Challenger is a boutique recruitment firm focused on Financial Services, Accounting & Finance and Risk & Compliance markets. Over the last 15 years, we have built a successful track record, delivering outstanding opportunities for our talent communities whilst delivering high-calibre talent and optimum solutions for our clients. We provide contingent, retained and temporary assignments in Ireland and other financial centres.
Supporting Our Professional Network & Building Long Term Partnerships
Your Trusted Career Partner
Challenge Yourself & Reach Your Potential
Our Story
Our success to date, and our ambitions going forward, are based on our deep international networks, expert understanding of our markets, and our rigorous search methodology. We utilise the latest tools and technologies to support our experienced & dedicated consultants. Nabil McNaughton founded Challenger in July 2021.
Our Specialisms
With diverse specializations and dedication to excellence, Challenger is a trusted partner for organizations seeking top talent in their respective sectors. Our expertise and commitment to finding the right fit makes us a go-to recruitment firm in specialised fields.
Meet The Team
Nabil has over 15 years of recruitment experience both domestically and internationally covering Financial Services and Accounting & Finance.
He has supported a wide range of clients from Startups to Global Financial Institutions to develop high-calibre teams. Nabil has cultivated an extensive, global, professional network, and is a respected search partner in the market - trusted by clients and candidates to deliver results. Nabil is very passionate about the Challenger business and team, their clients and talent communities.
"I am very passionate about the challenger business and am excited about growing our own team and our service offering. It's also a privilege to partner with our clients and candidates on a daily basis and to help them achieve their career and business objectives"
Beyond the Desk…
Nabil’s passions include spending time with his family and friends, most sports, running, going to the gym, all types of music, and the occasional sing-song. In a former life, Nabil played rugby with Greystones and now enjoys commenting on the games from the couch as well as coaching his son’s under 9s team.
Gill has over ten years of experience in recruitment and financial services, covering asset management, fund services, banking and product management.
She spent the first six years of her career working in the fund’s industry and eventually transitioned into recruitment, availing of her finance background to build strong relationships and lead a high-performing team.
Over her time in recruitment, Gill has built her credibility by consistently offering exceptional service and delivering results for both her clients and candidates.
Within Challenger, Gill supports our Funds, Asset Management & Wealth Management Clients with particular expertise across Operations, Investments & Finance.
"What I love about recruitment is that I really get to the crux of why a person wants a new role and match them to a position, culture and firm that significantly betters their quality of life"
Beyond the Desk…
Gill’s passions include yoga, anything related to wellness and nutrition, painting, writing and coffee. She is the adventurous type and her favourite thing to do is pack her rucksack and explore cultures vastly different to her own, covering 25 countries so far. It is her goal to see as much of the world as possible!
Aoife is the newest member at Challenger. Recruitment is her dream career and her Masters in Work and Organisational Psychology and her background in sales have equipped her with the necessary skills and attitude to excel in her role.
She specialises predominantly in Fund Operations, Legal Support and CoSec and has built up an excellent rapport in the market. She enjoys talking to professionals every day to help them find the perfect role.
"I love working in recruitment because I get to speak with great people every day and help them find the perfect role. Nothing beats the feeling of a placement resulting in a happy candidate and a happy client!"
Beyond the Desk…
Aoife’s passions are music (all types – except country!) and loves going to concerts. She also enjoys reading and all things psychology.
Why Challenger?
Quality Beats Quantity… Every Time – Our understanding of your requirements and thorough screening process ensures that the profiles we send through are a strong fit for the given brief, from a technical, competency and cultural perspective.
At Challenger, we strive for a minimum 75% hit rate. If we Send 4 CV’s, we expect 3 Interviews. As an accountability metric, if there is a CV sent forward that you believe does not align with the requirements, agreed upon at the outset, you will receive €500 off the Invoice.
Championing better recruitment – Backing our Service with Financial Guarantee– We commit to exceptional outcomes.
We’re so confident in our ability to provide solutions and deliver results that we offer an industry-leading 135% guarantee on all our placements.
In the rare event that we place a candidate that doesn’t make the six-month mark, we’ll not only find a replacement candidate for free but we’ll provide a 35% discount on any subsequent recruitment process.
Global Coverage & International Network – We operate in a global market and have a network of top domestic and international talent that we are continuously developing.
Whether it is expats in any of the key financial jurisdictions or high calibre talent open to a move internationally, we are connected globally.
Market Knowledge – We know our markets intimately and provide our clients with unique market insights and an overview of the talent landscape, including, availability of talent, supply and demand factors, and compensation.
This is underpinned by our technical understanding of the skills, experience and qualifications you require for your team.
The Challenger Way
“CHALLENGER” was derived from our desire as a firm to challenge traditional recruitment and how things can and should be done. We have our own unique way of doing things in Challenger. Our interactions, insights, recruitment methodologies, process and tools are all geared around delivering an exceptional experience for our customers.
As a new entrant to the market, we want to challenge the competition, delivering a refreshing recruitment offering that our customers truly value. We equally strive to step outside of our comfort zone and challenge ourselves daily, to ensure we are a genuine market leader who lives and breathes our values of Excellence, Dedication, Passion, Authenticity, Enjoyment and Accountability.
