As Mercury Hampton celebrates 8 years in business, we’re taking a moment to look back at how far we’ve come. From our early days to where we are now (23 countries, 4 global offices, hundreds of clients…), it’s been a journey built on teamwork, humility, wellbeing and hard work (our core values).
To mark the occasion, we asked 8 of our leaders and rising stars one question each. Their answers cover everything from leadership and culture to personal growth and the future of recruitment, capturing what makes Mercury Hampton the company it is today.
And because no celebration would be complete without a bit of nostalgia, we’ve included some retro photos at the end that show just how much things have changed since those early days. Take a look at the end!
In what ways has Mercury Hampton’s culture influenced your approach to work and teamwork?
Robbie Kelly, Business Development Manager
I’ve been with Mercury Hampton since I was a teenager, learning the ropes from the ground up. Over the years, I’ve picked up a lot, but what sticks with me is the culture here. It’s all about putting the work in, being determined, and always willing to step up. You don’t just work alongside people here, you back each other up and share what you know to make the team stronger.
That’s how I tackle my work: I’m persistent and don’t give up easily. When it comes to teamwork, it’s about trust and making sure we’re all pushing in the same direction. This culture keeps you on your toes, but it also gives you the space to learn and grow every day.
Which skills do you think will be most critical for STEM leaders in the next five years?
John Myatt, Sales Director
In the next five years, STEM leaders will need to be adaptable and resilient because the pace of change won’t slow down. It’s essential they can manage not just the technology but the people side of things, and help their teams navigate uncertainty and stay focused. They’ll also need a solid grasp of the technical landscape and developments to make informed decisions without getting bogged down in every detail.
But above all, it’s the leaders who focus on developing their people and creating a culture where learning never stops that will come out on top.
Which Mercury Hampton achievement over the years are you most proud of?
Jonathan Sallis, Co-Founder & Director
Number 1 is winning the Employer of the Year at the our regional business awards back in 2022. That award wasn’t just about us doing good business – it showed we’ve built a place people actually want to work. We’ve always believed that if you look after your people, the rest will follow.
We’ve also been recognised for our innovation over the years. We focus on practical solutions that meet real needs, including software, people, training and new services. We even have more developments coming next year, including a unique embedded solution that we believe will make a real difference.
How has working at Mercury Hampton shaped your own career or personal growth?
Matthew Warburton, Technical Support Manager
Simply put, Mercury Hampton started my career and professional development, before joining here it was clear that no one I worked for previously was the least bit interested in doing any of that.
When I joined way back when, I thought all recruitment companies were warehouse agencies that threw as many people into a facility as possible and hoped some stuck. (this was my first hand experience with them).
But I quickly learned that this wasn’t even close to the same beast and it was super exciting for me. I saw the opportunity to join a relatively new company and become a long standing, respected member of staff. With this in mind I knew I had to throw myself into this with everything I had.
All of my passion, all of my intelligence, all of my personality, all of my effort.
I have to make a special mention for Jon Sallis first, from the second he called my mobile (and woke me up, thanks Jon). I knew we were going to get on, it was such a real and raw phone call, almost like he was ringing me up after a Saturday night out 😂
Mercury Hampton has given me the day-to-day freedom to build my knowledge around technology, infrastructure, software, hardware & professional etiquette. All things that I am keen to improve every day.
Chris Hickey has really accelerated me this year, with a strong focus on building our infrastructure it’s made me knuckle down and really get my thinking cap on at times, and coming out of the other end of that I feel I am now equipped to build anything that Mercury Hampton might require going forward.
And last but by no means least, Jack Woodcock. Thanks for always working with me and never against me, for continually developing my objection-handling, for continually listening to me worry and worry about things that aren’t to be worried about.
What book, podcast, or resource do you recommend for professional or personal growth?
Chris Hickey, Co-Founder & Managing Director
I’d recommend ‘The Power of Now’ by Eckhart Tolle. It’s a book that really helped me see things differently, especially when things get hectic or tough in this business. It reminds you to focus on the present moment instead of stressing about what’s next or dwelling on what’s gone wrong. Along with that, I’ve started meditating regularly, and it’s made a big difference in how I handle the constant ups and downs. Just taking a few minutes to clear my head and reset helps me stay calmer throughout the day.
What do you enjoy most about working at Mercury Hampton (or rather, MHC!)
Matthew Cunliffe, Contract Director
What I enjoy most about working at MHC is that no matter how mad things get, there’s always someone ready with a laugh or a dodgy joke to keep us going. Sure, we have our moments (deadlines, challenges, and the odd fire to put out) but somehow we manage to get smash our targets and have a good time doing it.
What’s one thing about recruitment that still surprises you?
Robyn Clarke, Managing Consultant – Engineering & Operations
It’s hard to say in one thing but for me it’s every day is different, every 30 minutes can be different. One minute you’re celebrating a high and the next you’re celebrating a low. Another thing is ghosting, when the “perfect candidate” shows all the right signals, they’re invested in a role and then at a final stage they disappear without a trace. In our role communication is key and there seems to be a lot of negativity directed towards us but it surprises me on the lack of communication.
But the highs make it all worth it!
Mercury Hampton turns 8 this year – what’s one thing you’d like to see in the next 8 years?
Jack Woodcock, Director
I’ve been with Mercury Hampton almost from the very start, so it’s been amazing to see how much we’ve grown over the years. Looking forward to the next eight years, I’d really like to see us continue expanding internationally. Being in 23 countries already is a huge milestone, but there’s still a lot of potential out there to grow.
At the same time, what I’m really keen to see is the people we already have here begin to thrive even more. Those who are starting to establish themselves in management and leadership roles progressing further and really making the most of their opportunities. Watching that development happen naturally is key, and it’s something I think will shape the future of Mercury Hampton just as much as, if not more than, international growth.
Here’s to the next 8 years!
