RecTalk Podcast - Explore Recruitment Insights

Nitin Sharma, founder of rectools.io

Welcome to RecTalk, the UK's biggest recruitment industry podcast on YouTube and a Top 15% Video Podcast on Spotify! Hear from trailblazers in the recruitment industry who want to have their say on all things recruitment - unbiased, unfiltered, unscripted.

  1. 2D AGO

    The Future of Recruitment: Why “Heroic” Recruiters Will Win, with Jeremy Snell, Your People Engine

    In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with returning guest Jeremy Snell, now of Your People Engine, to unpack one of the most honest and forward-thinking conversations we’ve had about the future of recruitment. From the evolution of Rookie2Recruiter into the fully-fledged performance ecosystem that is Your People Engine, to why the “glory days” of easy billing are gone (and why that’s actually a good thing), Jeremy shares what separates average recruiters from the “heroes” who will dominate the next era. This episode dives deep into: Why recruitment is shifting from process-driven to performance-drivenThe rise of blended learning (physical + digital) and why most training failsHow storytelling and internal knowledge-sharing can unlock massive growthWhy AI will eliminate admin—and expose underperformersThe concept of “heroic work” in recruitment and what it really meansWhy TA teams may disappear (and what replaces them)The future of recruitment as an IP-led, consultancy-style businessNew revenue streams agencies are completely overlookingThe shift from perm placements to freelance, contract, and outcome-based work Jeremy also shares a powerful perspective: the future isn’t bleak—it’s full of opportunity for those willing to adapt, evolve, and step up. “The glory days aren’t behind us…They’re in front of us…For the heroes.” 🔗 Connect with the guest Jeremy Snell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/recruitmentsalestraining/ Find out more about Your People Engine: https://yourpeopleengine.com/ 🔗 Connect with the host Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/ Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/ New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday. Look out also for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday. https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/ Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/ 🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliers Azuki Accounts: https://azukiaccounts.com/ Konquest: https://konquest.io/ Ascen: https://www.ascen.com/ SourceWhale: https://sourcewhale.com/ Infinity Staff Global: https://www.infinitystaffglobal.com/ #RecTalk #Recruitment #Staffing #TalentAcquisition #AIinRecruitment #Sales #LND #FutureOfWork #RecruitmentTraining #YourPeopleEngine #Rectools

    58 min

  2. 4D AGO

    Africa: Recruitment’s Next Frontier — Alex Hashash on Building Global Capability Centres in Kenya

    In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Alex Hashash, Founder & MD of Global Capability, to explore why Africa—specifically Kenya—is fast becoming one of the most exciting untapped talent markets in global recruitment. Alex shares his journey from a successful career in healthcare recruitment to launching a business in Nairobi, backed by his former employer. But this isn’t just another offshore story… This episode dives deep into: Why traditional offshore hubs (India, Philippines, South Africa) are no longer the only optionsThe rise of Kenya as a global capability centre and what makes it uniqueHow Western misconceptions about Africa are holding businesses backThe real truth about talent, education, and work ethic across the continentWhy recruitment businesses should rethink the outdated 360 modelHow to successfully build offshore teams (and where most businesses get it wrong)The importance of trust, structure, and long-term thinking when scaling globally Alex also breaks down the operational side of building offshore teams—from compliance and infrastructure to commission structures and culture—giving practical insights for any recruitment leader considering expansion. If you’ve ever thought about offshoring but weren’t sure where to start—or assumed Africa wasn’t “ready”—this episode will challenge everything you think you know. As Alex puts it: talent exists everywhere. You just need to look somewhere new. Who This Episode Is For: Recruitment business owners looking to scale globallyTalent leaders exploring offshore or nearshore modelsFounders tired of the same talent pools and rising costsAnyone curious about Africa’s role in the future of workAgencies wanting to move beyond the traditional 360 recruiter model 🔗 Connect with the guest Alex Hashash: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhashash/ Find out more about Global Capability: https://www.rectools.io/product/gcs-global-capability-limited/ 🔗 Connect with the host Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/ Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/ New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday. Look out also for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday. https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/ Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/ 🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliers Azuki Accounts: https://azukiaccounts.com/ Konquest: https://konquest.io/ Ascen: https://www.ascen.com/ SourceWhale: https://sourcewhale.com/ Infinity Staff Global: https://www.infinitystaffglobal.com/ #RecTalk #RecruitmentPodcast #Offshoring #GlobalTalent #Kenya #AfricaRising #RecruitmentLeaders #TalentAcquisition #GlobalCapability #ScalingRecruitment

