EP320: From Career-Ending Injury to Founder Success - Ellis Rouch, Founder of Joint Ventures Group

In this powerful episode of The Recruiter’s Recruitment Podcast, host Lysha Holmes sits down with Ellis Rouch, founder of Joint Ventures Group, to unpack one of the most raw and inspiring journeys in recruitment.Ellis shares how a devastating rugby injury—requiring multiple surgeries and relearning how to walk—forced him to completely redefine his identity and future. What followed was a journey through severe mental health struggles, imposter syndrome, and ultimately, a transformation into a successful recruitment founder.This episode dives deep into:Turning adversity into fuel for successThe importance of vulnerability (especially for male founders)Why “small wins” matter more than big milestonesThe reality behind recruitment success vs. social media highlightsBuilding a culture that balances competitiveness with opennessEllis also opens up about the pressures of founding a business, navigating personal challenges, and why honesty in leadership creates stronger, more resilient teams.Who this episode is for:Recruitment founders and leadersRecruiters navigating tough marketsAnyone dealing with setbacks or career pivotsProfessionals interested in mindset, resilience, and authentic leadership🔗 Connect with the guestEllis Rouch: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellis-rouch-52245555/Joint Ventures Group: https://www.jointventuresgroup.co.uk/🔗 Connect with the hostLysha Holmes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyshaholmesr2r/Qui Recruitment: https://www.quirecruitment.co.uk/Follow the podcast on another platform:https://www.youtube.com/@therecruitersrecruitmentpodhttps://the-recruiters-recruitment-podcast.captivate.fm/——————The Recruiter's Recruitment Podcast is proudly sponsored by Paiger, and partnered with Needi, Keybridge IT Solutions, Bristow & Hardy and Diversity in Recruitment.Our sponsor:Paiger - Making Recruiters Smarter and Faster. Paiger helps recruiters build personal brands, identify new business opportunities, attract candidates, and have better conversations.Find out more about Paiger: https://paiger.co/Our partners:Needi is a concierge gift-matching service using psychology and AI, to pinpoint the perfect gifts and experiences for your recipient, from the best local independent businesses. Their team of expert gift finders save companies time and money with their complimentary corporate gifting service.https://needi.co.uk/Bristow & Hardy partners with SME recruitment agencies to accelerate growth through sales enablement and recruitment marketing. With over 7 years’ experience, we specialise exclusively in the recruitment sector, delivering strategy, branding, websites, marketing campaigns, and sales support. Our proven growth suite of products helps agencies attract more clients, win more business, and scale efficiently.https://www.bristowandhardy.co.uk/Diversity in Recruitment helps recruitment businesses understand diversity, equity, and inclusion in a way that makes sense. Our training and advisory work is designed to attract diverse talent, recruit inclusively, improve your candidate journey and confidently partner with their clients. DE&I doesn’t have to be complicated and scary - it’s simply about fair, ethical and high-quality recruitment.https://diversityinrecruitment.com/Keybridge IT Solutions is a London-based Fully Managed IT Support and solutions Provider - Providing 24×7 Support to all Customers. Specialities include Microsoft Cloud, including Office 365, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Azure, Security, Internet Connectivity, VoIP, and much more.https://www.keybridgeit.com/#RecruitmentPodcast #RecruitmentLife #FounderJourney #MentalHealthAtWork #ImposterSyndrome #Leadership #Resilience #RecruitmentIndustry

In this powerful episode of The Recruiter’s Recruitment Podcast, Lysha Holmes is joined by Ali Braid, L&D consultant and founder of The Recruitment Trainer, to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing the industry today: the lack of investment in training and future talent.With over 20 years in recruitment and a background in education, Ali brings a unique perspective on why learning and development should sit at the heart of every recruitment business. Together, Lysha and Ali dive into the consequences of short-term thinking, especially over the past 12–18 months, where many businesses paused hiring and development in favour of survival mode.They explore:Why neglecting trainee hiring is creating long-term riskThe real reason tech and AI aren’t delivering ROI without proper trainingThe importance of hiring for attitude, not just experienceWhat makes a successful recruiter in 2026 and beyondWhy “relentlessness” is the ultimate differentiatorHow to retain and develop your mid-level performers before they leaveAli also shares practical advice on building robust learning strategies, supporting both new starters and experienced recruiters, and creating a culture where continuous development drives performance.This is a must-listen for anyone serious about building a sustainable, high-performing recruitment business.