Matthew Wilcox is celebrating two decades with Marks Sattin. For 20 years, Wilcox has driven the evolution of the specialist recruitment and executive search agency from a traditional recruitment firm into a dynamic player in the ever-shifting professional services landscape.
Starting at the company in the early 2000s, Wilcox’s journey from a young recruit to Managing Director reflects not only personal growth but also the resilience and adaptability of the business he now leads.
“I had no grand plan back then,” Wilcox recalls. “A conversation on a Friday led to starting on a Monday. But once I was in, I realised the incredible opportunities the industry offered.”
At the time, recruitment was well-established but still evolving, with technology yet to revolutionise the field. Social media platforms like LinkedIn were non-existent, and data, now an essential resource, was scarce. Building relationships meant meeting people face-to-face and navigating challenges with limited tools. The 2008 financial crash became one of the defining periods of Wilcox’s career. Specialising in financial services recruitment, he witnessed first-hand the severe strain on the sector.
“That was a really tough time,” he says. “We had to work hard to retain clients, support candidates, and ensure the business remained viable.”
This challenge was compounded by Marks Sattin’s sale process shortly after Wilcox’s promotion to Managing Director in 2016. Brexit uncertainty delayed proceedings, testing the patience and resilience of the leadership team. But the eventual acquisition by world-leading HR and recruitment experts Gi Group in 2018 proved a turning point, equipping the firm with resources and tools to modernise and expand.
Of all the challenges, however, Wilcox points to the COVID-19 pandemic as the toughest. Offices moved overnight to remote working, and the team grappled with staff retention amid widespread economic instability. The challenges in this turbulent time were compounded by IR35 legislation which created further complications. “It was an extraordinary time,” he reflects. “We were thrown into an unprecedented situation, but the resilience, collaboration, and sheer determination of the team got us through. Despite everything, we stayed profitable.”
Covid also provided an opportunity for reflection and innovation. Recognising shifts in the market, Marks Sattin broadened its scope to include emerging sectors such as renewables, Fintech, and VC/Investor backed growth businesses. The firm also made strides in legal recruitment and business transformation, adapting to the evolving needs of its clients.
Today, Marks Sattin is a firm on the move. Regional expansions in the Midlands, Southeast, and Northwest are underway, alongside new offices in Bristol and Amsterdam. The focus is building a resilient, future-proofed business by investing in talent, embracing technology, and creating opportunities for career development for all employees. Wilcox is also keen to explore consultancy services through MSC, a new venture partnering with ex-Big Four consultants to support clients during challenging times. “We’re not just about placing candidates,” Wilcox says. “We’re about creating solutions for our clients, building long-term relationships, and helping businesses navigate change.
“We are also launching the Grafton brand in London next year after the successful growth of our Northern operations, enabling Marks Sattin to further service clients in specialist areas such as HR, Sales & Marketing, Procurement and Engineering. Grafton Recruitment, a Gi Group company, is a leading recruitment service provider for over 40 years, with a team of over 600 recruitment experts across 23 countries.”
Reflecting on his 20 years, Wilcox shares hard-earned wisdom: “If I could go back, I’d tell myself to trust the process and keep the long term goals firmly on the radar. Success takes time, but it’s worth it. And most importantly, treat people with kindness and respect – it always pays off.” His leadership philosophy has been shaped by navigating some of the toughest challenges in the industry. From financial crises to global pandemics, Wilcox has steered Marks Sattin with a steady hand and a forward-thinking approach.
As the company celebrates two decades of his leadership, the future looks bright. Marks Sattin remains committed to its core strengths in accounting and finance while embracing new opportunities in technology, change management, legal, and consultancy services as well as building national verticals for specialist niche markets, such as Taxation. For Wilcox, the journey is just getting to the best part. “I’m excited about what lies ahead,” he says. “This is an industry that’s always evolving, and so are we.”
