REC Scale Up Podcast

In his final episode of Talking Recruitment as REC Chief Executive, Neil Carberry is joined by Alyx Peters, CEO of Network Recruitment Wales and Chair of the REC’s Advisory Council, to explore what recruitment could look like in 2037 and what businesses should be doing now to prepare. They discuss what successful AI adoption really involves, from improving processes before automating them to giving employees the training and tools to use AI confidently. Alyx shares how her business approached redesigning candidate onboarding, including identifying the decisions that must stay human and keeping a clear record of automated actions. Looking further ahead, the conversation turns to the growing commercial value of trust, judgement and emotional intelligence. Could tomorrow’s recruiter be a consultant first and a salesperson second? And could access to affordable technology give smaller, regional specialists a stronger competitive position? Drawing on her experience in healthcare recruitment in Wales, Alyx explores the opportunities in local relationships, specialist knowledge and recruitment as a service. She also turns the questions on Neil, who reflects on why recruiters should take greater pride in their work and charge confidently for the value they deliver. Host: Neil Carberry, Chief Executive, REC Guest: Aly Peters, CEO of Network Recruitment Wales and Chair of the REC's Advisory Council

In this episode of Talking Recruitment, REC Chief Executive Neil Carberry is joined by Katy Forsyth, Owner and Managing Director of Red Recruitment, Joe Taffurelli, Chief Executive of Ovio, and Antoine Poiron, Vice President Sales Europe at Pixid Group, to discuss what successful AI adoption really looks like in recruitment. Rather than asking what AI can do, the panel explores where it adds genuine value and where human judgement, empathy and expertise remain essential. From improving candidate journeys and automating repetitive tasks to preparing data, processes and people for change, they share practical lessons from implementing AI in recruitment businesses. The conversation also examines why the most successful firms won't be those that simply adopt the latest technology, but those that use it to strengthen relationships with candidates and clients, freeing recruiters to focus on the work only people can do. In this episode, you'll hear about: •How AI can improve recruiter productivity without replacing human expertise. •Why strong processes and high-quality data are essential before investing in AI. •The impact of AI on candidate experience and recruitment outcomes. •How recruiters can use AI to reduce administration and spend more time consulting clients and candidates. •Why empathy, judgement and relationship-building will become even more valuable as AI evolves. •Practical advice for recruitment businesses starting their AI journey. Host: •Neil Carberry, Chief Executive, REC Guests: •Katy Forsyth, Owner and Managing Director, Red Recruitment •Joe Taffurelli, Chief Executive, Ovio •Antoine Poiron, Vice President Sales Europe, Pixid Group

In this episode of Talking Recruitment, Maxine Bligh is joined by Ross Thompson and Jurgen Jaarsma to discuss what is happening across global recruitment markets and what it means for UK agencies. They explore current trends including regional growth, ongoing talent shortages and the continued shift towards remote and offshore hiring. As costs rise in the UK and other established markets, more agencies are looking overseas to scale their teams and improve efficiency. The episode also looks at changing candidate expectations, particularly around flexible working, and how this is shaping hiring decisions in different regions. The guests share insights from markets including the US, Europe and South Africa, highlighting where demand is growing and where opportunities exist. Alongside this, they discuss the risks. From compliance and worker classification to choosing the right partners, the conversation offers practical advice for agencies thinking about international expansion. Overall, a useful overview of how recruitment businesses can adapt and grow in a more global market.