🔗 Connect with the guestAli Braid: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alibraid/The Recruitment Trainer: https://www.therecruitmenttrainer.co.uk/🔗 Connect with the hostLysha Holmes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyshaholmesr2r/Qui Recruitment: https://www.quirecruitment.co.uk/Follow the podcast on another platform:https://www.youtube.com/@therecruitersrecruitmentpodhttps://the-recruiters-recruitment-podcast.captivate.fm/——————The Recruiter's Recruitment Podcast is proudly sponsored by Paiger, and partnered with Needi, Keybridge IT Solutions, Bristow & Hardy and Diversity in Recruitment.Our sponsor:Paiger - Making Recruiters Smarter and Faster. Paiger helps recruiters build personal brands, identify new business opportunities, attract candidates, and have better conversations.Find out more about Paiger: https://paiger.co/Our partners:Needi is a concierge gift-matching service using psychology and AI, to pinpoint the perfect gifts and experiences for your recipient, from the best local independent businesses. Their team of expert gift finders save companies time and money with their complimentary corporate gifting service.https://needi.co.uk/Bristow & Hardy partners with SME recruitment agencies to accelerate growth through sales enablement and recruitment marketing. With over 7 years’ experience, we specialise exclusively in the recruitment sector, delivering strategy, branding, websites, marketing campaigns, and sales support. Our proven growth suite of products helps agencies attract more clients, win more business, and scale efficiently.https://www.bristowandhardy.co.uk/Diversity in Recruitment helps recruitment businesses understand diversity, equity, and inclusion in a way that makes sense. Our training and advisory work is designed to attract diverse talent, recruit inclusively, improve your candidate journey and confidently partner with their clients. DE&I doesn’t have to be complicated and scary - it’s simply about fair, ethical and high-quality recruitment.https://diversityinrecruitment.com/Keybridge IT Solutions is a London-based Fully Managed IT Support and solutions Provider - Providing 24×7 Support to all Customers. Specialities include Microsoft Cloud, including Office 365, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Azure, Security, Internet Connectivity, VoIP, and much more.https://www.keybridgeit.com/#Recruitment #TalentDevelopment #LearningAndDevelopment #RecruitmentTraining #FutureOfWork #Hiring #Leadership #RecruitmentPodcast

What if success in recruitment wasn’t about scaling, exiting, or building a huge team?In this episode of The Recruiter’s Recruitment Podcast, Lysha Holmes is joined by Natalie Wells, founder of Natalie Wells Recruitment, to explore a different path—one focused on profitability, balance, and long-term fulfilment.Natalie shares her journey from corporate recruitment into building a highly successful solo business, and why she chose not to follow the traditional “scale and sell” model. From working in finance recruitment for nearly three decades to creating a lifestyle-led business, this conversation challenges the industry’s definition of success.They discuss:Why solo recruitment businesses can be more profitable than scaled modelsThe importance of defining your own version of successHow to build a business that fits your life—not the other way aroundThe power of true consultancy vs transactional recruitingWhy curiosity and asking better questions sets top recruiters apartThe risks of relying on PSLs and corporate structuresWhat it really takes to go out on your own (and who shouldn’t)Natalie also shares practical advice for anyone considering starting their own agency, including the importance of business development skills, building a personal brand, and working with SMEs on a retained basis.This is a refreshing, honest conversation for recruiters who want more freedom, more control, and a more meaningful definition of success.