Shows
1% Better Recruitment PodcastThe Financial Mistakes That Kill Recruitment Agencies | Pavan K (EP 78)What if the biggest threat to your recruitment business isn’t the market… but your financial discipline?In this episode, I’m joined by Pav, also known as The Boring Accountant, to break down the financial mistakes that quietly damage recruitment agencies every single year.Pav works closely with recruitment founders on tax, cashflow, and long-term financial planning. That gives him a front-row seat to the patterns that repeat, surprise tax bills, poor cashflow management, directors taking too much out of the business, and founders making decisions based purely on what’s in their bank account...
2026-02-2449 min
1% Better Recruitment PodcastIs Recruitment a Sales Job… or a Marketing Job? | Kris Holland (EP 77)What if recruitment isn’t just a sales job anymore… but a marketing job?In this episode, I’m joined by Kris Holland, Founder of Kitto, to unpack a debate that’s dividing recruiters right now, has recruitment fundamentally shifted from pure sales to sales enabled by marketing?Kris works with growth-focused recruitment agencies on brand, positioning, demand generation, and revenue enablement. That gives him a front-row seat to how agencies are actually winning business in 2026, and why cold calling alone simply isn’t enough anymore.This is not a “sales is dead” episode. We br...
2026-02-1756 min
1% Better Recruitment PodcastThe Business Development Lessons That Still Win After 40yrs in Recruitment | Martin Crapper (EP 76)What if the biggest problem in recruitment business development isn’t the market, tech, or competition… but forgetting what actually works?In this episode, I’m joined by Martin Crapper, Managing Director at Redline Group, to unpack the business development lessons that still win after 40 years in recruitment.Martin has spent four decades building and evolving a specialist recruitment business in the electronics sector. That longevity gives him a rare, grounded perspective on how BD has changed over time, what’s stayed the same, and why people, curiosity, and consistency still outperform shortcuts and shiny tools.
2026-02-1046 min
1% Better Recruitment PodcastWhere AI Actually Helps Recruiters (And Where It Doesn’t) - w/ Derry Holt (EP 75)What if AI isn’t the silver bullet recruiters think it is?In this episode, I’m joined by Derry Holt, Founder & CEO of OneUp Sales, to break down where AI actually helps recruiters, and where it causes more problems than progress.Derry works closely with recruitment founders and leaders on sales performance and execution, giving him a front-row seat to how agencies are really using AI and automation day to day. We talk candidly about what’s working, what’s not, and why many agencies are panic-buying tech without fixing the fund...
2026-02-031h 00
1% Better Recruitment PodcastThe Worlds First AI Only Recruitment Agency w/ Alex Odwell (EP 74)What if the future of recruitment isn’t better recruiters… but fewer humans altogether?In this episode, I’m joined by Alex Odwell, founder of Referment, to explore one of the most challenging and controversial ideas in recruitment today, the rise of the zero-human recruitment agency.Alex has spent nearly two decades building and scaling recruitment businesses and is now operating an agency powered almost entirely by agentic AI. From job intake and candidate qualification to engagement and shortlisting, Referment challenges many long-held assumptions about where recruiters add value, where bias creeps in, and whether humans...
2026-01-271h 15
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 73 - Old-School Sales, New-School Tech, What Actually Works? w/Rohit KapoorWhat if the biggest mistake recruiters are making right now isn’t the market, AI, or competition… but forgetting the fundamentals that actually drive sales?In this episode, I’m joined by Rohit Kapoor to break down what really works when you combine old-school sales discipline with new-school recruitment technology. Rohit has spent his career across agency recruitment, tech sales, and building recruitment tech, giving him a rare, practical perspective on what helps recruiters win and what simply adds noise.We dive into why recruitment will always remain a sales-led, people-first business, where automation genuinely adds v...
2026-01-201h 06
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 72 – What Recruiters Need to Get Right in 2026 w/ Dougie LoanWhat if the biggest mistake recruiters are making as we head into 2026 isn’t the market, AI, or competition… but believing automation alone will drive success?In this episode, I’m joined by Dougie Loan, CRO at SourceWhale, to break down what recruiters, leaders, and founders actually need to get right as technology, automation, and AI continue to reshape the industry. Dougie has spent his career working at the intersection of recruitment, sales, and tech, partnering with agencies of all sizes to improve productivity, performance, and profitability.We dive into why recruitment will always remain a sale...
2026-01-131h 01
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 71 – The Real Difference Between Average and Great Recruiters in Today’s Market w/ Sarah LeeteWhat if the real reason some recruiters thrive long-term while others burn out, stagnate or disappear isn’t market conditions, AI, or competition… but the way they think, work and serve people?In this episode, I’m joined by Sarah Leete, Co-Founder of Lawrence Dean Recruitment, a business she has grown and led for over 15 years through recessions, market crashes, COVID, and now the rise of AI. Sarah is one of those rare operators who didn’t “fall into” recruitment, she chose it, and built her career on service, honesty, resilience and long-term relationships.We dive into wh...
2026-01-061h 13
1% Better Recruitment Podcast2025 Wrapped, Gratitude & What’s Next | The 1% Better Recruitment PodcastWhat if the biggest milestone in building something meaningful isn’t the downloads, the sponsors, or the stats… but realising how many people you’ve helped along the way?In this special end-of-year episode of the The 1% Better Recruitment Podcast, there’s no guest and no script, just a raw reflection on 2025, the journey so far, and what’s coming next in 2026.Recorded at home, this episode starts with Marshall making an appearance, who’s become a bit of a regular star on recordings done from the house. Partway through, I’m also on full dad duty, whic...
2025-12-2322 min
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 70 - Fix Your Process, Fix Your Agency w/ Saeed BorWhat if the biggest problems holding recruitment agencies back right now aren’t bad markets, lack of candidates or not enough tools… but the simple truth that most agencies are running on broken processes?In this episode, I’m joined by Saeed Bor, Founder of Embedded Ops, and one of the most respected operators in the industry. After a career that spans enterprise tech recruitment, agency leadership, COO roles and now consulting across dozens of recruitment businesses, Saeed has developed a reputation for fixing what founders overlook — the processes, ratios, habits and workflows that directly drive profitability.We...
