Recruiting Alchemy with Andy Simpson

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Moving recruiters from the contingent carousel to repeatable, scalable, productised offerings.

  1. 6d ago

    Recruiting Alchemy Ep. 23: AI, Recruitment & The Future of Hiring with Craig Whiting

    Is AI really going to replace recruiters, or will it simply expose the ones who were never adding value in the first place? In this episode of Recruiting Alchemy, Andy Simpson sits down with Craig Whiting, Founder of RecOS , to unpack one of the biggest shifts the recruitment industry has ever faced. Craig shares how his business has evolved over the last 18 months, why he's fully embraced AI, and what it means for recruiters, software engineers and businesses trying to stay ahead. The conversation dives into the changing value of talent, why the best recruiters will become even more valuable, and why average performers should be paying close attention. This is a fascinating discussion on technology, productivity, accountability and how AI is reshaping recruitment faster than most people realise. Whether you're a recruiter, agency owner, business leader or simply curious about where AI is taking the world of work, this episode is packed with insight. Timestamps 04:43 – What's changed in the business over the last 18 months? 08:04 – Why Craig believes AI is changing recruitment forever 16:30 – AI as a productivity tool, not a replacement 20:10 – Why 70% of recruiters could disappear 29:33 – The recruiters who will thrive in the AI era 55:30 – Story behind RecOS Connect with Craig Whiting LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-whiting-b75a8ba/\ RecOS : https://www.linkedin.com/company/rec-os/\ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craigwhiting1/ Connect with Andy Simpson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andyhsimpson/\ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyhsimpson/ This episode is proudly sponsored by ryvr.ai Find out more: Website: https://ryvr.ai/\ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryvr.ai/\ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ryvrai/ Produced by Vertical Drop Recruiting Alchemy is produced by Vertical Drop, helping founders and businesses turn conversations into content that builds authority, creates opportunities and drive growth. From podcast production and strategy to social media content, guest management and distribution, Vertical Drop helps brands create content that delivers long after the recording ends.

    Recruiting Alchemy Ep. 23: AI, Recruitment & The Future of Hiring with Craig Whiting

  2. Aug 20

    Recruiting Alchemy Ep.23: The 'No Mascots, No Pets' Culture Rule with Russell Clements

    Is AI really going to change recruitment forever, or is it just the latest technological scare the industry will outlast? And would you fire your two best billers if they were poisoning your culture, even knowing exactly what it would cost you? In this episode of Recruiting Alchemy, Andy Simpson sits down with Russell Clements, former CEO of SThree plc, one of the world's most successful specialty staffing businesses, to unpack four decades of lessons on building highperformance culture, leading through technological upheaval, and why AI might be the first innovation that genuinely changes the rules for recruitment. Russell takes us from his working-class beginnings in West London to joining SThree in 1986 and leading the company through its flotation on the London Stock Exchange at more than a quarter of a billion pounds. He shares the story behind SThree's famous 'no mascots, no pets' culture rule, why the business let go of two of its highest-billing consultants despite the revenue they generated, and why he believes culture is the single biggest driver of commercial success. The conversation also covers why Russell believes AI represents a genuinely different kind of threat to the recruitment industry than any previous technological shift, what it means for the future shape and size of staffing businesses, and his advice for leaders navigating tougher markets today. This is a fascinating discussion on leadership, culture, ruthlessness and resilience, and what separates good recruitment businesses from truly great ones. Whether you're a recruitment leader, founder, or simply interested in what three decades at the top of the industry teaches you about building a business that lasts, this episode is packed with insight. TIMESTAMPS 04:06 Russell's working-class upbringing in West London 22:16 The wrong'uns: letting go of two top billers over culture 27:00 Building a culture that let people build their own businesses inside the business 58:20 Why AI is a genuinely different kind of threat 01:00:22 What makes a good CEO today CONNECT WITH RUSSELL CLEMENTS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-clements-7313818a/ CONNECT WITH ANDY SIMPSON Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andyhsimpson/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyhsimpson/ THIS EPISODE IS PROUDLY SPONSORED BY ryvr.ai Find out more: Website: https://ryvr.ai/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryvr.ai/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ryvrai/ PRODUCED BY VERTICAL DROP Recruiting Alchemy is produced by Vertical Drop, helping founders and businesses turn conversations into content that builds authority, creates opportunities and drives growth. From podcast production and strategy to social media content, guest management and distribution, Vertical Drop helps brands create content that delivers long after the recording ends.

