Our Story

Mission Statement

“Our mission is to embody and champion the core values of trust, respect, inclusivity, bravery, and empathy. As a team we commit to upholding integrity in all our interactions, valuing each other's contributions, and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and heard. We connect authentically with our clients and candidates. We are committed to delivering exceptional service, driving positive change in the industry, fostering innovation, and building lasting relationships.”

Our Values

At the heart of our mission, we are a TRIBE; bound by Trust, Reliable practices, Inclusive culture, Brave initiatives, and Empathetic connections.

TRIBE

• T - Trust
• R - Respect 
• I - Inclusive
• B - Brave
• E - Empathy

Our Story

Established in Dublin in 1998, Brightwater has grown from a specialist accountancy and finance recruitment consultancy into one of Ireland's leading professional recruitment businesses. Over more than 28 years, the company has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality recruitment solutions to public and private sector organisations across the island of Ireland.

Brightwater's growth has been driven by long-term client partnerships, a commitment to service excellence and an ability to adapt to changing market conditions. Initially focused on Accountancy & Finance, the business expanded organically in response to client demand and now provides specialist recruitment services across a broad range of disciplines, including Financial Services, Technology, Engineering, Life Sciences, Sales & Marketing, Human Resources, Legal, Supply Chain, Business Support, Executive Search and Temporary & Contract recruitment. Today, Brightwater employs 35 people, including 25 specialist recruitment consultants, operating from offices serving clients throughout Ireland.

A significant milestone in the company's history came in 2018 when Brightwater completed a successful management buyout (MBO), led by then Managing Director Barbara McGrath, Finance Director John O'Donnell and Executive Search Director Estelle Davis. The MBO reinforced the company's long-term independence and created a strong platform for continued investment, innovation and sustainable growth.

Since then, Brightwater has successfully expanded its capabilities through a number of strategic acquisitions. In 2019, the Group acquired Mentors, strengthening its recruitment offering. This was followed by the acquisition of Alternatives in 2021, enhancing the Group's expertise in Sales, Marketing and Digital recruitment, and Raretec Recruitment in 2022, significantly expanding its Technology recruitment capability. Together, these businesses now operate under the Brightwater Group, providing clients with access to one of Ireland's broadest specialist recruitment offerings.

To support continued growth, Brightwater has also invested significantly in its leadership structure. In 2025, the Group implemented a series of Board appointments and organisational enhancements designed to strengthen governance, improve operational efficiency and position the business for its next phase of growth. Building on this foundation, Brightwater appointed Libby Kelly as Managing Director in 2026, providing dedicated executive leadership focused on strategic expansion, client service excellence, innovation and long-term sustainable growth across the Group.

Today, Brightwater continues to invest in technology, people and service delivery, combining deep sector expertise with robust governance, compliance and quality processes. This long-standing trading history, financial stability and continued investment provide clients with confidence that Brightwater is a trusted, experienced and dependable recruitment partner capable of delivering high-quality talent solutions across a wide range of sectors and recruitment requirements.

The Group

The Brightwater Group consists of:
* Brightwater Recruitment Specialists -  specialising in recruitment across Professional Services, Technical Services and Business Services. 
* Brightwater Executive - specialising in senior appointments at Head of Function, Director up to C-Suite levels.
* Alternatives - specialising in recruitment across digital marketing and comms
* Raretec Recruitment - specialising in actuarial recruitment.