s guiding principle of ‘Returning the Human to Resourcing’. It’s a core aspect of what we do and stands in direct contrast to this approach.
Coming back wasn’t a decision I took lightly. After a few years away, I wondered how things might have changed. The industry had evolved, and I had too. Walking into my new role was a bit daunting, to be honest.
You wonder if things will still click, if the people you once worked with will remember you, or if you’ll feel out of place. But the welcome I received was very reassuring. It’s not just about the old faces, though. There’s a special camaraderie at Kerry—a sense that we’re all in it together, and that made the transition back easier than I expected.
Now, as a Director, I have the chance to do more than just recruit. I get to mentor younger consultants and help them find their footing in this industry. It’s not just about closing deals; it’s about shaping careers, and I take a lot of pride in that. Seeing the legal team grow and thrive is incredibly fulfilling, and it gives me a sense of purpose beyond my own day-to-day work.
Coming back to Kerry has been a bit like picking up where I left off, but with a clearer perspective. The work, the team, and the challenges—it all just fits. Taking on other challenges gave me the chance to return with fresh eyes, and now I’m more focused and ready for what’s ahead. This isn’t just a job; it’s a path I’m back on, and it feels good to be moving forward with the right people by my side.
About the ‘Back to Business’ Series
You may have come across the term “boomerang employee” lately. It refers to those who choose to return to a previous employer, and it has become a popular concept in discussions about workforce trends.
When a valued consultant leaves Kerry Consulting, we keep the door open. We celebrate their success elsewhere, and if they choose to return, they’re always welcome.
To further explore the “boomerang” trend, we have created a new insights series, “Back to Business,” showcasing the often-overlooked benefits of returning to a former employer and sharing why some of our consultants have made the choice to come back to Kerry Consulting.