Building a career in recruitment: Matthew Hughes
posted 18 Jun 26
In this month’s Consultant Career Story, we feature Matthew Hughes, Senior Consultant in Henderson Scott’s Sales & Marketing team.
Joining Henderson Scott with no previous recruitment experience, Matthew has since earned two promotions, progressing from Associate Consultant to Senior Consultant in around 18 months. Here, he shares what attracted him to recruitment, what has helped him progress, and what he enjoys most about building a career in Sales & Marketing recruitment.
Can you tell us about your background before joining Henderson Scott, and what led you into recruitment?
Before joining Henderson Scott, I worked as an administrator for the FA, helping to organise league and cup competitions across Yorkshire. Or, if you ask CEO Richard Vickers, I put out cones for training sessions.
It was a great role and one I enjoyed, but I knew I wanted something that would challenge me more.
A friend at Henderson Scott spent a couple of months persuading me that the challenge I was looking for existed in recruitment. The more I learned about the industry, the more I realised it was an opportunity to push myself, develop new skills, and build a long-term career.
What made you choose Henderson Scott?
There were three main reasons.
The first was the opportunity to work alongside and compete with some of my friends. The second was the chance to learn from Richard. Opportunities to be mentored by someone with that level of experience are rare, and it was something I didn’t want to miss.
The third was the business itself. Henderson Scott is focused on growth every day, and that ambition is something you feel as soon as you walk into the office.
You joined as an Associate Consultant and have earned two promotions in around 18 months. What do you think has helped you progress so quickly?
It’s a fairly simple formula.
Pay attention, learn from the people around you, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, and work hard.
There’s a huge amount of experience within the business, and if you listen, ask questions, and apply what you learn, you can develop quickly. The opportunities are there, but you have to be willing to put the effort in.
What was the transition into recruitment like, particularly coming from a non-recruitment background?
It was a completely different way of working.
The biggest adjustment was the pace. Recruitment moves quickly, and there isn’t much time for waiting around. You have to be proactive, make decisions, and keep things moving.
That suits my personality. I enjoy being busy and working in an environment where you can see the direct impact of the effort you put in.
What support, training, or guidance has helped you build confidence and develop in the role?
One of the biggest strengths of Henderson Scott is the people.
I could easily name 20 people who have supported me, shared advice, or taken time to help me develop since I joined.
Particularly within the Leeds team, there’s always someone you can learn from. Whether it’s market knowledge, business development, or recruitment best practice, there’s a real willingness to share experience and help others improve.
What does a typical day in Sales & Marketing recruitment look like, and what do you enjoy most about your market?Â
A typical day is heavily focused on business development and relationship building.
A lot of the role is about understanding your market, building credibility, and developing long-term relationships with clients and candidates.
That’s probably what I enjoy most. The relationships you build are what drive success, and seeing those relationships develop over time is one of the most rewarding parts of the job.
What advice would you give to someone considering a move into recruitment or joining Henderson Scott?
Go into it at full tilt.
There are some incredibly talented people in the business that you can learn from, but there are also people you can compete with and benchmark yourself against.
If you fully commit, stay open to learning, and put in the work, there’s a huge amount you can achieve.
Most importantly, enjoy it. Recruitment can be challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding if you embrace the opportunity.
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Interested in building your own career story with Henderson Scott?  Explore our current opportunities.  
Want to hear more about life at Henderson Scott? Read Grant Clements’ story on building a long-term career in Technology recruitment.Â
