RecTalk Podcast - Explore Recruitment Insights

In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Robert Woodford from The Marketing Junction to unpack one of the biggest shifts happening in recruitment right now: marketing is no longer a “nice to have” — it’s a survival requirement.From brand consistency and recruiter-led content creation to the death of “we do everything” agencies, this episode is packed with brutally honest insights for recruitment business owners who want to stay relevant in 2026 and beyond. Robert shares practical advice on how agencies can stop treating marketing like an afterthought and start building brands that clients and candidates actually trust.The conversation dives deep into:Why recruitment businesses need to think “B2B2C” instead of traditional B2BThe basics every recruitment agency MUST get right before spending money on marketingHow inconsistent branding destroys trust with candidates and clientsWhy recruiters should be creating content as part of their daily workflowThe dangerous myth of the untouchable “top biller”How AI is freeing recruiters up to focus on creativity and relationship buildingWhy many recruitment agencies misunderstand ROI when it comes to marketingThe importance of niche positioning vs trying to be “everything to everyone”How mature recruitment businesses are using marketing to stay competitiveWhy your recruiters ARE your brandThe reality of recruitment business closures and why agencies need to adapt fastRobert’s recent acquisition of 66Degrees and the growing importance of clean recruitment dataThere are loads of practical takeaways in this one for agency owners looking to tighten up their positioning, improve brand perception, and future-proof their businesses.🔗 Connect with the guestRobert Woodford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marketing4recs/The Marketing Junction: https://www.rectools.io/product/the-marketing-junction/66Degrees: https://www.66degreesdata.com/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday.Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursdays.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersCoRecruit: https://corecruit.com/Ascen: https://www.ascen.com/Your People Engine: https://yourpeopleengine.com/Recruiterflow: https://recruiterflow.com/SourceWhale: https://sourcewhale.com/#RecruitmentMarketing #RecruitmentAgency #RecTalk #EmployerBranding #RecruitmentBusiness #B2BMarketing #RecruitmentLeaders #AIInRecruitment #RecruitmentGrowth #PersonalBranding #RecruitmentPodcast #RecruitmentIndustry #MarketingStrategy #RecruitmentContent #LinkedInMarketing

RecTalk is coming to RECFEST 2026 - 2nd July 2026Want 30% off your entry? Use code RECTALK30RF at check outWhat does great Talent Acquisition actually look like in 2026?In the first Talking Talent episode of the year, Sean Kennedy is joined by Daryl Benson, Talent Lead at TryHackMe, for a proper, honest conversation about recruitment, TA, startups, employer brand, AI, candidate experience and why the best TA people do far more than just “fill roles”.Daryl shares his journey from the military into agency recruitment, building his own recruitment business, moving into embedded talent, and now leading talent at one of the fastest-growing cybersecurity ed-tech companies in the market.This episode covers:How military experience builds resilience for recruitmentThe difference between agency recruitment and internal TAWhy TA and HR should not be treated as the same functionThe reality of hiring in fast-growth startupsEmployer brand, Glassdoor, and honest candidate messagingWhy long interview processes need to dieHow AI is changing recruitment workflowsThe rise of fake candidates and AI-generated applicationsWhat good stakeholder management really looks likeWhy listening is still the most underrated skill in TAIf you work in Talent Acquisition, recruitment, employer branding, people, HR tech or startup hiring, this one is packed with honest takes, practical insight and a few uncomfortable truths.Featuring:Sean Kennedy — Host of Talking Talent / Sean The TA Guyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/seanthetaguy/Daryl Benson — Talent Lead at TryHackMe https://www.linkedin.com/in/daryljb/Subscribe to RecTalk for more conversations with the people shaping recruitment, talent and the future of work.#TalentAcquisition #Recruitment #EmployerBranding #HRTech #RecTech #StartupHiring #RecruitmentPodcast #TalkingTalent #RecTalk

In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Johan Barri, co-founder of Jarvi—a CRM platform that’s flipping the script on recruitment tech.Let’s be honest—recruitment tools promised efficiency, but most of us ended up juggling more tabs, more systems, and more admin. So what went wrong?Johan and his team set out to fix that.Despite not coming from recruitment backgrounds, they spent over a year interviewing 100+ recruiters to deeply understand the real pain points—fragmented communication, scattered data, and clunky systems. The result? A platform designed to centralise everything, automate intelligently, and give recruiters their time back.This isn’t just another CRM conversation—this is about redefining how recruiters actually work.🔥 What We Covered:Why most CRMs fail recruiters (and how Jarvi avoids that trap)The power of centralising LinkedIn, email, WhatsApp & more into one systemHow AI should assist, not replace, recruitersThe importance of simplicity in tech adoption (30-minute onboarding!)Why personalised outreach still beats mass automation—every timeBuilding a global product with 2,000+ users across 35 countriesCommunity-led product development (users shaping features in real time)The future of recruitment: tech-enabled, but human-first💡 Key Takeaway:The best recruiters of the future won’t be the ones using the most tech—they’ll be the ones using it right. Jarvi is built to remove admin, not replace relationships.🔗 Connect with the guestJohan Barri: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanbarri/Find out more about Jarvi: https://www.rectools.io/product/jarvi/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday.Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursdays.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersCoRecruit: https://corecruit.com/Ascen: https://www.ascen.com/Your People Engine: https://yourpeopleengine.com/Recruiterflow: https://recruiterflow.com/SourceWhale: https://sourcewhale.com/#RecruitmentTech #CRM #AIinRecruitment #RecTech #RecruitmentLife #AgencyGrowth #Jarvi #Rectools #Podcast #RecTalk

In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Gordon Webb from Shazamme to unpack what actually makes a high-performing recruitment website in 2026.Spoiler: it’s not just about looking pretty.Gordon dives deep into why recruitment websites should be treated as data engines, not digital brochures — and how most agencies are missing massive opportunities when it comes to SEO, candidate experience, and CRM integration.From structuring your site for both clients and candidates, to fixing common (and costly) mistakes like poor URL strategy and unindexed jobs, this episode is packed with practical insights you can implement immediately.They also explore:Why “look and feel” is overrated (and what actually matters)The power of sector-specific pages for SEO and conversionsHow Google for Jobs can transform your candidate flow overnightThe hidden cost of sending candidates to job boardsMobile vs desktop behaviour — and what it means for your siteWhy meet-the-team pages are more important than you thinkReducing friction in candidate applications (and boosting conversions)The future of recruitment websites as integrated tech platformsPlus, Gordon shares his biggest website pet peeves — and how easy they are to fix.Who this episode is for:Recruitment agency owners looking to improve website performanceMarketing leaders in recruitment wanting better ROI from web trafficConsultants curious about how websites impact candidate experienceAnyone frustrated with low website conversions or high bounce ratesRecruiters who want to future-proof their business with better techKey Takeaway:Your website isn’t just a brand asset — it’s one of your most powerful revenue-generating tools. Treat it like one.🔗 Connect with the guestGordon Webb: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordonwebb1/Find out more about Shazamme: https://www.rectools.io/product/shazamme/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday.Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursdays.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersCoRecruit: https://corecruit.com/Ascen: https://www.ascen.com/Your People Engine: https://yourpeopleengine.com/Recruiterflow: https://recruiterflow.com/SourceWhale: https://sourcewhale.com/#RecTalk #RecruitmentMarketing #RecruitmentWebsites #Shazamme #RecruitmentTech #SEO #GoogleForJobs #TalentAcquisition #RecruitmentIndustry #DigitalTransformation #RecruitmentLeaders

In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with “Matthew” (in stealth mode) from SuperFront to explore one of the biggest hidden problems in recruitment… thousands of valuable candidates sitting untouched inside agency CRMs.Most recruiters spend heavily on job boards, LinkedIn licences and sourcing tools, while candidates already sitting in their database are forgotten. SuperFront is changing that by helping agencies re-engage, nurture and qualify existing candidates using AI-powered outreach across email, WhatsApp and voice.Matthew shares how SuperFront helps recruiters:Reconnect with dormant candidates already in the CRMPersonalise outreach at scale using real candidate history and notesImprove fill rates and reduce time-to-hireBuild stronger candidate pipelines without paying twice for talentUse AI to automate admin while recruiters focus on relationshipsTurn historic data into live revenue opportunitiesThe conversation also covers:Why most CRM sequencing tools fail in practiceCandidate experience vs mass automation spamHow niche recruiters can benefit most from personalised outreachThe future of AI assistants in recruitmentWhy timing is perfect for recruitment agencies to modernise nowHow SuperFront is growing, beta testing and raising investmentIf you run a recruitment business, lead a resourcing team, manage recruitment marketing, or want to monetise your existing database better, this is an episode you do not want to miss.Who This Episode Is For:Recruitment agency foundersRecruitment operations leadersTalent acquisition teamsCandidate resourcing teamsRecruitment marketersInvestors interested in HR tech / RecTechAnyone curious about practical AI in recruitmentFind out more about SuperFront: https://www.rectools.io/product/superfront/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday.Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersCoRecruit: https://corecruit.com/Ascen: https://www.ascen.com/Your People Engine: https://yourpeopleengine.com/Recruiterflow: https://recruiterflow.com/SourceWhale: https://sourcewhale.com/#RecTalk #RecruitmentPodcast #SuperFront #RecruitmentAI #RecTech #Staffing #AgencyRecruitment #TalentAcquisition #AIRecruitment #CRM #CandidateEngagement #NitinSharma

Welcome back to RecTalk with Nitin Sharma, founder of Rectools.io. In this episode, Nitin is joined by returning guests Jo Elwell and Billie Davoile from Contractor Financial to unpack one of the hottest topics affecting recruiters, contractors, business owners and candidates right now: mortgages, financial uncertainty and protecting your future.With rates shifting, market sentiment changing fast, and many contractors unsure where they stand, Jo and Billie explain what is really happening in the mortgage market right now and how recruiters can better support their candidates through uncertainty.Expect practical insights on:Why being proactive 6 months before your mortgage renewal could save thousandsHow contractors can still access competitive high street mortgage productsWhy many people wrongly assume contracting hurts borrowing powerFixed vs tracker mortgages in a volatile marketHow offset mortgages work for contractors and business owners with savingsWhat lenders really think about contractors, AI disruption and job securityBuy-to-let trends and why limited company structures are increasingWhy good mortgage brokers advise rather than simply “order take”Income protection, life cover and critical illness explained simplyWhy financial protection matters just as much as the mortgage itselfReal life examples of claims that changed families’ futuresThis is an eye-opening conversation for anyone working in recruitment, contracting, self-employment or business ownership.Who this episode is for:Recruitment agency ownersContractors and freelancersUmbrella and PAYE workersLimited company directorsCandidates worried about mortgagesAnyone approaching a remortgage dateFamilies wanting better financial protectionRecruiters who want to add value to candidatesYour home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.🔗 Connect with the guestJo Elwell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-elwell-09679b3a/Billie Davoile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billie-davoile-1327a1107/Find out more about Contractor Financial: https://www.rectools.io/product/contractor-financial/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday.Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersCoRecruit: https://corecruit.com/Ascen: https://www.ascen.com/Your People Engine: https://yourpeopleengine.com/Recruiterflow: https://recruiterflow.com/SourceWhale: https://sourcewhale.com/#RecTalk #RecruitmentPodcast #ContractorMortgage #MortgageAdvice #RecruitmentIndustry #BusinessOwner #ContractorLife #FinancialProtection #RecruitmentAgency #SelfEmployed #Rectools #NitinSharma

In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with David Clark, the founder of bobcheck, to unpack one of the most overlooked (and costly) problems in recruitment: hidden revenue leakage.If you’ve ever wondered how many fees your agency might be missing without even realising it… this episode is a must-listen.Dave shares the story behind bobcheck, how it started during lockdown, and how it has evolved into a powerful tool used by agencies of all sizes—from boutique firms to global players—to uncover “backdoor hires” (or “bobs”) and missed fees.But this isn’t just about finding lost revenue. It’s about what you do with that information.💡 What’s covered in this episode:What a “backdoor hire” actually is—and why it happens more than you thinkThe biggest causes of missed fees (hint: it’s not always malicious)Why recruiter turnover and poor internal processes are costing agencies serious moneyHow modern agencies are using leverage, not confrontation, when missed fees are uncoveredThe dangers of “spray and pray” recruitment and spec CVsWhy offshore models and global hiring are increasing the risk of revenue leakageThe shift from headcount growth to profitability-focused recruitment businessesHow agencies are streamlining tech stacks and focusing on system adoptionThe future of recruitment: leaner teams, stronger processes, and smarter techA sneak peek into bobcheck’s new contractor tracking feature🚀 Key TakeawayMost agencies know missed fees happen—but very few truly understand how often, why, or what to do about it.This episode challenges you to drop the ego, get curious, and take control of the revenue you might already be owed.🔗 Connect with the guestDavid Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidclarkbobcheck/Find out more about bobcheck: https://www.bobcheck.io/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday.Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersAzuki Accounts: https://azukiaccounts.com/Konquest: https://konquest.io/Ascen: https://www.ascen.com/SourceWhale: https://sourcewhale.com/Infinity Staff Global: https://www.infinitystaffglobal.com/#RecTech #Recruitment #StaffingAgency #RecruitmentBusiness #SaaS #RecruitmentTools #AgencyLife #ScalingBusiness #TalentAcquisition #RecTalk