    Recruiting Alchemy Ep.23: The 'No Mascots, No Pets' Culture Rule with Russell Clements

  3. Jul 16

    Recruiting Alchemy Ep. 22: Building a recruitment empire with Dean Kelly

    What does it really take to build one of the UK's biggest recruitment businesses? In this episode of Recruiting Alchemy, Andy Simpson sits down with Dean Kelly, entrepreneur, investor and one of recruitment's best-known founders, to explore the highs, lows and lessons from an extraordinary career. Dean shares how he went from growing up on a North London council estate to becoming a multi-millionaire before the age of 30. Along the way, he opens up about setbacks, near business failures, acquisitions, scaling at speed, leading PLCs, and why some of his biggest lessons came from the toughest moments. This is an honest conversation about ambition, resilience, leadership and what success really looks like once you've achieved it.   Whether you're building a recruitment business, leading a team or simply fascinated by entrepreneurial journeys, there's something in this episode for you. Timestamps 00:00 – Highlights from Dean's journey 01:00 – Sponsor: ryvr.ai 02:00 – Introducing Dean Kelly 04:00 – Growing up in North London and early ambitions 11:00 – Falling into recruitment by accident 14:00 – Nearly losing his job before everything changed 18:00 – Developing self-belief and changing his mindset 22:00 – The drive to build something bigger 32:00 – Being headhunted and stepping into leadership 35:00 – Starting his own recruitment business 42:00 – Scaling at speed and almost going under 45:00 – The realities of rapid growth 56:00 – Leadership, culture and getting the best from people 01:02:00 – Exits, acquisitions and what success really means 01:06:00 – Leading through crisis and lessons from the boardroom 01:10:00 – Final advice for founders and recruitment leaders Connect with Dean Kelly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deankellyuk/ Connect with Andy Simpson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andyhsimpson/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyhsimpson/ This episode is proudly sponsored by ryvr.ai Find out more about ryvr: Website: https://ryvr.ai/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryvr.ai/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ryvrai/ Produced by Vertical Drop Recruiting Alchemy is produced by Vertical Drop, helping founders and businesses turn conversations into content that builds authority, creates opportunities and drives growth. From podcast production and strategy to social media content, guest management and distribution, Vertical Drop helps brands create content that delivers long after the recording ends.

    Recruiting Alchemy Ep. 22: Building a recruitment empire with Dean Kelly

  4. Jul 8

    Recruiting Alchemy Ep.21: Rebuilding a Decadelong Business from Scratch with Elliott Manning

    What does it take to completely reinvent a recruitment business that's already successful? In this episode of Recruiting Alchemy, Andy Simpson sits down with Elliott Manning, Founder of Kayman Recruitment, to unpack a journey that's anything but conventional. From leaving school at 15 to become a chef, to building a thriving recruitment business across the UK, US and South Africa, Elliott shares the lessons he's learnt from taking risks, making mistakes, and constantly adapting to a changing market. The conversation explores entrepreneurship, international expansion, outsourcing, offshoring, and why sometimes the biggest opportunities come from tearing up the original plan and starting again. Whether you're a recruitment founder, agency leader or simply interested in building businesses differently, there's plenty to take away from this one. Timestamps 00:00 – Highlights from Elliott's journey 01:00 – Sponsor: ryvr.ai 02:00 – Introducing Elliott Manning 04:00 – Growing up in East London and life before recruitment 07:00 – Becoming a chef and working in Michelin-starred kitchens 10:00 – First steps into recruitment 13:00 – Building a successful healthcare recruitment desk 16:00 – Why entrepreneurship always felt inevitable 19:00 – Taking the leap and starting his own business 20:00 – Accidentally discovering rec-to-rec recruitment 22:00 – Growing the business and early leadership lessons 25:00 – Expanding into the US market 30:00 – Why South Africa became the next big move 36:00 – Building an outsourcing and offshoring business 40:00 – Launching new ventures and changing direction 42:00 – Scaling internationally and helping recruitment firms hire globally 45:00 – The future of recruitment and offshore talent 50:00 – Advice for founders looking to scale internationally 55:00 – Final thoughts and key lessons Connect with Elliott Manning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliott-manning-4b3b6b7/ Kayman Recruitment: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kayman-recruitment/ Connect with Andy Simpson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andyhsimpson/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyhsimpson/ This episode is proudly sponsored by ryvr.ai Find out more: Website: https://ryvr.ai/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryvr.ai/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ryvrai/ Produced by Vertical Drop Find out more: https://vertical-drop.com/

