Episodes

What 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 c...

What 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, Reec...

What 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 mod...

Are 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 employe...

Is 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 bus...

What 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, stan...

What 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-...

What 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...

What 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 min...

What 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. Fr...

What 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 candid...

What 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...

What 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...

"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 mot...

"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 re...

"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 & build...

When 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 ...

When 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 m...

Want 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...

In 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 addi...

Want 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 mor...

Will 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 -...

Amy 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, but ...

Helen 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 - htt...