The Recruitment Leadership Podcast

Hosted by Recruitment Leadership

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Sep 2026

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The podcast to listen to for recruitment business frontrunners seeking expert information from industry-leading advisors.

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November 11, 2026Episode 8541 min

From Filling Vacancies to Solving Workforce Challenges: AI and Client Value with Richard Bradley, Commercial Director & Board Advisor at Omni RMS

Welcome to the latest episode of the Recruitment Leadership Podcast, hosted by Alison Humphries. As AI reshapes the world of work and clients rethink how they access talent, is the traditional recruitment model still enough to deliver lasting value? In this episode, Alison is joined by Richard Bradley, Commercial Director & Board Advisor at Omni RMS, to explore how recruitment businesses can move beyond transactional hiring and become more strategic partners to their clients. Drawing on Richard's extensive experience across staffing, recruitment outsourcing and workforce transformation, they discuss why the industry needs to rethink its approach to client relationships, how technology is changing recruitment delivery, and where new opportunities lie for businesses willing to adapt. Together, they discuss: 💡 Why traditional recruitment models are facing increasing pressure from AI and automation 💡 How recruitment businesses can move beyond filling vacancies to solving wider workforce challenges 💡 The importance of strategic workforce planning, market intelligence and evidence-based advice 💡 Why trust, specialist knowledge and strong client relationships are becoming increasingly valuable 💡 How skills-based hiring, adaptability and effective assessment can improve recruitment outcomes 💡 Practical examples of using AI to streamline high-volume recruitment while improving the quality of human interactions 💡 How recruitment businesses can identify new service opportunities by understanding their clients' changing needs Throughout the conversation, Alison and Richard also explore how Omni RMS has evolved its offering, why recruiters need to challenge traditional hiring requirements, and how businesses can use client feedback and market insight to develop services that deliver genuine commercial value. If you're looking to future-proof your recruitment business, strengthen your client relationships or explore opportunities beyond traditional placements, this episode offers practical insights into how the industry is evolving and what recruitment leaders can do about it. Connect with Richard Bradley on LinkedIn. Want to discuss this topic further with Alison? 💬 Email her at alison@recruitmentleadership.co.uk.

September 23, 2026Episode 8340 min

Employment Law Changes for Recruitment Businesses: What Leaders Need to Know with Hannah Morrison, Partner at Brabners

Welcome to the latest episode of the Recruitment Leadership Podcast, hosted by Alison Humphries. Employment law is changing quickly, with a series of new rules already in force and further changes due to take effect over the coming months. In this episode, Alison is joined by Hannah Morrison, Partner at Brabners, to unpack what recruitment business leaders need to know about the changing employment law landscape and, importantly, what they should be doing about it now. From statutory sick pay and the new Fair Work Agency to umbrella company liability, employment tribunals and flexible working, Alison and Hannah look at how the changes affect recruitment businesses in practice, including some of the less obvious risks for agencies and their temporary workforces. Together, they discuss: 💡 What the April 2026 changes to statutory sick pay mean for employers and agency workers 💡 Why the new Fair Work Agency could have significant implications for recruitment businesses 💡 Joint and several liability and the importance of ongoing due diligence on umbrella companies 💡 Why recruitment businesses could face greater exposure to employment tribunal claims 💡 The changing responsibilities around preventing sexual harassment, including protections for agency workers 💡 What the new flexible working requirements mean for recruitment employers 💡 The further employment law changes recruitment leaders need to have on their radar for 2027 With significant changes already underway and more still to come, the message is clear: recruitment businesses need to understand where their responsibilities sit and make sure their processes, policies and supply chains are ready. If you're running a recruitment business, managing people or responsible for compliance, this episode offers a practical overview of the changes you need to be thinking about now. Connect with Hannah Morrison on LinkedIn. Want to discuss this topic further with Alison? 💬 Email her at alison@recruitmentleadership.co.uk.