    Recruiting Alchemy Ep.21: Rebuilding a Decadelong Business from Scratch with Elliott Manning

  5. Jul 2

    Recruiting Alchemy Ep.20: Logan Naidu - Two Private Equity Deals and the Culture That Made Them Work

    On Recruiting Alchemy, Logan Naidu, founder and Group CEO of Kernel Global, shares his personal background and path from investment banking at J.P. Morgan and corporate finance at PwC into recruitment, after being fired from his first recruiting role. He founded The Cornell Partnership in 2005, built it to around 30 people, then after a cancer diagnosis in 2010 and disagreements over shifting from a dividend-led lifestyle business to a growth-and-exit strategy, left in 2011 to start Dartmouth Partners. He describes building a high-performance culture centred on making winning “intoxicating,” a long-term “classroom to boardroom” candidate strategy, and growing with a 30% annual growth target. Naidu talkes about private equity, completed PE deals in 2018 and March 2023 (closing shortly after SVB), acquired Pure, grew to 10m EBITDA, paid out a staff pot of about £30m to 170–180 people, navigated post-COVID market shifts, and emphasised in-office culture and US expansion. 00:00 Apartheid Roots 00:26 Sponsor ryvr AI 01:45 Meet Logan Naidu 03:27 Family and Identity 06:04 School and Ambition 08:09 Banking Disillusionment 09:26 PwC and Pivot Point 11:14 Landing in Recruitment 13:22 Fired by Text 16:10 Starting Cornell Partnership 18:23 Lifestyle Business Reality 20:07 Cancer Wake Up Call 23:08 Leaving to Build Dartmouth 23:53 Growth Culture Blueprint 27:50 Classroom to Boardroom 32:29 Kernel Group Today 32:42 Multi Brand Strategy 33:12 Private Equity Explained 34:20 First PE Deal Journey 38:48 De Risking And Growth 40:28 Acquiring Pure 42:52 Boardroom Changes 45:13 Second PE Deal 48:46 Market Turns Down 51:55 Culture And Performance 53:50 Future Plans And AI 57:29 Office First Culture 01:03:40 Vision And Wrap Up 01:05:02 Production Credits Guest, Logan Naidu: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/logan-naidu-3b10b51/ Kernel Global: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kernelglobal/ Host, Andy Simpson: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andyhsimpson/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyhsimpson/ Thank you to ryvr.ai for sponsoring this episode read more about them below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryvr.ai/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ryvrai/ Website: https://ryvr.ai/

    Recruiting Alchemy Ep.20: Logan Naidu - Two Private Equity Deals and the Culture That Made Them Work