🔗 Connect with the guestNatalie Wells: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliewellsrecruitment/🔗 Connect with the hostLysha Holmes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyshaholmesr2r/Qui Recruitment: https://www.quirecruitment.co.uk/Follow the podcast on another platform:https://www.youtube.com/@therecruitersrecruitmentpodhttps://the-recruiters-recruitment-podcast.captivate.fm/——————The Recruiter's Recruitment Podcast is proudly sponsored by Paiger, and partnered with Needi, Keybridge IT Solutions, Bristow & Hardy and Diversity in Recruitment.Our sponsor:Paiger - Making Recruiters Smarter and Faster. Paiger helps recruiters build personal brands, identify new business opportunities, attract candidates, and have better conversations.Find out more about Paiger: https://paiger.co/Our partners:Needi is a concierge gift-matching service using psychology and AI, to pinpoint the perfect gifts and experiences for your recipient, from the best local independent businesses. Their team of expert gift finders save companies time and money with their complimentary corporate gifting service.https://needi.co.uk/Bristow & Hardy partners with SME recruitment agencies to accelerate growth through sales enablement and recruitment marketing. With over 7 years’ experience, we specialise exclusively in the recruitment sector, delivering strategy, branding, websites, marketing campaigns, and sales support. Our proven growth suite of products helps agencies attract more clients, win more business, and scale efficiently.https://www.bristowandhardy.co.uk/Diversity in Recruitment helps recruitment businesses understand diversity, equity, and inclusion in a way that makes sense. Our training and advisory work is designed to attract diverse talent, recruit inclusively, improve your candidate journey and confidently partner with their clients. DE&I doesn’t have to be complicated and scary - it’s simply about fair, ethical and high-quality recruitment.https://diversityinrecruitment.com/Keybridge IT Solutions is a London-based Fully Managed IT Support and solutions Provider - Providing 24×7 Support to all Customers. Specialities include Microsoft Cloud, including Office 365, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Azure, Security, Internet Connectivity, VoIP, and much more.https://www.keybridgeit.com/#Recruitment #Rec2Rec #SoloFounder #RecruitmentLife #WomenInRecruitment #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship

In this episode of The Recruiter’s Recruitment Podcast, Lysha Holmes sits down with entrepreneur, investor, and first-time podcast guest James Martin.James shares his journey from breaking into recruitment in 2007 to building and scaling multiple ventures, including his latest focus—remote hiring through global talent pools. Together, they explore how the recruitment landscape is evolving, why traditional office models are being challenged, and how leveraging remote teams (particularly from South Africa) can transform cost structures and performance.The conversation dives into the importance of proper onboarding, training, and leadership when managing remote teams, as well as the realities of AI in recruitment—what’s working, what’s not, and why human connection still wins. James also unpacks the mindset required to succeed in recruitment, from resilience and work ethic to thinking beyond the status quo.Expect honest insights on market cycles, diversification, and how recruiters can future-proof their businesses in an increasingly competitive and global market.Who this episode is for:Recruitment founders looking to scale smarterAgency leaders exploring remote hiring modelsRecruiters wanting to improve performance and mindsetAnyone curious about the future of global talent and AI in recruitment🔗 Connect with the guestJames Martin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmartin101/🔗 Connect with the hostLysha Holmes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyshaholmesr2r/Qui Recruitment: https://www.quirecruitment.co.uk/Follow the podcast on another platform:https://www.youtube.com/@therecruitersrecruitmentpodhttps://the-recruiters-recruitment-podcast.captivate.fm/——————The Recruiter's Recruitment Podcast is proudly sponsored by Paiger, and partnered with Needi, Keybridge IT Solutions, Bristow & Hardy and Diversity in Recruitment.Our sponsor:Paiger - Making Recruiters Smarter and Faster. Paiger helps recruiters build personal brands, identify new business opportunities, attract candidates, and have better conversations.Find out more about Paiger: https://paiger.co/Our partners:Needi is a concierge gift-matching service using psychology and AI, to pinpoint the perfect gifts and experiences for your recipient, from the best local independent businesses. Their team of expert gift finders save companies time and money with their complimentary corporate gifting service.https://needi.co.uk/Bristow & Hardy partners with SME recruitment agencies to accelerate growth through sales enablement and recruitment marketing. With over 7 years’ experience, we specialise exclusively in the recruitment sector, delivering strategy, branding, websites, marketing campaigns, and sales support. Our proven growth suite of products helps agencies attract more clients, win more business, and scale efficiently.https://www.bristowandhardy.co.uk/Diversity in Recruitment helps recruitment businesses understand diversity, equity, and inclusion in a