August 19, 2026Episode 8231 min

Turning Compliance into Commercial Advantage: Digital Onboarding and Recruitment Growth with Abbie Black, Senior Client Operations Manager at Amiqus

Welcome to the latest episode of the Recruitment Leadership Podcast, hosted by Alison Humphries. Compliance is often seen as a necessary administrative task. But what if it could become one of your strongest commercial advantages? In this episode, Alison is joined by Abbie Black, Senior Client Operations Manager at Amiqus, to explore how recruitment businesses can use digital onboarding and compliance to strengthen client relationships, improve the candidate experience and even create new recurring revenue opportunities. Against the backdrop of the UK's upcoming changes to right to work legislation, they discuss why recruiters need to prepare now, how onboarding is evolving, and why agencies that embrace compliance technology will be better positioned to stand out in an increasingly competitive market. Together, they discuss: 💡 What the upcoming right to work legislation means for recruiters and employers 💡 Why compliance can become a genuine commercial differentiator 💡 How faster, digital onboarding improves both client and candidate experience 💡 The hidden cost of slow, manual onboarding processes 💡 How recruiters can generate recurring revenue by offering compliance services 💡 Why digital identity verification and onboarding platforms are becoming essential for modern recruitment businesses During the episode, Abbie also shares how recruiters can use white-labelled compliance technology to support their clients, reduce onboarding delays and prepare for the upcoming legislative changes. As a special offer for Recruitment Leadership Podcast listeners, Amiqus is offering 20% off annual fees. Visit www.amiqus.co and mention the Recruitment Leadership Podcast when you get in touch to claim the offer. Connect with Abbie Black on LinkedIn. Want to discuss this topic further with Alison? 💬 Email her at alison@recruitmentleadership.co.uk

July 22, 2026Episode 8121 min

Turning Recruitment Data into Revenue: Market Trends and Business Development with Gagan Sidhu, Senior Mid Market Business Partner at Firefish Software

Welcome to the latest episode of the Recruitment Leadership Podcast, hosted by Alison Humphries. Recruitment leaders are surrounded by market opinions, predictions and headlines. But what happens when you compare those expectations with real recruitment data? In this episode, Alison is joined by Gagan Sidhu, Senior Mid Market Business Partner at Firefish Software, to explore the findings from Firefish's latest recruitment industry reports and discuss what they're revealing about the market in 2026. Drawing on anonymised data from more than 720 recruitment businesses, they examine where growth is happening, how recruiter behaviour is changing, and why the agencies seeing the strongest results are focusing less on job boards and more on relationships, business development and making better use of their existing databases. Together, they discuss: 💡 What Firefish's latest recruitment data reveals about the market in 2026 💡 Why business development remains the biggest priority for recruitment leaders 💡 The shift away from advert-led recruitment towards sourcing and relationship-led hiring 💡 Why your existing database could be your biggest commercial asset 💡 The continued growth of contract and temporary recruitment 💡 How recruitment businesses can turn data into revenue through better client and candidate engagement During the episode, Gagan references Firefish's latest recruitment industry research, including the FARR Report 2026 and the Job Flow Index. We've included links to these resources below for anyone who'd like to explore the findings in more detail. If you're looking to understand what the recruitment market is really doing and how the most successful agencies are adapting, this episode is packed with practical insight backed by real industry data. 👉 Download the Firefish reports: https://www.firefishsoftware.com/agency-report https://www.firefishsoftware.com/job-flow-index/results Connect with Gagan Sidhu on LinkedIn. Want to discuss this topic further with Alison? 💬 Email her at alison@recruitmentleadership.co.uk.

June 24, 2026Episode 8037 min

Building High-Performing Recruitment Teams: Learning, Development and Long-Term Success with Angela Cripps, Owner & Managing Director at Recruiting Gym

Welcome to the latest episode of the Recruitment Leadership Podcast, hosted by Alison Humphries. Recruitment businesses invest heavily in systems, processes and technology - but are they investing enough in the development of their people? In this episode, Alison is joined by Angela Cripps, Owner & Managing Director at Recruiting Gym, to explore why learning and development is often misunderstood in recruitment, and what businesses need to do differently to build long-term performance. Drawing on over 37 years in the industry and decades of training experience, Angela shares practical advice on creating learning programmes that actually stick, rather than relying on one-off training sessions and quick fixes. Together, they explore: 💡 The biggest mistakes recruitment businesses make with learning and development 💡 Why training should start with business objectives - not a skills gap assumption 💡 How to identify the real reason behind performance challenges 💡 The importance of structured onboarding, ongoing assessments and repeat learning 💡 How to measure return on investment from training 💡 Why managers need to stop "telling" and start developing people properly 💡 How AI and learning platforms can support development - when used with intention This episode is a reminder that high-performing recruitment businesses don't happen by accident. They build strong habits, clear processes and continuous development into the way they operate. If you're responsible for growing a team, improving performance or developing future leaders, this episode is packed with practical takeaways. Connect with Angela Cripps on LinkedIn. Want to discuss this topic further with Alison? 💬 Email her at alison@recruitmentleadership.co.uk.

