Recruiting Alchemy with Andy Simpson

James Parsons was 25 when he quit his job at S3, two weeks after buying his first house, to start Arrows Group with business partner Adrian in 2003. By 2016 the business had more than 300 people in six countries, with sales north of 150 million. James tells Andy Simpson how a farmer's son whose plan to fly fighter jets ended with a colour blindness test at 14 went from nearly being fired after his first year at S3 to top biller in the Huxley group the next, by being relentless about process. He explains why he built a client centric business when the firms he'd worked at were candidate centric, why companies don't scale without a blueprint everybody works to, and what a deal that should have taken three months and took six taught him about two founders sitting on opposite sides of the table. He also covers the move from deploying engineers to owning the outcome through Build Circle, the technology consultancy the group bought in 2022, why he thinks a recruitment business probably needs to acquire to make that shift land, and the German acquisition that COVID murdered overnight. KEY MOMENTS07:41 The fighter jet plan that ended with a colour blindness test at 14 21:15 Buying his first house, then quitting S3 two weeks later to go it alone at 25 40:13 Why companies don't scale: the blueprint everybody works to 53:03 Why partners going into a deal need to be crystal clear on each other's motivations 56:42 From recruitment partner to owning the outcome: buying Build Circle James Parsonshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jwparsonsrecBuilding Circlehttps://www.linkedin.com/company/buildcircle Recruiting Alchemy is sponsored by ryvr.ai: https://ryvr.ai/Hosted by Andy Simpson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyhsimpson/Produced by Vertical Drop: https://www.vertical-drop.com/All episodes: https://www.recruitingalchemy.com/Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/recruiting-alchemy-podcast/

James Wakefield went from the parade ground at Sandhurst and six years as an infantry officer into recruitment at Michael Page. He then spent 14 years at Cobalt, setting up offices across the Middle East, Europe, Asia Pacific and the US before becoming its first CEO. Since then he has sat on the board of his hometown football club, run a life sciences recruiter through the hardest market in decades, and returned to Cobalt as Executive Chair, while building an M&A advisory business on the side. Andy Simpson talks to James about why a CEO role is five years, why a good leader should be making themselves redundant, how he took a business from 90-odd percent perm to 50/50 in two years, what a recruiter's instincts are worth at a football club's board table, and why he thinks the firms that adapt will be the ones left standing. Recruiting Alchemy is sponsored by ryvr.ai, the conversational intelligence platform built specifically for recruitment and staffing businesses. Produced by Vertical Drop. Key Moments07:18 Sandhurst, six years as an infantry officer and Iraq in 2003 20:19 Cobalt goes international: Abu Dhabi, Germany, Singapore and New Zealand 35:23 Why a CEO role is five years 37:32 On the board of his hometown football club: transfer fees, kits and doubling the crowd 49:20 CEO of a life sciences recruiter in the toughest market in decades HostAndy Simpson, founder of ryvr.ai ryvr.ai https://linkedin.com/company/ryvraihttps://recruitingalchemy.comGuestJames Wakefield, Executive Chair, Cobalt Recruitmenthttps://linkedin.com/in/jtwakefieldhttps://linkedin.com/company/cobalt-recruitment Produced By Vertical Drop  https://vertical-drop.comRecruiting Alchemy is sponsored by ryvr.ai: https://ryvr.ai/Hosted by Andy Simpson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyhsimpson/Produced by Vertical Drop: https://www.vertical-drop.com/All episodes: https://www.recruitingalchemy.com/Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/recruiting-alchemy-podcast/