way that makes sense. Our training and advisory work is designed to attract diverse talent, recruit inclusively, improve your candidate journey and confidently partner with their clients. DE&I doesn’t have to be complicated and scary - it’s simply about fair, ethical and high-quality recruitment.https://diversityinrecruitment.com/Keybridge IT Solutions is a London-based Fully Managed IT Support and solutions Provider - Providing 24×7 Support to all Customers. Specialities include Microsoft Cloud, including Office 365, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Azure, Security, Internet Connectivity, VoIP, and much more.https://www.keybridgeit.com/#RecruitmentPodcast #Rec2Rec #RemoteHiring #GlobalTalent #RecruitmentLeadership #AIinRecruitment #ScalingAgencies #RecruitmentLife

In this episode of The Recruiter’s Recruitment Podcast, host Lysha Holmes sits down with Hong Kong–based entrepreneur Mark Francis—an exited founder, recruitment leader, and HR tech innovator.Mark shares his journey from accidental recruiter to building and exiting multiple businesses across Asia, including executive search firms and a fintech platform supporting contractor funding. He dives into the evolution of recruitment tech—from spreadsheets and landlines to LinkedIn and now AI—and what it really means for recruiters today.The conversation tackles the realities of AI in hiring: from AI-generated CVs to automation challenges, bias concerns, and why human EQ still matters more than ever. Mark also shares predictions for the next 2–3 years, including the rise of side hustles, entrepreneurial recruiters, and new wealth creation models.Plus, practical advice for founders looking to scale and exit—why contractor books matter, how to build defensible niches, and what opportunities exist in fast-growing Asian markets.Expect honest insights, global perspective, and reassurance that recruitment isn’t going anywhere—it’s just evolving.Who this episode is for:Recruitment founders scaling or planning an exitRecruiters navigating AI and tech disruptionAnyone interested in global hiring trends (especially Asia)Aspiring entrepreneurs in recruitment or HR tech🔗 Connect with the guestMark Francis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-francis-80337a8/Preferrd: https://www.preferrd.io/🔗 Connect with the hostLysha Holmes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyshaholmesr2r/Qui Recruitment: https://www.quirecruitment.co.uk/Follow the podcast on another platform:https://www.youtube.com/@therecruitersrecruitmentpodhttps://the-recruiters-recruitment-podcast.captivate.fm/——————The Recruiter's Recruitment Podcast is proudly sponsored by Paiger, and partnered with Needi, Keybridge IT Solutions, Bristow & Hardy and Diversity in Recruitment.Our sponsor:Paiger - Making Recruiters Smarter and Faster. Paiger helps recruiters build personal brands, identify new business opportunities, attract candidates, and have better conversations.Find out more about Paiger: https://paiger.co/Our partners:Needi is a concierge gift-matching service using psychology and AI, to pinpoint the perfect gifts and experiences for your recipient, from the best local independent businesses. Their team of expert gift finders save companies time and money with their complimentary corporate gifting service.https://needi.co.uk/Bristow & Hardy partners with SME recruitment agencies to accelerate growth through sales enablement and recruitment marketing. With over 7 years’ experience, we specialise exclusively in the recruitment sector, delivering strategy, branding, websites, marketing campaigns, and sales support. Our proven growth suite of products helps agencies attract more clients, win more business, and scale efficiently.https://www.bristowandhardy.co.uk/Diversity in Recruitment helps recruitment businesses understand diversity, equity, and inclusion in a way that makes sense. Our training and advisory work is designed to attract diverse talent, recruit inclusively, improve your candidate journey and confidently partner with their clients. DE&I doesn’t have to be complicated and scary - it’s simply about fair, ethical and high-quality recruitment.https://diversityinrecruitment.com/Keybridge IT Solutions is a London-based Fully Managed IT Support and solutions Provider - Providing 24×7 Support to all Customers. Specialities include Microsoft Cloud, including Office 365, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Azure, Security, Internet Connectivity, VoIP, and much more.https://www.keybridgeit.com/#RecruitmentPodcast #RecTech #AIinRecruitment #RecruitmentLeaders #ScalingBusiness #Entrepreneurship #HRTech #GlobalRecruitment #AsiaMarkets

