Rec Scale Up Podcast

In this episode, Neil Carberry speaks with Hung Lee, curator of Recruiting Brainfood, about the changing landscape of recruitment and how agencies can adapt to new market realities. They discuss the impact of global economic shifts, technology innovation and how recruitment businesses can thrive through transformation and collaboration. Key topics include: The recruitment market reset and how firms can respond to slower growth and increased uncertainty. How artificial intelligence is reshaping recruitment processes, improving efficiency and reducing costs. Opportunities for growth in a flat market through innovation, adaptability and focus on niche areas. The importance of industry collaboration, compliance and continuous learning to stay ahead of policy and technology changes.

In this special episode of the #TalkingRecruitmentPodcast, Kate Shoesmith is joined by Ross Thompson, Executive Manager at REC business partner Infinity Staff Global. Our expert explores Recruitment reimagined, from AI tools to offshore growth strategies and how AI is reshaping the recruitment industry.

️ In this special episode of the Talking Recruitment Podcast, Neil Carberry introduces a standout session from RECLive25, where our expert panel explored how AI is reshaping the recruitment industry. Hosted by Kate Shoesmith (Deputy CEO at the REC, the conversation features insights from Annie Andrews (Chief Executive, Curo Services), David Stott (VP, Enterprise International, Bullhorn) and Roxi Sweeney, Head of Marketing & Digital, The Best Connection. Together, they unpack how AI is being used to automate repetitive tasks, enhance the candidate experience, and even predict future hiring needs. The panel also shares real-world use cases, practical tips for adoption, and guidance on staying compliant with evolving regulations while keeping trust and risk mitigation front of mind.

In this episode, Neil Carberry sits down with Matt Fryer, Managing Director at Brookson Group, to unpack the upcoming changes to umbrella company regulation and what they mean for the recruitment industry. They explore the implications of the draft umbrella tax rules due April 2026, focusing on the introduction of Joint and Several Liability (JSL) a move that could see agencies and end clients held accountable for tax missteps by umbrella companies.

In this episode, Neil Carberry OBE sits down with Colin Gunnell, CEO of Liquid Friday, to explore how businesses stay competitive in a shifting landscape. They dive into: The evolution of technology to support unique brand propositions Deploying new tech to stay ahead How USPs adapt in changing markets Driving commercial innovation amid disruption

In this episode, Neil Carberry sits down with Hayden Boilini, Director of Financial & Professional Services (North America) at the UK Department for Business and Trade. They explore the realities facing UK recruitment agencies expanding into the US market, from navigating regulatory complexity to bridging cultural gaps and staying competitive. Learn how to build resilience into your US expansion strategy and hear directly from an expert driving UK trade success overseas.

In this special episode of the Talking Recruitment Podcast, Neil Carberry introduces a valuable conversation from RECLive25. The session, hosted by Lorraine Laryea, Chief Standards Officer at the REC, features guest speakers Colin Gunnell, Chief Executive at Liquid Friday; Michelle Mellor, Chair of the REC and Director and Founder of Cummins Mellor; and Denise Walker, Founder and Managing Director at Absolutely Business. Together, they share strategies and insights on supporting a race to the top prioritising and advocating for the quality and value of recruitment partnerships.

In this exclusive episode of the Talking Recruitment Podcast, Neil Carberry sits down with Justin Madders MP, Minister for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets for a timely conversation exploring the Government’s employment agenda and the future of work in the UK. With the Employment Rights Bill on the horizon and his recent fireside chat at RECLive25, this episode offers a front-row seat to the thinking behind the proposed reforms and what they mean for the recruitment industry.

In this episode of the Talking Recruitment Podcast, Neil Carberry sits down with Duncan Wyeth, Partner Manager at Vision33, a Sage Partner, to explore how recruitment agencies can take control, get lean, and grow smarter in today’s shifting market. From finance transformation to data-led decisions, this episode is packed with practical insight.

In this episode of the Talking Recruitment Podcast Neil Carberry talks to Jo Major, Founder of Diversity in Recruitment. They discuss the evolving role of tomorrow’s recruiter, from transactional hiring to strategic talent architect and reengineering recruitment practices for a skills-first future.

