Talent Matters Podcast

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The Talent Matters Podcast, powered by Wave, brings you real conversations with recruitment industry leaders, uncovering the strategies, trends, and challenges shaping the hiring landscape. Hosted by Dave Jenkins, CEO and Founder of Wave, each episode dives into expert insights, data-driven strategies, and real-world solutions to help recruiters, agency owners, and talent acquisition pros stay ahead. No sales pitches, no fluff. Just candid discussions from the frontlines of recruitment to help you attract top talent and build a stronger hiring strategy.

  1. Beyond ‘our people’: How agencies can really differentiate w/ Ksenia Molodych

    FEB 10

    Beyond ‘our people’: How agencies can really differentiate w/ Ksenia Molodych

    Most recruitment agencies believe they’re different — but in a crowded market, many still look, sound, and operate the same. In this episode of Talent Matters, Dave Jenkins is joined by Ksenia Molodych, Founder of XOO, to explore what really makes recruitment businesses stand out. Drawing on experience across SaaS, marketing, and revenue operations, Ksenia explains why recruitment often takes inspiration only from itself — and why that holds agencies back. They unpack the role of brand and customer experience in long-term growth, the tension between short-term sales and long-term marketing, and how alignment across sales, marketing, and operations changes everything. The conversation also tackles AI — separating hype from reality, and why AI won’t fix broken fundamentals but can accelerate growth when used properly. We cover: Why recruitment agencies struggle to differentiate in a crowded marketThe myth of “our people make us different”What recruitment can learn from SaaS and other industriesBrand and customer experience as revenue driversSales and marketing alignment through RevOpsWhere AI genuinely adds value — and where it goes wrongIf you're a recruitment agency owner, leader, or marketer trying to stand out, build a stronger brand, and use AI without losing the human touch, this one’s for you. — 🎧 Listen to Talent Matters for honest conversations with recruitment leaders, tech experts, and marketers helping agencies grow. — 🔗 Discover more episodes at https://wave-rs.co.uk/resources/podcasts/talent-matters

    52 min
  2. Under the Bonnet: What MSPs won’t tell you about your IT setup w/ Kan Mallawathantri

    JAN 27

    Under the Bonnet: What MSPs won’t tell you about your IT setup w/ Kan Mallawathantri

    Most recruitment agencies are using just a fraction of the tech they’re already paying for—and many are being upsold by MSPs (Managed Service Providers) on tools they don’t need. In this episode of Talent Matters, we’re joined by Kan Mallawathantri, Founder of Avensys Tech and former in-house IT leader for recruitment businesses like MSI and DRC. Kan breaks down what most MSPs don’t tell you, the hidden tools inside Microsoft 365 that recruiters overlook, and how to stay lean, secure, and efficient without bloating your tech stack. We cover: Why most recruitment agencies only use 30% of Microsoft 365 The tools already in your licence that can replace Calendly, Dropbox, Slack, and more How to automate onboarding, offboarding and compliance Shadow IT and how it puts your agency at risk What to ask when choosing an MSP—and what to avoid Why Microsoft Copilot could change the way recruiters work If you're a recruitment agency owner, ops lead, or marketer trying to cut costs while scaling your business, this one’s for you. — 🎧 Listen to Talent Matters for honest conversations with recruitment leaders, tech experts, and marketers helping agencies grow. — 🔗 Discover more episodes at wave-rs.co.uk/resources/podcasts/talent-matters

    44 min
  3. Biller to Builder: Evolving beyond the old-school recruitment mindset W/ Rupert McSheehy

    07/22/2025

    Biller to Builder: Evolving beyond the old-school recruitment mindset W/ Rupert McSheehy

    In this episode of Talent Matters, Rupert McSheehy, Director at RMG Digital, shares how his journey from billing recruiter to agency founder shaped a new way of working — one that prioritises trust, autonomy, and long-term value over old-school sales culture and vanity metrics. Rupert reflects on the lessons he took from his time at S3, what he kept and what he left behind, and how he's built a lean, profitable agency focused on enabling his team and delivering meaningful impact for clients and candidates alike. He also shares how Fireside with Founders, his podcast, has become a powerful tool for business development and brand building. We talk about: Letting go of control and trusting your teamWhy headcount doesn’t equal successHow smaller agencies can do more with lessMoving from transactional to strategic recruitmentUsing content to engage candidates and clients alike If you’re a recruitment agency owner, aspiring founder, or someone rethinking how an agency should run, this one’s for you. // ABOUT RUPERT McSHEEHY Rupert McSheehy is Director of RMG Digital, a recruitment agency specialising in Design, Product, and Software Engineering roles across the UK, Europe, and the US. With over 17 years in recruitment, Rupert co-founded RMG to build a lean, values-led agency focused on people, performance, and purpose. He also hosts Fireside with Founders, a podcast that explores the stories behind high-growth tech companies. // ABOUT WAVE⁠⁠ Wave is the candidate attraction solution for recruitment agencies. Source high-calibre candidates faster and hassle-free. Build and grow a high-performing recruitment website. Buy and manage your job board contracts with ease.

