For Ken, this wasn’t just a saying, this was something he lived, every single day. He loved what he did and loved enabling others to find joy in their work too.
This article is a labour of love and a testament to the heartfelt, meaningful work Ken did throughout his financial services career. You will hear what others have said about him, and most importantly, hear in his own words why helping others was never just a job, but a true vocation (there is a lovely video by Ken at the bottom of this article).
Ken had a clear and powerfully understated way about him. He listened intently, he ensured that he understood properly and then he helped.
Whether it was supporting someone with a new role, guiding them through uncertainty, or simply offering a warm and steady voice at the right moment, Ken had a rare ability to make people feel heard and be better for it.
He built a highly successful, award-winning career in financial services recruitment from 2004 through to 2026, joining Truestar Talent in 2020. Prior to that, he spent 20 years with Barclays Bank, leaving as an Area Sales Manager.
However, titles and timelines only tell part of the story. What truly defined Ken was how he showed up for people.
Beyond his professional achievements, Ken was wonderfully grounded in what mattered most to him.
What inspired you to pursue a career in financial services recruitment?
- Working with people to enhance their careers.
In your opinion, what qualities make a candidate stand out in the financial services sector?
- Having a good grip on their experience, KPIs and achievements.
Outside of work, what are your passions and hobbies?
- Walking my often muddy Springer Spaniel three times a day.
If you could have lunch with any financial industry figure, past or present, who would it be and why?
- The Governor of the Bank of England.
How do you unwind after a challenging day of recruitment?
- A glass of beer.
How has the financial industry evolved since you began your career in recruitment?
- More professional, with further qualifications and supervision.
Describe your ideal weekend getaway or holiday destination?
- Visiting the Lake District and enjoying the tranquility.
What’s a skill you’ve developed in your recruitment career that you’re particularly proud of?
- Really listening to understand.
“Our paths crossed a decade ago when he helped me achieve the role I’m still in now…he gave me confidence with such grace to push myself and I’ve never forgotten. Thank you again Ken”
Julie Buxton
“Ken was a truly lovely person and a genuine gentleman, and it was a privilege to have known him.”
Chris Dancy
“When our paths crossed over the years, Ken was always a perfect example of goodness. My thoughts are with you all at this sad time. God bless!!”
Peter Wycherley
“Ken placed me back in 2005 and kept contact for a number of years after. He was definitely one of the good guys!”
Richard Meats
“Although he never placed me we have had many conversations over the years and he always came across as a genuinely warm and humble man.”
Tom Stones
“He helped me hugely when I first went Self-Employed, a lovely man… god bless to his family.”
Stephen Ritson
“I am sorry to hear this news. I worked with Ken when we were both Sales Managers for Barclays Life in the early 2000s, he also supported my team Liverpool FC, and we loved talking football (even though we both knew Liverpool FC were rubbish then).”
Matthew Garner
“Ken was genuinely one of the nicest people to work with and will be sadly missed by everyone that knew him.”
Mike Tracey
“Ken was really helpful in securing a role for me many years ago and was always supportive.”
Steve Cronin
“So sorry to hear this he was one of the gents in the recruitment industry – never placed me but was always there to offer advice on a proposition even though he wasn’t earning anything from it – A gent.”
Ian Roderick
“I found Ken to be very kind and helpful at a difficult time when I had been made redundant. Sorry to hear this.”
David Bradshaw
“How terribly sad. He was an integral part of Truestar Talent 💔 a true gentleman indeed who will be missed greatly.”
Carrie Alderson
“Ken has been of great support to me providing excellent guidance and opportunities for furtherment, his dedication to the task is exemplary.”
Stephen Boyle
“It was so very sad to hear that Ken has passed away. Having worked with him for more than 20 years, I feel incredibly lucky to have known him. He was such a lovely man and a truly wonderful colleague, always kind, thoughtful, and a real gentleman. Whenever you needed help or advice, Ken was always there, and he would do his very best to support you with warmth and positivity. He will be greatly missed.”
Gary Gove“So sad to hear this news, he was a gentleman and it was a pleasure to have worked alongside him.”
Duncan Turnbull
“Ken was the kind of person you could always count on for help, guidance, and support. No matter how busy he was, he always found time for others and was never short of encouragement or advice when it was needed most. He had a unique way of doing things, always in his own unmistakable and indomitable style, bringing warmth, humour, and reassurance to those around him.
He was more than just a colleague; he was someone people naturally turned to for support and friendship. Ken had a way of making difficult situations feel manageable, often with a calm word, a practical solution, or a well-timed sense of humour. His experience, generosity, and willingness to help others left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of working with him.
Ken will be deeply missed, not only for the work he did but for the person he was. He leaves behind many fond memories and a legacy of kindness, loyalty, and genuine care for others. His presence made a difference every day, and he will not be forgotten.”
David Pike
“Ken was a really nice guy, and a pleasure to work alongside. I really enjoyed our chats.”
Chris Newton“Ken was a gentleman, who was always very supportive to me when I first worked with him back in 2007 and then more recently when I joined Truestar Talent.”
Laura Randall“On a personal note, I want to share a story about Ken. 12 years ago, when I first came back to recruitment, after 10 years of internal recruitment with Halifax, the external recruitment world had changed hugely. I came back into it with great gusto and enthusiasm but found it incredibly hard. In the first 6 months of coming back to being a recruiter I was genuinely questioning my own ability to do the job and whether or not I had made a huge mistake.
Then the phone rang. It was Ken. He asked me how I was and I was really honest with him, because Ken was one of those people you felt you could talk to. He listened, and you knew instinctively that he genuinely had your best interests at heart.
I told Ken I was finding it very difficult and, in his warm and reassuring tone, he said: “Pam, you can do this, you can definitely do this, stick at it.” 12 years on, that conversation still stays with me. It’s something I truly cherish.
When I would remind Ken of this, he didn’t remember it happening. To him, it was just something he did, because it felt like the right thing to do at the time. However, it made a huge and lasting difference to me.
In my early years, at a moment when I needed it most, Ken believed in me and that belief changed something. By the end of that first year, I had done incredibly well, and I know he was genuinely delighted on my behalf.
On both a personal and professional level, I will really miss Ken.”
Pam Sutherland
Ken May was, first and foremost, a true gentleman. He was a wonderful friend, a trusted colleague, a first-class financial services recruiter. Above all, Ken was a genuinely kind and thoughtful human being.
Ken represented the very best of financial services recruitment, by being thoughtful, trusted and quietly exceptional. He brought a level of care, professionalism and humanity to recruitment that is incredibly hard to replicate. In financial services recruitment, Ken was the kind of person others quietly measured themselves against, through his wealth management expertise and most importantly through his kindness, integrity and the way he treated people.
For Ken, helping others was never a strategy or a profession, it was simply who he was. Ken will be remembered not just for what he did, but for how he made people feel.
Over the decades, both in financial services recruitment and wealth advice, Ken has touched the lives of so many and has made their lives better. All lives have been made better, just for having Ken in them, and as a person and a team member, he is irreplaceable. There is no one like our Ken.
We will miss you, Ken.