In this week’s episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Keith Davidson from Recruitment Funding Solutions to unpack one of the biggest questions in recruitment right now: should you start your own agency—and how do you do it without risking everything?Drawing from real-world experience (including some painful lessons), this episode dives deep into the myths, risks, and realities of launching a recruitment business in today’s market.Keith shares how traditional models of selling, networking, and even funding are evolving—and why visibility, consistency, and education now drive buying decisions more than ever before.They also explore the hidden dangers recruiters face when going solo, from personal guarantees to VAT traps, and how a “protective bubble” model can help new founders focus on billing while everything else is handled.🔥 What you’ll learn in this episode:Why “being everywhere” is the new business development strategyThe biggest risks recruiters overlook when starting their own agencyHow invoice finance really works—and where most people get burnedWhy many perm recruiters avoid temp (and why that’s a mistake)The truth about scaling vs. building a lifestyle recruitment businessHow to transition from recruiter → business owner without chaosThe power of supplier networks and building your own “mini ecosystem”Why you don’t need the “shiniest tools” to succeed💡 Key Takeaway:You don’t need to know everything to start—but you do need the right support around you. The smartest founders focus on what they’re best at (recruitment) and outsource the rest until they’re ready to scale.🔗 Connect with the guestKeith Davidson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-davidson-rfsqps/Find out more about Recruitment Funding Solutions: https://www.rectools.io/product/recruitment-funding-solutions-2/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday.Look out also for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersAzuki Accounts: https://azukiaccounts.com/Konquest: https://konquest.io/Ascen: https://www.ascen.com/SourceWhale: https://sourcewhale.com/Infinity Staff Global: https://www.infinitystaffglobal.com/#RecTalk #Recruitment #StartupRecruitment #RecruitmentBusiness #TempRecruitment #PermRecruitment #RecruitmentFunding #Entrepreneurship #RecruitmentLife #ScalingBusiness

In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Mike Ames, founder of Flair Business Growth Consultancy, for a brutally honest and insightful conversation about what it really takes to succeed in recruitment today.Mike shares decades of hard-earned experience—from building and selling recruitment businesses to rethinking what success looks like in a modern, evolving market. This episode dives deep into why most recruiters stay stuck, what separates top performers, and how to build a sustainable, high-profit business without chasing scale for the sake of it.We unpack the concept of the “money bus” business model, the shift from sales-driven recruitment to data-driven professional services, and why passion for delivery—not just money—is the real differentiator.Mike also challenges common industry beliefs, including:Why most advice is ignored (and why that’s okay)The myth of scaling for exit vs building a profitable lifestyle businessWhy reputation beats brand every time in professional servicesHow recruiters should adapt to trends like AI, offshoring, and global talent accessThe importance of aligning passion, talent, and personal needs for long-term successThis episode is packed with practical insights on:Building a PLW (Profit, Lifestyle, Wealth) recruitment businessCreating a stable, high-margin model that doesn’t rely on constant hustleFocusing on elite delivery and shortlist quality as your true competitive edgeUsing data, networks, and market intelligence to become undeniable in your nicheMike also shares powerful frameworks around:The “core mission” every business owner must defineWhy culture and values should be dictated—not crowdsourcedHow to future-proof your recruitment business in a changing landscapeIf you’re serious about levelling up in recruitment—or questioning whether you’re even in the right game anymore—this one will hit home.🎯 Who This Episode Is ForRecruitment agency owners looking to increase profitabilitySolo recruiters considering their next moveLeaders tired of chasing scale without resultsAnyone interested in future-proofing their recruitment businessRecruiters who want to move from average → elite performance🔗 Connect with the guestMike Ames: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspames/Flair Business Growth Consultancy: https://www.flair.co.uk/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday.Look out also for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersAzuki Accounts: https://azukiaccounts.com/Konquest: https://konquest.io/Ascen: https://www.ascen.com/SourceWhale: https://sourcewhale.com/Infinity Staff Global: https://www.infinitystaffglobal.com/#Recruitment #RecruitmentAgency #Staffing #TalentAcquisition #RecTech #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #RecTalk #Leadership #AIinRecruitment #Hiring #Recruiters

In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Jodi Marchewitz, founder of HireBoost.ai, to unpack one of the most important shifts happening in recruitment right now: the move from transactional recruiting to strategic talent advisory.Jodi’s journey is anything but typical—starting in marketing, moving into SaaS entrepreneurship, and eventually becoming VP of Executive Talent at ZoomInfo, where she scaled hiring through hyper-growth. Now, she’s channelled that experience into HireBoost, a platform designed to embed the mindset, frameworks, and thinking of an elite recruiter directly into your hiring process.This isn’t “just another AI tool.” As Nitin points out early on, HireBoost is effectively Jodi’s brain—her years of executive search experience—translated into a system that helps recruiters become credible, strategic, and effective in under 30 minutes.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why “order-taker recruiters” are being replaced—and what to become insteadThe concept of train and retain: combining live training with AI-driven reinforcementHow HireBoost’s 8 playbooks guide recruiters from intake to closeWhy misalignment with hiring managers is the #1 reason roles stay openHow to build credibility instantly—even in roles you’ve never recruited beforeThe difference between sourcing candidates vs. thinking like a recruiterReal-world results: saving 20 hours per search across 300+ monthly hiresWhy AI should augment, not replace, human recruitersThe future of recruitment: tech-enabled, human-led, strategically drivenJodi makes a strong case that the future of recruitment isn’t about replacing people with AI—it’s about elevating recruiters into true strategic partners. Her platform helps recruiters:Think more critically about rolesAlign better with hiring managersImprove candidate experienceConfidently push back and advise stakeholdersAs she puts it, hiring is “an art, a science, and culture fit”—and AI alone can’t solve that.Who This Episode Is For:Internal Talent Acquisition teams looking to do more with lessRecruitment agencies wanting to move into retained or consultative modelsTA leaders struggling with hiring manager alignmentRecruiters who want to future-proof their careers in the age of AIAnyone curious about how AI can actually improve hiring (without replacing humans)This episode challenges a lot of assumptions about AI in recruitment. If you’ve been sceptical about where things are heading—or overwhelmed by the noise—this is a grounded, practical conversation that shows what “good” actually looks like.🔗 Connect with the guestJodi Marchewitz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodimarchewitz/Find out more about HireBoost.ai: https://www.rectools.io/product/hireboost-ai/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday.Look out also for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersAzuki Accounts: https://azukiaccounts.com/Konquest: https://konquest.io/Ascen: https://www.ascen.com/SourceWhale: https://sourcewhale.com/Infinity Staff Global: https://www.infinitystaffglobal.com/#Recruitment #TalentAcquisition #AIinHR #Hiring #ExecutiveSearch #HRTech #RecruitmentInnovation #FutureOfWork #RecTalk

In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with returning guest Jeremy Snell, now of Your People Engine, to unpack one of the most honest and forward-thinking conversations we’ve had about the future of recruitment.From the evolution of Rookie2Recruiter into the fully-fledged performance ecosystem that is Your People Engine, to why the “glory days” of easy billing are gone (and why that’s actually a good thing), Jeremy shares what separates average recruiters from the “heroes” who will dominate the next era.This episode dives deep into:Why recruitment is shifting from process-driven to performance-drivenThe rise of blended learning (physical + digital) and why most training failsHow storytelling and internal knowledge-sharing can unlock massive growthWhy AI will eliminate admin—and expose underperformersThe concept of “heroic work” in recruitment and what it really meansWhy TA teams may disappear (and what replaces them)The future of recruitment as an IP-led, consultancy-style businessNew revenue streams agencies are completely overlookingThe shift from perm placements to freelance, contract, and outcome-based workJeremy also shares a powerful perspective: the future isn’t bleak—it’s full of opportunity for those willing to adapt, evolve, and step up.“The glory days aren’t behind us…They’re in front of us…For the heroes.”🔗 Connect with the guestJeremy Snell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/recruitmentsalestraining/Find out more about Your People Engine: https://yourpeopleengine.com/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday.Look out also for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersAzuki Accounts: https://azukiaccounts.com/Konquest: https://konquest.io/Ascen: https://www.ascen.com/SourceWhale: https://sourcewhale.com/Infinity Staff Global: https://www.infinitystaffglobal.com/#RecTalk #Recruitment #Staffing #TalentAcquisition #AIinRecruitment #Sales #LND #FutureOfWork #RecruitmentTraining #YourPeopleEngine #Rectools

In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Alex Hashash, Founder & MD of Global Capability, to explore why Africa—specifically Kenya—is fast becoming one of the most exciting untapped talent markets in global recruitment.Alex shares his journey from a successful career in healthcare recruitment to launching a business in Nairobi, backed by his former employer. But this isn’t just another offshore story…This episode dives deep into:Why traditional offshore hubs (India, Philippines, South Africa) are no longer the only optionsThe rise of Kenya as a global capability centre and what makes it uniqueHow Western misconceptions about Africa are holding businesses backThe real truth about talent, education, and work ethic across the continentWhy recruitment businesses should rethink the outdated 360 modelHow to successfully build offshore teams (and where most businesses get it wrong)The importance of trust, structure, and long-term thinking when scaling globallyAlex also breaks down the operational side of building offshore teams—from compliance and infrastructure to commission structures and culture—giving practical insights for any recruitment leader considering expansion.If you’ve ever thought about offshoring but weren’t sure where to start—or assumed Africa wasn’t “ready”—this episode will challenge everything you think you know.As Alex puts it: talent exists everywhere. You just need to look somewhere new.Who This Episode Is For:Recruitment business owners looking to scale globallyTalent leaders exploring offshore or nearshore modelsFounders tired of the same talent pools and rising costsAnyone curious about Africa’s role in the future of workAgencies wanting to move beyond the traditional 360 recruiter model🔗 Connect with the guestAlex Hashash: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhashash/Find out more about Global Capability: https://www.rectools.io/product/gcs-global-capability-limited/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday.Look out also for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersAzuki Accounts: https://azukiaccounts.com/Konquest: https://konquest.io/Ascen: https://www.ascen.com/SourceWhale: https://sourcewhale.com/Infinity Staff Global: https://www.infinitystaffglobal.com/#RecTalk #RecruitmentPodcast #Offshoring #GlobalTalent #Kenya #AfricaRising #RecruitmentLeaders #TalentAcquisition #GlobalCapability #ScalingRecruitment

In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Bobby Russell (Managing Director) and Lakhbir Singh (Commercial Finance Specialist) from Contact Business Finance to unpack one of the most overlooked opportunities in recruitment—using finance and property to build long-term wealth.From invoice finance to commercial property, the conversation dives deep into how recruiters can stop leaving money on the table and start making smarter, more strategic financial decisions.The guys break down real client stories, including how recruitment agencies are:Turning rent into ownership and boosting profitabilityFunding large-scale office refurbishments to attract top talentLeveraging property to create additional income streamsUsing finance strategically to scale and safeguard their businessesA key theme throughout? Education. Many recruiters are great at billing—but not always equipped with the financial knowledge to maximise their success. This episode changes that.You’ll also hear practical insights on:Why keeping too much cash in the bank could be costing youHow to structure deals with lenders the right wayThe power of diversification and building generational wealthWhat sectors could thrive in recruitment moving into 2026Why storytelling, marketing, and online presence now matter—even to lendersPlus, Bobby and Lakhbir share honest lessons from high-pressure deals, the importance of understanding a client’s “why,” and how finance can genuinely change lives when done right.Who this episode is for:Recruitment agency owners looking to scale smarterFounders sitting on cash but unsure where to investRecruiters considering buying office space instead of rentingAnyone interested in property investment alongside their businessNew and growing agencies wanting to future-proof their finances🔗 Connect with the guestsBobby Russell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobby-russell-8b844565/Lakhbir Singh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lakhbir-singh-a2161668/Find out more about Contact Business Finance: https://www.rectools.io/product/contact-business-finance/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday.Look out also for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersAzuki Accounts: https://azukiaccounts.com/Konquest: https://konquest.io/Ascen: https://www.ascen.com/SourceWhale: https://sourcewhale.com/Infinity Staff Global: https://www.infinitystaffglobal.com/#Recruitment #Finance #PropertyInvestment #RecruitmentAgency #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #InvoiceFinance #CommercialFinance #RecTalk #Rectools

In this Founder Diaries episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Ross Linnett, Founder & CEO of Recite Me — a business born from personal struggle and built into a global accessibility powerhouse.Ross shares how being undiagnosed dyslexic shaped his early life, forced him down unexpected career paths, and ultimately inspired him to build technology that makes the internet accessible for everyone.From being told he “wasn’t dyslexic” at school, to nearly going bankrupt, to raising £8M and landing clients like Coca-Cola — this episode is packed with raw founder truths, resilience, and perspective.We dive deep into:How dyslexia led Ross to build Recite MeWhy 25–30% of people struggle to access websitesThe early struggles of selling “doing good” as a serious businessRaising investment when your product doesn’t fit the hypeThe reality of building a company when no one believes in it yetWhy success is a function of time, not just skillThe truth about DE&I, accessibility, and commercial impactFounder mindset: surviving doubt, rejection, and near failureWhy the journey matters more than the outcomeRoss also shares powerful insights on innovation, patience, and why most “overnight success” stories are anything but.If you’re building something new, questioning your path, or navigating tough founder moments — this episode will hit home.🎯 Who this episode is for:Founders and startup leaders building from scratchRecruiters and business owners interested in accessibility & inclusionAnyone navigating dyslexia, neurodiversity, or learning challengesEntrepreneurs struggling with doubt, funding, or early tractionLeaders who want to build meaningful, mission-driven businesses🔗 Connect with the guestRoss Linnett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosslinnett/Find out more about Recite Me (and try it for yourself):https://www.rectools.io/product/recite-me/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday.Look out also for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersAzuki Accounts: https://azukiaccounts.com/Konquest: https://konquest.io/Ascen: https://www.ascen.com/SourceWhale: https://sourcewhale.com/Infinity Staff Global: https://www.infinitystaffglobal.com/#RecTalk #FounderDiaries #RossLinnett #ReciteMe #Accessibility #Dyslexia #Neurodiversity #Startups #Entrepreneurship #DEI #Recruitment #Founders #BusinessGrowth #InclusiveDesign

