Advertise on podcast: Talking Recruitment

What happens when AI enters a recruitment business that was built around an app from day one? In the latest episode of our Talking Recruitment podcast, Maxine Bligh is joined by Novo Constare, co-founder and CEO of Indeed Flex, to explore where AI is making temporary recruitment work better and where human judgement still matters. Novo explains how giving temporary workers more choice over which shifts they take shaped Indeed Flex from the start. He shares how AI can build on that idea, from voice agents helping candidates who get stuck during sign-up to on-demand interviews that people can fit around an existing job. He also explains what the team learned when it looked beyond overall satisfaction scores. For chefs, more candidates progressed through a human-led interview. The conversation follows the work that changes for recruiters too. Novo describes how automating routine requests can give account managers more time to anticipate clients’ staffing needs and help support teams respond to urgent problems such as missing pay. He explains why hiring decisions at Indeed Flex still sit with people, even when AI supports screening. For recruitment leaders deciding where to start, Novo offers a question to take back to the team. If you were designing your recruitment process from scratch today, what would you do differently? Host: Maxine Bligh, Interim Chief Executive, REC Guest: Novo Constare, co-founder and CEO, Indeed Flex

Does every role that asks for a degree really need one? In this episode of Talking Recruitment, Maxine Bligh, our Interim Chief Executive, is joined by Matthew Burney, Senior Talent Strategy Advisor at Indeed, to discuss how employers can broaden routes into work by looking more closely at the skills and capabilities a job requires. Matt explores how apprenticeships are expanding into careers including finance, technology, data, HR and marketing. He explains why they should be part of planning a future workforce, with opportunities for career changers and older workers as well as young people starting out. Using the example of a retail manager moving into an operations role, Matt shows how degree requirements and demands for direct industry experience can obscure transferable skills. The conversation considers when qualifications are necessary, how recruiters can help clients assess capability, and why the ability to learn and adapt matters as jobs change. They also discuss AI in applications and interviews, including helping candidates explain their experience, offering guidance on using AI tools and asking applicants how they used them. Throughout, the focus is on designing hiring processes that give people a fair opportunity to demonstrate what they can do and support a good experience for candidates, recruiters and hiring managers. Host: Maxine Bligh, Interim Chief Executive, REC Guest: Matthew Burney, Senior Talent Strategy Advisor, Indeed

In episode 90 of Talking Recruitment, REC Interim Chief Executive Maxine Bligh is joined by Bev White, Executive Chair of Harvey Nash and Crimson and incoming REC Chair, to discuss how recruitment businesses can use AI while keeping people at the heart of hiring. They explore why successful adoption starts with reliable data and a clear understanding of where human interaction matters. Bev shares practical advice on testing tools safely, involving both early adopters and reluctant colleagues, and understanding the full cost of implementation. The conversation also turns to candidate experience, including the difficulties people face when they cannot get through to a recruiter. Could AI help businesses offer better feedback, suggest other suitable roles and make it easier for candidates to build their skills? Bev and Maxine also discuss the role of video interviewing in making recruitment accessible. Looking ahead, Bev outlines how the REC can support members by sharing experiences of AI adoption and bringing international trends into view. She also shares her priorities as incoming Chair, with a focus on making sure the Board reflects the breadth of the industry and acts on members’ needs. Host: Maxine Bligh, Interim Chief Executive, REC Guest: Bev White, Executive Chair of Harvey Nash and Crimson and incoming REC Chair

In his final episode of Talking Recruitment as REC Chief Executive, Neil Carberry is joined by Alyx Peters, CEO of Network Recruitment Wales and Chair of the REC’s Advisory Council, to explore what recruitment could look like in 2037 and what businesses should be doing now to prepare. They discuss what successful AI adoption really involves, from improving processes before automating them to giving employees the training and tools to use AI confidently. Alyx shares how her business approached redesigning candidate onboarding, including identifying the decisions that must stay human and keeping a clear record of automated actions. Looking further ahead, the conversation turns to the growing commercial value of trust, judgement and emotional intelligence. Could tomorrow’s recruiter be a consultant first and a salesperson second? And could access to affordable technology give smaller, regional specialists a stronger competitive position? Drawing on her experience in healthcare recruitment in Wales, Alyx explores the opportunities in local relationships, specialist knowledge and recruitment as a service. She also turns the questions on Neil, who reflects on why recruiters should take greater pride in their work and charge confidently for the value they deliver. Host: Neil Carberry, Chief Executive, REC Guest: Aly Peters, CEO of Network Recruitment Wales and Chair of the REC's Advisory Council