    55 min
  4. Bricks & People: How real estate recruitment keeps evolving W/ Tamar Avakian

    06/17/2025

    Bricks & People: How real estate recruitment keeps evolving W/ Tamar Avakian

    In this episode of Talent Matters, Tamar Avakian, Co-Founder – Property & Surveying at Invictus Group, shares how 20 years in real estate recruitment has shaped her approach to building lasting relationships, specialist knowledge, and long-term impact in the built environment. From engineering placements at Wimbledon to helping clients navigate a post-pandemic world, Tamar explains how her team supports hiring in a sector where flexibility, infrastructure, and people all collide. She also reflects on the changing nature of candidate expectations, the role of AI, and what recruiters can do to stay relevant in today’s market. We talk about: How workplace flexibility is shaping real estate hiringWhy niche knowledge gives specialist recruiters an edgeWhat recruiters can learn from high-pressure event staffingThe risks and rewards of launching a business during a recessionWhy long-term relationships still beat short-term wins If you recruit in real estate, facilities, or the built environment – or want to hear what great recruitment looks like when it's powered by deep expertise – this one’s for you. // ABOUT TAMAR AVAKIAN Tamar Avakian is Co-Founder of the Property & Surveying division at Invictus Group, a specialist recruitment agency serving the built environment. With two decades of experience in real estate recruitment, Tamar leads a team that works across surveying, facilities, and engineering, supporting clients ranging from consultancies to developers and major institutions. // ABOUT WAVE ⁠⁠⁠⁠Wave⁠⁠⁠⁠ is the candidate attraction solution for recruitment agencies. Source high-calibre candidates faster and hassle-free. Build and grow a high-performing recruitment website. Buy and manage your job board contracts with ease.

    1h 1m
  5. Concept to Shelf: Inside the world of cosmetic recruitment W/ Heidi Bannister

    06/03/2025

    Concept to Shelf: Inside the world of cosmetic recruitment W/ Heidi Bannister

    In this episode of Talent Matters, Heidi Bannister, Founder and Managing Director at Arthur Edward, shares how a deep understanding of the beauty industry has helped her build a trusted recruitment agency that partners with global brands to deliver top talent. Starting out in product development, sales and marketing, Heidi brings hands-on experience to recruitment – and it shows. She talks about the importance of sector knowledge, long-term relationships, and genuine passion for product in making the right hire. From trade shows to team strategy, she lifts the lid on what makes the cosmetic and personal care sector so unique. We talk about: • Why industry experience gives recruiters an edge in beauty • How flexibility is helping smaller brands win top talent • Why passion and communication matter just as much as technical skill • How sustainability and diversity are shaping hiring decisions • Why long-term thinking beats quick wins in recruitment If you recruit in beauty, FMCG, or niche markets – or just want to hear how recruitment works when you know your product inside out – this one’s for you. // ABOUT HEIDI BANNISTER Heidi Bannister is the Founder and Managing Director of Arthur Edward, a specialist recruitment agency serving the beauty, cosmetics, and personal care sectors. With a career that began in product development and marketing, Heidi has spent over two decades recruiting across the full product lifecycle and is an active member of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists, the British Society of Perfumers, and Cosmetic Executive Women. // ABOUT WAVE⁠⁠⁠⁠ Wave⁠⁠⁠⁠ is the candidate attraction solution for recruitment agencies. Source high-calibre candidates faster and hassle-free. Build and grow a high-performing recruitment website. Buy and manage your job board contracts with ease.