April 16, 2026Episode 7937 min

Hiring for Outcomes, Not CVs: Rethinking Recruitment in the Age of AI with Konstanty Sliwowski, Founder at Klareda

Welcome to the latest episode of the Recruitment Leadership Podcast, hosted by Alison Humphries. Most hiring processes haven’t fundamentally changed in decades. But the expectations, risks, and complexity around hiring have. In this episode, Alison Humphries is joined by Konstanty Sliwowski, Founder of Klareda and the School of Hiring, to challenge one of the biggest blind spots in recruitment today: the reliance on skills, CVs, and experience as a proxy for success. Drawing on over 20 years in recruitment, including building and exiting his own agency, Konstanty shares why most hiring processes break down long before interviews even begin - and what recruiters can do differently to truly add value. Together, they explore: 💡 Why skills-based hiring and keyword matching no longer guarantee success 💡 The three critical stages where hiring decisions break down 💡 Why defining outcomes - not experience - is the foundation of better hiring 💡 How misalignment between stakeholders leads to poor hiring decisions 💡 The role recruiters should play in challenging and reshaping client briefs 💡 How AI can support hiring decisions, and where it replaces traditional recruitment tasks Konstanty also introduces Klareda, an AI-powered tool designed to help hiring managers define roles more clearly, align on outcomes, and build structured, effective hiring processes in minutes. As part of this episode, Konstanty is offering listeners: 🎁 A free one-month unlimited access to Klareda, plus 🎁 20% off an annual licence for those who choose to continue To access the offer, book a call directly with Konstanty here - https://calendly.com/konstanty-schoolofhiring/klareda-demo 📘 You can also download the first chapters of Konstanty’s book “Get to the Point - The Interviewer’s Playbook” here - https://school-of-hiring.kit.com/get-to-the-point Alternatively, you can connect with Konstanty on LinkedIn or explore more via his YouTube channel, School of Hiring. Connect with Konstanty Sliwowski on LinkedIn. Want to discuss this topic further with Alison? 💬 Email her at alison@recruitmentleadership.co.uk.

March 19, 2026Episode 7840 min

Offshoring for Recruitment Efficiency: Emerging Talent Markets with Alex Hashash, Managing Director at Global Capability

Welcome to the latest episode of the Recruitment Leadership Podcast, hosted by Alison Humphries. Offshoring in recruitment isn’t new, but the global landscape is evolving quickly. In this episode, Alison is joined by Alex Hashash, Managing Director at Global Capability, to explore how recruitment businesses can use offshore talent to improve delivery efficiency, protect profitability, and build more resilient operating models. Drawing on over 16 years in recruitment, including managing large offshore teams across multiple regions, Alex shares his perspective on how outsourcing markets are shifting - and why emerging locations such as Kenya and East Africa are increasingly being considered alongside more established hubs. Together, they explore: 💡 Why delivery efficiency is becoming critical for recruitment profitability 💡 How emerging outsourcing markets compare to established locations 💡 Kenya’s growing role as an outsourcing hub - talent, infrastructure and stability 💡 The realities of managing offshore recruitment teams successfully 💡 Why clear KPIs, daily communication and structured training are essential 💡 The commercial case for offshoring and what leaders should evaluate before starting During the conversation, Alex also references the Offshore CX Confidence Index and the GBS Benchmarking and Market Report , which explore global outsourcing trends and emerging markets. As these resources are highly data-driven, we’ve linked to them here for listeners who want to explore the reports in more detail. If you're considering offshoring as part of your recruitment strategy, or want to improve how your offshore team performs, this episode offers practical insight into the opportunities and considerations involved. Connect with Alex Hashash on LinkedIn. Want to discuss this topic further with Alison? 💬 Email her at alison@recruitmentleadership.co.uk.