Jim Ryan left Ireland at 17, knocked on doors selling cable TV, and walked into MSB in Bromley in 1997 with no recruitment experience. Eighteen years on from starting ERSG on the day Lehman Brothers collapsed, he runs a staffing group with £185 million in turnover, around £28 million in gross profit and offices from Seattle to Taiwan, and it has stayed independent without private equity.Andy Simpson sits down with Jim, CEO of ERSG, to talk about how a business plan he now calls naive became the go-to specialist for the offshore wind industry. They get into verticalisation and why ERSG throws jobs away, building a career structure so growth becomes automatic, opening entities across Europe, the US and Asia, the 2022 and 2023 bump that very nearly knocked the business over, and why Jim thinks AI is already changing support roles long before it touches an engineer on a turbine.Recruiting Alchemy is sponsored by ryvr.ai, the conversational intelligence platform built specifically for recruitment and staffing businesses. Produced by Vertical Drop.KEY MOMENTS17:22 Starting ERSG on the day Lehman went21:51 Offshore wind projects and the Blackpool private jet38:36 Verticalisation: specialise and throw jobs away45:03 The Jaws on the beach moment49:17 Why ERSG stayed independentGuest, Jim Ryan: linkedin.com/in/jiryan Company https://www.ersg-global.com/en-US/ Host, Andy Simpson linkedin.com/in/andyhsimpson Sponsor, ryvr.ai https://ryvr.ai/Produced by vertical-drop.comRecruiting Alchemy is sponsored by ryvr.ai: https://ryvr.ai/Hosted by Andy Simpson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyhsimpson/Produced by Vertical Drop: https://www.vertical-drop.com/All episodes: https://www.recruitingalchemy.com/Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/recruiting-alchemy-podcast/

David Bloxham has spent 30 years in recruitment, almost all of it at GCS, the business he joined in 1996 and now leads as CEO. Andy Simpson asks how he got there, and what it cost along the way.David talks through coming back to GCS just as the 2008 credit crunch wiped out half his contractors, and why he says you can always cut your cloth when the market turns. He explains how an MBO nearly fell through before Engage came in as backer, why GCS has never dual desked and now runs at around 95% contract, and what changes when a recruiter takes accountability for the outcome instead of sending a CV. They also get into why every CV now looks the same, the 305 applications for one role, and why David thinks AI is highly underestimated and dreadfully overestimated.Recruiting Alchemy is sponsored by ryvr.ai, the conversational intelligence platform built for recruitment and staffing businesses.KEY MOMENTS16:40 Every CV now looks the same, so who explains the human?20:30 Joining GCS in 1996: a 10k offer over a 16k one, on a chat about music30:55 October 2008: the credit crunch takes half the contractors37:20 The MBO that nearly fell through, and forecasting within 5%49:20 From 50/50 to 95% contract, and never dual desking54:12 Taking accountability for the outcome, not the CV1:02:10 AI: highly underestimated and dreadfully overestimatedLINKS Guest linkedin.com/in/davidbloxham1 Company linkedin.com/company/gcs-recruitment-specialists Host, Andy Simpson linkedin.com/in/andyhsimpson Sponsor, ryvr.ai www.ryvr.ai Produced by vertical-drop.comRecruiting Alchemy is sponsored by ryvr.ai: https://ryvr.ai/Hosted by Andy Simpson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyhsimpson/Produced by Vertical Drop: https://www.vertical-drop.com/All episodes: https://www.recruitingalchemy.com/Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/recruiting-alchemy-podcast/

