Our People

The experts

At Meraki Talent, our people are at the heart of everything we do.

We're passionate about recruitment, experts in our specialist markets, and driven by integrity. 

With a commitment to excellence, collaboration, and ethical recruitment, we deliver tailored talent solutions that make a real impact.

The Meraki Talent Team

Andrew Welsh

CEO

Andrew Welsh is the founder and CEO of Meraki Talent, recruiting across the Financial and Professional Services sectors in Scotland since 2001.

Passionate about helping clients grow through smart talent acquisition strategies, Andrew has built Meraki into a trusted partner for top firms.

A 2023 EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, he’s recognised for innovation and leadership. Away from work, Andrew is a former international age-group rugby player who enjoyed a long career with Watsonians FC - now mostly found cheering from the sidelines at Murrayfield.

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Laura Drysdale

Managing Director

Laura is a seasoned international recruitment specialist with over 20 years of experience spanning global markets.

As one of the founding Directors of Meraki Talent, she plays a strategic and hands-on role in driving operational excellence across the business. Laura is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations, ensuring compliance, enhancing service delivery, and supporting the organisation’s growth and profitability.

In addition, she actively recruits, mentors, and develops both Associates and Specialist Recruiters, fostering high-performing teams aligned with Meraki Talent’s values and ambitions.

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Ellen Mulvey

Managing Director

Ellen is a seasoned recruitment leader with over two decades of experience shaping talent strategies in the City of London.

A recognised expert in interim resourcing and contingent workforce management, she partners with clients to navigate complex workforce challenges with precision and insight.

Beyond her technical expertise, Ellen is deeply passionate about people development and a champion of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I), frequently advising Financial Services clients on building more inclusive, future-ready organisations.

Her strategic approach and commitment to excellence make her a trusted advisor and a driving force for positive change.

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Nathan MacFie

Director

Nathan is a Director and founding team member at Meraki Talent.

After moving to London in 2020 to launch Meraki’s London office, he now leads the Financial Services and Finance business areas, partnering with clients across the UK to deliver top talent.

Known for his consultative approach and deep market knowledge, Nathan is passionate about building lasting client and candidate relationships.

Outside of work, he’s a keen marathon runner, devoted Arsenal fan, and enjoys walking his dog.

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John Gilbertson

Director

John leads Meraki Talent’s UK Accountancy & Finance division and is recognised as one of the most successful and respected senior finance recruiters in Scotland.

With over 15 years of dedicated experience, John has built one of the industry’s most impressive networks.

Passionate about supporting the next generation of finance leaders, John partners with professionals from Accountant level to CFO to help them achieve their full potential.

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Tracy Freeman

Director

With 20 years in recruitment, Tracy specialises in HR and Business Support roles within Financial Services.

She understands the sector’s unique challenges and delivers tailored solutions that drive success, and is passionate about matching top talent to critical roles, building strong relationships, and ensuring a seamless process for clients and candidates.

Beyond recruitment, Tracy hosts quarterly HR events on key industry topics and Employee Relations, offering insights and networking for HR professionals. She stays informed on trends and uses innovative strategies to meet the evolving needs of the financial services sector.

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Gordon Willmott

Director

Gordon is a founder of Meraki Talent and leads our IT & Change division.

A Mathematics graduate from the University of Edinburgh, he began his recruitment career in 2005 and has specialised in IT & Change appointments since 2015.

With a strong financial services background, he now works across multiple sectors and delivers across a broad range of current and emerging technology disciplines, with a network that extends to CTO level.

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Pardeep Thind

Associate Director

Pardeep has several years of experience recruiting for Risk & Compliance professionals within the Financial Services sector across the UK and Australia. In 2023, he joined Meraki Talent to establish and lead the Risk & Compliance recruitment practice.

Throughout his career, Pardeep has demonstrated a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape and has successfully connected top-tier talent with leading financial institutions. His expertise encompasses a broad spectrum of roles.

At Meraki Talent, Pardeep is committed to delivering tailored recruitment solutions that align with clients' strategic objectives, fostering long-term partnerships built on trust and excellenceOutside work Pardeep is an avid Leicester City FC supporter and has a keen interest in motorsport

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Joel Bentley

Associate Director

Joel leads the Alternative Investments division, that's focused on real assets, private credit, and private equity, with a particular specialism on the lower mid-market. He leads high-performing teams across front-office, investor relations & fundraising, and portfolio operations functions.
With a strong grasp of the unique demands of the private markets space, Joel brings a thoughtful, relationship-driven approach to recruitment connecting top-tier talent with firms driving real-world impact and long-term value.
Outside of work, he’s passionate about UK infrastructure, eating delicious food, and following virtually every sport under the sun.
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Greg McDermott

Associate Director – Accountancy & Finance

Greg is an Associate Director with over 14 years of specialist recruitment experience in the Accountancy & Finance sector across Scotland.

