Recruiting Alchemy with Andy Simpson

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

  1. 6d ago ·  Video

    Recruiting Alchemy Ep. 27 Surviving every downturn in recruitment with David Bloxham

    David Bloxham has spent 30 years in recruitment, almost all of it at GCS, the business he joined in 1996 and now leads as CEO. Andy Simpson asks how he got there, and what it cost along the way. David talks through coming back to GCS just as the 2008 credit crunch wiped out half his contractors, and why he says you can always cut your cloth when the market turns. He explains how an MBO nearly fell through before Engage came in as backer, why GCS has never dual desked and now runs at around 95% contract, and what changes when a recruiter takes accountability for the outcome instead of sending a CV. They also get into why every CV now looks the same, the 305 applications for one role, and why David thinks AI is highly underestimated and dreadfully overestimated. Recruiting Alchemy is sponsored by ryvr.ai, the conversational intelligence platform built for recruitment and staffing businesses. KEY MOMENTS 16:40 Every CV now looks the same, so who explains the human?20:30 Joining GCS in 1996: a 10k offer over a 16k one, on a chat about music30:55 October 2008: the credit crunch takes half the contractors37:20 The MBO that nearly fell through, and forecasting within 5%49:20 From 50/50 to 95% contract, and never dual desking54:12 Taking accountability for the outcome, not the CV1:02:10 AI: highly underestimated and dreadfully overestimatedLINKS Guest linkedin.com/in/davidbloxham1 Company linkedin.com/company/gcs-recruitment-specialists Host, Andy Simpson linkedin.com/in/andyhsimpson  Sponsor, ryvr.ai www.ryvr.ai  Produced by vertical-drop.com

    Recruiting Alchemy Ep. 27 Surviving every downturn in recruitment with David Bloxham

  2. Sep 28 ·  Video

    Recruiting Alchemy Ep. 26: The Broken Economics of Contingent Staffing with Rory Gaston

    Andy Simpson is joined by Rory Gaston, Group CEO and co-founder of Saragossa, the buy-side staffing and technology solutions business he built with Jimmy Lloyd after spinning out of Red Rock in 2015. Rory explains why success-fee contingent staffing creates what he calls perverse economics, why Saragossa almost never competes against other firms for the same role, and how the business grew from a niche hedge fund staffing boutique into a three-part technology solutions group spanning staffing, managed services and project delivery. The conversation also covers Saragossa's expansion from Bristol into Chicago and New York, and why Rory believes AI is pushing companies to hire more developers, not fewer. FIVE KEY MOMENTS 10:28 Meeting co-founder Jimmy Lloyd, and how their old boss backed both of them to spin Saragossa out of Red Rock in 2015.19:42 The chess board origin of the Saragossa name, and using chess to win over sceptical hedge fund quants.32:40 Why contingent staffing's success fee model creates perverse economics, and Saragossa's rule of never competing against other firms for the same role.57:10 Rory's Jevons paradox take on AI: why Saragossa is hiring more developers, not fewer, and cutting ticket volume by 30% in its managed services arm.GUEST Rory Gaston, linkedin.com/in/rory-gaston-01539817 GUEST COMPANY Saragossa, linkedin.com/company/saragossa HOST Andy Simpson, linkedin.com/in/andyhsimpson HOST COMPANY,  ryvr.ai https://ryvr.ai/ SPONSOR  Recruiting Alchemy is sponsored by ryvr.ai. Produced by Vertical Drop.

    Recruiting Alchemy Ep. 26: The Broken Economics of Contingent Staffing with Rory Gaston

  3. Sep 11

    Recruiting Alchemy Ep. 25 Why Recruiters Are Naive About AI with Brad Lewington

    Andy Simpson is joined by Bradley Lewington, CEO and founder of Generative and former CEO of Spencer Ogden, the energy and infrastructure recruiter he scaled to over 500 people before a private equity backed MBO closed on 20 February 2020, three weeks before COVID hit. Brad explains why the business had to become one a private equity firm actually wanted to buy, what it was like to sign the deal and watch the plan disappear within four weeks, and why he chose to build an AI focused staffing business rather than return to energy. The conversation also covers why recruiters who assume AI platforms cannot do the human bit are in for a surprise, and where the trust element still gives them the edge. FIVE KEY MOMENTS 0:00 Cold open: growing Spencer Ogden from zero to £28M in fees in six years, "no more jam tomorrow." 38:30 Discussion of exit strategy: was it always destined to be a private equity deal, trade sale, or MBO? 41:06 The core insight on what drives sales and motivates people in recruitment businesses. 55:03 The deal closed Feb 20, 2020, then COVID hit weeks later. 01:11:28  On AI in recruitment: "they are way better than you think." GUEST Bradley Lewington, CEO and Founder linkedin.com/in/bradlewington GUEST COMPANY Generative linkedin.com/company/generativegroups HOST Andy Simpson linkedin.com/in/andyhsimpson HOST COMPANY ryvr.ai https://ryvr.ai/ SPONSOR Recruiting Alchemy is sponsored by ryvr.ai. https://ryvr.ai/ PRODUCTION CREDIT Produced by Vertical Drop. https://www.vertical-drop.com/

    Recruiting Alchemy Ep. 25 Why Recruiters Are Naive About AI with Brad Lewington

  4. Sep 1

    Recruiting Alchemy Ep. 24: 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. 24: AI, Recruitment & The Future of Hiring with Craig Whiting

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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