Andy Simpson is joined by Rory Gaston, Group CEO and co-founder of Saragossa, the buy-side staffing and technology solutions business he built with Jimmy Lloyd after spinning out of Red Rock in 2015. Rory explains why success-fee contingent staffing creates what he calls perverse economics, why Saragossa almost never competes against other firms for the same role, and how the business grew from a niche hedge fund staffing boutique into a three-part technology solutions group spanning staffing, managed services and project delivery. The conversation also covers Saragossa's expansion from Bristol into Chicago and New York, and why Rory believes AI is pushing companies to hire more developers, not fewer.FIVE KEY MOMENTS10:28 Meeting co-founder Jimmy Lloyd, and how their old boss backed both of them to spin Saragossa out of Red Rock in 2015.19:42 The chess board origin of the Saragossa name, and using chess to win over sceptical hedge fund quants.32:40 Why contingent staffing's success fee model creates perverse economics, and Saragossa's rule of never competing against other firms for the same role.57:10 Rory's Jevons paradox take on AI: why Saragossa is hiring more developers, not fewer, and cutting ticket volume by 30% in its managed services arm.GUEST Rory Gaston, linkedin.com/in/rory-gaston-01539817GUEST COMPANY Saragossa, linkedin.com/company/saragossaHOST Andy Simpson, linkedin.com/in/andyhsimpsonHOST COMPANY, ryvr.ai https://ryvr.ai/SPONSOR Recruiting Alchemy is sponsored by ryvr.ai.Produced by Vertical Drop.Recruiting Alchemy is sponsored by ryvr.ai: https://ryvr.ai/Hosted by Andy Simpson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyhsimpson/Produced by Vertical Drop: https://www.vertical-drop.com/All episodes: https://www.recruitingalchemy.com/Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/recruiting-alchemy-podcast/

Andy Simpson is joined by Bradley Lewington, CEO and founder of Generative and former CEO of Spencer Ogden, the energy and infrastructure recruiter he scaled to over 500 people before a private equity backed MBO closed on 20 February 2020, three weeks before COVID hit. Brad explains why the business had to become one a private equity firm actually wanted to buy, what it was like to sign the deal and watch the plan disappear within four weeks, and why he chose to build an AI focused staffing business rather than return to energy. The conversation also covers why recruiters who assume AI platforms cannot do the human bit are in for a surprise, and where the trust element still gives them the edge.FIVE KEY MOMENTS0:00 Cold open: growing Spencer Ogden from zero to £28M in fees in six years, "no more jam tomorrow."38:30 Discussion of exit strategy: was it always destined to be a private equity deal, trade sale, or MBO?41:06 The core insight on what drives sales and motivates people in recruitment businesses.55:03 The deal closed Feb 20, 2020, then COVID hit weeks later.01:11:28  On AI in recruitment: "they are way better than you think."GUESTBradley Lewington, CEO and Founderlinkedin.com/in/bradlewingtonGUEST COMPANYGenerativelinkedin.com/company/generativegroupsHOSTAndy Simpsonlinkedin.com/in/andyhsimpsonHOST COMPANYryvr.aihttps://ryvr.ai/SPONSORRecruiting Alchemy is sponsored by ryvr.ai.https://ryvr.ai/PRODUCTION CREDITProduced by Vertical Drop.https://www.vertical-drop.com/Recruiting Alchemy is sponsored by ryvr.ai: https://ryvr.ai/Hosted by Andy Simpson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyhsimpson/Produced by Vertical Drop: https://www.vertical-drop.com/All episodes: https://www.recruitingalchemy.com/Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/recruiting-alchemy-podcast/

Is AI really going to replace recruiters, or will it simply expose the ones who were never adding value in the first place?In this episode of Recruiting Alchemy, Andy Simpson sits down with Craig Whiting, Founder of RecOS , to unpack one of the biggest shifts the recruitment industry has ever faced.Craig shares how his business has evolved over the last 18 months, why he's fully embraced AI, and what it means for recruiters, software engineers and businesses trying to stay ahead. The conversation dives into the changing value of talent, why the best recruiters will become even more valuable, and why average performers should be paying close attention.This is a fascinating discussion on technology, productivity, accountability and how AI is reshaping recruitment faster than most people realise.Whether you're a recruiter, agency owner, business leader or simply curious about where AI is taking the world of work, this episode is packed with insight.Timestamps04:43 – What's changed in the business over the last 18 months?08:04 – Why Craig believes AI is changing recruitment forever16:30 – AI as a productivity tool, not a replacement20:10 – Why 70% of recruiters could disappear29:33 – The recruiters who will thrive in the AI era55:30 – Story behind RecOSConnect with Craig WhitingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-whiting-b75a8ba/\RecOS : https://www.linkedin.com/company/rec-os/\Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craigwhiting1/Connect with Andy SimpsonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/andyhsimpson/\LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyhsimpson/This episode is proudly sponsored by ryvr.aiFind out more:Website: https://ryvr.ai/\Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryvr.ai/\LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ryvrai/Produced by Vertical DropRecruiting Alchemy is produced by Vertical Drop, helping founders and businesses turn conversations into content that builds authority, creates opportunities and drive growth.From podcast production and strategy to social media content, guest management and distribution, Vertical Drop helps brands create content that delivers long after the recording ends.Recruiting Alchemy is sponsored by ryvr.ai: https://ryvr.ai/Hosted by Andy Simpson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyhsimpson/Produced by Vertical Drop: https://www.vertical-drop.com/All episodes: https://www.recruitingalchemy.com/Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/recruiting-alchemy-podcast/

