Amanda Celebrates 15 Years with Ashley Kate
We recently marked an incredible milestone as Amanda Underhill, our HR Recruitment Business Manager, celebrated 15 years with Ashley Kate. Throughout her time with us, Amanda has played a pivotal role in shaping our business, championing both clients and candidates, and helping to grow our presence in the South. Her passion, professionalism, and people-first approach have made a lasting impact. To celebrate her anniversary, we sat down with Amanda to reflect on her journey, career highlights, and what continues to drive her after a decade and a half in recruitment.
Looking back over the past 15 years, what are some of the standout moments or achievements in your career with Ashley Kate?
For me, one of the best parts of my career has been watching the South region grow since I joined in 2010. Growing this area was my main focus back then, and it’s been amazing to see how much it’s expanded, and it’s still growing. I’ve been lucky to work with some great candidates and clients along the way, which has helped me achieve awards within our team and across the wider business year after year.
How has your role evolved since you first joined the business, and what have you learned along the way?
Before joining AK, I worked in management roles but wanted to move into a new specialism. So, I started as a recruitment consultant with no added responsibilities, which worked out well because it gave me the chance to focus purely on the job. From there, I was promoted steadily, eventually leading a large team in the South. At a certain point, I made a personal choice that managing people wasn’t for me, but luckily, I was able to stay with the organisation and continue doing what I love, placing candidates into roles. I also shifted my focus to developing our networking events and HR director boardroom sessions, as well as supporting our HR and finance salary guides.
What do you think has been the key to your longevity and success within the company?
It might sound a bit corny, but I really love the industry. It’s such a fascinating sector to work in as a recruiter. I have some of the best conversations with my clients and candidates, and I’m fortunate enough to now call some of them friends.
What have been some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in the HR and finance recruitment space during your time here?
The HR recruitment landscape has changed a lot. One of the biggest shifts has been the move toward more strategic and consultative HR roles, clients now expect HR professionals to be true business partners, involved in shaping organisational culture, employee experience, and talent strategies. There’s also been a much stronger focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, with companies prioritising diverse hiring and inclusive workplaces. Technology has played a big role too, from digital recruitment platforms to HR analytics, helping both recruiters and HR leaders make more informed decisions. The rise of flexible and remote working has changed the way HR teams are built and how they operate, requiring different skill sets and agility. Overall, HR recruitment has become much more about finding candidates who can drive change and support evolving business goals, not just filling traditional roles.
As you look ahead, what are your ambitions for the future – both personally and for Ashley Kate as a business?
Looking ahead, personally, I’m focused on continuing to grow my expertise in the HR recruitment space and deepening the relationships I’ve built with both clients and candidates. I want to keep challenging myself by exploring new areas within the sector and staying ahead of emerging trends to provide even greater value. For Ashley Kate as a business, the ambition is to strengthen our position as a trusted partner in HR and finance recruitment across London and beyond. We aim to expand our service offerings, enhance our candidate experience, and build on the success of our networking and boardroom events. Ultimately, we want to continue helping organisations find the right talent to drive their growth and transformation in an ever-evolving market.
Congratulations once again to Amanda for reaching 15 years with us. Thank you for everything you’ve contributed and continue to bring to the business. Here’s to the next chapter in your journey, filled with growth, exciting challenges, and even more moments to be proud of.
