Richard Abelson

I have more than 20 years’ worth of specialist recruitment knowledge and experience and cover all areas of Risk and Compliance, placing both permanent and contract roles across multiple top businesses. I take pride in cultivating and maintaining a host of professional client and candidate relationships. My consistent engagement and proven track record of delivering strong results lies at the very heart of what I do.

In my spare time, my life revolves around the ‘four Fs’ – family, football, food and friends.

Why MERJE?

MERJE is everything I wanted it to be when we founded the business. In an industry that can sometimes be aggressive, we want to engage in a personal and positive way. Our people are at the heart of what we do and joining our team creates boundless opportunities. There are financial benefits for sure but also the chance to choose how, when and where you work. We build long-term relationships through careful listening, patient dialogue and a deep understanding of the needs of our clients and candidates. Retaining this culture, which was fundamental right at the beginning, has been crucial to our success and phenomenal growth.

Loves & Loathes

I love my family, Manchester City, holidays and trainers. I also like to talk a lot, an awful lot…

I loathe anyone who doesn’t write MERJE in capital letters and people who pity me for having three daughters and never getting ‘my boy’.

Edward Manson

I have built out and managed the MERJE London office since its inception, alongside supporting Financial Services clients in the recruitment of key Compliance and Risk Management hires. I add strategic direction to the business, mainly through blood, sweat and tears rather than anything too creative or inspirational!

I’m often found driving myself mad about the minor details but it’s all for the love of MERJE and ensuring that the business does the best job possible for its candidates and clients.

Outside of work, I live an even more stressful existence; managing three high energy kids! This is slightly balanced out by a weekly game of football with my pals, enjoying some of the many quality restaurants London has to offer, and always ensuring a holiday is on the horizon!

Why MERJE?

It’s all about the people in any business and I really believe that the DNA of our employees is what makes us stand out from the crowd. Not only are they technically credible and committed to managing things in the right way, but they’re also great personalities who want to work in a collaborative way to achieve the same goals.

The culture is critical and it’s not always easy to get the balance right, but I’ve always described us as being credible when we need to be while not taking ourselves too seriously behind the scenes. We want MERJE to be a great place to work first and foremost, where people are respected, but also provided with the right platform to develop their recruitment careers further. It doesn’t take much to treat people nicely and we believe that this has been the catalyst to our continued successful evolution.

Loves & Loathes

I love great food, holidays and laughing uncontrollably.

I loathe slow walkers, bad manners, poor grammar, and period dramas.

Kirstie Burn

With over 20 years’ recruitment experience, I head up the MERJE Governance team in London. I also manage successful recruitment campaigns, with particular expertise in the Retail Banking and Financial Services sectors.

Having a background in management development and training, I’ve always enjoyed the relationship management side of the job, whether that is building trust and confidence with candidates and clients, or attending industry events (particularly if there is a nice cocktail involved!!).

Given my interest in relationship building and management and my experience at MERJE (since 2014) transitioning into the role of Head of Client Services at MERJE felt like a seamless move. My focus now, alongside working with my contacts in the industry and managing the London office, is to maintain the strength of our current group-wide relationships, in overseeing PSL, SLAs and account reviews, providing support in continuing the great work we are delivering to our existing clients and the development of new partnerships.

Outside of work, I tend to have lots of well-laid plans to work out or play my newfound love of netball, but my appreciation of a crisp white /rose means that I’m often distracted and can more likely be found socialising in a city establishment. Also a mum to 3 beautiful boys, I feel I justify the time out of the house – also a great way to network! 😊

Why MERJE?

MERJE is just an unbelievable company to work for. You are surrounded by expert professionals who are very genuine, human, and really interesting people. MERJE prides itself on its success, the confidence we have in our people, and allowing everyone to be the individuals they are. It is a truly entrepreneurial culture where everyone’s opinion counts. Plus, we have the most amazing social agenda!

Loves & Loathes

I love my family, my job, socialising, and laughing.

I loathe noisy eaters and rubbish banter.