Is AI really going to change recruitment forever, or is it just the latest technological scare the industry will outlast? And would you fire your two best billers if they were poisoning your culture, even knowing exactly what it would cost you?In this episode of Recruiting Alchemy, Andy Simpson sits down with Russell Clements, former CEO of SThree plc, one of the world's most successful specialty staffing businesses, to unpack four decades of lessons on building highperformance culture, leading through technological upheaval, and why AI might be the first innovation that genuinely changes the rules for recruitment.Russell takes us from his working-class beginnings in West London to joining SThree in 1986 and leading the company through its flotation on the London Stock Exchange at more than a quarter of a billion pounds. He shares the story behind SThree's famous 'no mascots, no pets' culture rule, why the business let go of two of its highest-billing consultants despite the revenue they generated, and why he believes culture is the single biggest driver of commercial success.The conversation also covers why Russell believes AI represents a genuinely different kind of threat to the recruitment industry than any previous technological shift, what it means for the future shape and size of staffing businesses, and his advice for leaders navigating tougher markets today. This is a fascinating discussion on leadership, culture, ruthlessness and resilience, and what separates good recruitment businesses from truly great ones. Whether you're a recruitment leader, founder, or simply interested in what three decades at the top of the industry teaches you about building a business that lasts, this episode is packed with insight.TIMESTAMPS04:06 Russell's working-class upbringing in West London22:16 The wrong'uns: letting go of two top billers over culture27:00 Building a culture that let people build their own businesses inside the business58:20 Why AI is a genuinely different kind of threat01:00:22 What makes a good CEO todayCONNECT WITH RUSSELL CLEMENTSLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-clements-7313818a/CONNECT WITH ANDY SIMPSONInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/andyhsimpson/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyhsimpson/THIS EPISODE IS PROUDLY SPONSORED BY ryvr.aiFind out more:Website: https://ryvr.ai/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryvr.ai/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ryvrai/PRODUCED BY VERTICAL DROPRecruiting Alchemy is produced by Vertical Drop, helping founders and businesses turn conversations into content that builds authority, creates opportunities and drives growth. From podcast production and strategy to social media content, guest management and distribution, Vertical Drop helps brands create content that delivers long after the recording ends.Recruiting Alchemy is sponsored by ryvr.ai: https://ryvr.ai/Hosted by Andy Simpson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyhsimpson/Produced by Vertical Drop: https://www.vertical-drop.com/All episodes: https://www.recruitingalchemy.com/Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/recruiting-alchemy-podcast/