Known for a consultative and relationship-focused approach, Greg works closely with clients and candidates to deliver tailored recruitment solutions.

Based in Glasgow, Greg plays a key leadership role in the continued growth and success of the business, while mentoring and supporting a high-performing team.

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Ben Shore

Associate Director

Ben has worked at Meraki Talent for 7 years and specialises in the recruitment of permanent talent into Financial Services organisations across Scotland and the North of England.

He supports Asset Managers, Wealth Management firms, Fund Services businesses, and FinTech firms, identifying and selecting top talent across various functions.

Known for his client service delivery and commitment to a strong candidate experience, Ben also regularly publishes market reports for clients.

Outside of work, he spends most of his time chasing around a toddler and sausage dog, and when time permits, he enjoys the gym or the golf course.

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Lisa Paton

Associate Director – FinTech

Lisa is a highly accomplished recruiter with 12 years of specialised experience in the Fintech and online trading sectors, focusing on FX and CFD industries.

Throughout her career, she has built a strong reputation as a trusted partner for brokers, financial institutions, and technology providers globally.

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Chris Paine

Business Manager

Chris is a highly experienced recruiter with over 10 years of expertise in providing contractors and resource management solutions to the financial services sector.

He is known for his strategic approach, deep industry knowledge, and ability to deliver tailored staffing solutions that meet complex business needs.

Outside of work, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his two dogs, often taking them on long countryside walks.

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Jennifer Wood

Business Manager

Jennifer is a specialist Financial Services recruiter with over 20 years’ experience in Scotland’s market.

She has a proven track record placing talent across Investment Operations, Wealth Management, Fund Administration, Compliance, and more.

Known for her honest, professional approach, Jennifer builds lasting relationships and delivers tailored recruitment solutions. With a BA (Hons) in Business Management with HR, she pairs deep sector knowledge with a commitment to exceeding expectations.

Outside of work, she enjoys beach walks with her dog and paddleboarding with friends.

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Jenna Gallagher

Business Manager

With 10 years of experience across Europe, Jenna specialises in senior-level recruitment within Advisory, including retained Director and Partner appointments.

She has built strong partnerships with global professional services firms, particularly the Big 4 and Top 10, where discretion, quality, and trust are essential.

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Tony English

Business Manager

With 14 years in recruitment—specialising in HR, reward, payroll, and talent—Tony has built a career on passion, vision, and collaboration.

Outside work, music is his lifelong passion, with DJ residencies across London, Ibiza, Paris, and beyond.

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Paul McGhee

Principal Consultant

Paul is a specialist in International Private Wealth recruitment, covering key offshore markets such as Cayman, Bermuda, Jersey, and BVI, as well as major onshore hubs including Luxembourg, London, the USA, and Switzerland.

Since joining Meraki Talent three years ago, Paul has channelled the competitive drive and discipline he honed as a professional golfer into building a standout international reputation.

Notable successes include placing Director-level leaders across major jurisdictions, helping top-tier clients strengthen their leadership teams.

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Joanna Robert

Principal Consultant

Joanna is a former corporate crime lawyer who has been specialising in legal recruitment since 2018.

She places talent across both private practice and in-house roles globally, bringing a deep understanding of the legal profession and a passion for building long-term relationships.

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Jodie White

Principal Consultant

With over 6 years of experience, Jodie is a trusted expert in HR and business support recruitment across the financial and professional services sectors in London.

Known for her transparent, consultative approach, she has a successful track record of placing exceptional candidates.

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Dean Gorrie

Principal Manager

Dean leads Meraki Talent’s Public Practice division, specialising in senior appointments across the UK Chartered Accountancy market.

With over 7 years’ recruitment experience, Dean partners with firms ranging from Big 4 to boutique practices, helping them secure critical hires at senior levels.

Known for his market insight and honest, consultative style, Dean is passionate about raising standards in professional recruitment.

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Scott Eccles

Senior Accountancy & Finance Consultant

Scott has over 20 years’ experience in accountancy and finance recruitment, specialising in partnering with finance leaders across the financial services sector to hire top talent-from newly qualified accountants to Head of Finance and Director-level roles.

His consultative, relationship-driven approach gives clients confidence to build high-performing teams across reporting, control, audit, and tax. Scott is part of a vastly experienced team of 7 A&F recruitment specialists, delivering across central Scotland and the key cities across the UK.

Outside of work, Scott has a wife and two grown up boys and enjoys spending time with them, socialising with friends and is passionate about sports and enjoys hill walking and bagging Munros whenever he can.

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Killian Dougal

Consultant

Killian holds a 2:1 degree in Finance and Investment Management and an MBA from the University of Ulster. He has three years of experience in Investor Relations and Capital Raising, with a focus on the alternatives space across US and UK markets.
His work spans private equity, private credit, and real assets, supporting firms in navigating fundraising cycles, investor engagement, and market positioning.
Outside of work, he enjoys travelling, good food, and staying active through sport.
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Alice Hudson

Consultant

As an international recruiter specialising in audit and tax, Alice has successfully placed top talent across a range of locations, with a strong focus on Europe.

