A decade in the city that never sleeps: LHi New York turns 10

Back in 2015, LHi took a leap across the pond and opened the doors to our New York office, right in the heart of the city. It was the start of something exciting, bringing the LHi spirit to one of the most competitive markets in the world and kickstarting our American journey.

Ten years on, that small start-up team has grown into our biggest US office and the second largest across the entire group. What began with just a handful of people has become one of our most dynamic hubs, shaping careers, building lasting relationships, and creating a culture that’s uniquely LHi.

As the first of our US offices, New York set the tone and paved the way for Los Angeles, Austin and Miami to follow. It hasn’t just been about the placements and business wins (though there have been plenty!), it’s about the energy, resilience, and people-first culture that have defined the last decade.

To celebrate this milestone, we caught up with Kevin Cooley, Managing Director and Office Leader in New York, to reflect on the journey so far, the people who’ve made it possible, and what’s next for the office as it heads into its next decade.

Kevin’s take on 10 years of LHi New York

You joined the New York office in 2016, just a year after it opened - how has the office culture shifted over the past decade, and what do you think has stayed the same?

When I joined, we were an extension of our London office. We dressed smart with collared shirts and shoes, we had set lunch breaks, all a bit old school. I would say that has been the biggest office change, we’ve adapted to the modern working environment. The one thing that has stayed the same is the culture of high performance and being a good person. I joined an office of incredibly hard working, driven, talented people who wanted to do amazing things. Although some faces have changed, that same sentiment still exists.

What drew you to LHi New York back in 2016, and what made you feel it was the right move?

Originally it was the ambition and drive of Mike Bott and Michael Georgiou. I wanted to be around people who wanted to do amazing things, and I bought into the vision they shared. Thankfully, after a lot of hard work, it has all played out as they said it would… mostly. 

How did you see the New York office evolve and grow in those early years after you joined?

I think the key to New York's success in the early years was hiring talented people who brought new ideas. We never claimed to fully know what we were doing, but instead had a mindset of wanting to hire people that knew more, work differently, wanted to challenge the status quo and that enabled us to develop all areas of the office and wider business. Every new hire felt like we were levelling up and pushing to achieve even more and that was the driving force behind early successes. 

What have been your top standout moments in the NYC office over the past decade, whether business wins, team milestones, or cultural moments, that really capture the spirit of LHi New York?

I have clear memories of the first time we did $5million in a year, the time we did a $1million month, the amazing highs of 2022 and the creation of the EOT. The moments that really capture what LHi Group is about, and the reason I think I’m still here after nine years, is all those work drinks, celebration breakfasts, lunch clubs, incentive trips, Pride Picnics, Summer Parties which created so many memories. Its easy to create an event, but it’s the people that make those events memorable and I’m grateful to have been surrounded by awesome people. 

Are there any traditions, rituals, or events unique to the NYC office that have helped shape its identity?

I think New York has a unique culture that is hard to replicate. We definitely work hard, some play harder, but there is always a sense of belonging in the office. Nobody is from New York, so anyone that joins this office is usually new to the city and I think we have created a space which is welcoming to all people and I love that. 

If you could give one piece of advice to someone joining the New York office today, what would it be?

Take the opportunity that is front of you, career wise and continue to add to our amazing culture. I think anybody joining the office now can really achieve amazing things with their career, but it requires hard work and sacrifice. The good news is that we provide a culture of support to help people achieve those things and be the best version of themselves. I think everyone then has a responsibility to pay it forward with new starters to ensure that same opportunity exists to anyone joining.  

How do you envision the next 10 years for LHi New York, what’s exciting on the horizon?

I see us continuing to evolve, pushing to achieve even greater things, growing and establishing ourselves as the best recruitment company in this amazing city. As the famed New York saying goes “if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere!” I cant wait to see all the amazing thing we’ll go on to achieve as a office and team.