In this episode of The Recruiter’s Recruitment Podcast, host Lysha Holmes sits down with Leo Harrison, founder and CEO of Chapter 2, to explore what it really takes to build high-performing recruitment teams and scalable talent solutions.Leo shares the journey behind Chapter 2 — launched just weeks before COVID — and how his experience scaling global teams (including growing Oliver from four people to 3,000 employees across 40 countries) shaped his approach to modern talent acquisition.The conversation dives into the evolution of recruitment models, from traditional agency approaches to embedded talent solutions, AI-powered recruitment tools, and employer brand strategies that help companies attract top talent at scale.Leo also reveals the leadership principles that drive his business: radical transparency with teams, the importance of innovation, and why founders must stay “positively paranoid” about change to avoid being left behind.Lysha and Leo discuss how to define and retain “A-players”, including the key traits Leo looks for when hiring: resilience, curiosity, customer obsession, and strong communication. They also tackle burnout in recruitment and how great leaders support high performers when they’re struggling.Finally, Leo opens up about balancing founder life with family, sharing the mindset practices, personal values, and marathon running that help him stay grounded while scaling a global business.🔗 Connect with the guestLeo Harrison: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leoharrison1/Chapter 2: https://www.chapter2.group/🔗 Connect with the hostLysha Holmes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyshaholmesr2r/Qui Recruitment: https://www.quirecruitment.co.uk/Follow the podcast on another platform:https://www.youtube.com/@therecruitersrecruitmentpodhttps://the-recruiters-recruitment-podcast.captivate.fm/——————The Recruiter's Recruitment Podcast is proudly sponsored by Paiger, and partnered with Needi, Keybridge IT Solutions, Bristow & Hardy and Diversity in Recruitment.Our sponsor:Paiger - Making Recruiters Smarter and Faster. Paiger helps recruiters build personal brands, identify new business opportunities, attract candidates, and have better conversations.Find out more about Paiger: https://paiger.co/Our partners:Needi is a concierge gift-matching service using psychology and AI, to pinpoint the perfect gifts and experiences for your recipient, from the best local independent businesses. Their team of expert gift finders save companies time and money with their complimentary corporate gifting service.https://needi.co.uk/Bristow & Hardy partners with SME recruitment agencies to accelerate growth through sales enablement and recruitment marketing. With over 7 years’ experience, we specialise exclusively in the recruitment sector, delivering strategy, branding, websites, marketing campaigns, and sales support. Our proven growth suite of products helps agencies attract more clients, win more business, and scale efficiently.https://www.bristowandhardy.co.uk/Diversity in Recruitment helps recruitment businesses understand diversity, equity, and inclusion in a way that makes sense. Our training and advisory work is designed to attract diverse talent, recruit inclusively, improve your candidate journey and confidently partner with their clients. DE&I doesn’t have to be complicated and scary - it’s simply about fair, ethical and high-quality recruitment.https://diversityinrecruitment.com/Keybridge IT Solutions is a London-based Fully Managed IT Support and solutions Provider - Providing 24×7 Support to all Customers. Specialities include Microsoft Cloud, including Office 365, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Azure, Security, Internet Connectivity, VoIP, and much more.https://www.keybridgeit.com/#RecruitmentPodcast #RecruitmentLeaders #TalentAcquisition #RecruitmentIndustry #Leadership #ScalingTeams #FounderStories

In this episode of The Recruiter’s Recruitment Podcast, host Lysha Holmes speaks with Natasha Klymczuk, founder of Kelham Partners, about her journey from an unexpected start in nursing to building a retained recruitment business in the global chemicals sector.Natasha shares how a chance interaction with a recruiter led her into the industry, how her background in sales shaped her recruitment approach, and why retained search became central to her business model. She also reflects on launching Kelham Partners in 2025 and the realities of stepping away from a salaried role to build something from scratch.Natasha also talks about launching her own podcast, Speciality Sessions, sharing why she recorded an entire first season early on and how podcasting has helped her connect with leaders across the chemicals industry while strengthening her brand in a new business.If you’re considering launching your own recruitment business, transitioning to a retained model, or building influence in a niche sector, this episode is packed with honest insights and practical lessons.