Paul Sherlock

I’m the proud manager of the Risk and Compliance team in the north, covering both permanent and contract recruitment. I started at MERJE in 2012, being one of the first people to join the business. During this time, I have seen the business grow and evolve significantly and helped to build and develop one of MERJE’s most successful teams.

My approach to the role is simple, I aim to lead by example and always strive to provide an efficient and transparent service, ensuring that integrity and honesty remain at the heart of everything I do. So far this method has worked well!

Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends. Weekends are largely filled with ferrying my kids around to activities and endless class parties. I can also be spotted most Saturday afternoons in one of Didsbury’s many restaurants or bars enjoying lunch and a few well deserved afternoon drinks with my wife and kids in tow.

Why MERJE?

Having been part of MERJE since the early years, it has been an incredible experience to watch the business grow, not to mention my own career too. We have enjoyed year-on-year success and always manage to raise the bar each year. This, in my opinion, is down to the people. We all have a genuine desire to deliver both on a personal level and as a collective for the benefit of MERJE and our founders. What they have created is a truly unique business that everyone feels privileged to be part of. Long may it continue!

Loves & Loathes

💖 I love morning coffees, the first beer of the evening, Glastonbury, and a good sandwich (the options are endless!).

💔 I loathe low flying pigeons (on account of my height), sleepless nights, trying to listen to two conversations at the same time, and my own indecision (I’m really bad at making menu choices!).

Ellie Sykes

After completing a degree in Business Studies and a number of sales oriented roles, I focused my attention on recruitment, which I’ve now been working in for the over 15 years. I love the technical nature of the analytical fields in which I specialise, such as data science, and seeing the impact that those working within Credit Risk can have on the wider Financial Services industry.

Why MERJE?

I have worked with the directors at MERJE since 2006 when I started out in recruitment and it was an easy decision to join MERJE less than a year after it was set up. Working here makes me feel empowered and trusted. MERJE also supports flexible working to fit in with my family life and offers a fun environment with very genuine people.

Loves & Loathes

I love cheese, wine, and HIIT workouts.

I loathe people who don’t smile.

Andy Hodson

I manage the Fraud and Financial Crime desk in the north. My extensive experience of recruitment within Fraud and Financial Crime and previous background in Fraud Management for a bank ensures that I’m well-placed to understand the market and assist clients and candidates with all of their recruitment needs.

I was the first consultant to join MERJE in 2011, before quickly progressing to business manager. I’ve now been recruiting into the Fraud and Financial Crime space for more than 13 years.

I’ve been a Manchester United season ticket holder for 25 years and attended my first game aged three. I enjoy keeping fit, watching cricket, cycling and open water swimming

Why MERJE?

MERJE is a genuinely great business to be a part of. I’ve been working with a number of the team for well over a decade and regard them as close friends. It feels great to be working for a business within which you can truly have an influence on shaping the future, while your day-to-day contribution is recognised and appreciated. The directors have instilled a working environment which is fun while still being professional and the incentives are rewarding for all members of the team.

Loves & Loathes

I love Manchester United, Miniature Schnauzers, coffee, fraud prevention, and working out with Paul Clayton.

I loathe DIY, decorating, and pandemics.

Michael Ayres

Since graduating in 2005, I have spent my entire career in recruitment, focusing solely on the Compliance and Risk markets across a wide range of FCA and PRA regulated sectors.

Initially specialising in permanent recruitment, the past few years has seen a steady increase in my work across the interim contract market, with the majority of my clients located across the midlands and north of England. I am proud to have developed and maintained a significant number of client and candidate relationships that reach back to my early days in recruitment, while ensuring that my knowledge and expertise are in line with the ever changing regulatory world.

Outside of work, I am a big fan of all things sport. I play golf to a reasonable standard, manage my youngest son’s under-elevens football team and somehow still play 11-a-side football every Saturday, although I suspect my playing days may be coming to an end soon. I am a season ticket holder at Manchester’s most historic football club. I also have a very understanding wife, although secretly she enjoys the peace when I am out of the house with our two boys.

Why MERJE?

