Hiring for Potential - Talent Download - Ep.3 ft. Kema Davies

In this episode of Talent Download, host Darren Lancaster sits down with Kema Davies, Manager and Recruitment at Hiscox, to explore why "potential is everywhere."

Kema provides an authentic and deep-dive look at the industry shift from performance-based hiring to potential-based hiring. The conversation dives deep into the role of AI in assessments, the challenges of scaling early careers across a global organization, and why recruitment in 2026 requires a "human wraparound" to ensure technology serves to enable, rather than just filter, diverse talent.

Episode Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Intro & Welcome: Darren introduces Kema Davies and her role at Microsoft.

[00:02:45] Scaling Global Talent: Insights into managing early career strategies across a massive global footprint.

[00:05:37] Potential vs. Performance: Why looking for what a candidate can do is more important than what they have already done.

[00:15:15] The "Human Wraparound": Balancing the efficiency of AI with the necessity of human empathy in the screening process.

[00:28:40] Leading for Diversity: How Microsoft builds inclusive pathways to find talent in every corner of the world.

[00:40:55] Quick Fire Section: Kema shares her personal career advice and answers rapid-fire questions on leadership and growth.