In this episode of the Talking Recruitment Podcast REC Legal experts Lorraine Laryea, Chief Standards Officer and Melissa Mhondoro, Legal Advice Manager sit down with Kate Shoesmith Deputy CEO to discuss the latest legal and Employment Right Bill changes.

In this episode of the Talking Recruitment podcast, Neil Carberry speaks with Laura Clark, CEO of OA Group and an REC business member. They explore the journey of scaling a business from 6 to 50 people, navigating an MBO, and the vital role of communication in building a successful company.

In this episode of the Talking Recruitment podcast, Neil Carberry speaks with Chris Milligan, CEO of Konfir. They discuss how Konfir’s technology supports the candidate credential verification process, putting the power of data back in candidates' hands. They go on to discuss: The latest automation trends transforming hiring and onboarding processes Real-world case studies showcasing industry success stories An exclusive preview of Konfir Konnect, happening this June

In this episode of the #TalkingRecruitmentPodcast, Neil Carberry speaks with Raj Lal, Senior Sales Director at Totaljobs. They dive into the recent increase in National Insurance contributions, how these changes are affecting businesses and examine the growing disconnect between employee-valued benefits and employer offerings, considering strategies for companies to stay competitive in talent acquisition and retention.

In this episode of the Talking Recruitment Podcast, Neil Carberry speaks to Ben Browning, Founder of Resonant, a business consultancy that supports recruitment firms to address their growth challenges. They discuss why recruitment businesses must shift toward a more strategic approach to revenue generation and what recruiters might be missing when it comes to sales efficiency.

In this episode of the Talking Recruitment Podcast, Neil Carberry speaks with Nish Mayor, Director of Employer Engagement & Partnerships at Youth Futures Foundation. They dive into the impact of Youth Futures Foundation’s work and how it is helping young people, especially those from marginalized groups, access the labour market. In this episode they discus: The mission and impact of Youth Futures Foundation. Nish’s journey and role in driving employer engagement. How businesses can adapt their hiring practices to better support young talent. The importance of systemic change in employer behaviour to create lasting opportunities.

In this episode of the Talking Recruitment Podcast, Neil Carberry speaks with Etan Bernstein, Co-founder and Head of Ecosystem at the Velocity Network Foundation. They go beyond the hype on how AI is truly impacting the talent acquisition market, what verifiable credentials (VCs) are, and their potential impact. In this episode, we cover: What verifiable credentials are and what makes them unique or special. How VCs address the challenges posed by AI that were discussed earlier. The combined value of AI and VCs in transforming talent acquisition

Our first episode of the Talking Recruitment podcast for 2025 hears from a speaker that truly does what they love and ensures it creates a difference for the future. Bev White, Chief Executive Officer of Nash Squared sits down with Kate Shoesmith, REC Deputy CEO to chat about her career journey, the importance of personalisation and prioritising human involvement in any business. We also discuss how recruitment businesses should be leveraging the transformative impact of AI and automation while understanding the impact it is having on our future talent demands.

In the final episode of 2024, the REC’s formidable duo, Neil Carberry and Kate Shoesmith, sit down to look back at the highlights, the political shifts, the challenges, and how we have supported members throughout the year. They’ll go on to talk about what’s in store for 2025 from the REC and how we are making the sector’s voice heard.

In this episode, Neil Carberry speaks with Mark Kieve, CEO of UK & Ireland of REC business partner Pixid Group. They discuss the importance of compliance in an evolving world, navigating the challenges of cross-border staffing and leveraging technology. In this episode, we discuss: Agility, scalability, and flexibility: in uncertain times, the ability to scale staffing solutions quickly with pay-as-you-go models helps businesses stay adaptable and minimise upfront costs. Cross-border contingent staffing: successfully navigating the challenges of cross-border staffing requires understanding local laws and leveraging technology to manage diverse talent pools efficiently. The recent acquisition of VectorVMS: the acquisition of VectorVMS by Pixid group strengthens its position in the UK staffing industry by enhancing its technology and offering more streamlined contingent workforce solutions.