With skills shortages continuing across the UK, could employers be overlooking millions of people who have the skills and potential they need? In this episode of Talking Recruitment, REC Chief Executive Neil Carberry is joined by Neil Wood, Chief Operating Officer at the Fair Chance Business Alliance, and Simon Blockley, CEO UK & Europe at HeadFirst Global, to explore the case for fair chance hiring. There are currently 9.6 million working-age people in the UK with a criminal record, yet outdated recruitment practices, misconceptions and concerns about risk can prevent employers from accessing this significant talent pool. The discussion looks at why fair chance hiring isn't simply about social responsibility, but can be an important part of workforce strategy at a time when employers are struggling to find the skills they need. Neil Wood explains how the Fair Chance Business Alliance and its Unite 1K campaign are helping employers move beyond 'Ban the Box', with practical guidance and a framework for making informed, risk-based hiring decisions. Simon Blockley also explores the role recruiters can play as strategic advisers, helping clients rethink traditional hiring criteria and confidently access overlooked talent. In this episode, you'll hear about: • Why millions of skilled people with criminal records remain overlooked by employers. • The business case for widening talent pools as employers face skills shortages. • How the Fair Chance Business Alliance and Unite 1K are helping employers adopt fair chance hiring. • How businesses can balance managing risk with creating opportunity. • The role recruiters can play in helping clients access overlooked talent and make more informed hiring decisions. • Why inclusive recruitment can deliver benefits for individuals, businesses and wider society. Host: • Neil Carberry, Chief Executive, REC Guests: • Neil Wood, Chief Operating Officer, Fair Chance Business Alliance • Simon Blockley, CEO UK & Europe, HeadFirst Global

AI is transforming recruitment, but technology alone won't create better hiring outcomes. As automation takes care of more administrative tasks, the value recruiters bring is becoming even more human. In this episode of Talking Recruitment, REC Chief Executive Neil Carberry is joined by Laura Tressler, Managing Director, Access Recruitment, and Dominic Waters, Director, Paul Waters Associates, to explore what clients really want from recruiters in an AI-enabled world. From improving hiring decisions and reducing the risk of costly bad hires to preparing for employment law changes that place greater emphasis on getting recruitment right first time, the discussion explores why technology should support, not replace, human judgement. The guests also examine how recruiters can use AI to remove administrative burden, strengthen client relationships and become more strategic advisers. In this episode, you'll hear about: • Why trusted advice is becoming more valuable than transactional recruitment. • How AI can automate administration while creating more time for meaningful conversations. • The importance of getting hiring decisions right first time as employment rights evolve. • Why strong recruitment processes and effective assessment reduce the risk and cost of a bad hire. • How recruiters can use technology to enhance, rather than replace, human judgement. • The skills recruitment leaders should be investing in for the future. Host: • Neil Carberry, Chief Executive, REC Guests: • Laura Tressler, General Manager, Access Recruitment • Dominic Waters, Director, Paul Waters Associates

In this episode of Talking Recruitment, REC Chief Executive Neil Carberry is joined by Katy Forsyth, Owner and Managing Director of Red Recruitment, Joe Taffurelli, Chief Executive of Ovio, and Antoine Poiron, Vice President Sales Europe at Pixid Group, to discuss what successful AI adoption really looks like in recruitment. Rather than asking what AI can do, the panel explores where it adds genuine value and where human judgement, empathy and expertise remain essential. From improving candidate journeys and automating repetitive tasks to preparing data, processes and people for change, they share practical lessons from implementing AI in recruitment businesses. The conversation also examines why the most successful firms won't be those that simply adopt the latest technology, but those that use it to strengthen relationships with candidates and clients, freeing recruiters to focus on the work only people can do. In this episode, you'll hear about: • How AI can improve recruiter productivity without replacing human expertise. • Why strong processes and high-quality data are essential before investing in AI. • The impact of AI on candidate experience and recruitment outcomes. • How recruiters can use AI to reduce administration and spend more time consulting clients and candidates. • Why empathy, judgement and relationship-building will become even more valuable as AI evolves. • Practical advice for recruitment businesses starting their AI journey. Host: • Neil Carberry, Chief Executive, REC Guests: • Katy Forsyth, Owner and Managing Director, Red Recruitment • Joe Taffurelli, Chief Executive, Ovio • Antoine Poiron, Vice President Sales Europe, Pixid Group

