A specialist, independent and human recruitment partner connecting exceptional financial and tax talent with global multinationals, regional organisations and SMEs across Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Founded by Conor and led alongside Partner Weam Kamel, Alchemy Search is built on a shared belief that great recruitment is personal, combining deep sector expertise with genuine human connection across both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Partner & Head of Abu Dhabi Operations
Born and raised in Abu Dhabi and fluent in Arabic and English, Weam has an innate understanding of the UAE's corporate landscape. She leads specialist recruitment for finance, accounting, investment, and strategy professionals, and is happiest meeting candidates and clients face-to-face, building rapport and hosting events such as 'Women in Business'. Having lived and worked in Malaysia, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Egypt, she values the chance the UAE has given her to break traditional paths and create her own success.
Specialising in
Founder
Conor McHugh is the Founder of Alchemy Search and a leading specialist in accounting, corporate finance, tax, and treasury recruitment, with over a decade of experience in the UAE market. He began his career at KPMG UK, qualifying in audit before moving into financial reporting and FP&A roles. After several years with a major recruitment consultancy in Dubai, he launched Alchemy Search to fill a gap in the market for specialised finance and tax talent and senior-level appointments across Dubai.
Specialising in
From our corporate films to the Alchemy Uncensored podcast, hear what matters to us and meet the team behind the search.
A short film on who we are and why we built Alchemy Search.
A closer look at how we approach specialist finance and tax recruitment.
Community events like Women in Business and the face-to-face approach behind every search.
Honest conversations on the realities of recruitment, careers and the UAE market.
Alchemy Search provides specialist recruitment solutions supporting appointments across every level of seniority, from emerging specialists to the boardroom.
Qualified accountants and finance professionals across commerce, industry and practice.
Corporate tax, VAT, transfer pricing and international tax specialists across the region.
M&A, transaction services, valuations and investment banking talent.
Treasury, cash management and funding professionals.
GRC specialists covering risk, governance, compliance and controls.
From early-career specialists to C-suite and executive appointments.
Our multinational, multilingual team combines hands-on professional experience with deep industry networks and first-hand sector knowledge, enabling us to understand each brief beyond the job description.
Rather than a one-size-fits-all or database-led approach, we focus on rigorous research, targeted search and genuine candidate fit.
We understand each brief beyond the job description, matching not just skills but culture, ambition and long-term potential.
Through clear communication and tailored support, we keep clients and candidates informed at every stage.
Recruitment should be about more than filling a vacancy. We build placements that deliver lasting value for both clients and candidates.
"Above all, we believe recruitment should be about more than filling a vacancy."
Alchemy Search
Whether you're building a finance team in Abu Dhabi or Dubai, or seeking your next career move, Alchemy Search brings specialist, independent and human expertise to every search.