2025-12-161h 23
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 69 - How He Sold a £2.1M RPO: The Future of Recruitment w/ Nicholas ThomasWhat if the biggest opportunities in recruitment right now aren’t about more clients, more jobs or more tools… but about shifting how you position your service so you’re seen as a partner, not a CV supplier?In this episode, I’m joined by Nicholas Thomas, CEO and Founder of Everhire, who has built one of the fastest-growing civil engineering and renewable energy recruitment agencies operating across the UK, US and Scandinavia. After starting his career in a corporate environment, Nicholas went on to build Everhire into a multi-office, multi-country operation — fuelled by retainers, subscription hiring models and...
2025-12-091h 28
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 68 - Is 360 Recruitment Dead? Will AI Replace Delivery Consultants? w/ Austin ClarkWhat if the biggest mistakes recruitment agencies make aren’t about BD, sourcing or billing… but about scaling too fast, carrying too much headcount, and forgetting the fundamentals that actually win business?In this episode, I’m joined by Austin Clark, Co-Founder of SCI Partners and Entrust Resource Solutions, who has spent over 15 years building, scaling, right-sizing and rebuilding life sciences recruitment teams across the UK and Europe. After growing SCI to 30 heads before the market crashed, Austin had to navigate one of the toughest periods the sector has seen — and came out with a smarter, leaner and more...
2025-12-021h 25
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 67 - How To Build Your Name, Build Your Market & Build a Desk From Scratch w/ RoxanneWhat if the fastest way to grow in recruitment wasn’t by trying to do everything… but by building a name so strong that your market starts coming to you?In this episode, I’m joined by Roxanne Kirkhope-Winnan, Head of Bolt Technical, who built her reputation the hard way — through consistency, honesty, personality, and showing up online even on the days life felt chaotic. From cabin crew to recruitment, from starting again in engineering to launching Bolt Technical, Roxanne has built both a name and a market by being unapologetically herself.We dive into the real...
2025-11-251h 09
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 66 Why Most Trainees Quit, But a Few Become £1M Billers w/ Brandon WhiteWhat if the difference between a failing trainee and a £1M biller isn’t talent… but sacrifice, environment, and expectations?In this episode, I’m joined by Brandon White, Founder of Volta Search and one of the most honest voices in the Rec2Rec space. With 11 years in the industry, Brandon has seen exactly why some trainees quit early — and why a small few go on to build huge careers.We dig into the realities of becoming a top performer in recruitment: long hours, consistency, culture, communication, burnout, rebuilding confidence, and why working from home too soon...
2025-11-181h 19
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 65 – The Death Of Sh*t-House Recruitment w/ Sheldon ClotteyWhat if the real problem in recruitment today isn’t the market… but how people are working?In this episode, I’m joined by Sheldon Clottey — Founder of Charles & Charles Recruitment, who’s built a global business spanning London, Dubai, and the US construction market.We dig into what “real recruitment” looks like in 2025 — from data-driven BD and candidate marketing, to exclusivity, client control, and why most recruiters have forgotten the basics. Sheldon shares how he built his US desk from scratch, the blueprint for setting up new markets, and how to balance automation, AI, and actual skill...
2025-11-041h 14
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 64 - How To Break Into The US Market + Outsourcing In South Africa w/Elliott ManningWhat if you expanded your recruitment business to America before everyone else thought it was cool?In this episode, I’m joined by Elliott Manning — Founder & Managing Director of Kayman Recruitment, who built one of the UK’s most recognised Rec2Rec firms, expanded into the US before it became the trend, and is now helping agencies scale globally through outsourcing and consultancy.Elliott lifts the lid on the reality of building in the US without a roadmap — from flying to New York ten times in a year to learn the market, to discovering the cultural...
2025-10-281h 15
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 63 - How To Coach, Practical Management Tools & His Crazy Battle with Cancer w/Naz HarrisonWhat if being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer completely changed the way you think, lead, and live?In this episode, I’m joined by Naz Harrison — Director, Coach & L&D Leader, who opens up about his battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, how it transformed his outlook on life, and why it shaped his mission to help recruiters and leaders think, coach, and perform differently.We unpack Naz’s journey from recruiter to global L&D leader, what real coaching actually looks like (and why most managers get it wrong), and how mindset, vulnerability, and emotional intelligence drive tr...
2025-10-211h 31
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 62 - Habits of a Top Biller: How To Master Business Development w/Jay GurneyWhat if your dream job offer fell through the week before you started — and the world went into lockdown?In this episode, I’m joined by Jay Gurney, Director of Radiology at Projectus, who went from working warehouse shifts during COVID to becoming one of the company’s top global billers and leading its US expansion.Fun story, I actually interviewed Jay in 2020 to be my resourcer! We dig into Jay’s journey from rejection to resilience — from packing boxes and delivering food to billing hundreds of thousands...
2025-10-141h 06
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 61 - Authenticity, Culture & Finding the Right Recruitment Business w/ Adam HoltWhat if the best way to stand out in recruitment wasn’t about flashy KPIs or cold call sprints — but by being unapologetically yourself?In this episode, I’m joined by Adam, Director at At Talent, a Rec2Rec specialist helping recruiters find the right businesses, leaders, and environments to truly thrive in.We dive into Adam’s journey through recruitment and Rec2Rec, why authenticity is the ultimate sales advantage, and how too many recruiters still put clients on a pedestal. From finding the right company fit to the truth about job hopping, KPIs, and toxi...