🔗 Connect with the guestNatasha Klymczuk: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natashaklymczuk-chemicalrecruitment/Kelham Partners: https://kelhampartners.com/Listen to Speciality Sessions on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts:https://www.youtube.com/@SpecialitySessionsPodcasthttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CS8Qos21QX83508RL5WX3https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/speciality-sessions/id1850962012🔗 Connect with the hostLysha Holmes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyshaholmesr2r/Qui Recruitment: https://www.quirecruitment.co.uk/Follow the podcast on another platform:https://www.youtube.com/@therecruitersrecruitmentpodhttps://the-recruiters-recruitment-podcast.captivate.fm/——————The Recruiter's Recruitment Podcast is proudly sponsored by Paiger, and partnered with Needi, Keybridge IT Solutions, Bristow & Hardy and Diversity in Recruitment.Our sponsor:Paiger - Making Recruiters Smarter and Faster. Paiger helps recruiters build personal brands, identify new business opportunities, attract candidates, and have better conversations.Find out more about Paiger: https://paiger.co/Our partners:Needi is a concierge gift-matching service using psychology and AI, to pinpoint the perfect gifts and experiences for your recipient, from the best local independent businesses. Their team of expert gift finders save companies time and money with their complimentary corporate gifting service.https://needi.co.uk/Bristow & Hardy partners with SME recruitment agencies to accelerate growth through sales enablement and recruitment marketing. With over 7 years’ experience, we specialise exclusively in the recruitment sector, delivering strategy, branding, websites, marketing campaigns, and sales support. Our proven growth suite of products helps agencies attract more clients, win more business, and scale efficiently.https://www.bristowandhardy.co.uk/Diversity in Recruitment helps recruitment businesses understand diversity, equity, and inclusion in a way that makes sense. Our training and advisory work is designed to attract diverse talent, recruit inclusively, improve your candidate journey and confidently partner with their clients. DE&I doesn’t have to be complicated and scary - it’s simply about fair, ethical and high-quality recruitment.https://diversityinrecruitment.com/Keybridge IT Solutions is a London-based Fully Managed IT Support and solutions Provider - Providing 24×7 Support to all Customers. Specialities include Microsoft Cloud, including Office 365, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Azure, Security, Internet Connectivity, VoIP, and much more.https://www.keybridgeit.com/#RecruitmentPodcast #RecruitmentFounder #RetainedSearch #RecruitmentBusiness #RecruitmentLeadership #NicheRecruitment

In this episode of The Recruiter’s Recruitment Podcast, host Lysha Holmes is joined by Lucy Robinson, Founder & CEO of LCR International.Lucy shares her journey from FMCG recruitment into building a truly global, specialist search firm focused exclusively on senior appointments within the fresh produce industry. With clients in 22 countries and a team spanning the UK, South America and Asia, she offers a refreshingly honest look at what it really takes to lead a hybrid and international recruitment business.From launching in December 2019 on the brink of COVID, to navigating shifting global supply chains, Lucy talks candidly about resilience, mindset and the realities of scaling as a founder with a young family.Key themes include:Building and protecting culture across remote and hybrid teamsLeading across time zones and navigating cultural differencesWhy continuous personal development is non-negotiable for foundersMoving from contingent to retained searchPractical automation wins (AI note-takers, CRM integrations, outreach tools)Where AI helps recruitment – and where it absolutely shouldn’t replace the human touchLucy also discusses her podcast, Behind the Fruit, spotlighting leaders and innovators in the global fresh produce space.🔗 Connect with the guestLucy Robinson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucyrobinsoninternational/LCR International: https://www.lcrint.com/Listen to Behind the Fruit on Apple Podcasts and Spotify:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2571507🔗 Connect with the hostLysha Holmes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyshaholmesr2r/Qui Recruitment: https://www.quirecruitment.co.uk/Follow the podcast on another platform:https://www.youtube.com/@therecruitersrecruitmentpodhttps://the-recruiters-recruitment-podcast.captivate.fm/——————The Recruiter's Recruitment Podcast is proudly sponsored by Paiger, and partnered with Needi, Keybridge IT Solutions, Bristow & Hardy and Diversity in Recruitment.Our sponsor:Paiger - Making Recruiters Smarter and Faster. Paiger helps recruiters build personal brands, identify new