In this episode of Talking Recruitment, REC Chief Membership and Innovation Officer Maxine Bligh is joined by Jan Govaerts, CEO of theMatchBox, to explore how AI-powered matching is helping recruiters spend less time on administration and more time building relationships, advising clients and making better hiring decisions. The podcast examines where AI is already delivering measurable value, from uncovering candidates hidden within existing databases to improving recruiter productivity. Maxine and Jan also explore the importance of high-quality data, choosing trusted technology partners and avoiding common pitfalls as recruitment businesses invest in AI. They also tackle one of the industry's biggest questions: if employers, candidates and recruiters are all using AI throughout the hiring process, how do you maintain trust, authenticity and human judgement? The conversation explores why recruiter expertise may become even more valuable as AI takes on more routine tasks, and what successful recruitment businesses should be doing now to prepare for the future. In this episode, you'll hear about: >How AI can reduce admin and free recruiters to focus on higher-value work. >Why AI-powered matching goes beyond traditional keyword searches. >Making better use of your existing candidate database. >The importance of data quality and choosing trusted AI providers. >How recruiters can maintain trust and judgement in an AI-enabled hiring process. >Why human relationships remain central to successful recruitment. Host: Maxine Bligh, Chief Membership and Innovation Officer, Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) Guest: Jan Govaerts, CEO, theMatchBox (part of Pixid Group)

A year ago, many recruitment businesses were experimenting with AI. Today, the challenge is no longer whether to use it, but how to use it effectively. In this episode of the Talking Recruitment podcast, REC Chief Executive Neil Carberry is joined by Annie Andrews, CEO of Curo Services, and Dries De Coster, founder of MeetDwight, to explore how AI is moving to practical business application across recruitment. Together, they discuss where agencies are seeing genuine returns, why automation and AI are often confused, and how businesses can avoid mistaking activity for productivity. The conversation examines the importance of understanding workflows before introducing new technology, the risks of automating poor processes, and why many of the biggest opportunities currently lie in middle and back-office operations. The episode also explores the growing importance of governance, data quality and human oversight as AI becomes embedded in recruitment practices and considers what will differentiate successful recruitment businesses in an AI-enabled market. As technology becomes more capable, the guests argue that recruiter judgement, communication skills and trusted human relationships may become even more valuable. Guests: • Annie Andrews, CEO, Curo Services • Dries De Coster, Founder, MeetDwight

In this episode of the Talking Recruitment podcast, Neil Carberry is joined by Sarah Bishop from The Talent Arc and Guy Venables from Maximus to discuss how recruiters, employers and employability organisations can work together to connect more people with meaningful careers. The conversation explores the barriers many young people and underrepresented groups face when entering the workforce, the importance of role models and networks, and why confidence and support can be just as important as skills. Guests also share practical examples of how partnerships between recruiters, employers and employability providers are helping people overcome obstacles, access opportunities and build successful careers. The episode looks at why widening access to talent is not only the right thing to do, but also makes good business sense for employers facing long-term skills and workforce challenges. Guests: • Sarah Bishop – CEO, The Talent Arc • Guy Venables – Regional Director, Maximus UK

In this episode of Talking Recruitment, Olga Frańczak is joined by Beth Foley and Helen Tomlinson to discuss how approaches to equality, diversity and inclusion are changing across recruitment and the wider workplace. The conversation explores how EDI has shifted from awareness campaigns and performative activity towards something more measurable, operational and commercially focused. The guests discuss why inclusion is increasingly being embedded into systems, processes and decision making, and how organisations are being challenged to demonstrate real impact rather than intention. The episode also looks at the role of middle management in shaping workplace culture, the importance of retention and progression, and why psychological safety and inclusive leadership are becoming more important to business performance. Alongside this, the discussion examines how AI and technology are reshaping hiring practices. The guests explore the risks of bias in automated systems, why human judgment still matters, and how recruitment businesses can balance speed and efficiency with fair and inclusive outcomes. The discussion offers a practical discussion on what meaningful inclusion looks like in 2026 and how recruitment businesses can build EDI into long-term business strategy, workforce experience and future growth. Host: • Olga Frańczak, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, REC Guests: • Beth Foley, CRO, Liquid Friday • Helen Tomlinson, Head of Inclusion & Employability at The Adecco Group