2025-10-071h 23
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 60 - Creative Outreach, Polite Persistence & Mastering Long-term Relationships w/Frazer GrahamWhat if the best way to grow in recruitment wasn’t by chasing quick wins, but by mastering long-term relationships and persistence?In this episode, I’m joined by Fraser Graham, Founder of Nautic, a Rec2Rec business specialising in placing recruiters from consultant to director level across Manchester and the Northwest.We dive into Fraser’s journey from leaving football and sport behind at 18, to jumping into recruitment during the post-lockdown boom, and now launching his own agency. From the brutal realities of Rec2Rec and why recruiters have such a bad reputation, to sellin...
2025-09-301h 00
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 59 - Building and Dominating a Niche Market, From Fear of Starting Alone to Discipline & Resilience w/Emma AprilWhat if the best way to succeed in recruitment wasn’t to be everywhere, but to dominate a niche so well that clients had no choice but to come to you?In this episode, I’m joined by Emma April, Founder of HuntStart Consulting, a specialist recruitment agency for FX brokers and fintech companies across Cyprus, the UAE and beyond.We dive into Emma’s journey from HR in Cyprus to recruitment in London, the fear that held her back from starting her own business, and the personal challenges she faced while launching her agency — includin...
2025-09-231h 10
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 58 From Fax Machines to AI: The Evolution of Recruitment w/Stuart BiggsWhat if you started in recruitment when CVs were faxed across town — and now lead teams navigating AI, automation, and a new generation of recruiters?In this episode, I’m joined by Stuart Biggs, veteran recruiter and sales leader, who’s lived through the full evolution of recruitment — from fax machines and cold calls to CRMs, automation, and AI-driven sourcing.Recorded in March 2025, we dive into how the industry has changed, why sales culture has declined post-COVID, and what leaders can do to rebuild it without burning people out. Stuart also opens up about his passion...
2025-09-181h 07
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 57 – Starting a Business During the Pandemic, Personal Branding, and Sobriety w/ Ivor StratfordWhat if you launched a recruitment business in the middle of a global pandemic — and then had to rebuild it from the ground up when the tech boom turned bust?In this episode, I’m joined by Ivor Stratford, Co-Founder of Morpheus, a recruitment business specialising in early-stage, VC/PE-backed tech companies with a strong focus on AI and machine learning.We dive into what it was really like starting a business in March 2020, why their early success was built on sand, and how they pivoted to create stronger foundations, culture, and credibility. Ivor also open...
2025-09-091h 17
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 56 - The Celebrity Experience: Standing Out in Recruitment w/Samm GreenWhat if recruitment wasn’t about transactions, but about making every client and candidate feel like a VIP?In this episode, I’m joined by Sam Green, Co-Founder & COO at Few&Far, one of Europe’s leading digital product recruitment firms.We dig into how Sam and his team built a reputation for creating a “celebrity experience” — from community-led business development and events, to consultative client meetings and a culture that’s kept average tenure at 4.7 years. We unpack how to stand out in recruitment by combining culture, consistency, and care with smart use of AI and operations.
2025-09-0949 min
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 55 - The BD Process Every Recruiter Needs (Even If You Hate Cold Calling) w/Reece WarrenWhat if winning new clients didn’t mean hammering cold calls all day?In this episode, I’m joined by Reece Warren, founder of Nameless Ventures in Dubai and former early employee at Few & Far in London.We dive into the brutal reality of business development in recruitment: what actually works when you’ve got no brand, no warm network, and no endless jobs falling on your desk. From pivoting his business model after a painful first year, to building a desk in Dubai without a single contact, Reece shares the raw truth about BD, retainers, and wh...
2025-09-0245 min
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 54: Why Most Recruitment Startups Fail (and How to Avoid It) w/ Charlie HuntWhat happens when your agency scales — but your systems, ops, and people can’t keep up?In this episode, I’m joined by Charlie Hunt — fractional CFO & COO, former head of operations in recruitment, and trusted advisor to startups and scale-ups.We unpack what really breaks inside recruitment businesses when they try to grow too fast, why CRMs and tech stacks are so often misused, and how to build the right foundations before you add headcount.From AI note-takers to KPI debates, 180 vs 360 models, and the tipping point for investing in operations, this one is a rea...
2025-08-261h 19
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 53 – The Two Types of LinkedIn Content You’re Ignoring (That Make the Most Money) w/ Sam RasdallAre you posting the wrong stuff on LinkedIn?In this episode of The 1% Better Recruitment Podcast, I’m joined by Sam Rasdall, founder of Potent Positioning, former MD at Bold Identities, and branding/marketing strategist for the recruitment industry.Sam breaks down the four LinkedIn content types, including the two that generate the most revenue but rarely get used, and shows how to turn branding and marketing into real business development results.We unpack how to build personal and employer brands that command higher fees, create inbound leads, and win retained work, plus Sam’s si...
2025-08-191h 16
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 52 – Rebuilding Sales Culture in Recruitment w/Terry PayneIs your recruitment team hiding behind keyboards instead of picking up the phone?In this episode of The 1% Better Recruitment Podcast, I’m joined by Terry Payne, Global MD at Aspire, leading recruitment teams across the UK, Singapore, Dubai, and New York, with nearly three decades in staffing.Terry lifts the lid on why sales culture has declined in recruitment, how to rebuild it without burning people out, and why hiring on behaviours (not just qualifications/experience) can transform your business.We unpack practical strategies for balancing automation with human touch, running non-negotiable sales sprints, and ke...
2025-08-1250 min
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 51 - Unlocking Performance Psychology in Recruitment w/Alex ElliottWhat if performance psychology was the missing link in your recruitment business?In this episode of The 1% Better Recruitment Podcast, I’m joined by Alex Elliott — recruitment investor, advisor, and former founder who exited his own agency after scaling it over 10 years.Alex lifts the lid on what truly drives elite performance and sustainable leadership in recruitment — and why most businesses are still focused on the wrong things.We unpack the psychology behind motivation, consistency, standards, and how the best managers act more like therapists than KPI enforcers.We explore:✅ Why performance psycholo...