In this episode of RecTalk, host Nitin Sharma sits down with Sarah Higgs, founder of Recruitment Angel, to explore a topic every recruitment business owner struggles with: time.Sarah shares her journey from working as a legal recruiter to becoming Head of Operations in a recruitment firm and ultimately launching Recruitment Angel—a specialist virtual support service built specifically for the recruitment industry. Drawing on years of experience inside recruitment businesses, Sarah now helps agency owners and suppliers free up their time by handling operational, administrative, and marketing tasks that often slow growth.The conversation dives into the realities of running a recruitment business today, especially for solo founders and smaller agencies. Sarah explains why so many founders end up overwhelmed wearing too many hats—handling everything from business development and invoicing to CRM management and marketing.Nitin and Sarah discuss the power of delegation and why outsourcing operational work can be one of the most impactful decisions a recruitment entrepreneur can make. By reclaiming hours lost to admin, business owners can refocus on what really drives revenue: building relationships, winning clients, and making placements.They also unpack how recruitment itself has evolved. Traditional cold calling is no longer the only route to success. Modern recruiters are increasingly building communities, hosting events, producing content, and nurturing relationships digitally. But with all of these new responsibilities comes an operational burden that many founders simply don’t have time to manage alone.Sarah also shares insights into how Recruitment Angel supports agencies with tasks such as database management, market mapping, CRM setup, content creation, event coordination, and back-office operations—helping recruitment businesses operate more efficiently without hiring full-time staff.A key theme throughout the episode is authenticity and work-life balance. Sarah talks openly about leaving traditional “stuffy” recruitment environments where personality was discouraged, and how modern founders are now building businesses that align with their lifestyles, families, and personal goals.This episode is packed with practical insight for recruiters looking to grow smarter, delegate effectively, and avoid the burnout that often comes with building a recruitment business from scratch.Who this episode is for:Solo recruitment founders and startup agenciesRecruitment businesses with 1–15 employees looking to scale efficientlyRecruiters overwhelmed by admin, operations, or back-office tasksAgencies exploring outsourcing or virtual support optionsRecruitment suppliers looking to streamline internal processes🔗 Connect with the guestSarah Higgs: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahhiggs01/Check out Recruitment Angel: https://www.rectools.io/product/recruitment-angel/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday.Look out also for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersAscen: https://www.ascen.com/ThinkinCircles: https://thinkincircles.com/Infinity Staff Global: https://www.infinitystaffglobal.com/The Marketing Junction: https://themarketingjunction.com/Konquest: https://konquest.io/#RecTalk #RecruitmentPodcast #RecruitmentIndustry #RecruitmentStartups #RecruitmentOps #RecruitmentTech #AgencyGrowth #RecruitmentEntrepreneurs #RecruitmentMarketing #RecTools

In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Eli Duane, Founder & CEO of NOVA by Dweet, to unpack one of the biggest questions facing the recruitment industry right now:Is AI actually improving recruitment… or just adding more noise?Eli brings over 20 years of recruitment experience to the table, having previously helped build and exit a staffing business before launching Dweet—a platform designed to connect frontline retail talent with employers quickly. Along the way, his team built internal AI tools to solve a problem many recruiters know all too well: how to efficiently identify the right candidates from thousands of applications and existing database records.Those internal tools eventually evolved into NOVA, an AI-powered recruiting copilot designed to help recruiters source, screen, and resurface candidates faster—without removing the human element that makes great recruiters great.In this conversation, Nitin and Eli dig into the realities of AI in recruitment, cutting through the hype to explore what actually works and where technology can genuinely support recruiters rather than replace them.They discuss:Why most AI recruitment tools fail to move the needleThe “ChatGPT in a trench coat” problem with many AI productsHow NOVA uses contextual intake to improve candidate matchingThe challenge of ATS “candidate graveyards” and resurfacing hidden talentWhy sourcing automation should free recruiters to focus on human relationshipsThe Iron Man analogy for AI-augmented recruitersThe real truth about bias in hiring and how AI should (and shouldn’t) address itWhy the future of recruitment is AI + great recruiters, not AI instead of recruitersEli also shares how NOVA was originally built to solve problems inside their own hiring platform before being spun out into a standalone product—giving the team a unique advantage: every feature is battle-tested with real recruiters and real hiring scenarios first.If you’re feeling fatigued by the endless wave of AI tools in recruitment, this episode will help you rethink where technology can actually make a difference.🔗 Connect with the guestEli Duane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eli-duane/Check out NOVA by Dweet: https://www.rectools.io/product/nova-by-dweet/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday.Look out also for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersAscen: https://www.ascen.com/ThinkinCircles: https://thinkincircles.com/Infinity Staff Global: https://www.infinitystaffglobal.com/The Marketing Junction: https://themarketingjunction.com/Konquest: https://konquest.io/#RecTech #RecruitmentAI #TalentAcquisition #RecruitmentTechnology #AIinRecruitment #StaffingIndustry #HRTech #RecruitmentPodcast

In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Tim Hogwood, Co-Founder of SourceWhale, to unpack the fascinating journey from launching a small recruitment agency in 2020 to building one of the fastest-growing recruitment technology companies in Europe.Recorded at SourceWhale’s Shoreditch offices, Tim shares the real story behind how the business accidentally pivoted from agency life into SaaS, why recruiters originally adopted the platform for candidate outreach, and how market shifts forced the team to rethink their product, pricing, and positioning.The conversation dives deep into the evolution of recruitment technology, why SourceWhale moved to a modular product structure, and how AI is transforming recruiter workflows without replacing the human element that makes recruitment work.Nitin also challenges Tim on the future of CRMs, AI governance, recruiter productivity, and whether automation could “dumb down” the recruitment profession. Tim offers candid answers on where AI is actually useful today — and where the hype doesn’t match reality.Key topics covered include:The origin story of SourceWhale and its unexpected SaaS pivotWhy recruitment tech should focus on desk-level recruiter productivityThe shift from candidate sourcing to business development workflowsWhy SourceWhale moved to modular products instead of one all-in-one platformThe real role AI will play in recruitment automationHow contextual data and communication layers power better recruiter workflowsThe evolving role of CRM systems in an AI-driven worldWhy recruitment will remain a human business despite AI advancementsTim also myth-busts common misconceptions about SourceWhale — including pricing, enterprise adoption, and who the product is actually built for.If you want a behind-the-scenes look at how modern RecTech companies are thinking about AI, recruiter workflows, and the future of recruitment software, this episode is packed with insights.🔗 Connect with the guestTim Hogwood: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-hogwood/Find out more about SourceWhale: https://www.rectools.io/product/sourcewhale/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday.Look out also for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersAscen: https://www.ascen.com/ThinkinCircles: https://thinkincircles.com/Infinity Staff Global: https://www.infinitystaffglobal.com/The Marketing Junction: https://themarketingjunction.com/Konquest: https://konquest.io/#RecTech #RecruitmentTechnology #RecruitmentAI #SourceWhale #RecruitmentAutomation #RecruitmentLeaders #RecruitmentInnovation #RecruitmentIndustry #RecTalkPodcast

In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Andy Jones, CEO of Tracker, one of the longest-standing enterprise CRM platforms in recruitment, for a deep dive into the real impact of AI in the industry.Forget the hype around AI writing job ads or taking meeting notes. This conversation goes much deeper — exploring what actually moves the needle for recruiters, why most AI tools are still “skin deep,” and how the future lies in agentic automation layered on top of strong CRM data.Andy shares why many recruitment businesses are still struggling to see meaningful ROI from generative AI and why the real opportunity lies in combining AI, automation, and workflow agents that take care of the repetitive tasks recruiters hide behind.They also unpack how recruitment CRMs should evolve from being just a single source of record into a single source of action, where intelligent agents automate processes like candidate screening, CV formatting, anonymisation, and even business development opportunities.The conversation also tackles some of the bigger strategic questions facing the industry:Are AI tools making recruiters more productive — or just more efficient?Could automation actually make recruiters better by removing admin work?What role should CRM providers play in guiding agencies through AI adoption?Why governance, GDPR, and data security are the hidden risks most agencies aren’t thinking about.Andy also shares how Tracker is building its AI layer, including EVA — an embedded LLM inside the CRM — combined with a growing library of automation agents designed to handle recruitment workflows behind the scenes.If you’re a recruitment leader trying to cut through the AI noise, this episode delivers one of the most practical conversations you’ll hear about the future of recruitment technology.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The difference between AI efficiency vs true recruiter productivityWhy agentic automation may be the real breakthrough in recruitment techHow recruiters can automate CV formatting, candidate screening, and BD workflowsWhy CRM data is the foundation for meaningful AI adoptionThe hidden compliance and governance risks of using AI toolsWhy the future recruiter may need less tech knowledge and more relationship skills🔗 Connect with the guestAndy Jones: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-jones-4871722/Find out more about Tracker: https://www.rectools.io/product/tracker/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday.Look out also for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersAscen: https://www.ascen.com/ThinkinCircles: https://thinkincircles.com/Infinity Staff Global: https://www.infinitystaffglobal.com/The Marketing Junction: https://themarketingjunction.com/Konquest: https://konquest.io/#RecTalk #RecruitmentTechnology #AIinRecruitment #RecruitmentCRM #AgenticAI #RecTech #RecruitmentAutomation #AndyJones #TrackerRMS #RecruitmentLeaders

This time on RecTalk, we’re back with another live panel discussion recorded at the TEAM Network South Midlands Regional Meeting, in front of a record-breaking room of recruitment business owners and industry leaders.No script. Just real, honest, unfiltered conversation about where recruitment is heading — and what you need to do to stay relevant.Joining Nitin Sharma on the panel:Kerry Greenland – Director of Vantage RecruitmentSarah Grace – Regional Director (Midlands) for TEAM Network and Managing Director of KC Group and Animal PeopleMiles Lloyd – Co-Founder of NorthStar PeopleThis episode centres around one powerful theme: Locking In & Levelling UpInside this live discussion, we unpack:Why recruitment is NOT a sales business — and why that mindset shift mattersThe death of pure contingency and what’s replacing itCommitment fees vs retained models (and why language matters)Why most agencies are wasting 60–70% of their timeHow to increase fill rates from 30% to 80%+The rise of non-core recruitment revenue (market insight reports, partnerships, referrals, advisory services)Using your data as a monetisable assetMoving from “CV supplier” to talent partnerOvercoming impostor syndrome as a business ownerWhy legacy agencies must evolve — and howPractical ways solos and micro-agencies can add value without overcomplicating itSarah shares how publishing a 70-page Market Insight Report led to 60 face-to-face client meetings in one month.Kerry talks about moving from job-filler to trusted advisor — and why confidence is everything.Miles breaks down the brutal maths behind contingent recruitment and why most agencies don’t realise how exposed they are.And Nitin gets candid about business failure, sunk cost fallacy, and why “we’ve always done it this way” is the most dangerous mindset in recruitment today.This isn’t theory. This is what’s happening right now in our industry.If you’re still running your agency the way you did in 2018, this episode might just be the wake-up call you need.Who This Episode Is For:Recruitment agency owners (solo or multi-consultant)Perm-heavy agencies struggling with fill ratiosLeaders considering commitment or retained modelsRecruiters wanting to add non-core revenue streamsTEAM Network members and regional leadersAnyone feeling the market shift and unsure what to do nextKey Takeaway:Recruitment isn’t dying. But commoditised recruitment is.The opportunity is bigger than ever — if you’re willing to evolve.🔗 Connect with the panel guestsKerry Greenland: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-greenland/Sarah Grace: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-grace-02b66318/Miles Lloyd: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mileslloyd/Find out more about the TEAM network: https://www.theteamnetwork.co.uk/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday.Look out also for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersAscen: https://www.ascen.com/ThinkinCircles: https://thinkincircles.com/Infinity Staff Global: https://www.infinitystaffglobal.com/The Marketing Junction: https://themarketingjunction.com/Konquest: https://konquest.io/#RecTalk #RecruitmentLeadership #TEAMNetwork #RecruitmentBusiness #PermRecruitment #RetentionStrategy #RecruitmentInnovation #TalentPartner #RecruitmentConsultancy #AgencyGrowth