What does it really take to build one of the UK's biggest recruitment businesses?In this episode of Recruiting Alchemy, Andy Simpson sits down with Dean Kelly, entrepreneur, investor and one of recruitment's best-known founders, to explore the highs, lows and lessons from an extraordinary career.Dean shares how he went from growing up on a North London council estate to becoming a multi-millionaire before the age of 30. Along the way, he opens up about setbacks, near business failures, acquisitions, scaling at speed, leading PLCs, and why some of his biggest lessons came from the toughest moments.This is an honest conversation about ambition, resilience, leadership and what success really looks like once you've achieved it.  Whether you're building a recruitment business, leading a team or simply fascinated by entrepreneurial journeys, there's something in this episode for you.Timestamps00:00 – Highlights from Dean's journey01:00 – Sponsor: ryvr.ai02:00 – Introducing Dean Kelly04:00 – Growing up in North London and early ambitions11:00 – Falling into recruitment by accident14:00 – Nearly losing his job before everything changed18:00 – Developing self-belief and changing his mindset22:00 – The drive to build something bigger32:00 – Being headhunted and stepping into leadership35:00 – Starting his own recruitment business42:00 – Scaling at speed and almost going under45:00 – The realities of rapid growth56:00 – Leadership, culture and getting the best from people01:02:00 – Exits, acquisitions and what success really means01:06:00 – Leading through crisis and lessons from the boardroom01:10:00 – Final advice for founders and recruitment leadersConnect with Dean KellyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deankellyuk/Connect with Andy SimpsonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/andyhsimpson/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyhsimpson/This episode is proudly sponsored by ryvr.aiFind out more about ryvr:Website: https://ryvr.ai/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryvr.ai/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ryvrai/Produced by Vertical DropRecruiting Alchemy is produced by Vertical Drop, helping founders and businesses turn conversations into content that builds authority, creates opportunities and drives growth.From podcast production and strategy to social media content, guest management and distribution, Vertical Drop helps brands create content that delivers long after the recording ends.Recruiting Alchemy is sponsored by ryvr.ai: https://ryvr.ai/Hosted by Andy Simpson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyhsimpson/Produced by Vertical Drop: https://www.vertical-drop.com/All episodes: https://www.recruitingalchemy.com/Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/recruiting-alchemy-podcast/

What does it take to completely reinvent a recruitment business that's already successful?In this episode of Recruiting Alchemy, Andy Simpson sits down with Elliott Manning, Founder of Kayman Recruitment, to unpack a journey that's anything but conventional.From leaving school at 15 to become a chef, to building a thriving recruitment business across the UK, US and South Africa, Elliott shares the lessons he's learnt from taking risks, making mistakes, and constantly adapting to a changing market.The conversation explores entrepreneurship, international expansion, outsourcing, offshoring, and why sometimes the biggest opportunities come from tearing up the original plan and starting again.Whether you're a recruitment founder, agency leader or simply interested in building businesses differently, there's plenty to take away from this one.Timestamps00:00 – Highlights from Elliott's journey01:00 – Sponsor: ryvr.ai02:00 – Introducing Elliott Manning04:00 – Growing up in East London and life before recruitment07:00 – Becoming a chef and working in Michelin-starred kitchens10:00 – First steps into recruitment13:00 – Building a successful healthcare recruitment desk16:00 – Why entrepreneurship always felt inevitable19:00 – Taking the leap and starting his own business20:00 – Accidentally discovering rec-to-rec recruitment22:00 – Growing the business and early leadership lessons25:00 – Expanding into the US market30:00 – Why South Africa became the next big move36:00 – Building an outsourcing and offshoring business40:00 – Launching new ventures and changing direction42:00 – Scaling internationally and helping recruitment firms hire globally45:00 – The future of recruitment and offshore talent50:00 – Advice for founders looking to scale internationally55:00 – Final thoughts and key lessonsConnect with Elliott ManningLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliott-manning-4b3b6b7/Kayman Recruitment: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kayman-recruitment/Connect with Andy SimpsonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/andyhsimpson/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyhsimpson/This episode is proudly sponsored by ryvr.aiFind out more:Website: https://ryvr.ai/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryvr.ai/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ryvrai/Produced by Vertical DropFind out more:https://vertical-drop.com/Recruiting Alchemy is sponsored by ryvr.ai: https://ryvr.ai/Hosted by Andy Simpson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyhsimpson/Produced by Vertical Drop: https://www.vertical-drop.com/All episodes: https://www.recruitingalchemy.com/Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/recruiting-alchemy-podcast/