2025-08-051h 09
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 50 - What It Takes To Be a Great Recruiter and Founder w/Elaine TylerWhat happens when you build a fast-growing recruitment business, raise millions in investment… and realise you’ve completely lost yourself in the process?In this episode, I’m joined by Elaine Tyler — founder of Venatrix, a specialist SaaS sales recruitment firm, and a fearless voice for female founders navigating growth, pressure, and leadership burnout.Elaine opens up about the real cost of scaling too quickly, chasing the wrong kind of investment, and trying to lead while constantly people-pleasing. But this isn’t just a founder story — it’s packed with hard-hitting lessons for recruiters, leaders, and anyone buildin...
2025-07-291h 05
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 49 – You Can’t Automate Your Way to a Million-Pound Desk w/ Marc BurgessWhat happens when automation takes over your BD — and you forget how to actually speak to people?In this episode, I’m joined by Marc Burgess — contract recruitment leader, sales director at 4mation Partners, and fierce advocate for process, structure, and proper human connection in recruitment.We dive into Marc’s no-BS take on lazy BD, automation culture, and why so many recruiters are losing deals they should be winning — all because they’re skipping steps and hiding behind tools.From multi-million pound billings to war room training and $200K mistakes, this one is a masterclass...
2025-07-231h 06
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 48 - High Performance Hacks That Works For Recruiters w/Jack SalmonWhat happens when the party lifestyle becomes your identity — and you wake up one day with no goals, no purpose, and nothing left in the tank?In this episode, I’m joined by Jack Salmon — high-performance coach, extreme endurance athlete, and a brutally honest voice on sobriety, structure, and self-leadership.We dive into Jack’s journey from 48-hour benders and rock-bottom mornings to becoming a present dad, disciplined business owner, and the man he never had growing up. From rewiring his mindset to redefining masculinity, Jack shares the routines, reflections, and raw truths that helped him buil...
2025-07-151h 10
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 47 - The Challenges of a Young And Underestimated 7-figure Founder w/Sam HunterWhat happens when a young female recruiter launches two businesses before 30, pivots mid-pandemic, and bills over £2M — all while being constantly underestimated?In this episode, I’m joined by Sam Hunter, founder, temp recruitment specialist, and fierce advocate for leading from the front.We dive into what it really takes to scale a high-performing temp desk, how to pivot your business when the market shifts, and why mindset, structure, and resilience will always beat “hype” and shortcuts. From 4:30am site visits to securing investment in her 20s, Sam shares a brutally honest take on growing a business...
2025-07-081h 08
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 46 – Mass Spec-Outs Are Lazy. Here’s What to Do Instead w/ Dani-Louise & KateWhat happens when two recruiters say no to spec-outs, ditch the e-shots, and decide to raise the bar in Rec2Rec?In this episode, I’m joined by Dani-Louise and Kate, Co-Founders of Barkely Ellis Talent Solutions — a Rec2Rec brand built on high standards, strong relationships, and straight-talking honesty.We get into what Rec2Rec should look like in 2025 — and why most of the industry is getting it wrong. From WhatsApping clients before sending CVs to the hidden cost of not meeting your candidates, this one’s packed with practical lessons and a few mic drop...
2025-07-0159 min
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 45 – The Harsh Truth About Scaling and Selling a Recruitment Business w/ Rob SaltreseWhat if selling your recruitment business isn’t the dream you’ve been sold?In this episode, I’m joined by Rob Saltrese — serial founder, fractional C-suite advisor, and the brutally honest voice every recruitment entrepreneur needs to hear.We unpack the real story behind scaling a business, navigating ego, loneliness, ADHD, and why most exits are anything but sexy. Rob shares raw lessons from growing multiple companies, walking away from a multi-million pound deal, and rebuilding after it all fell apart — mentally, financially, and personally.We cover:✅ Why most recruitment exits aren’t as gl...
2025-06-241h 03
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 44 – Why Relationships Will Always Beat AI in Recruitment w/ Julian LisaunskasWhat if the best recruiters are still the ones who care the most?In this episode, I’m joined by Julian Lisaunskas, Founder of 5Q Consultancy and a seasoned Rec2Rec with 18+ years of battle-tested experience.We dive into what’s really missing in modern recruitment — genuine human connection.From donut deliveries that led to six-figure accounts to WhatsApp voice notes that win deals, Julian unpacks how building meaningful relationships can’t be replaced by tools or AI. We also explore what it means to be a “recruitment geek,” how to prep candidates like a pro...
2025-06-171h 10
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 43 – Why Leaderboards Work & Lazy Recruiters Hate Data w/Mark Howell"If your recruiters hate KPIs and ignore the CRM, this episode will explain why — and how to fix it."In this episode of The 1% Better Recruitment Podcast, I’m joined by Mark Howell, Founder of TenRecs Software, the all-in-one recruitment platform combining CRM, analytics, payroll, and real-time gamification to drive performance across your agency.We get brutally honest about:✅ Why leaderboards motivate top performers (and expose the lazy ones)✅ Gamification in sales, and how it rewires motivation✅ The real reason most recruiters avoid CRMs✅ KPI culture, call stats, and modern performance...
2025-06-1058 min
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 42 - How to Successfully Build a 100+ Person Recruitment Business w/Nick Barton"How do you scale a recruitment firm to 100+ people without losing your niche?"In this episode of The 1% Better Recruitment Podcast, I’m joined by Nick Barton, Founder of The Barton Partnership — a global executive search firm built on strategy, transformation, and a relentless focus on customer service.Nick shares his 25+ year journey from packing boxes in a warehouse to leading a 100+ person firm with offices in London, New York, Singapore, Paris and Sydney.We cover:✅ How to scale a recruitment business without losing focus✅ The culture-building mindset that creates collabor...
2025-06-0448 min
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 41 – "Just Man Up" - The Truth About Mental Health In Recruitment & Construction w/Ben Gatt"I was drowning… and no one knew."In one of the most honest conversations we’ve ever had, Ben Gatt, co-founder of Kanvas Recruitment Group, opens up about the real mental health struggles recruiters and construction professionals face behind the scenes.This episode pulls no punches. We talk anxiety, therapy, burnout, booze culture, and the toxic pressure to “man up” — and how to build something better.We dive into:✅ Mental health in recruitment & construction✅ Burnout, breakdowns & building boundaries✅ Booze culture, bad leadership & the reality of young recruiters✅ Why therapy isn’t weak...