  6. Jun 25

    Recruiting Alchemy Ep.19: Gary Elden - The £8K Bet That Built an Empire

    Gary Elden OBE joins Recruiting Alchemy and Andy Simpson to share his journey from a tough Camberwell council estate to becoming a leading figure in the recruitment industry, launching Huxley Associates within S3 and later serving as CEO of a listed business. He discusses early resilience, moving from insurance broking to estate agency, then taking a pay cut to join Computer Futures, where he learned from top performers and became a high biller. Gary explains S3’s entrepreneurial equity model, Huxley’s banking-led expansion into the US and Asia, the shift from perm to contract for revenue resilience, and the cultural impact of being a PLC. He reflects on being a Black/mixed-race role model, his OBE for services to diversity and business, leaving corporate life, advising and investing, and building Vidmology to modernize recruitment training using short-form video, audio, and AI bots. 00:00 OBE and Role Models 00:32 Sponsor ryvr.ai 01:51 Meet Gary Eldon 03:03 Growing Up Camberwell 06:08 First Jobs and City Life 09:33 Estate Agency to Recruitment 11:42 Computer Futures Grind 15:31 Jerk Chicken Side Hustle 17:21 Launching Huxley Associates 22:38 S3 Growth and IPO 27:20 Becoming CEO 29:31 Race Diversity and OBE 32:56 Windrush Roots and Palace 34:15 Blushing Prince William 34:50 New York Expansion 36:03 Life in America 37:42 Becoming CEO 39:06 Strategy Reset 41:06 Contract Shift Math 42:39 Leaving the Top Job 45:11 Crypto Risk Lessons 47:46 Remote Work Culture 50:05 Advisory Portfolio Life 53:16 Market Outlook Pockets 58:43 Candidate First Tactics 01:02:08 Vidmology Training Vision 01:05:28 Embracing AI Future 01:08:32 Final Thanks Credits Follow Gary Elden: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-elden-3004502b/ Follow Andy Simpson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyhsimpson/ Thank you ryvr.ai for sponsoring this episode: https://ryvr.ai/

    Recruiting Alchemy Ep.19: Gary Elden - The £8K Bet That Built an Empire

  7. Apr 29

    Recruiting Alchemy Ep.18: Tom Way - How One Choice Transformed Everything

    In this episode of Recruiting Alchemy, host Andy Simpson sits down with Tom Way, CEO of UK and Ireland at Hays, to explore the high-stakes world of leading one of the world's largest staffing companies. Tom provides a deep-dive look at the "sliding doors" moments that define a career, from being one deal away from being fired to leading a organization of 2,300 people. The conversation explores the massive shift toward tech-enabled recruitment, the challenges of managing 290 million in revenue, and why the recruitment landscape in 2026 requires a "customer-centric" approach that balances AI with human connectivity. Episode Timestamps: [00:00:00] Intro & Welcome: Tom discusses the accountability of a PLC strategy and why you can't just "go off piste". [00:03:30] The Early Hustle: Growing up in Paris and North London, and how working two paper rounds at 14 built a foundation for relationship building. [00:10:43] The Sliding Doors Moment: How one deal with America Online (AOL) saved Tom from being fired and launched his recruitment career. [00:14:12] Winning in California: The "coming to Jesus" moment in San Francisco that took a struggling team to market dominance through in-person meetings. [00:32:00] Hays & The Tech Masterstroke: Why Hays decided to "skip a generation" of technology to wait for the right AI integration. [00:41:57] The Future of Talent: Tom's vision for AI-stack development and why training people is the missing piece in the productivity puzzle. [00:45:25] Quick Fire Section: Tom shares his outlook on the Hays share price, poor cricket, and the 2026 vision.

    Recruiting Alchemy Ep.18: Tom Way - How One Choice Transformed Everything

  8. Feb 11

    Recruiting Alchemy Ep.17: Jeremy Snell on Shifting from CV Vendor to Value Proposition

    In this episode of Recruiting Alchemy, host Andy Simpson sits down with Jeremy Snell, recruitment leader and industry veteran, to explore what really drives performance in modern recruitment businesses. Jeremy provides a no-nonsense look at why technology alone won’t fix broken models, and why clarity of process, value proposition, and discipline still sit at the heart of successful recruitment firms. The conversation dives deep into the rise of AI in recruitment, the challenges of scaling sales and delivery, and why recruitment leaders heading into 2026 must prioritise consistency, commercial thinking, and strong fundamentals over shiny tools. Drawing on decades of experience building from cold starts, Jeremy shares practical insight for agency owners, leaders, and consultants navigating one of the fastest-changing recruitment landscapes we’ve ever seen. Episode Timestamps [00:00:00] Intro & Welcome: Andy introduces Recruiting Alchemy and welcomes Jeremy Snell to the studio.[00:02:10] Origins & Career Foundations: Jeremy’s early career, background, and path into recruitment.[00:12:20] Building from Scratch: Lessons from cold starts, hard work, and scaling recruitment desks.[00:24:30] AI, Automation & Process: Why AI can’t fix flawed sales or delivery processes.[00:45:25] Quick Fire Section: Consistency, discipline, and the habits that compound over time.

    Recruiting Alchemy Ep.17: Jeremy Snell on Shifting from CV Vendor to Value Proposition
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