We’re delighted to welcome Sam Morgan to SRM Recruitment as a Business Director in our Guildford finance recruitment team. Sam tells us a bit about herself and what prompted her move to SRM. She also shares about the roles she’ll be working on, and her advice for hiring managers and job seekers in the current market.

Tell us a bit about yourself?

I started work in recruitment in 2001 purely by accident! I was registered with an agency who placed me in a role for a maternity cover and when that contract came to an end, we were discussing my options for what was next, when I was told to sell them the desk fan in the corner. The rest is history and I’ve been in recruitment more of my life than I haven’t!

Tell us about your career to date?

In 2001 I started my first recruitment role; it was high volume Business Support and Industrial and in one shift I had 30 temps working. I was even known to go and pick candidates up and drop them to work for a night shift, so I knew my client wouldn’t have anyone let them down. I answered the phone in the office one day and it was a rec-to-rec; I wasn’t even looking for a new role and suddenly I was in process to work for an international market leader. It was a great role where they offered continuous training and clear progression; I remember when I first started I was told I had “big shoes to fill” which felt like a challenge to me… as it turned out, those boots were too small for me. I stayed there for over 8 years and only left to go on maternity leave. I knew in my heart I wouldn’t be going back and instead used it as a perfect time to make a change.

Following my maternity leave, I went on to work for another well-known business for 4 years and then a smaller local agency for almost 11 years which I was made redundant from in early 2025. I took a break and started with SRM in November 2025 and its honestly the best decision I could’ve made.

What prompted your move to SRM?

Redundancy prompted my move to SRM, but I already knew Stewart (Robertson) and Andrew (Setchell); we reconnected after I knew I would be looking for a new role - a coffee and a ‘meet the team’ later, here I am!

What was it that appealed to you about working for SRM?

Expertise and client and candidate focus. It really stood out that everyone is a proven specialist in their market and they really go above and beyond for our clients and candidates. It’s not a ‘one size fits all’ approach and it’s not about hitting KPIs - it’s about delivering a consultative service and maintaining long-term relationships. I’ve worked in businesses whereby you can only work certain geographical locations so if a client moves out of your remit you have to pass them on. A relationship is with an individual not just company name; its built-on trust and delivering what you say you will. Working for a great brand it so important but clients don’t just engage with me because of the company I work for. I’m fortunate that some of the clients and candidates I work with today are people I have worked with since early on in my career.

Tell us about your remit at SRM?

I manage the temp and perm transactional and qualified Finance market in Surrey and Hampshire; I also look after Business Support. The geographical market I work in is the same as when I first started in 2001 - I have always operated in the same area, so I like to think I know it better than most recruiters.

What do hiring managers and job seekers like about working with you?

Hiring managers often comment on the fact that I get the team fit right - I know exactly the type of person that they are looking for. You can teach someone the skills to do a job, but you can’t teach them to fit in and their work ethic. I really get to know the candidates I’m working with - it’s not just a process of finding them a new role, it’s about knowing where they would fit in and their capabilities. I have candidates who work exclusively with me who have said they don’t need anyone else to represent them as I have always found them a role and have never let them down. Honesty is also key with hiring managers and job seekers; I always put myself in their shoes and treat them how I would want to be treated. I have recently placed roles with two clients who used to be my candidates.

What’s your top piece of advice for hiring managers right now?

My top piece of advice for hiring managers is to build a relationship with a recruiter who understands your team and the organisation. A CV doesn’t bring a candidate to life, but a good recruiter can - they can answer questions a CV doesn’t. Speed is also key, if you don’t keep a process moving, it will lose momentum and you risk losing candidates.

What’s your top piece of advice for candidates right now?

Triple check your CV! Ensure your CV is up-to-date, make sure it doesn’t contain any errors as attention to detail is key - there is no excuse for spelling mistakes or grammatical errors when you can use tools online to double check it. Your CV is your first impression on a recruiter and a client; they see that before they see you. It’s so important that your CV sells you initially as that will be what opens the door for you. Once a recruiter has made contact you can then work on your CV together before it goes to a client. You want to stand out from other candidates, so don’t blend in! My other piece of advice would be to contact me if we are not already connected - I am currently working on some great opportunities and it’s all about timing. I may not have a suitable role for you now but the market changes all the time.

Get in touch

Need help to hire or find your next finance role? Contact Sam on sammorgan@srmrecruitment.com or call +44 7983 277162. You can also connect with Sam on LinkedIn here