2025-05-271h 11
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 40 – Rugby, Recruitment & Robots: AI and High-Performance Teams w/Gary TruemanWhen ex-professional rugby player Gary Trueman stepped off the pitch and into the world of tech recruitment, he brought with him a relentless drive for high performance — and a mindset shaped by elite sport.Now leading Arrows Group and pioneering AI adoption in recruitment, Gary joins me on The 1% Better Recruitment Podcast to break down how automation, data, and mindset are transforming our industry — and what recruiters must do to stay relevant.We explore:✅ Will AI replace recruiters, or just the lazy ones?✅ How to actually use tools like ChatGPT (without sounding like a robot...
2025-05-201h 14
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP39 – How to Perform Under Pressure Without Burning Out w/ Angie McGrandlesWhen Anji McGradles’ husband was diagnosed with a brain tumour — not once, but twice — it triggered a personal transformation that led her deep into the world of mindset, wellness, and neuroscience.Now a leading workplace wellness strategist, Anji joins me on The 1% Better Recruitment Podcast to share powerful, practical tools to help you thrive under pressure — without sacrificing your mental health.We explore:✅ What burnout really looks like (and how to spot it early)✅ The Red to Blue method used by elite performers like the All Blacks✅ Neuroscience-backed techniques to manage stress and boo...
2025-05-131h 44
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP38 – From Big Corporate to Boutique Agency: Mastering The Recruitment Basics w/ Joe WestWant to know what it’s REALLY like moving from a huge corporate agency to a boutique?In this episode of The 1% Better Recruitment Podcast, I’m joined by Joe West from Insite Recruitment — ex-Michael Page Director, now helping build something special in the boutique world.We dive into:✅ How big corporate training creates (and limits) recruiters✅ The key differences between corporate vs boutique agency life✅ Why top-down coaching is the missing piece for most recruitment teams✅ The 3 traits Joe looks for when hiring future top performers✅ How to adapt your style if yo...
2025-05-061h 17
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 37 - From Lawyer to 7-Figure Biller: Secrets of a Million-Pound Biller w/Amy HambletonIn this episode of The 1% Better Recruitment Podcast, I’m joined by the incredible Amy Hambleton, Director at RedLaw — one of the UK’s leading legal recruitment firms. 🚀We dive deep into:✅ What it really takes to bill 7 figures annually in legal recruitment✅ How to succeed in long sales cycles (think 6–18 months)✅ The 3 core traits Amy looks for in high-performing recruiters✅ Why mastering the basics will always beat chasing shiny hacks✅ How to stop “pestering clients” and start adding value✅ Balancing business ownership, billing, and being a parent
2025-04-291h 08
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 36 - How to Master Cold Outreach, Crush Cold Calls & Build a Personal Brand W/Emily WhiteWant to master cold outreach, smash cold calls, and grow your personal brand? 🚀 Emily White from SourceWhale shares her full playbook: 9-step BD flows, killer cold call tips, email tactics, and how TikTok is winning her business.Full Episode Description:In this episode of The 1% Better Recruitment Podcast, I’m joined by the brilliant Emily White from SourceWhale — or as some of you might know her, The Queen of TikTok! 👸🏻We dive deep into:✅ How Emily structures her cold outreach to land more meetings✅ Why data-driven sales processes beat “winging it” every time✅ Real-world...
2025-04-221h 07
1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 35 - 26yo MD Billed £2.5m in 5 Years w/ Will PringleWill Pringle is the Managing Director of BigBlue, a recruitment business that specialises in the design & build construction market. He was promoted to Managing Director at a young age after showing both leadership qualities and consistently billing over £500k per year. In 2024, he managed to do 65 perm placements whilst managing the entire business... Topics we discussed:- How he manages to consistently bill £500k whilst managing the business - The mindset of a half million pound biller - Habits for su...
2025-04-171h 281% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 34 - Transitioning from Biller to Leader - The Mindset Shift w/ Amy WilliamsAmy started her consultancy business in Nov 23, where she helps develop 'accidental managers' into commercial leaders that build engaged, high performing, and profitable teams. Since we both set up our businesses at the same time, we would regularly jump on a Zoom to catch up and help each other out, but this time we got to record an episode which you are going to love! P.S Unfortunately, Amy's video cut out with 20 minutes to go... No idea why, I could see her on the call the whole time...
2025-04-151h 111% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 33 - Empowering Female Founders in Recruitment w/ Helen PlumridgeHelen is a recruitment entrepreneur, coach, mum, and half-iron woman who empowers female founders in recruitment. Topics we discussed:- The reality of growing, scaling, and exiting—and why she chose a different path- How to ditch the traditional recruitment model and build a business on your own terms- The mindset shifts that help women take the leap into entrepreneurship- Practical strategies for revenue growth, leadership, and work-life balance 🔗 Go and follow Helen on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/i...
2025-04-081h 091% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 32 - How To Build a Values-Driven Recruitment Business w/ Alex ArnotAlex Arnot is LinkedIn's number 1 recommended board advisor, who sits on the board for 30+ companies and has successfully exited 25+ companies. Topics we discussed:What you look for in a recruitment business that has potential How can recruitment businesses scale effectively and sustainably? What are the great companies doing, and why are some of them failing?What do 'million-pound billers do?' How mentorship at all levels is useful. Continuous learning and your personal SWOT analysis.Go and follow Alex on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/alexarnot
2025-04-011h 101% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 31 - How To Build A Cold Desk In Recruitment w/ Dom TaujanskasLIVE FROM THE RECRUITMENT AGENCY EXPO IN LONDON! Dom is an Ex-Arcitecht and now a high-performing recruiter within the construction space at Quest Personnel, who has successfully built up 4 new desks from scratch. We talked about:- Building a new desk - Will the desk actually work? - Looking at the data. - The candidate strategy, headhunting strategies, differenciating from other agencies. - How to best to take candidates to market and how to best add value to clients.