My decision to join MERJE in 2017 was based on the huge success of its Compliance and Risk team and it was definitely a case of, “if you can’t beat them, join them”. What I have realised since joining is that MERJE is a business built on true family values, doing the right thing and working with integrity and honesty. These qualities run through the entire business. The relaxed dress code, 5-minute commute, free parking, gym across the road, flexible working, Costa standard coffee machine, fine dining incentives, and free holidays abroad also add to the great work culture here.

Loves & Loathes

❤ I love all-inclusive holidays and eating.

❌ I loathe olives and moths.

Pritesh Chudasama

I specialise in Financial Crime recruitment for London and the south of England. I work extensively with corporate and investment banks, asset/wealth managers, brokerages and Professional Service firms. I also support MERJE’s Real Estate, Gambling and FinTech clients.

I pride myself on genuinely understanding my clients to give him the ability to find the best talent to match their requirements. I also ensures that all candidates are fully prepared before attending any interviews.

I am an avid gym-goer, amateur chef, former five-a-side footballer, full-time trainee husband and taxi driver to my son at the weekends.

Why MERJE?

Do you ever get that sinking feeling on Sunday evening because you have to go to work on Monday morning? Well, you don’t get that here at MERJE!

Loves & Loathes

I love spending quality time with my family, travelling the world and going out with the ‘boys’.

I loathe hangovers and wasabi.

Sam Anderson

​I graduated from Leeds Beckett University with a First Class degree in Business Studies. As part of the course, I secured a one-year internship at MERJE to further build my skills in a real world environment. Things went so well that, on finishing my studies, I re-joined the team on a permanent basis and have been promoted to Consultant in the compliance and financial crime spaces.

Why MERJE?

My father works in banking fraud and security and has a really strong and successful relationship with MERJE. He had spoken to his friend/my now-boss, about potential internships and I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to test my skills in the industry.

After my internship year, I had a good understanding of the MERJE values and the career path on offer with the business. We take pride in the care of candidates and clients, while the leadership team creates a friendly and relaxed environment for the MERJE team. I couldn’t wait to finish my last year at university and return full time.

Pairing my qualifications with my practical experience to meet the challenge of fulfilling key and complex roles makes this a varied, exciting and challenging start to my career, which I’m absolutely loving!

Loves & Loathes

I love Man City, festivals, travelling and Whippets.

I loathe Man United, ketchup and lockdowns.

Lisa Kamotho

After completing my undergraduate degree in Business Psychology at the University of Sussex, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in recruitment. I value the continuous professional and personal growth recruitment offers as well as being a people-centric role – I mean, who doesn’t love connecting and building relationships with different people every day?

At MERJE, I cover Risk Management, so risk analysis, risk frameworks, risk strategy, risk policy, and everything else under the risk umbrella! This includes enterprise risk, financial risk, organisational risk, liquidity risk, etc. mainly within financial services but across other sectors too.

Why MERJE?

Moving away from Kenya to London was definitely a daunting experience but after meeting the team at MERJE, I instantly knew that I would feel at home. The opportunity to be part of such a welcoming environment as well as have the right support to develop my skills and progress in my career stood and continues to stand out to me every day 🙂

Loves & Loathes:

💗 I love travel, safari, being at the beach, family, and sushi!

💔 I loathe cheese, being on the tube at rush hour, and bad weather.

Nuhaa Mohamed

I started my journey in recruitment almost a decade ago and, after taking a keen interest in Credit Risk and Analytics, I joined MERJE in 2016. I believe in “treating others as you would like to be treated” and I carry out every aspect of my role with this at the forefront of my mind. I take time to understand the needs of both my clients and candidates and provides guidance to both parties every step of the way.

Outside of work, I can be found booking holidays, finding more holidays and catching flights to those holidays.

Why MERJE?

MERJE is the type of business I’ve always wanted to work in, where going into the office feels like another home. The flexibility and trust that is on offer here is not something found easily and that’s what makes us one big happy family!

Loves & Loathes

I love my family games nights, exploring the world and eating carbs.

I loathe my alarm clock.