business opportunities, attract candidates, and have better conversations.Find out more about Paiger: https://paiger.co/Our partners:Needi is a concierge gift-matching service using psychology and AI, to pinpoint the perfect gifts and experiences for your recipient, from the best local independent businesses. Their team of expert gift finders save companies time and money with their complimentary corporate gifting service.https://needi.co.uk/Bristow & Hardy partners with SME recruitment agencies to accelerate growth through sales enablement and recruitment marketing. With over 7 years’ experience, we specialise exclusively in the recruitment sector, delivering strategy, branding, websites, marketing campaigns, and sales support. Our proven growth suite of products helps agencies attract more clients, win more business, and scale efficiently.https://www.bristowandhardy.co.uk/Diversity in Recruitment helps recruitment businesses understand diversity, equity, and inclusion in a way that makes sense. Our training and advisory work is designed to attract diverse talent, recruit inclusively, improve your candidate journey and confidently partner with their clients. DE&I doesn’t have to be complicated and scary - it’s simply about fair, ethical and high-quality recruitment.https://diversityinrecruitment.com/Keybridge IT Solutions is a London-based Fully Managed IT Support and solutions Provider - Providing 24×7 Support to all Customers. Specialities include Microsoft Cloud, including Office 365, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Azure, Security, Internet Connectivity, VoIP, and much more.https://www.keybridgeit.com/#RecruitmentPodcast #RecruitmentLeadership #GlobalRecruitment #FreshProduce #RetainedSearch #WomenInRecruitment #RecruitmentFounder #AIinRecruitment

In this powerful episode of The Recruiter’s Recruitment Podcast, Lysha Holmes is joined by Mel Knight and Naomi Hewitt, Co-Founders of Action Potential Performance, to tackle one of the biggest questions facing our industry right now: are we investing enough in people?From the decline in trainee hiring to the over-reliance on experienced billers, Mel and Naomi unpack the commercial pressures recruitment leaders are facing – and why short-term thinking could be costing businesses their future growth.Drawing on backgrounds spanning neuroscience, operations, sales and leadership, they explore:Why Gen Z’s relationship with communication is reshaping recruiter skillsetsThe growing confidence gap in early-career consultantsCoachability, curiosity and resilience as the new “DNA” markers of top recruitersThe real impact of hybrid working on culture, training and retentionWhy top billers don’t automatically make great leadersHow leadership blind spots, lack of L&D budgets and poor management are driving attritionThe conversation also dives into fractional L&D models, safe spaces for leadership development, and why even Mel and Naomi invest in their own coach to sharpen their edge.This is a candid, forward-thinking discussion about building sustainable recruitment businesses — not just profitable ones.🔗 Connect with the guestsMel Knight: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mel-knight-chartered-mcipd-46686422/Naomi Hewitt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomi-hewitt-0899b1161/Action Potential Performance: https://actionpotentialgroup.org/🔗 Connect with the hostLysha Holmes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyshaholmesr2r/Qui Recruitment: https://www.quirecruitment.co.uk/Follow the podcast on YouTube, Captivate, Spotify and Apple Podcasts:https://www.youtube.com/@therecruitersrecruitmentpodhttps://the-recruiters-recruitment-podcast.captivate.fm/——————The Recruiter's Recruitment Podcast is proudly sponsored by Paiger, and partnered with Needi, Keybridge IT Solutions, Bristow & Hardy and Diversity in Recruitment.Our sponsor:Paiger - Making Recruiters Smarter and Faster. Paiger helps recruiters build personal brands, identify new business opportunities, attract candidates, and have better conversations.Find out more about Paiger: https://paiger.co/Our partners:Needi is a concierge gift-matching service using psychology and AI, to pinpoint the perfect gifts and experiences for your recipient, from the best local independent businesses. Their team of expert gift finders save companies time and money with their complimentary corporate gifting service.https://needi.co.uk/Bristow & Hardy partners with SME recruitment agencies to accelerate growth through sales enablement and recruitment marketing. With over 7 years’ experience, we specialise exclusively in the recruitment sector, delivering strategy, branding, websites, marketing campaigns, and sales support. Our proven growth suite of products helps agencies attract more clients, win more business, and scale efficiently.https://www.bristowandhardy.co.uk/Diversity