2025-03-2545 min1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 30 - The Importance of Mental Wealth in Recruitment w/ Chris O'ConnellLIVE FROM THE RECRUITMENT AGENCY EXPO IN LONDON! We talked about:- Contract recruitment - AI- Candidate acquisition - Business Development - How to lead gen - How to into and pitch - And a lot more about recruitment But more importantly we spent the other half of the podcast talking about:- Mental Health- Wellbeing - ADHD- Fear and Anxiety- Men opening up...
2025-03-2545 min1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 29 - Behavioural Change Specialist Shares How To Hack Your Mindset With NLP w/ Ricky VirdeeToday is a special episode, because the man on this episode is the person who gave me my certification in NLP and helped shape my life, business, career, and many more things. Topics discussed: - Intro to Ricky, his background, and what he does today. - What is NLP, and how can it be utilized in recruitment? - What specific techniques work well for recruiters and vice versa for leaders? - How can you use NLP to win new business and influence humans? ...
2025-03-181h 081% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 28 - From Terminal Cancer Diagnosis at 20yo To Hitting £1million Revenue w/ Adam LeeAdam Lee is the Founder & MD at Mobile Rocket. Topics discussed: - Adams's story of getting a cancer diagnosis at 20yo and overcoming adversity - The stresses and challenges of running, growing, and scaling a bootstrap business - How he hit the first £1m milestone - The sacrifices you have to make to grow a small business This was one hell of a conversation with Adam, and it's crazy to think that he has managed to create a stellar business following w...
2025-03-111h 001% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 27 - From £200k - £2m Revenue, Why Keeping Your Standards High Is So Important w/ Gemma DowningGemma is the co-founder of a recruitment company called Mixxos. I met Gemma at the recruitment agency expo in Birmingham and was blown away by her passion for the industry. In today's episode, we cover the following topics: 🔥 Gemma's story and an intro to Mixxos 🔥 How they grew from just two founders to 15 heads. 🔥 How they went from £200k revenue to £2m revenue 🔥 Why keeping your standards high is so important🔥 Why service is such an important attribute for recruitment 🔥 Actionable strategies for building a personal brand and the significance...
2025-03-041h 171% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 26 - How Recruitment Has Evolved & The Mindset You Need To Succeed w/ Will BourneIn today's episode, we are joined by Will Bourne, an industry veteran with over 15yrs experience and currently the founder of RekBot. Back in the day, Will used to fight for money and has been a life long martial artist. Nowadays he is highly engaged within the tech/saas space and engrained in AI. We covered so many things in this conversation from running a recruitment business with and without investment, mindset, mental health, business development, strategy, AI, and so much more. Go and follow Will and his journey...
2025-02-251h 091% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 25 - From Trauma To Triumph w/ Chris O'ConnellIn today's episode, we are joined by Chris O'Connell, who if you haven't seen on LinkedIn, I'd be thinking you have been living under a rock!Chris started his career at the infamous SThree back in 1998 and within that 5+yr stint, was one of the global top performers. He then went on to grow his own recruitment company to over £25m and went through an exit. Tune in to hear how crazy that story is, not all sunshine and rainbows... What I didn't know about Chris before we started recording, was how his childhood was g...
2025-02-181h 021% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 24 - Shifting Mindset, Investing in Personal Development, Selling Through Questioning & Listening w/ Matt CarterIn today's episode, we are joined by Matt Carter, a Senior Design Talent Manager at TDA and fellow podcast host.Matt used to be a professional footballer before getting into recruitment and shares some key insights he has learned over the years, all things personal/professional development.We done a deep dive into mindset shifting in recruitment and how important emotional connection is when speaking to candidates and clients. We also spoke at length about cold calling openers, how to build relationships with clients, how to overcome anxiety when doing business development and loads more.
2025-02-111h 051% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 23 - CEO Explains How Therapy Revolutionised Their Business w/ Sachin RupareliaToday's episode is a special episode for me, not only is this the first in-person recorded episode, but it is with someone who got me my first L&D role.
Sachin is the CEO of Camino Partners and possibly the best recruiter I have ever dealt with in my entire life.
In this episode, we talked through Sachin's journey in recruitment, the evolution of Camino Partners, how he grew the business, and the biggest lessons and wins of running a successful recruitment business.
Sachin talked at length about embarking on the world of...
2025-02-041h 061% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 22 - From Army Soldier To Recruitment Entrepreneur with Dan PayneIn today's episode, I am joined by 'The Events Recruiter' Dan Payne, founder of Ark Recruitment. Dan shared his story on how he got into the British Army and what his almost 10yr career was like. He shared many war stories (pardon the pun) from both his military career, including nearly getting lost in the jungle by himself, all the way to setting up Ark Recruitment.
Dan and I share a passion for mental health awareness, and he shared some heart wrenching stories from post army, where he and some of his old colleagues suffered greatly with...
2025-01-281h 011% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 21 - How We Can Shift The Status Quo in Society And in Ourselves with Melanie SedgleyIn this episode, we are joined by Mel Sedgley, founder of Edge, a people and talent consultancy. Mel has been in the recruitment sector/doing talent roles since 2013 and is a mum of two now.
The topics we cover in this episode are the following:
- Opportunities for working mums. Setting up a business with kids.
- Society tells women they can not do something, how do we shift that in both society and in women.
- Navigating mental health, how to approach it in...
2025-01-211h 001% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 20 - CEO & Mum of 4 Talks Sacrifices for Success in Recruitment w/ Laura ClarkLaura Clark is the CEO of OA Recruitment Solutions and a mother of 4 children. Laura talks passionately about how in order to be successful in whatever you want to be in life, you have to sacrifice certain things. Whether that means sacrificing going to the gym, the pub, out for dinner, whatever it is, you have to choose your sacrifices. We also spoke at length about culture and how culture is the immune system of a business. Your business must be agile, adaptable, and open minded. Finally, we talk about why women don't get as...