This week’s RecTalk is recorded LIVE at the TEAM Network Service Providers Meeting in Coventry – and it’s an absolute belter 🔥Nitin Sharma is joined on stage by:Sam Rasdall – Potent PositioningMichelle Davies – Candidate SourceChristian Mather – One Day WealthIn front of a room full of recruitment service providers, this panel dives deep into one big question:👉 Why don’t suppliers collaborate properly… when we’re all selling to the same ICP?Drawing from the live discussion , this episode explores:Why most suppliers say they know their ICP – but rarely leverage shared audiencesThe missed opportunity in supplier-to-supplier collaborationHow to add value to recruiters’ clients (not just sell to them)Why webinars should be lead generators, not just “marketing assets”The difference between value-add and disguised sales pitchingFear, insecurity & trust issues in collaborationWhy authenticity on LinkedIn actually works (even if you “hate LinkedIn”)The long-game mindset required to build real referral partnershipsWhy customer success teams hold hidden collaboration goldHow to turn partnerships into multiple deal flow streamsThere’s some proper honesty in this one. From cult-like networking groups to fear of competitors “stealing” clients, nothing was off limits.🔥 Key Themes1️⃣ Collaboration isn’t tactical – it’s strategicOne good partner relationship can drive 5–10 deals. Yet most suppliers focus purely on direct client acquisition.2️⃣ Value-first winsRun webinars for your partners’ clients. Share each other’s content. Build micro-packages together. Stop pitching – start helping.3️⃣ Authenticity over polishMichelle shares how going from “allergic to LinkedIn” to being unapologetically authentic actually generated real inbound business.4️⃣ Marketing = Sales EnablementSam drops a killer point: marketing assets are useless without sales touchpoints. Every piece of content should create conversations.5️⃣ Fear is the blockerAre we scared of competitors? Of losing clients? Of opening our network? The panel unpacks the insecurity that holds suppliers back.6️⃣ Play the long gameThis isn’t transactional. It’s relational. The hockey stick only comes after consistency.🔗 Connect with the panel guestsSam Rasdall: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-rasdall-501863108/Michelle Davies: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleadavies/Christian Mather:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianmather/Find out more about the TEAM network: https://www.theteamnetwork.co.uk/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday.Look out also for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersAscen: https://www.ascen.com/ThinkinCircles: https://thinkincircles.com/Infinity Staff Global: https://www.infinitystaffglobal.com/The Marketing Junction: https://themarketingjunction.com/Konquest: https://konquest.io/#RecTalk #RecruitmentIndustry #RecTech #RecruitmentSuppliers #BusinessDevelopment #LinkedInForRecruiters #Collaboration #TEAMNetwork

Welcome back to Founder Diaries, a RecTalk podcast hosted by Nitin Sharma.This episode is a big one.Most recruitment businesses measure success by headcount, revenue, and placements. But what happens when a founder decides to measure success differently — by building a resilient balance sheet powered by Bitcoin?In this conversation, Nitin sits down with Scott Ellam, Founder & CEO of XCE – Connecting Excellence, to unpack one of the boldest strategic moves we’ve seen in the recruitment industry.Scott didn’t just build a profitable international executive search business — he took it public, adopted a Bitcoin treasury strategy, and positioned the company as a long-term, balance-sheet-first growth vehicle.What We Cover in This EpisodeThis isn’t a surface-level “crypto chat.” This is a deep dive into:Why traditional perm-heavy recruitment businesses struggle with exit strategiesThe limitations of chasing vanity metrics like headcount growthWhy Scott rejected property, gold, and stock portfolios as treasury strategiesThe case for Bitcoin as a long-term reserve asset (not “crypto”)The impact of inflation and monetary policy on business ownersTaking a recruitment business public with a Bitcoin-backed balance sheetCreating long-term equity incentives for consultantsBuilding a recruitment PLC with zero debt and a scalable acquisition strategyWhy “don’t get poor slowly” matters more than “get rich quick”Scott also shares his personal journey — from working-class roots in the Northwest, to building a global executive search firm, to developing an 8-year conviction in Bitcoin before implementing it publicly.This episode challenges conventional thinking about wealth creation in recruitment.Why This Conversation Matters for RecruitersLet’s be honest…Recruitment is cash generative… but asset light.Exits are difficult.Private equity success stories are rare.And inflation quietly erodes retained profits.Scott makes the case that founders need to rethink how they store long-term value — and how they create real equity upside for consultants.Whether you agree or disagree with the thesis, this is a conversation every ambitious recruiter should hear.Who This Episode Is ForRecruitment founders building long-term valueExec search owners considering an exit in 3–10 yearsCash-rich recruitment businesses exploring alternative treasury strategiesConsultants who want genuine equity upsideOperators curious about public markets & capital strategyAnyone interested in Bitcoin’s role in business balance sheets🔗 Connect with the guestScott Ellam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-p-ellam-5a097449/XCE - Connecting Excellence: https://xce.io/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday.Look out also for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersAscen: https://www.ascen.com/ThinkinCircles: https://thinkincircles.com/Infinity Staff Global: https://www.infinitystaffglobal.com/The Marketing Junction: https://themarketingjunction.com/Konquest: https://konquest.io/#RecTalk #FounderDiaries #Recruitment #ExecutiveSearch #RecruitmentFounder #BitcoinTreasury #RecruitmentBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BalanceSheetStrategy #PLC #RecruitmentLeadership

In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin is joined once again by James Whitelock, MD of ThinkinCircles – a recruitment marketing agency that lives and breathes brand clarity, consistency, and credibility.This conversation is a must-listen if you think your logo is your brand.Because it’s not.They go deep into what actually shapes your recruitment brand – and spoiler alert – it’s every interaction your business has.From candidate conversations to client dinners. From LinkedIn posts to internal behaviour. From AI usage to how your team acts at networking events.Nothing is neutral.💥 What We Cover:🔹 Why brand is built through daily behaviours, not websites🔹 The 3 C’s of recruitment branding: Clarity, Consistency & Credibility🔹 Why silence online is just as loud as noise🔹 The danger of “fits and starts” marketing🔹 How internal culture dictates external perception🔹 Why size doesn’t buy authority anymore🔹 The risks and realities of AI in recruitment marketing🔹 Why guardrails matter when your team is representing you🔹 The “Nickelback Effect” and public brand perception🔹 Building in public vs. pretending you’ve already “made it”James makes it clear:You don’t dictate your brand. Your behaviours do.Every candidate rejection.Every email.Every automation sequence.Every beer at an expo.They all move the needle.🎯 The Big TakeawayIf you want to be seen as consultative, embedded, strategic and premium… you have to behave that way.You can’t “design” your way into authority.And if your marketing is only active when your desk is quiet? You’re not building a brand. You’re firefighting pipeline.🔗 Connect with the guestJames Whitelock: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameswhitelock/ThinkinCircles: https://www.rectools.io/product/thinkincircles/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday.Look out also for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersAscen: https://www.ascen.com/ThinkinCircles: https://thinkincircles.com/Infinity Staff Global: https://www.infinitystaffglobal.com/The Marketing Junction: https://themarketingjunction.com/Konquest: https://konquest.io/#RecruitmentPodcast #RecTalk #RecruitmentMarketing #EmployerBrand #RecruitmentAgency #RecruitmentLeadership #AIinRecruitment #PersonalBrand #BrandStrategy

In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin is joined again by Ross Thompson, founder of Infinity Staff Global, to unpack the reality behind the South African offshore recruitment model — what’s hype, what’s real, and how to actually win with it.Ross and Nitin dive deep into what’s driving the boom in South African recruitment talent supporting UK, US and Australian agencies, and why cost should never be your primary driver when building an offshore team.If you’re thinking about hiring remote recruiters, researchers, or BD specialists — or you’re already doing it and want to optimise — this one’s for you.What we covered in this episode:Why hiring offshore purely for “cheap labour” is the wrong mindsetThe real advantages of South African recruitment talent (work ethic, cultural alignment, motivation, education standards)The growing demand for UK/US/AUS-experienced recruiters based in South AfricaHow to structure your team properly: 360 vs 180 vs BD vs researcher modelsThe cricket team analogy: put your batsmen and bowlers in the right positionsWhy onboarding and integration matter more than geographyTrust vs control in remote team managementCultural, economic and social nuances UK business owners should understandThe realities of job security, motivation and loyalty in the South African marketRetention rates, scaling case studies, and ROI expectationsLegal and compliance considerations when choosing an outsourcing partnerWhy you must vet who you partner with — and avoid freelance/EOR grey areasWe also discuss:Whether offshore recruiters are likely to “go rogue” and start their own agenciesThe risks of remote employees juggling multiple jobsHybrid vs fully remote models in South AfricaSecurity, infrastructure and commuting considerationsHow agencies are using offshore teams to attack the US marketKey Takeaway:Offshoring isn’t about replacing your UK team. It’s about building a smarter structure — putting the right people in the right seats — and scaling with intention.If you treat offshore hires as second-class or purely as a cost-saving exercise, it will fail.If you treat them as valuable, integrated members of your team — it can transform your business.Who this episode is for:Recruitment agency owners considering offshore hiringSolo recruiters looking to scale without heavy UK salary risk5–20 headcount agencies restructuring their delivery modelDirectors battling margin pressure and cashflow constraintsAgencies exploring US market expansionRecruiters curious about South African talent specificallyThere’s a lot of noise in the offshore market right now. This episode cuts through it.🔗 Connect with the guestRoss Thompson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossnthompson/Check out Infinity Staff Global: https://www.rectools.io/product/infinity-staff-global/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday.Look out also for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersAscen: https://www.ascen.com/ThinkinCircles: https://thinkincircles.com/Infinity Staff Global: https://www.infinitystaffglobal.com/The Marketing Junction: https://themarketingjunction.com/Konquest: https://konquest.io/#RecTalk #RecruitmentPodcast #OffshoreRecruitment #SouthAfricaRecruitment #RecruitmentBusiness #ScalingAgencies #RecruitmentLeaders #RecruitmentGrowth #InfinityStaffGlobal #Rectools

Welcome to a slightly different episode of The Mixed Grill – the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club. This time, it’s a solo special hosted by Bobby Banerjee.An honest, behind-the-scenes look at how the Recruitment Curry Club was born, why it exists, and how it’s grown from six mates in Birmingham to a global recruitment community spanning five countries.Bobby shares the deeply personal journey that sparked the idea – including his battle with cancer, stepping away from his business for eight months, and the emotional and professional uncertainty that followed . What started as a small group of friends meeting in Indian pubs to talk openly – without the bravado and sales pitches – quickly evolved into something much bigger.In this episode, Bobby covers:The real origin story of the Recruitment Curry ClubWhy traditional networking often misses the markThe “no pitching” rule (and what happens if you break it)Why real-life conversations beat LinkedIn bravadoThe power of community during tough timesHow Curry Club events have quietly led to real business, collaborations and referralsThe growth from Birmingham to London, Manchester, Dublin, Australia, New York and beyondSupporting Ripple (a crisis prevention charity) and the importance of mental health in recruitmentBobby also talks about the emotional rollercoaster of recruitment, how AI, LinkedIn visibility and market conditions are shaping conversations inside the club, and why being “in the room” still matters more than ever.From intimate dinners to larger expo after-parties, it’s become the unofficial safe space for honest recruitment conversations.Who This Episode Is For:Recruitment business owners feeling isolatedSolo recruiters or small teams who want real connectionSuppliers tired of “spray and pray” networkingAnyone navigating mental health challenges in recruitmentPeople curious about building community in the industryThose who want to understand how grassroots movements scale organically🔗 Connect with the hostBobby Banerjee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbybanerjee/Get your fill of curry, banter, and brilliant recruitment minds at The Recruitment Curry Club:https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Look out for more episodes of The Mixed Grill dropping on Thursdays.Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/#RecruitmentCurryClub #TheMixedGrill #RecruitmentPodcast #MentalHealthInRecruitment #RecruitmentCommunity #NetworkingDoneRight #RecruitmentIndustry #AIInRecruitment

This week on RecTalk, Nitin Sharma hosts a live panel discussion from the TEAM Network South Central Regional Meet Up, centred around one powerful question:If tomorrow was Day One of your recruitment business… what would you do differently?Joining Nitin on stage were four respected voices from across the recruitment ecosystem:John Docherty – ATP Technical (diversity-led STEM recruitment specialist)Ben Browning – Resonant (sales strategy advisor to recruitment firms)Ross Thompson – Infinity Staff Global (offshore recruitment support provider)Andy Chamberlain – FCSA (umbrella sector compliance leader)Together, they explored what a modern recruitment business should actually look like heading into 2026 and beyond.What Was Discussed:Why recruitment isn’t just a sales industry — it’s a data-driven professional serviceThe shift from “cold calling” to research-led business development conversationsThe ongoing 360 recruiter vs split model debate (batters and bowlers analogy included)How elite billers build value propositions using:Clear market dataStrong narrativeDefined methodologyTangible proofWhy transparency (including candidate weaknesses) builds more trust than perfectionUsing compliance knowledge as a strategic BD advantageAI as a co-pilot — not just a content generator“Vibe Coding” and building internal tools in under an hourWhy most agencies blame the market instead of changing behaviourThe mindset shift required to stay agile in a rapidly changing tech and regulatory landscapeKey Takeaways:If your year has been a 5 or 6 out of 10, something needs to changeStrategy should come before structureClarity in positioning beats “more activity”AI should elevate your consultants — not replace thinkingClients must understand your process if you want exclusivityGrowth requires unlearning outdated recruitment modelsThis episode challenges founders and recruiters to stop defaulting to the traditional model and instead rebuild with intention, data and tech enablement at the core.🔗 Connect with the panel guestsJohn Docherty: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johndocherty1/Ben Browning: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benbrowningrec/Ross Thompson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossnthompson/Andy Chamberlain: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-chamberlain-29135528/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday.Look out also for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersAscen: https://www.ascen.com/ThinkinCircles: https://thinkincircles.com/Infinity Staff Global: https://www.infinitystaffglobal.com/The Marketing Junction: https://themarketingjunction.com/Konquest: https://konquest.io/#RecTalk #RecruitmentPodcast #RecruitmentGrowth #RecruitmentStrategy #TEAMNetwork #AgencyLeadership #AIinRecruitment #Compliance #360Recruiter #STEMRecruitment