in Recruitment helps recruitment businesses understand diversity, equity, and inclusion in a way that makes sense. Our training and advisory work is designed to attract diverse talent, recruit inclusively, improve your candidate journey and confidently partner with their clients. DE&I doesn’t have to be complicated and scary - it’s simply about fair, ethical and high-quality recruitment.https://diversityinrecruitment.com/Keybridge IT Solutions is a London-based Fully Managed IT Support and solutions Provider - Providing 24×7 Support to all Customers. Specialities include Microsoft Cloud, including Office 365, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Azure, Security, Internet Connectivity, VoIP, and much more.https://www.keybridgeit.com/#RecruitmentPodcast #RecruitmentLeadership #TalentDevelopment #RecruitmentTraining #FutureOfRecruitment #AgencyGrowth #LearningAndDevelopment

In this episode of The Recruiter’s Recruitment Podcast, Lysha Holmes speaks with Sam Hameed, Co-Founder of SPG Resourcing and Director of SPG Intelligence, about challenging recruitment’s traditional playbook.Sam shares how SPG has built a technical recruitment model that prioritises credibility over clichés. Every consultant receives a £2–2.5k annual training budget to gain real industry certifications — and internal engineers technically interview candidates before they’re submitted to clients. The result? Higher success rates, reduced time-to-hire, and stronger client trust.But the real disruption? Moving away from commission-first thinking.Sam explains why SPG is transitioning toward running each recruiter’s desk as a profit centre — giving full visibility of desk costs, break-even points, and profitability. Instead of focusing purely on top-line fees, consultants are rewarded on sustainable profit and long-term value.The episode also explores:Post-2023 market realitiesCommercial accountability in recruitmentBuilding a tech-enabled services groupDeveloping stronger, more credible recruitersWho This Episode Is ForRecruitment founders rethinking commission modelsAgency leaders navigating tighter marketsTech recruiters wanting deeper industry credibilityConsultants who want to think like business ownersA candid, commercially focused conversation about elevating recruitment standards.🔗 Connect with the guestSam Hameed: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-hameed-spg/SPG Resourcing: https://www.spgresourcing.com/SPG Intelligence: https://www.spgintelligence.com/🔗 Connect with the hostLysha Holmes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyshaholmesr2r/Qui Recruitment: https://www.quirecruitment.co.uk/Follow the podcast on YouTube, Captivate, Spotify and Apple Podcasts:https://www.youtube.com/@therecruitersrecruitmentpodhttps://the-recruiters-recruitment-podcast.captivate.fm/——————The Recruiter's Recruitment Podcast is proudly sponsored by Paiger, and partnered with Needi, Keybridge IT Solutions, Bristow & Hardy and Diversity in Recruitment.Our sponsor:Paiger - Making Recruiters Smarter and Faster. Paiger helps recruiters build personal brands, identify new business opportunities, attract candidates, and have better conversations.Find out more about Paiger: https://paiger.co/Our partners:Needi is a concierge gift-matching service using psychology and AI, to pinpoint the perfect gifts and experiences for your recipient, from the best local independent businesses. Their team of expert gift finders save companies time and money with their complimentary corporate gifting service.https://needi.co.uk/Bristow & Hardy partners with SME recruitment agencies to accelerate growth through sales enablement and recruitment marketing. With over 7 years’ experience, we specialise exclusively in the recruitment sector, delivering strategy, branding, websites, marketing campaigns, and sales support. Our proven growth suite of products helps agencies attract more clients, win more business, and scale efficiently.https://www.bristowandhardy.co.uk/Diversity in Recruitment helps recruitment businesses understand diversity, equity, and inclusion in a way that makes sense. Our training and advisory work is designed to attract diverse talent, recruit inclusively, improve your candidate journey and confidently partner with their clients. DE&I doesn’t have to be complicated and scary - it’s simply about fair, ethical and high-quality recruitment.https://diversityinrecruitment.com/Keybridge IT Solutions is a London-based Fully Managed IT Support and solutions Provider - Providing 24×7 Support to all Customers. Specialities include Microsoft Cloud, including Office 365, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Azure, Security, Internet Connectivity, VoIP, and much more.https://www.keybridgeit.com/#RecruitmentLeadership #TechRecruitment #AgencyGrowth #ProfitOverCommission #RecruitmentPodcast