2025-01-141h 061% Better Recruitment PodcastCultivating The Best Possible Mindset for 2025So we have come to the end of 2024, you may have had a good year, a mediocre year or an awful year. But how can we cultivate the best possible mindset going into 2025?
In this video, I will go through how you can best reflect on 2024, how you could reframe any 'negatives' that happened last year and how to best plan for 2025.
2025-01-0911 min1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 19 - There's No Such Thing As 'Work Life Balance' and The Power Of Planning with Brad PlacksIn today's episode, we are joined by a veteran of the recruitment industry, Brad Placks. Brad founded Broadbean, is the co-founder of Mint 66, the chairman of Camino Partners, and is an NED for multiple recruitment companies.
Brad is someone who has to plan everything and mentions on the show that a recruiter should have a good enough day plan that anyone could run their day for them. So tune in to learn all about how to plan properly.
We also speak at length about 'Work Life Balance' and that...
2025-01-071h 011% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 18 - The Recruitment Industry Is F***ED!! How To Master Business Development with Max LearmonthMax is the founder of Forge Talent, a finance recruitment business in Manchester. He has been in the recruitment industry since 2012 and in this episode, we talk about all things business development.
From your cold call openers, email marketing, lead chasing process to soft skills like listening & questioning, we cover everything to do with BD.
2024-12-1749 min1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 17 - Everything You Need To Know About STRATEGY with Howard GreenwoodIn today's episode, we are joined by a veteran of the recruitment industry, one of the co-founders of Jump Advisory Group, Howard Greenwood. Howard is a business coach and recruitment advisor.
This entire episode revolves around STRATEGY. From your business strategy, candidate acquisition, business development, exit, and strategy to execution gap.
If you are like me, you might overcomplicate things in your mind when you think about building a strategy, but after this episode, Howard breaks things down in granular detail, yet makes it extremely easy to understand.
2024-12-121h 121% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 16 - How Do You Hire, Onboard & Train The Right Way? 3x L&D Pros Perspective with Bobby & ShaneIn today's episode, we are joined by Bobby & Shane from Elev8 Learning. Bobby & Shane have been in the recruitment/L&D space for a good amount of time and have helped train/coach thousands of recruiters.
We spoke at length about how we can interview recruiters OUT of our industry and make sure we are getting the right people in it. Loads to talk about in regard to the best onboarding strategy, and how to train recruiters who both have or do not have experience.
If you are also...
2024-12-101h 071% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 15 - He Was A Global Too Biller with 100% Net New Business In The DACH Region with Niclas GarmsThis is our first overseas guest from Germany and a good friend of mine, Niclas Garms. Niclas has been in recruitment for over 6 years and has almost always started on a cold desk.
I worked closely with Niclas the year he was the global top biller across three sister companies. In this episode, Niclas shares his insights as to how he built a massive desk from scratch and billed over 300k+ in one year, all net new business.
If you are thinking about setting up a DACH desk, starting...
2024-12-051h 021% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 14 - He Billed 500k In Year 1 And Built a 100% Retained Recruitment Business with Calum LyleIn this episode, we are joined by 'The Zestiest Man In Recruitment', founder of Add Some Zest, Calum Lyle.
Calum was the first client I ever met when I set my business up and is the kindest, most genuine person I have met within the recruitment sector. His business focusses on recruiting Tech Sales Professionals and they work on an almost 100% retained model.
Calum shares his story and how he billed 500k in his first year after being off the tools for several years. He is a master networker and knows his value. His personal brand is the reason...
2024-12-051h 101% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 13 - The 'Weirdest CEO In Recruitment' On How To Be Authentic And Grow YOUR Way with Alex DickAlex Dick is the CEO/Founder of Alexander Lyons Solutions, a 100% remote recruitment business that has been running since 2011. Alex was also a Million Pound Biller in his day and now has a thriving business primarily in the legal sector.
Alex opens up about his childhood, during which he had dyslexia so bad that he couldn't read and write yet showed signs of a very high IQ. We spoke at length about how neurodiverse people work so differently and that if it's managed well, they can help people see things in a unique way.
2024-11-261h 151% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 12 - Mental Health Crisis Running A Multi Million Pound Business with James Lovell-ButtThis was so far, the most raw, open, emotional, and REAL episode to date.
James Lovell-Butt runs a multi-million-pound recruitment business that is growing rapidly, used to play football at a high level, and has a life most people would dream of, but a couple of years ago, woke up and didn't want to carry on with life anymore.
James and I opened up about our mental health struggles, how therapy has helped, the tactics, techniques, and strategies that we utilized that got us to where we are today.
2024-11-191h 181% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 11 - Managing Mindset, Motivation, Energy Levels & ADHD with Rich EvansIn today's episode, we are joined by Rich Evans who is the co-founder of Unbound and someone who has had successful exits from recruitment and marketing agencies.
Rich and I spoke at length about ADHD and how we both manage it, sharing tools, techniques, and strategies that help us.
Rich is a coach for multiple business owners and talks through his coaching process and how he helps business owners succeed.
I really enjoyed talking with Rich and he is genuinely one of the nicest...
2024-11-1255 min1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 10 - Can ED&I Help Your Business Development And Get Better Clients? with Jo MajorIn today's episode, we are joined by Jo Major, founder of Diversity in Recruitment.
Jo has been in the world of recruitment since 2000 and now runs a successful business that helps recruitment businesses with all things Equity, Diversity & Inclusion.
We both agreed that because of social media, there are a lot of people who use this topic to make you feel like you are a s**t human being... That is not the point of ED&I.
I said to Jo that many aspects of this industry are flawed and that I don't...