In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin is joined by Ryan Frampton, Co-founder & CEO of CoRecruit (formerly Quil) — one of the fastest-evolving AI tools built specifically for recruitment agencies.What started as a sales note-taking tool pivoted — by accident — into one of the most powerful recruitment-specific AI platforms on the market.And this isn’t just another “AI will replace recruiters” conversation.This is about:Why Ryan rebranded twice — and what most founders get wrong about inertiaThe real difference between free note-takers and premium recruitment AIWhy CoRecruit refuses to build AI interviewersHow recruiters can move from transactional to strategic partnerTurning candidate conversations into market intelligenceUsing CRM automation properly (and why most recruiters don’t)How AI can make recruitment MORE human — not lessRyan breaks down how CoRecruit integrates with 40+ ATS & CRM systems, auto-updates records (yes — dropdowns too 👀), reformats CVs, generates high-quality candidate write-ups, and even helps managers coach their teams using real conversational data.They also talk about:Moving from contingency to retained positioningHow to justify higher feesThe psychology of “showing your workings” to clientsWhy most recruiters are underusing their own dataAnd the brand evolution from Quil to CoRecruitIf you think all note-takers are the same… this episode will change your mind.🎯 Who This Episode Is ForRecruitment agency owners wanting to improve marginsRecruiters looking to justify higher feesTeams struggling with CRM complianceLeaders managing remote recruitersAgencies wanting to move into retained or strategic partnershipsAnyone comparing free AI tools vs premium recruitment techIf you have recs on, and you’re trying to do more with the same headcount — this is essential listening.🔗 Connect with the guestRyan Frampton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-frampton-02623a100/Check out CoRecruit: https://www.rectools.io/product/corecruit/Try a free demo: https://corecruit.com/try-for-free🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk, including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent, currently drop on Wednesday and Friday.Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersRobert Woodford — The Marketing Junction: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marketing4recs/Barry Cullen — recLAW: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrycullen/Andrew Philipson — JOBBA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewphilipson/ Ross Thompson — Infinity Staff Global: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossnthompson/Dougie Loan — SourceWhale: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougieloan/Andrew Constantinou — Nodex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/apconstantinou/#RecTech #RecruitmentTechnology #RecruitmentAI #AgencyRecruitment #RecruitmentLeadership #ATS #CRM #RecruitmentOwner #RecruitmentFounder #FutureOfRecruitment #RetainedSearch #RecruitmentAutomation #RecTalk

Welcome back to The Mixed Grill, the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club. In this episode, Nitin Sharma and Bobby Banerjee pick up exactly where the last conversation left off and go deep (and sideways) on everything from personal regrets to the future of recruitment businesses – with plenty of laughs, analogies, and tangents along the way.The conversation kicks off with reflections on advice they ignored when they were younger – from looking after your body, to understanding money earlier, to appreciating the sacrifices parents made (especially first-generation immigrant parents). It’s honest, reflective, and very real.From there, things shift into recruitment mode:What the recruitment business of 2030 actually looks likeWhy the traditional 360° recruiter model doesn’t make sense anymoreHow specialist roles (research, resourcing, BD, marketing) outperform “do-everything” consultantsWhy KPIs aren’t the enemy – they’re just often used badlyThe dangers of scaling for vanity metrics and headcount multiplesOutsourcing back-office functions and focusing on retained, subscription, or RPO-style modelsThere’s also plenty of classic Mixed Grill chaos:Celebrity lookalike stories no one asked forSauna chatsCurry Club roadshows, Dublin plans, and milestone birthdaysThe realities of running a business when you don’t fully understand the numbers (yet)As always, the episode wraps with a reminder of what the Recruitment Curry Club is really about: community, no selling, helping each other out, and assembling the biggest group of genuinely decent people in recruitment.Who this episode is for:Recruitment founders questioning traditional agency modelsSolo recruiters and small agencies thinking about scaling differentlyAnyone burned out by 360° roles and unrealistic KPIsRecruiters who value community over cold sellingCurry Club members (and future members) who enjoy honest conversations🔗 Connect with the hostsBobby Banerjee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbybanerjee/Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Get your fill of curry, banter, and brilliant recruitment minds at The Recruitment Curry Club:https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Look out for more episodes of The Mixed Grill dropping on Thursday.Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/#TheMixedGrill #RecTalk #RecruitmentCurryClub #RecruitmentPodcast #RecruitmentLife #AgencyOwners #FutureOfRecruitment #RecruitmentCommunity #NoMore360

In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with the one and only Barry Cullen, Founder of recLAW — aka Backdoor Barry — for a refreshingly honest conversation about what it really takes to scale a specialist professional services business without burning yourself (or your team) into the ground.Five years into recLAW as a regulated law firm (and eight years into the business overall), Barry opens up about the uncomfortable but necessary transition from “I do everything” founder to building teams, leaders, and systems that work without him being involved in every decision.This episode goes deep into:How recLAW evolved from a side hustle into a fully regulated law firmWhy Barry realised he was becoming the bottleneck in his own businessRestructuring from a flat team into leadership-driven podsThe importance of triage, customer success, and speed in legal services for recruitersWhy clients don’t need Barry — they need recLAWHiring senior legal talent and building real employer brand credibilityTurning burnout into a catalyst for growth and long-term sustainabilityWhy most people misunderstand what recLAW actually does (it’s not just backdoor fees)Barry’s most memorable professional moment — and why it mattered so muchA practical, free legal tip every recruiter should implement immediatelyBarry also shares a free value-packed tip for recruiters: how to protect your fees before a dispute ever happens — including a disclaimer you can add to your CVs that makes enforcement dramatically easier (see below).This is an episode about letting go, growing up as a founder, and building something that lasts beyond you — with plenty of laughs, brutal honesty, and real-world lessons along the way.🔗 Connect with the guestBarry Cullen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrycullen/Link to recruitment CV disclaimer: https://tinyurl.com/reclaw-cv-disclaimerMore from recLAW: https://tinyurl.com/reclaw-rectalk🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk, including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent, currently drop on Wednesday and Friday.Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersRobert Woodford — The Marketing Junction: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marketing4recs/Barry Cullen — recLAW: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrycullen/Andrew Philipson — JOBBA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewphilipson/ Ross Thompson — Infinity Staff Global: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossnthompson/Dougie Loan — SourceWhale: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougieloan/Andrew Constantinou — Nodex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/apconstantinou/#RecTalk #RecruitmentLaw #recLAW #RecruitmentBusiness #FounderJourney #ScalingUp #AgencyLife #BackdoorFees #LegalForRecruiters #Leadership #CustomerSuccess #RecruitmentIndustry

In this episode of RecTalk, host Nitin Sharma sits down with Theresa Mimnagh, partner at specialist recruitment law firm Lawspeed, to unpack some of the biggest legal and regulatory changes the recruitment industry has faced in years.Fresh off the back of Lawspeed’s recent industry seminar, Theresa breaks down what recruiters really need to understand about the proposed Employment Rights Bill, including guaranteed hours for agency workers, joint and several liability with umbrella companies, right-to-work changes, flexible working, unfair dismissal reforms, and why temp-heavy recruitment models may soon face serious pressure.This is not headline-level commentary — it’s a practical, recruitment-specific conversation about risk, margins, contracts, business models, and how agencies can still influence legislation before it’s finalised.What you’ll learn in this episode:What guaranteed hours for agency workers could mean for temp revenue, transfer fees, and marginsWhy these changes could be bigger than AWR for recruitment businessesHow government consultations actually work — and why recruiters still have a real chance to shape the outcomeThe reality of joint & several liability when working with umbrella companiesWhy accreditations alone don’t fully protect agencies from HMRC riskUpcoming right-to-work rule changes and the growing liability for agencies, RPOs, and supply chainsHow flexible working laws are evolving — and what “reasonable refusal” really meansWhy more agencies are moving toward consultancy, RPO, retained search, and hybrid modelsThe importance of having fit-for-purpose contracts that reflect modern recruitment modelsTheresa also shares real-world insight from Lawspeed’s decades of involvement in shaping recruitment legislation — explaining why early engagement beats reactive panic every time.🔗 Connect with the guestTheresa Mimnagh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresamimnagh/Find out more about Lawspeed: https://www.rectools.io/product/lawspeed/Contact the Lawspeed team for expert advice and support: https://www.lawspeed.com/contact-us/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk, including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent, currently drop on Wednesday and Friday.Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersRobert Woodford — The Marketing Junction: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marketing4recs/Barry Cullen — recLAW: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrycullen/Andrew Philipson — JOBBA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewphilipson/ Ross Thompson — Infinity Staff Global: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossnthompson/Dougie Loan — SourceWhale: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougieloan/Andrew Constantinou — Nodex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/apconstantinou/#RecTalk #RecruitmentLaw #GuaranteedHours #EmploymentRightsBill #TempRecruitment #UmbrellaCompanies #JointLiability #RecruitmentCompliance #Lawspeed #RecruitmentBusiness #UKRecruitment

Welcome back to The Mixed Grill, where Nitin Sharma and Bobby Banerjee pull up a chair, grab a metaphorical curry, and talk candidly about the good, the bad, and the ugly in recruitment.In this relaxed, no-filter episode, the conversation flows from the chaos of being “busy” in early 2024 to some big, honest takes on AI, recruiter reputation, candidate experience, and why human connection still matters more than ever.Topics covered include:Is the recruitment industry full of “busy idiots” and burnout risksWhy recruiters still get a bad reputation (and whether it’s even worth fixing)Unpopular opinions about recruitment and who really damages the industryThe reality of AI in recruitment – what it will replace and what it absolutely shouldn’tWhy mass AI outreach is destroying trust and credibilityHow AI should be used to improve candidate experience (status updates, feedback, empathy)The hypocrisy of knowing where your pizza is, but not your job applicationAuthenticity vs automation – and why 80% of people still pay for human connectionGenerational differences, community-building, and what recruiters can learn from Gen ZWhy in-person events, Curry Clubs, and real conversations still winThe long-term impact of the pandemic on how we connect, work, and build relationshipsAs always, the tone is informal, thoughtful, occasionally opinionated, and full of real talk you won’t find in polished LinkedIn posts.Who this episode is for:Recruiters feeling overwhelmed by “busyness” and noise in the marketRecruitment leaders trying to figure out where AI actually fitsAnyone frustrated by poor candidate experience and broken processesRecTech founders building tools (this one’s especially for you 👀)Community builders, event organisers, and relationship-led recruitersPeople who believe recruitment should still be human-first🔗 Connect with the hostsBobby Banerjee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbybanerjee/Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Get your fill of curry, banter, and brilliant recruitment minds at The Recruitment Curry Club:https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Look out for more episodes of The Mixed Grill dropping on Thursday.Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/#TheMixedGrill #RecTalk #RecruitmentCurryClub #RecruitmentPodcast #RecruitmentLife #RecTech #AIinRecruitment #CandidateExperience #HumanFirst #RecruitmentCommunity

In this episode of RecTalk, host Nitin Sharma is joined by Jo Elwell and Billie Davoile, founders of Contractor Financial, to tackle one of the biggest (and most misunderstood) blockers in the contract recruitment market: financial services for contractors.Jo and Billie share why they started Contractor Financial, how contractors are routinely misunderstood by lenders, and why myths around mortgages, IR35, fixed-term contracts, and self-employment are costing recruiters placements and contractors life-changing opportunities.This episode is a must-listen for recruiters who want to remove friction from contractor decisions, improve placement confidence, and add genuine value to both candidates and clients.What we cover in this episode:Why contractors are still unfairly treated by lenders (and how to fix it)Common mortgage myths that stop candidates from taking contract rolesHow contractors can secure mortgages from day one of a contractThe real impact of IR35, umbrellas, payroll models, and payslips on lendingWhy fixed-term contracts can actually be easier for mortgagesHow Contractor Financial educates lenders and underwriters directlyMortgages beyond PAYE: limited companies, SPVs, Buy-to-Let & investmentsFinancial literacy gaps hurting contractors (Klarna, credit scores, betting, cash withdrawals)How recruiters can partner with Contractor Financial at zero costUsing financial support as a candidate attraction and retention toolWhy free financial reviews help contractors stay contracting longerHow recruiters can use employee benefits to compete with larger agenciesJo and Billie also explain how recruiters can use Contractor Financial to:Unblock nervous contractors before they decline rolesImprove contractor confidence around mortgages, pensions, and protectionRetain contractors for longer by removing financial uncertaintyAdd a powerful, practical value-add without compliance risk or costYour home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.🔗 Connect with the guestsJo Elwell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-elwell-09679b3a/Billie Davoile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billie-davoile-1327a1107/Book a meeting with Jo and Billie:https://calendly.com/contractor-financial-directors/introductionFind out more about Contractor Financial:https://www.rectools.io/product/contractor-financial/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk, including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent, currently drop on Wednesday and Friday.Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersRobert Woodford — The Marketing Junction: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marketing4recs/Barry Cullen — recLAW: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrycullen/Andrew Philipson — JOBBA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewphilipson/ Ross Thompson — Infinity Staff Global: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossnthompson/Dougie Loan — SourceWhale: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougieloan/Andrew Constantinou — Nodex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/apconstantinou/#RecTalk #RecruitmentPodcast #ContractRecruitment #Contractors #IR35 #ContractorMortgages #RecruiterValueAdd #FinancialLiteracy #FTC #UmbrellaPayroll #RecruitmentAgency #RECtools #ContractorFinance