    51 min
  6. Beyond borders: Building global recruitment teams W/ Mark Cox

    04/29/2025

    Beyond borders: Building global recruitment teams W/ Mark Cox

    In this episode of Talent Matters, Mark Cox, Director & Partner at PiC, shares how building strong relationships and adapting to change has helped him grow a trusted recruitment business into a global success story. Starting out in recruitment by chance, Mark talks about the lessons learned from 20+ years in the industry — from the days of faxing CVs to leading international teams across 15+ countries today. He shares why human connection still beats technology, and how evolving markets demand evolving strategies. We talk about: Why long-term relationships, not quick wins, drive recruitment success How PiC tailored their approach to different international markets Why partnering with TA teams leads to better outcomes How to adapt to IR35 with project-based recruitment solutions Why tough markets are the perfect time to innovate and change If you’re scaling a recruitment agency, thinking about international growth, or simply want to hear from someone who’s stayed at the top of their game by always putting people first, this one’s for you. // ABOUT MARK COX Mark Cox is the Director & Partner at PiC, a specialist recruitment agency with over three decades of experience in investment management and financial technology recruitment. With more than 20 years of personal industry experience, Mark leads PiC’s global expansion, helping businesses solve recruitment challenges with compliant, high-quality solutions built on trust and expertise. // ABOUT WAVE ⁠⁠⁠⁠Wave⁠⁠⁠⁠ is the candidate attraction solution for recruitment agencies. Source high-calibre candidates faster and hassle-free. Build and grow a high-performing recruitment website. Buy and manage your job board contracts with ease.

    44 min
  7. Niche Wins: The Legal Recruitment pivot that paid off W/ Duncan Seward

    04/15/2025

    Niche Wins: The Legal Recruitment pivot that paid off W/ Duncan Seward

    In this episode of Talent Matters, Duncan Seward, Managing Director at IRG Law, shares how niching down into legal recruitment helped him build a high-integrity agency that clients and candidates come back to. Again and again. Starting out in IT recruitment, Duncan talks about the moment he realised trying to be everything to everyone wasn’t working, and why legal felt like the right fit for a more focused, expert-led approach. We talk about: Why niching down gives you an edge in both credibility and delivery How IRG Law maps the legal market to personalise outreach and reduce noise What makes legal recruitment different, and more structured, than tech How trust, honesty and long-term thinking build stronger client relationships The real limits of AI in recruitment (and why people still matter most) If you’re building a recruitment agency, considering a niche, or just rethinking what “doing it right” really means, this one’s for you. // ABOUT DUNCAN SEWARD Duncan is the Managing Director at IRG Law, a boutique legal recruitment agency specialising in roles across Residential and Commercial Property, Construction, Private Client, Family Law and more. With over two decades of recruitment experience, Duncan brings commercial insight and deep market expertise to a values-led business built on trust and transparency. // ABOUT WAVE ⁠⁠⁠Wave⁠⁠⁠ is the candidate attraction solution for recruitment agencies. Source high-calibre candidates faster and hassle-free. Build and grow a high-performing recruitment website. Buy and manage your job board contracts with ease.

    45 min
  8. Leading with honesty: Building a people-first recruitment agency W/ Ellie Cree

    04/02/2025

    Leading with honesty: Building a people-first recruitment agency W/ Ellie Cree

    In this episode of Talent Matters, Ellie Cree, Managing Director at Savvy Recruitment, shares how her journey from junior recruiter to qualified therapist to MD shaped her people-first approach to leadership. Ellie opens up about leaving Savvy to go travelling, training in psychodynamic therapy, and returning to help run the business with honesty, empathy, and a clear focus on personal growth. We talk about: What a people-first recruitment agency looks like in practice How therapy informs Ellie’s approach to managing people and placing candidates Why honesty and transparency are more powerful than KPIs and "smile while you dial" What success really means and why bigger isn’t always better How to reframe recruitment as a vehicle for achieving personal goals If you're in recruitment, leadership, or just figuring out what meaningful work looks like, this one's for you. // ABOUT ELLIE CREE Ellie is the Managing Director at Savvy Recruitment, a people-first agency specialising in the creative and media space. With a background in psychodynamic therapy, she blends empathy and honesty into every part of her leadership style, supporting her team to achieve their personal goals while building long-term, values-led client relationships. // ABOUT WAVE ⁠⁠Wave⁠⁠ is the candidate attraction solution for recruitment agencies. Source high-calibre candidates faster and hassle-free. Build and grow a high-performing recruitment website. Buy and manage your job board contracts with ease.

    42 min
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About

The Talent Matters Podcast, powered by Wave, brings you real conversations with recruitment industry leaders, uncovering the strategies, trends, and challenges shaping the hiring landscape. Hosted by Dave Jenkins, CEO and Founder of Wave, each episode dives into expert insights, data-driven strategies, and real-world solutions to help recruiters, agency owners, and talent acquisition pros stay ahead. No sales pitches, no fluff. Just candid discussions from the frontlines of recruitment to help you attract top talent and build a stronger hiring strategy.

Information

  • Creator
    Wave
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    44
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Wave
  • Show Website
    Talent Matters Podcast