    56 min

  3. MAR 27

    Hidden Wealth in Recruitment: Property, Finance & Smarter Growth with Bobby Russell & Lakhbir Singh

    In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Bobby Russell (Managing Director) and Lakhbir Singh (Commercial Finance Specialist) from Contact Business Finance to unpack one of the most overlooked opportunities in recruitment—using finance and property to build long-term wealth. From invoice finance to commercial property, the conversation dives deep into how recruiters can stop leaving money on the table and start making smarter, more strategic financial decisions. The guys break down real client stories, including how recruitment agencies are: Turning rent into ownership and boosting profitabilityFunding large-scale office refurbishments to attract top talentLeveraging property to create additional income streamsUsing finance strategically to scale and safeguard their businesses A key theme throughout? Education. Many recruiters are great at billing—but not always equipped with the financial knowledge to maximise their success. This episode changes that. You’ll also hear practical insights on: Why keeping too much cash in the bank could be costing youHow to structure deals with lenders the right wayThe power of diversification and building generational wealthWhat sectors could thrive in recruitment moving into 2026Why storytelling, marketing, and online presence now matter—even to lenders Plus, Bobby and Lakhbir share honest lessons from high-pressure deals, the importance of understanding a client’s “why,” and how finance can genuinely change lives when done right. Who this episode is for: Recruitment agency owners looking to scale smarterFounders sitting on cash but unsure where to investRecruiters considering buying office space instead of rentingAnyone interested in property investment alongside their businessNew and growing agencies wanting to future-proof their finances 🔗 Connect with the guests Bobby Russell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobby-russell-8b844565/ Lakhbir Singh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lakhbir-singh-a2161668/ Find out more about Contact Business Finance: https://www.rectools.io/product/contact-business-finance/ 🔗 Connect with the host Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/ Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/ New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday. Look out also for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday. https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/ Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/ 🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliers Azuki Accounts: https://azukiaccounts.com/ Konquest: https://konquest.io/ Ascen: https://www.ascen.com/ SourceWhale: https://sourcewhale.com/ Infinity Staff Global: https://www.infinitystaffglobal.com/ #Recruitment #Finance #PropertyInvestment #RecruitmentAgency #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #InvoiceFinance #CommercialFinance #RecTalk #Rectools

    55 min

  4. MAR 25

    FOUNDER DIARIES - Ross Linnett on Building Recite Me & Turning Struggle into a £8M Mission

    In this Founder Diaries episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Ross Linnett, Founder & CEO of Recite Me — a business born from personal struggle and built into a global accessibility powerhouse. Ross shares how being undiagnosed dyslexic shaped his early life, forced him down unexpected career paths, and ultimately inspired him to build technology that makes the internet accessible for everyone. From being told he “wasn’t dyslexic” at school, to nearly going bankrupt, to raising £8M and landing clients like Coca-Cola — this episode is packed with raw founder truths, resilience, and perspective. We dive deep into: How dyslexia led Ross to build Recite MeWhy 25–30% of people struggle to access websitesThe early struggles of selling “doing good” as a serious businessRaising investment when your product doesn’t fit the hypeThe reality of building a company when no one believes in it yetWhy success is a function of time, not just skillThe truth about DE&I, accessibility, and commercial impactFounder mindset: surviving doubt, rejection, and near failureWhy the journey matters more than the outcome Ross also shares powerful insights on innovation, patience, and why most “overnight success” stories are anything but. If you’re building something new, questioning your path, or navigating tough founder moments — this episode will hit home. 🎯 Who this episode is for: Founders and startup leaders building from scratchRecruiters and business owners interested in accessibility & inclusionAnyone navigating dyslexia, neurodiversity, or learning challengesEntrepreneurs struggling with doubt, funding, or early tractionLeaders who want to build meaningful, mission-driven businesses 🔗 Connect with the guest Ross Linnett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosslinnett/ Find out more about Recite Me (and try it for yourself): https://www.rectools.io/product/recite-me/ 🔗 Connect with the host Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/ Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/ New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday. Look out also for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday. https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/ Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/ 🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliers Azuki Accounts: https://azukiaccounts.com/ Konquest: https://konquest.io/ Ascen: https://www.ascen.com/ SourceWhale: https://sourcewhale.com/ Infinity Staff Global: https://www.infinitystaffglobal.com/ #RecTalk #FounderDiaries #RossLinnett #ReciteMe #Accessibility #Dyslexia #Neurodiversity #Startups #Entrepreneurship #DEI #Recruitment #Founders #BusinessGrowth #InclusiveDesign

