Marks Sattin Leeds Welcomes New Director to Lead Yorkshire Growth

Marks Sattin is delighted to welcome a new Director to lead our Leeds office, bringing over 25 years of recruitment expertise and a deep-rooted connection to the region. We sat down with her to discuss her career journey, leadership philosophy, and plans for the Yorkshire team.

Welcome to the team Claire! 

Can you tell us about your career journey so far? 

I began my career in recruitment 26 years ago, joining a FTSE 250 organisation as a brand-new Associate. It didn’t take long for me to realise how much I enjoyed the blend of people, pace, and opportunity the industry offers.

Over the years, I’ve had the chance to lead teams across a wide range of specialist areas, including Business Support, HR, Legal, Construction & Property, Education, Healthcare, and Finance, where I’ve spent the last 14 years.

Geographically, I’ve worked right across the M62 corridor, into South Yorkshire and the North East. However, Leeds has always been a constant. It’s a city I’ve felt connected to since starting my career here back in 2000. When the opportunity arose to take on a new challenge with Marks Sattin in Leeds, it felt like exactly the right next step.

What do you consider your biggest professional achievement to date?

After more than two decades in recruitment, there are plenty of standout moments – from securing that first job offer, to topping the league table, to being trusted to lead a team.For me, being promoted to Director was a defining milestone. But just as meaningful was being able to promote someone else into a Director role – someone I had originally hired as an Associate. Seeing their journey come full circle was incredibly rewarding and something I’m really proud of.

What motivates you as a leader in recruitment? 

What motivates me most is watching people grow – in confidence, capability, and ambition. It’s one thing to help individuals improve their performance, but it’s another to see a team truly come together, operate as a collective, and deliver a market-leading service.

When that happens, it’s something special. Everyone benefits – both our customers and our colleagues.

What made Marks Sattin the right next step for you? 

Marks Sattin has a strong and trusted brand, with a long-standing reputation in the Leeds market. That reputation has been built on expertise, energy, and a commitment to developing deep, long-term networks across the profession.

The team here is experienced, passionate, and genuinely invested in building lasting partnerships. Whether we’re helping a finance leader secure the talent they need, or supporting individuals at different stages of their career – from post-study through to senior leadership – our focus is always on finding the right fit.

What excites you most about leading the Yorkshire office?

Leeds is an incredibly vibrant and ambitious city, and one I’m proud to work in. Even in more challenging market conditions, the region continues to show strong levels of activity, from public and private investment to growth in professional and financial services, and increased northshoring.

There’s also a diverse mix of organisations here – from market-leading corporates to SMEs and public sector bodies. Alongside that, there’s a real appetite for collaboration and partnership across the professional services sector, which creates huge opportunity for us.

What's your leadership philosophy? 

You can only truly lead if people want to be part of the journey. Great results are never achieved alone – they come from collective effort.

My aim is always to create an environment where people feel included, supported, and inspired to contribute. When people feel part of something, they perform at their best.

How do you foster an inclusive, empowering team culture?

It starts with listening more and asking more questions. Making sure every person has a voice is key.

When you’re genuinely curious about others, you uncover new ideas, perspectives, and solutions. That shared understanding allows a team to come together and achieve more than they could individually.

What advice would you give to women aspiring to leadership roles? 

Believe in yourself and back your abilities. Work hard, stay curious, and be open to learning – both from new experiences and from your mistakes.

Build a strong support network, both inside and outside of work, because it’s invaluable throughout your career. And most importantly – something I think many women find challenging early on – stay authentic. Be true to who you are. Your voice and your perspective really do matter.