Who are We?
Winchesters consists of an experienced team of recruitment professionals with a deep specialization in their particular division. Learn more about our individual team members below and feel free to contact us directly.
Neil Drew
Neil Drew has been recruiting since 2003 and leads our procurement – permanent recruitment business. Neil recruits for all procurement and Purchasing positions from entry-level to CPO, including Sourcing, Vendor Management, Contracts Management, Risk and Governance, Procurement, Purchasing and operational Buying roles across all industries on a permanent basis.
Neil spent the first 5 years of his career in the UK working in procurement recruitment based out of Winchester, Hampshire. In 2008, he moved to Toronto, to build the procurement division for a large global recruiter. During his time in Toronto, he built a procurement recruitment business as well as a finance and taxation recruitment business.
In June 2014, Neil started Winchesters. Since then, he has been leading the Procurement business to deliver a niche, focused, personalized recruitment offering to the procurement community. Neil only works with people who he knows, both candidates and clients, so if you do not know Neil, please feel free to reach out to him to arrange a meeting.
In his spare time, Neil spends time with his family. He plays rugby for the Toronto Saracens, who Winchesters also sponsor. Neil’s interests include watching rugby, cars, tennis, wildlife, and the outdoors.
To contact Neil, please call: 416 560 0434 or email at: [email protected]
Paul Young
Paul Young has been recruiting since 2010 and leads our contract recruitment business. He recruits for roles ranging from entry-level to SVP including Purchasing, Category Management, Sourcing, Vendor Management, Contracts Management, Risk and Governance, and P2P implementations.
Paul’s first 7 years were spent working in procurement recruitment for two large UK recruitment organizations. He became the regional expert for one business before becoming the leader for the procurement division in another. Moving to Canada in 2017 was a great opportunity to explore a new country and culture. Paul’s approach also fits perfectly with Winchesters – to work honestly, transparently, and efficiently.
In 2016 Paul gained his MIRP from the Institute of Recruitment Professionals in London as a means of continued professional development. Like Neil, Paul only works with people that he knows and so if you don’t know Paul yet please feel free to get in touch.
In his spare time, Paul enjoys reading, playing football (okay – soccer), getting disappointed watching Southampton FC play soccer, and trying to prove that he is capable of using more than just a hammer when it comes to DIY!
To contact Paul, please call: 416 628 9490 or email at: [email protected]
Elan Van Wyck
Elan Van Wyck has been recruiting since 2010 and leads our Finance and Accounting division. He recruits for all finance/accounting roles with a focus in Toronto, GTA and the US. Recent placements include: CFO for a $500M Toronto-based company; Controller for a $120M Toronto-based construction company; Acquisitions Analyst for a mid-sized real estate developer; and FP&A Manager for a large architecture firm.
Elan began his recruitment career at a large publicly-traded company in Toronto in 2010. By 2014, he was managing the entire senior accounting and finance division and was the highest performing A&F consultant in North America. In 2015, he became a partner of Winchesters in Toronto and his approach to recruitment is simple – he works honestly, transparently, and efficiently to provide the best service for both candidates and clients.
In his spare time, Elan likes spending time with family and friends, losing money on the stock market, and going to physiotherapy for one of his many sports injuries. Elan’s interests include reading, playing the guitar, volleyball, soccer, and traveling.
To contact Elan, please call: 416 333 9321 or email at: [email protected]
Laikyn Victor
Laikyn joined the Winchesters’ team in 2022 in the Finance & Accounting division. She works alongside Elan Van Wyck.
She grew up in South Africa where she started her career in medical sales before moving to Toronto in 2020. Here she worked in business development for a tech start-up.
Laikyn works as a specialist recruiter in real estate finance and accounting and covers a wide variety of roles with a focus on Toronto and the GTA. Her approach is to build genuine relationships and to work efficiently and honestly to ensure a great fit for both candidates and clients.
During her spare time, Laikyn enjoys exploring different hiking spots in the GTA with her family, having a braai (a BBQ) – yes, even in the snow – and embracing the Canadian winters by learning to ski!
To contact Laikyn, please call: 647 333 6278 or email at: [email protected]
Eric Synowicki
Eric joined Winchesters in 2023 in the Accounting & Finance division and focuses exclusively on these positions. He takes pride in building strong and long lasting relationships with both clients and candidates.
Eric specifically targets the Toronto and GTA markets, covering a wide variety of roles, but is always looking to extend his reach throughout Ontario.
In his spare time, Eric enjoys playing sports, reading, fishing & spending time with friends and family. From September to January, Eric spends every Sunday glued to the couch watching football from dusk ’till dawn. Some things never change (and don’t need to.)
To connect Eric, please call 647 824 8357 or email at: [email protected]
Katherine Rylski
Katherine Rylski has been a dedicated recruiter since 2020, specializing in the placement of accounting and finance professionals. She recruits for a wide range of contract roles, from junior accountants to CFOs, including financial analysts, controllers, auditors, payroll, and other specialized contract positions across diverse industries.
After spending over a decade in the hospitality industry, Katherine made a successful transition into recruitment. Since then, she has gained valuable experience working with two prominent recruitment firms in Canada. Her expertise in the accounting and finance sectors allows her to deliver tailored solutions that align with the needs of both candidates and clients.
In 2024, Katherine joined Winchesters, where she continues to manage the contract division with a personalized approach. Her commitment to fostering strong relationships ensures successful placements and long-term partnerships. If you haven’t yet connected with Katherine, reach out to explore how she can assist with your hiring needs.
To contact Katherine, please call: 647.668.3652 or email: [email protected]
Casey La Russa
Casey joined the Winchesters’ team in 2018 in the Finance & Accounting division and works alongside Elan Van Wyck.
“The sum of the parts is always greater than the individual components.” Pairing that mentality with a strong work ethic, ambitious nature, and a passion for continuous improvement, Casey works to build long-lasting relationships and strives for excellence, both personally and professionally.
Casey works as a specialist recruiter in the Finance/Accounting division with a focus on public accounting roles. He covers a wide array of positions within public accounting. His focus is in the Greater Toronto Area along with some Finance/Accounting searches in the U.S.
During his spare time, Casey enjoys playing sports (specifically soccer and basketball), spending time with family and friends, trying new cooking recipes, and philosophizing about life. Casey’s hobbies include attending local Toronto events, visiting the AGO, along with being as active as possible.
To contact Casey, please call: 416 272 8912 or email at: [email protected]