In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma is joined once again by Matt Fox, founder of Exitus Advisory, for a no-nonsense deep dive into what it really takes to sell a recruitment business – and why most agency owners get it wrong.Matt has become one of the most trusted voices in the recruitment M&A and advisory space, and this conversation pulls back the curtain on exit planning, valuation myths, and how recruitment founders can significantly increase the value of their business before they ever think about selling.Together, Nitin and Matt unpack why only a small percentage of recruitment agencies ever successfully exit, what buyers actually care about, and how agency owners can reduce risk, increase profitability, and build a business that’s attractive to acquirers – whether they plan to sell in 12 months or five years.🧠 Topics covered include:Why most recruitment businesses are never truly “exit ready”The biggest myths around recruitment business valuationsWhat multiples really look like for perm vs temp agenciesWhy owner-led billing businesses are unattractive to buyersHow risk (not revenue) drives valuationThe importance of leadership teams and revenue spreadDeferred consideration, earn-outs, and payment profiles explainedHow recurring revenue models and RPO-style services boost valueThe impact of PSLs, client concentration, and profitabilityWhen the best time to sell actually is (and why most miss it)Common reasons founders choose to exit – beyond just moneyPractical advice for owners starting to think about an exitMatt also shares real examples from his advisory work, insights from the Recruitment Agency Expo, and introduces a free sale readiness checker designed to help founders understand where they stand today.🔗 Connect with the guestsMatt Fox: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-fox-50b10311/Check out Exitus Advisory: https://www.rectools.io/product/exitus-advisory/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk, including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent, currently drop on Wednesday and Friday.Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersRobert Woodford — The Marketing Junction: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marketing4recs/Barry Cullen — recLAW: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrycullen/Andrew Philipson — JOBBA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewphilipson/ Ross Thompson — Infinity Staff Global: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossnthompson/Dougie Loan — SourceWhale: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougieloan/Andrew Constantinou — Nodex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/apconstantinou/#RecTalk #RecruitmentBusiness #AgencyExit #RecruitmentM&A #RecruitmentOwners #BusinessValuation #RecruitmentLeadership #ExitStrategy #RecruitmentPodcast

Welcome back to The Mixed Grill, a relaxed, no-filter continuation of the last episode on RecTalk – and the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club.In this episode, Nitin Sharma and Bobby Banerjee go deep (and occasionally off-piste) on what’s actually holding recruitment businesses back in 2025 and beyond – and why clinging to old habits is doing more harm than good.From spray-and-pray email marketing and soulless cold calling, to outdated ideas of productivity, presenteeism, and “bums on seats” leadership, this episode pulls apart the legacy thinking that no longer fits the market, the workforce, or human behaviour.They talk candidly about:Why mass email and untargeted BD is killing databases, brands, and motivationThe myth of “just get on the phone” with no strategy or contextHow Gen Z, Millennials, and even seasoned recruiters actually communicate nowThe rise of community-led recruitment and why micro-communities matter more than volumeWhy content with 10 views still matters more than you thinkBuilding businesses around outputs, not hoursNon-linear workdays, work–life integration, and ditching rigid modelsScar tissue, burnout, and the psychological baggage recruitment leaders carryWhy necessity (failure, illness, market shifts) is often the real driver of innovationBuilding in public, trusting your gut, and backing yourself without a blueprintAuthenticity on LinkedIn – and why AI-generated photos, comments, and personas damage trustWhere AI is useful… and where it absolutely isn’tThe future of Recruitment Curry Club events, community safety, and inclusive spacesThere’s honesty, humour, lived experience, and plenty of strong opinions – exactly what The Mixed Grill is about. No sales pitches. No gurus. Just real conversations about where recruitment is heading and how to enjoy building something that actually works.Who this episode is for:Recruitment business owners questioning their current modelRecruiters burned out by volume-led BD and meaningless KPIsLeaders trying to engage modern consultants without forcing legacy behaviourAnyone curious about community-first growth in recruitmentRecruiters who value authenticity over algorithmsCurry Club members (and future members) who want to understand the “why” behind it all🔗 Connect with the hostsBobby Banerjee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbybanerjee/Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Get your fill of curry, banter, and brilliant recruitment minds at The Recruitment Curry Club:https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Look out for more episodes of The Mixed Grill dropping on Thursday.Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/#RecTalk #TheMixedGrill #RecruitmentCurryClub #RecruitmentCommunity #ModernRecruitment #RecruitmentLeadership #Authenticity #FutureOfWork #RecOps #BuildInPublic #NoMoreColdCalling

In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down in the Candidate Source offices with Laura Carroll, Amy Kelly, and Tom Wickstead — three of the long-standing experts behind one of recruitment’s most under-the-radar support businesses.Candidate Source has been quietly helping recruitment agencies for over two decades, yet many founders still don’t fully understand what they do — or how much time, money, and stress they could save by using them.This conversation pulls back the curtain on the job board ecosystem, the hidden costs agencies don’t realise they’re paying, and how outsourcing job advertising, admin, and CV sifting can completely change how an agency operates — especially for startups and growing SMEs.We dig into:Why Candidate Source is often mistaken for a CRM or multiposter (and why they’re neither)How agencies can avoid wasting money on the wrong job boardsPay-as-you-go job board access vs long-term contractsWhy most job adverts fail — and how to write ads candidates actually readWhat makes a high-performing job advert in 2026How CV sifting works in practice (and how much time it really saves recruiters)The truth about “free” job boards and sunk-cost hiring mistakesUsing data and job board insights to push back on unrealistic clientsWhy branded job adverts are becoming a game-changer for agency revenueHow agencies can create new paid service lines instead of giving everything away for freeCandidate experience, rejection handling, and the long-term impact on employer brandWhy 2026 will reward agencies who differentiate, productise, and protect their timeThis is an honest, practical episode about doing recruitment smarter, not harder — and why asking for help might be the most commercial decision an agency owner can make.🔗 Connect with the guestsLaura Carroll: https://www.linkedin.com/in/csllaura/Amy Kelly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cslamy/Tom Wickstead: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-wickstead-b15689140/Check out Candidate Source: https://www.rectools.io/product/candidate-source-ltd/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk, including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent, currently drop on Wednesday and Friday.Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersRobert Woodford — The Marketing Junction: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marketing4recs/Barry Cullen — recLAW: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrycullen/Andrew Philipson — JOBBA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewphilipson/ Ross Thompson — Infinity Staff Global: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossnthompson/Dougie Loan — SourceWhale: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougieloan/Andrew Constantinou — Nodex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/apconstantinou/#RecTalk #RecruitmentPodcast #AgencyLife #RecruitmentBusiness #HiringStrategy #JobBoards #CandidateExperience #RecruitmentMarketing #StartupAgencies #RecruitmentTips

This episode of RecTalk was recorded live at the TEAM Network North West Regional Meet Up in December of 2025, bringing together four experienced voices from across the recruitment ecosystem for an honest, no-BS panel discussion on where the industry has been, where it’s heading, and what recruiters actually need to do to stay relevant.Joining Nitin Sharma on the panel are:Owain Wilson – Goldfinch & Partners (Legal & retained recruitment specialist)Samantha Moore – Medical Technology Talent (MedTech recruitment across UK, USA & Canada)Vincent Seddon – Simplicity in Business (Recruitment finance & back-office support)Kirsty Craig – KCA People & TEAM North West Regional DirectorThis wasn’t theory — it was real-world experience from operators who’ve lived through a turbulent market.Topics include:A brutally honest review of 2025: what worked, what didn’t, and why some recruiters thrived while others struggledThe growing divide between agencies that adapt vs those that stand stillMoving away from pure contingent models into retained, RPO, temp, L&D and advisory servicesWhy diversification is no longer optional for many recruitment businessesThe importance of employer branding, candidate experience, and people engagementHow clients really view recruitment (hint: often as a “distraction”) and how to turn that into opportunityExit strategies vs lifestyle businesses — and why most recruiters don’t actually have a planWhat makes a saleable recruitment business in today’s marketPredictions for 2026 and why optimism alone isn’t a strategyA refreshingly balanced take on AI vs automation — why AI is just a tool, not a silver bulletWhy recruitment will always remain a people business, no matter how advanced tech becomesThere’s also plenty of audience interaction, war stories, strong opinions, and practical takeaways you can apply straight away.Who this episode is forRecruitment agency founders feeling stuck or uncertain about the futureRecruiters considering moving into retained, RPO, temp, or advisory modelsBusiness owners thinking about exit strategies (or realising they should be)Recruiters overwhelmed by AI hype and wanting a grounded perspectiveAnyone in recruitment who wants to future-proof their business for 2026 and beyond🔗 Connect with the panel guestsOwain Wilson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/owain-w-41772888/Samantha Moore: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthaleighmoore/Vincent Seddon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincent-seddon/Kirsty Craig: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstycraig/Watch the previous panel at TEAM South Midlands:https://youtu.be/Exdj3AIfSgghttps://open.spotify.com/episode/3ONPLLAUPFVqV2jefLrIyICheck out TEAM Network: https://www.theteamnetwork.co.uk/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk, including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent, currently drop on Wednesday and Friday.Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersRobert Woodford — The Marketing Junction: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marketing4recs/Barry Cullen — recLAW: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrycullen/Andrew Philipson — JOBBA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewphilipson/ Ross Thompson — Infinity Staff Global: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossnthompson/Dougie Loan — SourceWhale: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougieloan/Andrew Constantinou — Nodex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/apconstantinou/#RecTalk #RecruitmentPodcast #TEAMNetwork #RecruitmentLeadership #RecruitmentAgency #RecruitmentTrends #FutureOfRecruitment #RetainedRecruitment #RecruitmentBusiness #RecruitmentStrategy #AIInRecruitment

Welcome back to The Mixed Grill – a RecTalk podcast and the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club.In this laid-back, no-agenda episode, Nitin Sharma and Bobby Banerjee crack through listener questions, recruitment war stories, and a fair amount of nostalgic nonsense (Argos catalogues, pogs, and dodgy sticker trading included).This one is pure, unfiltered conversation covering what actually works in modern recruitment – and what seriously needs to be left in the 90s.🧠 What’s on the grill this week:What the first real question should be when assessing a recruitment firm’s BD engineWhy most BD strategies are still just sales engines in disguiseRelationship-led BD vs pitch-slapping and lead chasingWhy most “new candidates” were already on your databaseThe truth about LinkedIn outreach, automation tools, and cold messagingPersonal branding: what works, what’s cringe, and why likes don’t pay invoicesGenerative AI on LinkedIn – where it helps and where it’s killing authenticityCoaching vs training: why top billers still need developmentWhat really separates consistent billers from everyone elseLearning from feedback, mindset shifts, and why desperation smellsCompletely unnecessary but essential 90s nostalgia tangentsExpect strong opinions, plenty of swearing, and practical insights buried inside some very British banter.👥 Who this episode is forRecruitment founders reviewing or rebuilding their BD strategyNon-execs and leaders joining recruitment businessesRecruiters fed up with cold outreach that doesn’t convertAnyone confused by LinkedIn “best practice” adviceTop billers who want to stay top billersSales managers trying to coach, not just manageMembers (and future members) of the Recruitment Curry Club🔗 Connect with the hostsBobby Banerjee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbybanerjee/Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Get your fill of curry, banter, and brilliant recruitment minds at The Recruitment Curry Club:https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Look out for more episodes of The Mixed Grill dropping on Thursday.Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/#RecTalk #TheMixedGrill #RecruitmentCurryClub #RecruitmentLife #BusinessDevelopment #RecruitmentBD #LinkedInRecruitment #TopBillers #SalesCoaching #RecruitmentLeadership #HonestRecruitment