2024-11-051h 041% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 9 - Is Breathwork The Key To High Performance with Michelle FlynnIn this episode, we are joined by Michelle Flynn, an experienced health & performance coach. Michelle has run workshops at companies I have worked at before and I have done some 121 work with her.
Michelle has worked within the world of recruitment for a long time and has some great tips for people at all levels to be a high performer.
We talked through what the high performers are doing today, how leaders can inspire people, how you can train your mind toward success, and how to avoid burnout.
We also talked about the use of...
2024-10-291h 071% Better Recruitment PodcastEP 8 - Not All TA’s Are ‘Failed Recruiters’ With Louise Gilmour
In this episode, we are joined by Louise Gilmour, founder of LVG Recruitment and an industry leader in Talent Acquisition.
Louise worked for Chapman Black, Signify Technology, and Strativ Group. She helped grow each of those businesses with her internal recruitment strategies and expertise in attracting the best talent.
We talked through the perception of TA in recruitment, how businesses attract and retain talent, and how you can really build a career in talent acquisition.
2024-10-2241 min1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP7 - Understanding Human Behaviour in Recruitment with Jeremy SnellIn this episode, we are joined by a veteran of the recruitment industry, Jeremy Snell, founder of Zero Entropy Networks, Rookie2Recruiter, Talent Builder, and owner of the 4D recruitment method.
Jeremy talks us through human behaviour and how to influence ourselves and others. My favourite quote from the show was that humans are walking chemistry sets... It's so important to understand people's chemistry and emotions when you are trying to influence.
I am confident that you will get much more that 1% better after this episode!
2024-10-151h 011% Better Recruitment PodcastAsking people at the Recruitment Agency Expo "How to get 1% better in recruitment?"Asking recruiters, business owners, and all types of people immersed in recruitment, the question we finish every podcast...
How can we get 1% Better In Recruitment?
2024-10-1010 min1% Better Recruitment PodcastRecTalk Interview with Nitin Sharma at the Recruitment Agency Expo BirminghamNitin Sharma is the founder of Rectools and the RecTalk podcast. At the Recruitment Agency Expo, Nitin invited Charles on his podcast to share the vision of the 1% better recruitment podcast and some key insights into some of the episodes to date.
Follow Nitin on LinkedIn, follow his epic podcast, and keep an eye out for this one on his show.
2024-10-1007 min1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP6 - How to ace cold calls, BD like a pro & shift your mindset to sell retainers with Arran CollymoreArran Collymore is the Business Development Director at Add Some Zest. Zest pretty much exclusively work on retained projects within the Tech Sales market with a 100% retained fill rate.
Arran was the top biller in his old company and has a wealth of experience winning huge retained projects. His approach to cold calling and his overall plan for BD is something we can all learn from!
Throughout the show, we dive deep into why recruiters are afraid of BD, why their cold calls flop, and how to build a sustainable process to win retained projects.
2024-10-0859 min1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP5 - How to build a strong personal brand, relationships and being authentic in recruitment w/ Callum McPhilbinIn this episode, we are joined by Callum McPhilbin, the co-founder of Equninimity Search. Callum has been in Rec2Rec since Jan 2022 and was the host of the Humble Billings Podcast. Callum has built a phenomenal network and brand in a short period of time and shares incredibly valuable techniques to help you build your brand, what to post, when to post, and how that translates into building relationships. We also cover various ways to headhunt candidates and unique approaches to clients. Callum is a breath of fresh air...
2024-10-0154 min1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP4 - Creating a simple BD Strategy with Charles KyriakouIn today's solo show, Charles talks through the key components of a Business Development strategy that makes your BD much easier.
From identifying your ICP, to understanding short-term vs long-term strategy, this solo show will give you plenty of insights on how to create a bullet proof strategy to grow your business!
2024-09-2413 min1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP3 - How to work candidates and excel in tough markets with Lysha HolmesIn this episode, we are joined by a veteran of the recruitment industry, founder of Qui Recruitment, and the Recruiters Recruitment Podcast. Lysha has over 25yrs of experience within the world of recruitment and has worked through multiple recessions, the covid pandemic and has always come out on top!
In this episode, Lysha shares how she prefers to work candidates, not jobs. Most recruitment companies typically get jobs on and then try to find candidates, so it's an interesting listen as to how Lysha approaches this.
2024-09-1757 min1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP2 - Why recruiters SUCK at cold calling in 2024 with Charles KyriakouIn this solo show, Charles talks through why so many recruiters SUCK at cold calling in 2024.
There are many reasons why this is the case in 2024, so within this solo show, there will be 3 main reasons why.
As with every episode, at the end of the show, Charles shares some tips to become 1% better at cold calling.
2024-09-1009 min1% Better Recruitment PodcastEP1 - The power of coaching & creating a winning formula with Patrick WaitesIn this episode, we are joined by Patrick Waites, the Founder & Managing Director of Coltech Global, a cloud and software engineering recruitment company. They have offices in London & Austin Texas.
We covered the importance of coaching, how to effectively coach someone and how this can accelerate growth. Through effective coaching and mentoring, Patrick has helped recruiters with ZERO experience fast-track their careers and become top billers.
Since setting up the US entity, Patrick shared the highs and the lows, the wins and the...
2024-09-031h 091% Better Recruitment PodcastWelcome to the 1% Better Recruitment PodcastThis is a quick intro to the show, explaining to you the format, how many shows you'll see per month and a short back story to the host.
2024-08-2802 min
Chazingdra Chats (A Pokémon Podcast)13 Ben Kyriakou - Pokémon Video Game Caster & 2x National ChampionAs a child, Ben Kyriakou couldn't work out how to leave the house you start in in Pokémon Red/Blue. Somewhat miraculously after this rocky start, he went on to become one of the UK's best competitors at the video game, securing two National Champion titles, two Top 4 finishes at International Championships & seven invitations to the World Championships - and then became a caster, like me, which is how we became firm friends! Discover Ben's journey here: the people, the experiences - and of course the 6 Pokémon - that made him. Come hang out & have a laugh wi...
2024-07-032h 01