Meet the Team at Syme Drummond

More About Katie:

Katie has over twenty years’ experience in the recruitment industry, having worked across global, national and independent search firms. Throughout her career, she has built deep expertise across a range of specialist markets, delivering hires from administrative through to executive and C-suite level across multiple industries.

A graduate of the University of Glasgow, Katie also studied Human Resource Management as part of her Master’s degree in Marketing. Early in her career, she made a conscious decision to specialise in senior and executive search, with a particular focus on C-suite, Human Resources and L&D mandates. To further strengthen her credibility within this space, she completed her CIPD, providing a deeper understanding of the HR landscape and the challenges faced by senior leaders.

Katie is an accredited search professional, trained in best practice retained search methodology, which underpins her structured, research-led approach to delivering complex and business-critical hires.

Over the years, she has built a strong and trusted network of senior professionals and hiring leaders, earning a reputation for delivering high-quality outcomes and developing long-standing partnerships. In 2010, she founded Syme Drummond to create a business built on these principles, giving her the freedom to offer a more tailored, consultative and commercially focused service.

As Managing Director, Katie leads the firm’s Executive Search offering through the SD Executive Edge division, specialising in C-suite and leadership appointments, typically delivered on a retained or exclusive basis. While HR remains a core area of expertise, Katie and her team now support customers across a broader range of disciplines, including legal, finance, commercial and operational roles, reflecting the evolving needs of the organisations they partner with.

Syme Drummond supports organisations with hiring across all levels, from entry and mid-level appointments through to senior leadership and executive hires. Alongside this, the business continues to expand its consultancy offering, providing support through bespoke market insight, talent mapping and strategic hiring advice.

Katie loves spending her spare time with her family and friends, so at the weekend she can be found with her husband walking her dogs, chasing after her 2 sons usually with a football or meeting friends with a pinot grigio putting the world to rights!   

Get in Touch: katie.drummond@symedrummond.co.uk

Connect with Katie on LinkedIn

More About Kelsie:

With in depth recruitment experience, Kelsie showcases an impressive mix of both in house recruitment as well as direct sourcing experience and is responsible for the mid to senior HR market at Syme Drummond as well as non HR hires across all levels.

As a Senior Sourcer for UK & Ireland at Royal London, Kelsie excelled as a specialist recruiter, working with professionals ranging from junior to director-level. Before her in-house position, Kelsie worked as a volume recruiter in the financial services sector. Kelsie works closely with Katie as we continue to expand our market presence as a leading specialist in HR recruitment and executive search.

Kelsie is very much a people person – relationship building and management both with internal and external stakeholders are one of her many strengths! 

Outside of work, Kelsie loves binging the Real Housewives, and Friends (over and over and can quote every episode!). She also has a French Bulldog – Bubba who is her only "child" who she loves to spoil. At weekends you'll find her socialising with friends and family with a cocktail in hand, and planning their next concert or city break away!

Get in Touch: kelsie.patterson@symedrummond.co.uk 

Connect with Kelsie on LinkedIn

More About Lynne:

Lynne brings experience and skills from a varied career spanning public, third and private sectors, stemming from a creative background as an alumni of Glasgow School of Art.

Her journey to recruitment began with a career transition from teaching and she has gained experience in recruiting specifically for HR professionals. Empathetic by nature, with a curiosity for learning about others, Lynne forges strong and lasting relationships with stakeholders at all levels and likes to find innovative solutions. Lynne is responsible for the junior HR market and non HR hires across the junior to mid levels at Syme Drummond.

At weekends she can usually be found entertaining (surviving} her three kids and one husband whilst painfully slowly renovating their house/dealing with the clutter and detritus brought about by the previously mentioned family members. She loves a comedy gig, sci-fi movies, books, and endless chat with her pals – best served with a glass of something cold and preferably bubbly.

Get in Touch: lynne.friel@symedrummond.co.uk

Connect with Lynne on LinkedIn