She’s passionate about building lasting relationships with both candidates and clients, always focused on achieving long-term success.

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Dylan McGinley

Consultant

Dylan is an experienced Accountancy and Finance Recruitment consultant with nearly 5 years in the industry, of which the last 3 has been spent specialising in recruiting for transactional finance roles.

He has a track record of successfully supporting businesses large and small across the UK in attracting top talent, growing their teams and scaling their businesses.

His main focus is now recruiting for all part and non-qualified finance positions across central Scotland.

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Nick Nikitin

Consultant

Nick is a specialist recruiter with 5+ years’ experience, focusing on qualified and senior finance roles across financial services, consumer, and industry sectors.

Known for building genuine relationships, Nick is driven by helping professionals progress in their careers while ensuring clients secure the right people for long-term success.

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Lauren Kerr

Consultant

Lauren is a strategic recruiter with six years’ experience, including four in financial services.

She specialises in temporary and permanent placements across financial and professional services, with a strong track record of connecting top talent to leading firms.

Known for her market insight and relationship-first approach, Lauren delivers tailored hiring solutions that align with business goals.

She also plays an active role in the sector’s future as part of the leadership team for the Scottish Financial Services Young Professionals Network.

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Marija Kavaliauskaite

Consultant

Marija is a Recruitment Consultant specialising in Scotland’s accountancy practices. She recruits across audit, business advisory, corporate finance, and tax, supporting firms from boutique to global.

With a background in hospitality recruitment and two Mathematics degrees, Marija brings sharp analytical skills and a people-first approach to every challenge.

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Ayman Waren

Consultant

Ayman is a psychology graduate who joined Meraki Talent in 2024 to help develop the firm’s Alternative Investments offering. He focuses on investment roles across private debt, private equity, real estate, and infrastructure.
His academic background and interest in investor behaviour bring a thoughtful perspective to his work, supporting clients across the alternatives space.
Outside of work, he enjoys playing football and follows Chelsea FC.
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Lorna McCulloch

Consultant

Lorna brings over a decade of expertise in recruitment, having held senior positions in both agency and RPO environments.

She has developed a robust international network, specialising in the fintech, payments, and iGaming sectors.

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Rory Markham

Consultant

Rory is a Recruitment Consultant within Meraki Talent’s established Tech and Change Team.

With over 4 years of experience, Rory has a strong background in a broad range of IT and change roles, covering both permanent and contract positions, with a recent focus on legal technology.

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Yasmin Soames

Consultant

Yasmin is a skilled recruitment professional with four years’ experience specialising in the HR & business support sector.

She recently joined Meraki and is an expert in sourcing top talent within the financial and professional services industries across the London market.

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Amyleigh Barrowman

Consultant

Amyleigh specialises in placing legal professionals worldwide, from support level through to partner, working with boutique firms, global law practices, and in-house legal teams within professional services businesses.

She offers a tailored, discreet service built on trust and integrity.

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Rhys Dow

Consultant

Rhys is a specialist in Accountancy & Finance recruitment, with particular expertise in transactional finance, bookkeeping, and appointments for part-qualified accountants. He is known for his distinctive ability to align technical expertise, cultural compatibility, and soft skill dynamics delivering introductions that are both impactful and enduring.

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Lester Little

Consultant

Lester is a Consultant in Finance and Accounting at Meraki Talent’s Edinburgh office, with an extensive professional track record in International Financial Services Executive Search and In-house Recruitment and is now focused on delivering impact within the Public Practice Accounting industry.
With over 10 years of experience, he has successfully placed top-tier professionals in Banking, Investment Banking, Private Equity and Commerce, driving career growth for candidates and delivering measurable value to clients, from startups to global corporations.
Known for his meticulous approach and deep industry insight, Lester ensures exceptional outcomes, earning trust from clients and candidates alike. His ability to match talent with opportunity has built long-lasting partnerships across the financial sector.
Outside of work, Lester embraces Scotland’s rugged landscapes through hiking and cycling, drawing parallels between navigating challenging trails and solving complex recruitment challenges.
Connect with him at Meraki Talent to elevate your career or strengthen your team
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Jamie Gunn

Associate Consultant

As an International Recruitment Consultant, Jamie specialises in helping global firms attract and secure top audit and tax talent.

He partners with clients across Europe, North America, the Caribbean, and beyond, providing tailored recruitment solutions that strengthen their teams and drive success.

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Cameron Rintoul

Associate Consultant

Cameron is an ex-accountant who now focuses on connecting talented part-qualified and newly qualified accountants within Glasgow and the West.

Using his accounting experience to understand candidate and client needs, Cameron specialises in junior to mid-level appointments across a variety of roles.

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