That's when Heywood Associates first launched — and nearly thirty years later, we're still built on the same idea: recruitment-to-recruitment done with real professionalism.
At the time we launched, there were only a handful of recruitment-to-recruitment firms — and not all of them shared our intentions. We'd built our own careers in agency recruitment across professional and financial services, and we felt strongly that the sector deserved the same professionalism we'd always offered corporate clients. So that became our mission.
We lobbied the REC to accept rec-to-rec businesses as members, at a time when firms like ours were permanently excluded — and became their first R2R member. The market needed a credible, quality service, and we set out to supply it. Our approach to long-term relationships resonated: we were careful about who we worked with, which meant candidates were happy and recommended us, and clients kept coming back.
That approach took Heywood Associates to over 75 recruiters across seven offices in the UK and US. Our alumni have gone on to become partners at some of the biggest global executive search firms, and others have built successful recruitment businesses of their own.
As the market evolved, so did we — rebranding to HR&S to focus on retained search at the highest levels of the staffing sector, regularly placing recruitment CEOs, MDs and Executive Search Partners. But we spotted a gap: the need for a genuinely reliable, reputable recruiter, focused on building credible, long-lasting relationships at every level. So Heywood Associates is back — same values, same professionalism, sharper focus.
Looking for a senior leadership, Partner or Sales Director-level move? Our sister brand HR&S handles retained search at the top of the market — get in touch and we'll point you the right way.
Sam and Josh have a combined 18 years in agency recruitment between them, built at some of the industry's best-known names, before founding Heywood Associates together — so whether you're hiring or looking for your next role, you're speaking to people who've done the job themselves.
Sam has 8 years' experience in agency recruitment, with roles at Robert Walters, Taylor Root, Hays and Barclay Simpson. He built his career specialising in Operational & Enterprise Risk recruitment across the Buy and Sell Side, giving him an in-depth understanding of what drives a successful recruitment business. He became a Director of Heywood Associates in 2024.
Having enjoyed real success in financial services recruitment, Sam knows what good looks like — and which firms offer the best opportunities. Whether you're seeking your next move or planning to attract the best talent, expect an honest, transparent service with straightforward advice, genuinely bespoke solutions, and a confidential conversation whenever you want one.
Josh has 8 years' recruitment experience, having worked at Robert Half, Robert Walters, Cedar Recruitment and Michael Page — progressing from Associate through to Manager — where he specialised in Finance & Accountancy and Corporate Treasury. He became a Director of Heywood Associates in 2025.
Josh brings a strong understanding of how businesses operate at both FTSE level and within owner-managed businesses. With a proven track record climbing the corporate ladder and leading teams, he offers truly unbiased, value-added advice to candidates and clients alike.
No pitch, no pressure — just an honest conversation about what you need.