Is email really dead for recruiters… or have we just broken it ourselves?In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma is joined by Ben Fielding, email deliverability specialist and founder of Quinset, to unpack one of the most misunderstood (and quietly damaging) issues in recruitment: email reputation and deliverability.Recruiters everywhere are walking away from email and piling into LinkedIn outreach — but as Ben explains, email isn’t failing you… your behaviours are.Together, Nitin and Ben dig into:Why recruiters think email “doesn’t work anymore”How mass mailshots, KPIs, and CRM automation are quietly destroying domain reputationWhat Google, Gmail, and email service providers actually care about (and now actively enforce)Why SPF, DKIM and DMARC aren’t enough on their ownThe real damage caused by cold outreach, irrelevant messaging, and spam complaintsWhy burner domains, subdomains, and “clever” workarounds no longer workHow AI-driven recruitment CRMs can make things worse if left uncheckedThe hidden business impact of poor deliverability (missed interviews, unpaid invoices, damaged brand trust)Why email problems are rarely owned by one team — and how this becomes a 360° business issueBen also shares real-world examples of how recruiters accidentally land themselves in “Gmail jail”, why trendy domains (.io, .blue, uk.com, etc.) can be a liability, and what recruiters should be doing instead if they want email to work long-term.This is a must-listen episode if you:Rely on email for BD, candidate outreach, or client commsKPI consultants on volume-based outreachUse recruitment CRMs, automation tools, or AI-driven matchingHave ever said: “Email just doesn’t work like it used to”👉 Email isn’t dead. But bad habits, bad data, and bad systems will absolutely kill it.🔗 Connect with the guestBen Fielding: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfielding/Quinset: https://www.rectools.io/product/quinset-powermail/Ben’s previous appearance on RecTalk:https://youtu.be/M0q78UifE_chttps://open.spotify.com/episode/23wUYXDLJUZKsWuINIqVuH🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk, including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent, drop on Wednesday and Friday — Monday episodes will return soon!Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersRobert Woodford — The Marketing Junction: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marketing4recs/Barry Cullen — recLAW: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrycullen/Andrew Philipson — JOBBA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewphilipson/ Ross Thompson — Infinity Staff Global: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossnthompson/Dougie Loan — SourceWhale: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougieloan/Andrew Constantinou — Nodex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/apconstantinou/#RecTalk #RecruitmentPodcast #EmailDeliverability #RecruitmentMarketing #RecruitmentTech #EmailReputation #ColdOutreach #GmailSpam #RecruitmentBD #Rectools

In this deeply honest episode of Founder Diaries, host Nitin Sharma sits down with Chris O’Connell, founder of BASE Mindset, for one of the most raw and real conversations on RecTalk.This episode goes far beyond recruitment tactics. Chris opens up about his personal journey — from childhood trauma, building and losing a multi-million-pound recruitment business, battling validation addiction on LinkedIn, navigating heartbreak, money mindset struggles, men’s mental health, faith, and what it really means to be authentic as a founder.Together, Nitin and Chris explore why so many recruitment leaders look successful on the outside but feel disconnected on the inside — and why becoming the CEO of your life must come before being the CEO of your business.Topics covered include:What authenticity actually means in recruitment (and why most people fake it)The danger of building a LinkedIn persona for validationChildhood trauma, resilience, and how it shapes leadership decisionsLosing everything financially — and rebuilding with purposeWhy financial stability creates better founders (not greed)Money as a tool, not an identityMen’s mental health in recruitment leadershipWalking away from bad clients, red flags, and toxic opportunitiesWhy relationships beat tech, automation, and “harassment as a service”Traditional recruitment fundamentals that still work todayWhy purpose now beats profit — and still makes moneyBecoming discerning, slowing down, and choosing integrityChris’s upcoming book: Become the CEO of Your LifeThis is not a highlight-reel episode. It’s a conversation for founders who are tired of pretending and ready to lead with truth.🔗 Connect with the guestChris O’Connell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/BASE Mindset: https://basemindset.com/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk, including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent, drop on Wednesday and Friday — Monday episodes will return soon!Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersRobert Woodford — The Marketing Junction: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marketing4recs/Barry Cullen — recLAW: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrycullen/Andrew Philipson — JOBBA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewphilipson/ Ross Thompson — Infinity Staff Global: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossnthompson/Dougie Loan — SourceWhale: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougieloan/Andrew Constantinou — Nodex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/apconstantinou/#FounderDiaries #RecTalk #RecruitmentLeadership #AuthenticLeadership #MensMentalHealth #FounderJourney #RecruitmentPodcast #LeadershipMindset #PurposeOverProfit #CEOfYourLife

In this deeply honest and wide-ranging episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Danny Steel, Founder & MD of Recruso, to talk about resilience, leadership, recruitment technology, and what it really takes to survive (and prepare to thrive) in one of the toughest recruitment markets in recent memory.Danny opens up about why he’s been quieter over the last year, sharing the personal impact of a devastating house fire and how it forced him to reprioritise family, mindset, and business. From there, the conversation moves into the realities of running a recruitment software business through a stagnant market, retaining customers when growth slows, and why keeping the lights on became the priority for many agencies in 2025.You’ll also hear a deep dive into Recruso’s roadmap for 2026, including:Why Recruso focuses on fast-moving temp agencies in logistics, healthcare, education and other essential sectorsThe launch of a full open APIEnd-to-end Time & Attendance (T&A) from clock-in to pay & billRecruso Payroll and why owning payroll is becoming critical with upcoming umbrella and PAYE changesThe thinking behind launching a separate, purpose-built perm product (and why shoe-horning perm into temp CRMs doesn’t work)Danny and Nitin also tackle some of the biggest themes facing recruiters right now:Automation vs AI (and why most agencies should fix automation first)Margin pressure, compliance, and the reality of April payroll and umbrella reformsWhy many agencies are underestimating their riskSubscription, retained and non-traditional recruitment revenue modelsEducating clients instead of chasing vacanciesWhy smaller clients often outperform “big name” logosWhat the best-performing agencies are doing differently in a flat marketThe episode wraps with practical advice for recruitment business owners, founders and tech leaders navigating uncertainty, plus a reminder that sometimes survival, stability and learning are wins in themselves.Who this episode is forRecruitment agency owners navigating tough or stagnant marketsTemp and high-volume recruiters facing margin and compliance pressureRecruitment tech founders and SaaS leadersAgencies worried about umbrella, PAYE and payroll changesRecruiters exploring subscription or non-traditional revenue modelsAnyone balancing leadership, life challenges, and business resilience🔗 Connect with the guestDanny Steel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannysteel/Check out Recruso: https://www.rectools.io/product/recruso-2/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk, including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent, drop on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersRobert Woodford — The Marketing Junction: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marketing4recs/Barry Cullen — recLAW: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrycullen/Andrew Philipson — JOBBA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewphilipson/ Ross Thompson — Infinity Staff Global: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossnthompson/Dougie Loan — SourceWhale: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougieloan/Andrew Constantinou — Nodex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/apconstantinou/#RecTalk #RecruitmentTechnology #RecruitmentLeadership #TempRecruitment #RecruitmentSoftware #SaaS #RecruitmentBusiness #Payroll #UmbrellaCompanies #RecruitmentStrategy #FounderStories #Resilience #Rectools

In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with one of the most behind-the-scenes operators in recruitment tech – Darren Brown, Co-Founder of LogicMelon.LogicMelon has quietly been powering job distribution, candidate attraction and recruitment data insights for over a decade – and in this conversation, Darren lifts the lid on how the platform was built by recruiters, for recruiters, and why job posting alone is no longer enough to win in today’s market.Darren shares the LogicMelon origin story, from spotting frustrations with early multiposters to building a highly customisable platform that now spans job distribution, ATS, CRM and analytics dashboards – all under one roof. The conversation dives deep into how recruitment agencies can make smarter, data-led decisions instead of “throwing darts in the dark”.You’ll also hear Darren’s candid views on:Why job boards are being used less – but aren’t going anywhereThe rise of cost-per-application (CPA) and cost-per-click (CPC) pricing modelsWhy more applications doesn’t equal better hiring outcomesHow agencies should think about candidate attraction vs candidate managementThe real role AI should play in recruitment tech (and where it falls short)Why SMB and sub-50-user agencies are underserved by bloated CRMsHow recruitment businesses should prepare for 2026 and beyondThis is a practical, honest conversation about what’s actually working in recruitment technology today – and what’s just noise.🔗 Connect with the guestDarren Brown: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenbrownuk/Check out LogicMelon: https://www.rectools.io/product/logicmelon/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk, including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent, drop on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/#RecTalk #RecruitmentTechnology #LogicMelon #RecruitmentCRM #JobBoards #RecruitmentData #HiringTrends #AIinRecruitment #StaffingAgency #RecruitmentInsights #Rectools

In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Will Astbury, Global Head of Marketing at SourceFlow, to break down what a modern recruitment website really needs to do in 2026 and beyond.This is not a conversation about “pretty websites”.Will goes deep on how recruitment websites should act as growth engines – driving inbound candidates, client leads, SEO visibility, AI discoverability, and ultimately measurable revenue.They explore how Google, ChatGPT, and AI search engines are fundamentally changing how candidates and clients find recruiters, why most agencies are already falling behind, and what recruitment leaders need to fix now if they want to stay competitive.From AI-powered job matching and analytics, to SEO strategies built around real consultants (not generic AI blogs), to proving exactly how much revenue your website generates – this episode is packed with insights for founders, marketers, and recruiters alike.🧠 Topics Covered in This EpisodeWhat actually makes a great recruitment website (beyond design)Why recruitment websites must be built for Google Jobs and AI searchHow ChatGPT and AI “answer engines” are reshaping inbound recruitment leadsWhy SEO is becoming harder – and more important – than everHow recruitment agencies can appear in AI-generated search summariesThe danger of AI-generated content without real expertiseBuilding thought leadership through recruiters, not just marketing teamsWhy salary surveys still work (and how to turn them into lead engines)Using your website as the hub for inbound marketing campaignsTracking candidates, clients, and leads directly into your ATSAI-powered CV matching and uncovering “hidden” high-quality candidatesMeasuring website ROI: tracking placements and revenue back to your siteWhy data-led decision making beats recruiter “gut feel”The future of recruitment marketing analyticsAccessibility on recruitment websites – and why it’s a massive missed opportunityCommon marketing mistakes recruitment agencies keep repeatingWhy tokenistic employer branding hurts more than it helps🔗 Connect with the guestWill Astbury: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willastbury/Check out SourceFlow: https://www.rectools.io/product/sourceflow/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk, including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent, drop every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursdays.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/#RecTalk #RecruitmentMarketing #RecruitmentWebsites #SEOForRecruiters #AIInRecruitment #ChatGPT #InboundRecruitment #RecruitmentTechnology #ATS #RecruitmentAnalytics #SourceFlow #Rectools #RecruitmentLeadership

In this episode of RecTalk, host Nitin Sharma is joined by Cam Brady, Business Development lead at Tracker – a recruitment CRM and ATS that quietly does a lot of heavy lifting without shouting about it.Tracker has been around for over 20 years, and in this conversation we unpack why so many agencies stick with it, what makes their all-in-one approach genuinely different, and how they’re thinking about the real future of recruitment tech – beyond buzzwords and shiny AI marketing.They talk openly about where CRMs fall down, why recruiters are drowning in admin, and how tech should be giving time back – not stealing it.Cam shares how Tracker has evolved from a traditionally “clean” perm-focused system into a platform that now supports temp, high-volume, shift-based and complex recruitment models, all without bolting together dozens of third-party tools.They also dig into:Why Tracker isn’t a marketplace CRM – and why that mattersNative automation, CV formatting, note-taking, marketing, compliance, timesheets and back officeHow recruiters can stop living in clicks and start having more conversationsReal talk on AI in recruitment (what’s hype vs what should be baseline)Tracker’s upcoming conversational AI (“Eva”) and what a “Jarvis” style CRM actually looks likeLinkedIn Recruiter integrations done properly (no scraping, no nonsense)Why change management is harder than selling techHow agencies should really be looking at revenue data, not assumptionsWhere Tracker fits in the market – SMB vs enterprise, pricing, modules, and scaleWhy customer support and long-term product thinking still matterThis is an honest, practical conversation about building recruitment tech that recruiters actually want to use – and why letting the product do the talking often beats shouting the loudest.🔗 Connect with the guestCam Brady: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cambradytrackerrms/Check out Tracker: https://www.rectools.io/product/tracker/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk, including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent, drop every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursdays.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/#RecTalk #RecruitmentTechnology #RecruitmentCRM #ATS #RecruitmentAI #RecruitmentSoftware #StaffingTech #RecruitmentOps #Rectools #TrackerRMS

In this episode of Founder Diaries, Nitin Sharma sits down with Joel Dalton, exited founder of Clone, strategic advisor, and NED, to unpack what really happens after you scale a business — and what founders rarely prepare for.Joel shares the unfiltered story of building Clone into a £7m marketing services business, navigating Covid, founder burnout, financial blind spots, and ultimately choosing an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) as his exit path. This is a candid conversation about founder reliance, designing a business that can survive without you, and reclaiming time, energy, and purpose post-exit.Together, Nitin and Joel dive into why so many founders accidentally build “well-paid jobs”, the warning signs of burnout, and how to create a business that gives you optionality — whether that’s scaling, stepping back, or exiting entirely.What you’ll learn in this episode:Why founder reliance kills exit value (and how to fix it)What an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) actually is — and why it’s misunderstoodHow Covid forced a hard rethink on resilience and value creationThe financial blind spots most founders ignore until it’s too lateScaling pains: hiring too fast, protecting culture, and bad hiresWhy most founders don’t really have a “lifestyle business”The emotional reality of stepping away from a company you builtBurnout, pressure, and unlearning hustle cultureHow Joel now helps founders escape the owner-operator trapWhy having a “fractional co-founder” mindset can change everythingThis episode is honest, reflective, and packed with lived experience — especially for founders questioning whether the business they built is still serving the life they want.Who this episode is for:Founders thinking about an exit (now or someday)Business owners feeling stuck or overly relied uponEntrepreneurs approaching burnoutLeaders scaling past the owner-operator stageAnyone curious about alternative exit routes like EOTsFounders who want freedom without burning everything down🔗 Connect with the guestJoel Dalton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-dalton-02191421/Clone: https://clone-media.co.uk/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk, including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent, drop every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursdays.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/#FounderDiaries #RecTalk #FounderExit #EmployeeOwnership #BusinessGrowth #FounderBurnout #EntrepreneurLife #ScalingBusinesses #FounderFreedom #LeadershipJourney