In this episode of Talking Recruitment, Maxine Bligh is joined by Ross Thompson and Jurgen Jaarsma to discuss what is happening across global recruitment markets and what it means for UK agencies. They explore current trends including regional growth, ongoing talent shortages and the continued shift towards remote and offshore hiring. As costs rise in the UK and other established markets, more agencies are looking overseas to scale their teams and improve efficiency. The episode also looks at changing candidate expectations, particularly around flexible working, and how this is shaping hiring decisions in different regions. The guests share insights from markets including the US, Europe and South Africa, highlighting where demand is growing and where opportunities exist. Alongside this, they discuss the risks. From compliance and worker classification to choosing the right partners, the conversation offers practical advice for agencies thinking about international expansion. Overall, a useful overview of how recruitment businesses can adapt and grow in a more global market.

As the pace of legislative change accelerates, this episode of Talking Recruitment asks a bigger question: is the recruitment model itself starting to shift? Neil Carberry is joined by Ross Thompson (Infinity Staff Global) and Simon Whitehead (Brabners) to explore how rising compliance demands, increased enforcement and ongoing economic uncertainty are reshaping how agencies operate. The conversation looks at the growing weight of risk on recruitment businesses, the impact on traditional high-volume, contingent models, and the need for agencies to better articulate their value to clients. With compliance taking up more time and resource, there is a clear shift towards more advisory, specialist approaches; supported by better use of technology and, in some cases, offshore delivery. At the same time, the fundamentals remain: understanding clients, building trust and delivering quality. The agencies best placed to succeed will be those that adapt quickly, invest in their operating model and take a more transparent, consultative approach in a changing market. Guests • Ross Thompson, Executive Manager, Infinity Staff Global • Simon Whitehead, Partner, Brabners

In this episode of Talking Recruitment, Neil Carberry is joined by David Levenston (Orbital) and Lee McChrystal (Brookson) to explore how agencies are responding to a market that is improving, but still uncertain. They discuss early signs of recovery in 2026, particularly in the temporary market, alongside the impact of upcoming legislative changes as part of the Employment Rights Act. The conversation highlights how these shifts are driving greater collaboration between agencies, clients and payroll providers, as well as a stronger focus on managing both financial and brand risk. A key theme is the importance of due diligence across the supply chain. The guests share practical advice on what agencies should be asking of their partners, from financial stability to compliance and transparency, and why real-time data and visibility of payments are becoming essential. The episode also looks ahead, with a focus on where growth may come from, including increased demand for temporary workers and the role of AI and technology in improving productivity. Overall, a practical and grounded discussion on how agencies can reduce risk, build confidence and position themselves for growth in a changing market. Guests • Dave Levenston, Senior Business Development Manager, Orbital Group • Lee McChrystal, Group Sales Director, Brookson

In this episode of Talking Recruitment, Maxine Bligh, Chief Membership and Innovation Officer at the REC, is joined by Dominic Waters (Paul Waters Associates) to explore what drives performance in recruitment and what businesses should be prioritising if growth returns to the market. The conversation focuses on what separates high-performing recruiters from the rest, challenging common assumptions around experience and highlighting the importance of mindset, resilience and consistent sales behaviours. As hiring activity begins to pick up again, the episode also examines where agencies continue to make costly hiring mistakes and how they can avoid them. Drawing on insights from working with over 250 recruitment businesses, Dom shares why relying on instinct and interviews alone often leads to poor hiring decisions, and makes the case for a more objective, data-led approach to assessing potential. The episode also looks ahead to how the recruiter role is evolving, with technology reducing administrative tasks and increasing the importance of relationship-building and value creation. Ultimately, the discussion reinforces that while the tools and context may change, the fundamentals of success in recruitment remain the same and getting hiring right will be critical to the next phase of growth. Guest • Dominic Waters, Managing Partner, Paul Waters Associates