February 19, 2026Episode 7746 min

Changing How Recruitment Works: Tech, Trust and Human Impact with Nitin Sharma, Founder of Rectools

Welcome to the latest episode of the Recruitment Leadership Podcast, hosted by Alison Humphries. What happens when a recruitment founder shuts down a 15-head agency and uses everything that went wrong to help others avoid the same fate? In this episode, Alison Humphries is joined by Nitin Sharma, Founder of Rectools (and the Recruitment Curry Club), for a fast-paced conversation about what’s really changing in recruitment, and what business owners need to do now to stay viable in 2026. Nitin shares the story behind his own recruitment business journey (from growth to overextension to closure), why “waiting for the market to come back” is a dangerous strategy, and how RecTools was built to solve a problem most owners know too well: finding the right suppliers, tech and support, without drowning in noise. Together, they explore: 💡 Why 2026 could be a “change or fail” year for many agencies 💡 The difference between AI that helps and “harassment as a service” 💡 What candidates and clients now expect from tech-enabled processes 💡 Why recruitment needs to act like a professional service - not a sales machine 💡 Subscription/retainer models, packaged services, and why buying habits are shifting 💡 The biggest implementation mistake: buying shiny tools without involving the people who’ll use them 💡 Whether AI is real, hype, or both, and what happens when “AI” becomes the default, like smart TVs If you’re reviewing your tech stack, questioning your delivery model, or feeling the pressure of “more activity” with less return - this episode will give you a sharper way to think about what needs to change (and how to make it stick). Connect with Nitin Sharma on LinkedIn. Want to discuss this topic further with Alison? 💬 Email her at alison@recruitmentleadership.co.uk.

January 22, 2026Episode 7647 min

Human First, Leader Second: Rethinking Modern Leadership with Cathleen O’Sullivan, Founder and Director at Cathleen Merkel Ltd

Welcome to the latest episode of the Recruitment Leadership Podcast, hosted by Alison Humphries. We talk a lot about leadership in recruitment, but how often do we talk about what it means to lead like a human? In this episode, Alison Humphries is joined by Cathleen O’Sullivan, Founder and Director at Cathleen Merkel Ltd, to explore what it really means to create a people-first culture in business, without losing performance, direction, or accountability. Drawing on her experience as a leader in international retail and now as a leadership coach, Cathleen explains how modern leadership is shifting away from hierarchy and control toward connection, curiosity and emotional intelligence - and why this matters more than ever in a world where 44% of employees report work-related stress. Together, they explore: 💡 The shift from “professional armour” to authentic, emotionally intelligent leadership 💡 How small business owners can balance results and wellbeing, and avoid burnout themselves 💡 The truth about “human-centred” leadership (and how it’s often misunderstood) 💡 Building collective accountability and culture in growing teams 💡 Why your “why” isn’t a slogan, and how reconnecting to it cuts through complexity 🎁 Cathleen also shares an exclusive offer for 10 listeners to receive a free one-hour mentoring session, helping you tackle your own leadership challenges head-on. Details on how to claim it are included in the episode. If you’ve ever wondered how to lead with empathy and impact - this is your episode. Connect with Cathleen O’Sullivan on LinkedIn. Want to discuss this topic further with Alison? 💬 Email her at alison@recruitmentleadership.co.uk.

December 18, 2025Episode 7341 min

Building a Profitable Recruitment Business: Compliance, KPIs and Cashflow with Marie Pegram, Group Managing Partner at TC Group

Welcome to the latest episode of the Recruitment Leadership Podcast, hosted by Alison Humphries. So, you want to run your own recruitment business? In this episode, Alison Humphries is joined by Marie Pegram, Group Managing Partner at TC Group and Partner at Recruitment Accountants - a specialist division supporting hundreds of agencies with finance, compliance and growth. Together, they break down the real financial responsibilities behind being your own boss, and why it takes more than strong billing figures to build a profitable, sustainable business. In this conversation, they cover: 💡 The biggest mistakes recruiters make when starting out| 💡 Why profitability ≠ what’s in the bank 💡 Corporate structure, shareholders and protecting yourself legally 💡 Essential KPIs to monitor (including staff cost ratios and consultant profitability) 💡 What to do when you hit a cash crunch, and how to avoid it in the first pla 💡 Why “writing off” a cost doesn’t mean it disappears! Plus, Alison and Marie dive into how even seasoned business owners can get tripped up - from commission structures that quietly erode profit to the dangers of drawing too much too soon. Whether you're considering starting your own agency or want to tighten up your existing financial strategy, this episode is packed with practical advice. Connect with Marie Pegram on LinkedIn. Want to discuss this topic further with Alison? 💬 Email her at alison@recruitmentleadership.co.uk.