As 2025 comes to a close, host Nitin Sharma takes a moment to reflect on a transformational year for RecTalk and the wider recruitment community. This isn’t just a highlight reel — it’s a heartfelt, behind-the-scenes look at the journey of building something from nothing, the power of community, and the resilience it takes to keep showing up.In this special end-of-year episode, you'll hear from former guests, recommended suppliers, clients, and friends of RecTalk who share their hopes, lessons, and game-changing advice for recruiters heading into 2026. From cracking 100K+ subscribers to launching new series like Founder Diaries and Talking Talent, from live podcasting at RecFest and IHR to helping build real conversations at industry events — this year has been all about showing up and staying real.Expect raw insights, personal gratitude, and some serious motivation to carry you into the new year.Who this episode is for:Recruiters reflecting on 2025 and planning for 2026Recruitment business owners looking for inspiration and real talkRecTalk community members who’ve been part of the journeyAnyone who just needs a reminder that progress doesn’t have to be perfectFeaturing voices from across the RecTalk ecosystem:Poonam Mawani (Azuki Accounts) on financial disciplineEmily White (SourceWhale) on using tech to streamline your jobRoss Thompson (Infinity Global Staff) on simplifying successBen Fielding (Quinset) on inbox engagementBobby Russell (Contact Business Finance) on surviving in a tough climateKan Mallawathantri (Avensys Tech) on getting your IT sortedAndy Dunne (TEAM Network) on doubling down on real connectionsRobert Woodford (The Marketing Junction) on getting the basics rightKris Holland (Kitto) on tripling your marketingMatt Fox (Exitus Advisory) on planning your exitHere’s to the RecTalk community — for showing up, sharing, and supporting. This episode is for you.#RecTalk #RecruitmentCommunity #2025Recap #RecruitmentPodcast #Rectools #HappyNewYear2026 #RecruitmentTips #FounderDiaries #TalkingTalent #RecruitmentTech #ResilienceInRecruitment

In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with the man many recruiters know as “Backdoor Barry” — Barry Cullen, Partner & Solicitor at recLAW, one of the UK’s leading specialist law firms serving the recruitment industry.Barry lifts the lid on what recLAW really does (spoiler: it’s much more than just backdoor fee claims), how the firm has grown to a multi-lawyer practice, and why recruiters often misunderstand legal risk until it’s too late.This is a straight-talking, myth-busting conversation covering everything from fee disputes and effective cause, to restrictive covenants that actually are enforceable, preventative legal strategies, and why recruiters need to stop relying on luck instead of systems.What you’ll learn in this episode:Why “we didn’t agree terms” and “you didn’t cause the engagement” are the most common fee dispute argumentsHow to contract out of effective cause (and why it matters)Practical steps recruiters can take to protect fees before disputes happenThe truth about restrictive covenants — and real cases where recruiters were fined heavilyWhy restraints of trade aren’t “worthless” (despite what LinkedIn says)How recLAW helps recruiters with disputes, employment law, corporate deals, and M&AThe danger of celebrating fees before the cash hits the bankWhy prevention is cheaper (and smarter) than firefighting legal problemsHow recruitment businesses sabotage themselves by ignoring process, training, and documentationBarry also shares candid views on recruiter reputation, ethical misconceptions about lawyers, and why recruiters should value their own expertise more confidently.This episode is essential listening for any recruitment business owner who wants fewer disputes, stronger protection, and fewer nasty surprises.🔗 Connect with the guestBarry Cullen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrycullen/Check out recLAW: https://www.rectools.io/product/reclaw/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk, including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent, drop every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursdays.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/#RecTalk #RecruitmentLaw #BackdoorFees #FeeDisputes #RestrictiveCovenants #RecruitmentAgency #RecruitmentBusiness #RecruiterProblems #recLAW #Rectools

In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Andrew Philipson, Founder of JOBBA, to unpack one of the biggest problems in recruitment today: why businesses hate agencies, why great recruiters are getting punished, and what a fairer model actually looks like.Andrew shares the real story behind building JOBBA — a platform designed to connect businesses directly with independent recruiters, cutting out bloated agency margins while increasing transparency, trust, and outcomes for everyone involved.They dive deep into:Why the UK recruitment market is flooded with “cowboy recruiters” and how that’s damaged trustHow JOBBA removes agencies entirely and empowers solo recruiters to earn more for their workWhy businesses can reduce fees by up to 80% without sacrificing qualityThe difference between business development skills and true recruitment deliveryHow JOBBA’s open market model gives hiring managers access to dozens of specialist recruiters instantlyThe power of candidate verification to stop CV spamming and misrepresentationWhy candidates are becoming the real scarce commodity againHow JOBBA can act as a lifeline for out-of-work TA professionals, in-between gigs, on maternity leave, or going soloWhat JOBBA Teams are, and how companies can build their own on-demand recruitment squadsLessons learned from 18 months of MVP testing, fundraising struggles, and building a product recruiters actually wantAndrew also opens up about his personal “why” — frustration with seeing brilliant recruiters tarred by the same brush as bad actors — and his mission to create an ecosystem where good recruiters can finally thrive.This episode is a must-listen if you’re questioning traditional agency models or thinking about what recruitment should look like in 2026 and beyond.🔗 Connect with the guestAndrew Philipson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewphilipson/Check out JOBBA: https://www.rectools.io/product/jobba/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk, including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent, drop every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursdays.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/#RecTalk #RecruitmentPodcast #IndependentRecruiters #TalentAcquisition #HiringTech #RecruitmentInnovation #FutureOfWork #JOBBA #RecruitmentMarketplace #Rectools

In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma is joined at Kitto Towers by Kris Holland, Founder of Kitto, and Rich Evans, to unpack one of the most common (and costly) problems in recruitment businesses today: getting marketing completely wrong.Together, they dive deep into why so many recruitment founders struggle with marketing, the outdated assumptions holding agencies back, and why treating marketing as a “tick-box” or junior hire almost always ends in disappointment.From the dangers of hiring a single junior marketer and expecting them to be a graphic designer, copywriter, strategist, and CMO all in one, to the real reason recruiters still over-index on cold calling and outdated KPIs, this conversation challenges how recruitment businesses think about growth.You’ll hear honest perspectives on:Why recruitment owners undervalue marketing as a core business functionThe false belief that marketing must show immediate, linear ROIWhy sales and marketing are no longer separate in modern recruitmentThe shift from cold calling as a closing tool to a top-of-funnel activityHow marketing should exist to make sales easier (not harder)When outsourcing, fractional support, or agencies make more sense than in-house hiresThe role of personal brand, content, podcasts, and community in winning future workWhy recruiters are still running their businesses like it’s 2010How better systems, tech stacks, and education change everythingThis is a no-fluff, real-world conversation for recruitment leaders who know the market has changed—but aren’t quite sure how to adapt their go-to-market strategy.🔗 Connect with the guestsKris Holland: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kris-holland/Rich Evans: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richarde1/Check out Kitto: https://www.rectools.io/product/kitto/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk, including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent, drop every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursdays.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/#RecTalk #RecruitmentMarketing #AgencyGrowth #RecruitmentLeadership #GoToMarket #RecruitmentBusiness #B2BSales #RecruitmentFounders #MarketingStrategy #PersonalBrand

Welcome back to Talking Talent, a RecTalk podcast, hosted by Nitin Sharma and Sean Kennedy.In this episode, we’re joined by Gita Selli, an experienced in-house talent leader who brings real-world, no-BS insight into what’s going wrong with candidate experience — and what talent teams should be doing instead.With candidate frustration at an all-time high, ghosting now “normalised”, and AI being used for convenience rather than value, this conversation digs deep into how recruitment has lost its human touch — and how to get it back.What we cover in this episode:Why candidate experience is at an all-time low and who’s really responsibleThe damage caused by ghosting, overcomplicated hiring processes, and poor stakeholder managementHow many interview stages is too many (and why 6-stage processes kill good candidates)Why feedback matters, even when the answer is “no” — and how it impacts employer reputationThe right (and wrong) ways to use AI in recruitmentWhy “auto-reject” and transactional tech is harming talent teamsThe importance of transparent, honest rejection messagingHow smaller TA teams can outperform big brands by being humanEmployer branding that actually works — no stock photos, no fake messagingUsing real employees and simple video to boost applications (at zero cost)Why if your people won’t advocate for your company, the problem isn’t branding — it’s cultureHiring for reality, not hype: “the holiday has to match the brochure”Lessons from in-house vs agency recruitmentPersonal career reflections, leadership honesty, and staying human in high-pressure TA rolesThis episode is candid, funny, occasionally brutal, and packed with practical advice for anyone involved in hiring — whether you’re in TA, recruitment leadership, or building employer brand from scratch.Who this episode is for:Talent Acquisition professionalsInternal recruiters and in-house TA leadersRecruitment leaders frustrated with broken hiring processesEmployer branding and EVP specialistsHiring managers involved in interview designAnyone who cares about treating candidates like humans🔗 Connect with the guestGita Selli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gita-selli/Loadsmart: https://loadsmart.com/🔗 Connect with the hostsSean Kennedy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanthetaguy/Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/New episodes of RecTalk, plus Founder Diaries and Talking Talent, drop every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersRoss Thompson — Infinity Staff Global: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossnthompson/Matt Fox — Exitus Advisory: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-fox-50b10311/SourceFlow: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sourceflow/Robert Woodford — The Marketing Junction: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marketing4recs/Carl Jones — Konquest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-jones-66093722/#TalkingTalent #RecTalk #CandidateExperience #TalentAcquisition #Recruitment #EmployerBranding #Hiring #PeopleFirst #RecruitmentLeadership #TA #HumanRecruitment

In this powerful Founder Diaries episode of RecTalk, host Nitin Sharma, founder of the whole-of-market recruitment directory Rectools.io, sits down with two industry heavyweights:Kirsty Craig (40 years in recruitment, founder of KCA People) andPauline Emmott-Royston (Founder of Neom Recruitment, 26 years in the game).Together, they unpack why your hiring process — not recruitment itself — is actually broken.This episode dives into real, unfiltered recruitment truths: how candidates think, why employer brand matters more than ever, why businesses struggle with retention, and why treating people like humans (not widgets on a conveyor belt) is the most underrated hiring advantage.Expect honest stories, decades of experience, and straight-talking advice that every recruitment leader, HR team, founder, hiring manager and TA professional needs to hear.🔗 Connect with the guestsKirsty Craig: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstycraig/Pauline Emmott-Royston: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauline-emmott-royston-45261836/🔗 Connect with the hostNitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/New episodes of RecTalk, plus Founder Diaries and Talking Talent, drop every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliersRoss Thompson — Infinity Staff Global: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossnthompson/Matt Fox — Exitus Advisory: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-fox-50b10311/SourceFlow: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sourceflow/Robert Woodford — The Marketing Junction: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marketing4recs/Carl Jones — Konquest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-jones-66093722/#RecruitmentPodcast #FounderDiaries #RecTalk #EmployerBrand #HiringProcess #RecruitmentTruths #CandidateExperience #HRLeadership #TalentAcquisition #RecruitmentConsultancy #RetentionMatters #RecruitmentIndustry #NitinSharma #Rectools

Welcome back to The Mixed Grill: After Dark Edition — a chaotic, curry-fuelled ride with your hosts Nitin Sharma and Bobby Banerjee. Just two recruitment misfits in a car, unpacking life, the industry, and everyone we love (and occasionally politely dislike) across the recruitment world.In this episode, we cover everything from weight-loss journeys and personal style glow-ups… to why some consultants seem allergic to authenticity… to deep chats about vulnerability, mental health, and why the recruitment industry quietly holds more shared struggles than anyone admits.You’ll hear:How many people are actually on weight-loss meds — and why no one wants to say it out loud.The ridiculousness of personal branding, accidental creepiness, and “dog vs cat energy” personalities in recruitment.Why some advisors should chill with the day-rate sermons — and who in the industry is genuinely doing great things.The people we really admire, want to spend more time with, or misjudged entirely before meeting.A surprisingly emotional dive into depression, burnout, safe spaces, and the power of people who remind you who the f*** you are.Ending with life advice: everyone’s in the shit; only the depth varies — so talk to someone.It’s unfiltered, honest, hilarious, occasionally heartfelt, and absolutely everything the Recruitment Curry Club stands for: community, real talk, and helping each other through the madness.👥 Who This Episode Is ForRecruiters who love unfiltered industry banterAnyone who appreciates honesty about mental health and professional strugglesPeople curious about the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the recruitment worldFans of Nitin and Bobby’s “say it on the mic or don’t say it at all” energyMembers and friends of the Recruitment Curry Club community🔗 Connect with the hostsBobby Banerjee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbybanerjee/Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/Get your fill of curry, banter, and brilliant recruitment minds at The Recruitment Curry Club:https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/Look out for more episodes of The Mixed Grill dropping on Thursdays.Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/#TheMixedGrill #RecruitmentCurryClub #RecruitmentPodcast #RecTalk #NitinSharma #BobbyBanerjee #RecruitmentLife #MentalHealthInRecruitment #AfterCurryChats #RealTalkRecruiting