Mercuri Urval (MU) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sjoerd Verkleij as Practice Lead Financial Services. With deep sector expertise, a strong commercial track record and a proven ability to create connected, high-performing expert communities, Sjoerd will lead the continued development of MU’s Financial Services practice across markets.
Sjoerd was the evident candidate for me through the way he combines commercial thinking with a genuine ability to bring people together. He has already shown that he can build an expert community that collaborates, shares knowledge and moves things forward, and I am very much looking forward to building the next chapter of our FS practice together.” Florian Schmitz, Partner & Global Practice Lead Consumer & Retail
In his new role, Sjoerd will focus on strengthening collaboration, deepening expertise and enabling sustainable business growth for MU’s Financial Services clients. His appointment is a natural next step in a career defined by international delivery, client impact and a commitment to building opportunity for colleagues and clients alike.
For Sjoerd, the appointment marks an exciting continuation of his journey at MU.
“After three years as a Delivery Team Leader and several years contributing to our Private Equity sub-practice, this feels like a great next step,” he says. “I am grateful for the trust placed in me and look forward to taking on the Practice Lead role for the entire Financial Services team.”
He also recognises the foundations established by those who came before him. “I would like to thank Thorsten Kocherscheidt, who welcomed me into the Financial Services core team and gave us the opportunity to do pioneering work in Private Equity. I am equally grateful to Alexander Mora, who still is an important partner to me and MU from his new base in Qatar..”
Sjoerd joined MU nine years ago with three clear ambitions: to work internationally, deliver high-quality client service and grow into leadership roles. From the start, he found a firm where those ambitions could take shape.
“MU felt truly international from day one,” he explains. “Over the years, I have worked with global and European headquarters, pan-European private-equity funds and clients on projects abroad. What makes that work meaningful is the close collaboration with local colleagues, who bring a deep understanding of their own markets.”
That combination of international reach and local insight has been a defining part of his experience – and an important source of learning. Sjoerd was initially drawn to MU by the opportunity to deepen his knowledge of assessments. “The learning process felt like gradually unwrapping a series of presents,” he reflects. “Every year brought new insights and methodologies that helped me grow my expertise. Today, I use our science-based solutions to help clients make better decisions and to act as a trusted adviser.”
More recently, Sjoerd has worked closely with colleague Mieke Weijenberg on a growing client relationship with a private equity owned company. The story began with a COO search, where the second-ranked candidate was subsequently appointed as VP Supply Chain Europe and began receiving coaching support from Mieke.
When they launched their first search with MU, Mieke’s role as the candidate’s coach meant she could not lead the assignment. Sjoerd stepped in to deliver a complex European search under a challenging timeline and with clear inclusion and diversity requirements.
The team conducted a broad search across key locations in Breukelen, Warsaw and Barcelona, resulting in two strong finalists, based in Warsaw. Following the successful completion of the project, MU secured additional senior-level searches with the client.
“For me, it is a great example of what happens when we follow a relationship from candidate experience and coaching through to client delivery,” Sjoerd says. “It required collaboration, continuity and a shared focus on getting the right outcome for the client.”
As Practice Lead Financial Services, Sjoerd will bring this same approach to the wider practice: building a connected community of experts, creating opportunity across markets and supporting clients with the insight and confidence to make critical leadership decisions.
Are you curious about a global career at MU? Read more at our a career at MU page and reach out to Robin Karlestedt, EVP Global Talent Acquisition and Partner.