    58 min

  5. MAR 20

    From Recruiter to Recruitment Angel: How Sarah Higgs Helps Agencies Reclaim Their Time

    In this episode of RecTalk, host Nitin Sharma sits down with Sarah Higgs, founder of Recruitment Angel, to explore a topic every recruitment business owner struggles with: time. Sarah shares her journey from working as a legal recruiter to becoming Head of Operations in a recruitment firm and ultimately launching Recruitment Angel—a specialist virtual support service built specifically for the recruitment industry. Drawing on years of experience inside recruitment businesses, Sarah now helps agency owners and suppliers free up their time by handling operational, administrative, and marketing tasks that often slow growth. The conversation dives into the realities of running a recruitment business today, especially for solo founders and smaller agencies. Sarah explains why so many founders end up overwhelmed wearing too many hats—handling everything from business development and invoicing to CRM management and marketing. Nitin and Sarah discuss the power of delegation and why outsourcing operational work can be one of the most impactful decisions a recruitment entrepreneur can make. By reclaiming hours lost to admin, business owners can refocus on what really drives revenue: building relationships, winning clients, and making placements. They also unpack how recruitment itself has evolved. Traditional cold calling is no longer the only route to success. Modern recruiters are increasingly building communities, hosting events, producing content, and nurturing relationships digitally. But with all of these new responsibilities comes an operational burden that many founders simply don’t have time to manage alone. Sarah also shares insights into how Recruitment Angel supports agencies with tasks such as database management, market mapping, CRM setup, content creation, event coordination, and back-office operations—helping recruitment businesses operate more efficiently without hiring full-time staff. A key theme throughout the episode is authenticity and work-life balance. Sarah talks openly about leaving traditional “stuffy” recruitment environments where personality was discouraged, and how modern founders are now building businesses that align with their lifestyles, families, and personal goals. This episode is packed with practical insight for recruiters looking to grow smarter, delegate effectively, and avoid the burnout that often comes with building a recruitment business from scratch. Who this episode is for: Solo recruitment founders and startup agenciesRecruitment businesses with 1–15 employees looking to scale efficientlyRecruiters overwhelmed by admin, operations, or back-office tasksAgencies exploring outsourcing or virtual support optionsRecruitment suppliers looking to streamline internal processes 🔗 Connect with the guest Sarah Higgs: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahhiggs01/ Check out Recruitment Angel: https://www.rectools.io/product/recruitment-angel/ 🔗 Connect with the host Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/ Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/ New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday. Look out also for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday. https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/ Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/ 🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliers Ascen: https://www.ascen.com/ ThinkinCircles: https://thinkincircles.com/ Infinity Staff Global: https://www.infinitystaffglobal.com/ The Marketing Junction: https://themarketingjunction.com/ Konquest: https://konquest.io/ #RecTalk #RecruitmentPodcast #RecruitmentIndustry #RecruitmentStartups #RecruitmentOps #RecruitmentTech #AgencyGrowth #RecruitmentEntrepreneurs #RecruitmentMarketing #RecTools

    58 min

  6. MAR 18

    AI That Actually Helps Recruiters: Eli Duane on Building NOVA by Dweet

    In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Eli Duane, Founder & CEO of NOVA by Dweet, to unpack one of the biggest questions facing the recruitment industry right now: Is AI actually improving recruitment… or just adding more noise? Eli brings over 20 years of recruitment experience to the table, having previously helped build and exit a staffing business before launching Dweet—a platform designed to connect frontline retail talent with employers quickly. Along the way, his team built internal AI tools to solve a problem many recruiters know all too well: how to efficiently identify the right candidates from thousands of applications and existing database records. Those internal tools eventually evolved into NOVA, an AI-powered recruiting copilot designed to help recruiters source, screen, and resurface candidates faster—without removing the human element that makes great recruiters great. In this conversation, Nitin and Eli dig into the realities of AI in recruitment, cutting through the hype to explore what actually works and where technology can genuinely support recruiters rather than replace them. They discuss: Why most AI recruitment tools fail to move the needleThe “ChatGPT in a trench coat” problem with many AI productsHow NOVA uses contextual intake to improve candidate matchingThe challenge of ATS “candidate graveyards” and resurfacing hidden talentWhy sourcing automation should free recruiters to focus on human relationshipsThe Iron Man analogy for AI-augmented recruitersThe real truth about bias in hiring and how AI should (and shouldn’t) address itWhy the future of recruitment is AI + great recruiters, not AI instead of recruiters Eli also shares how NOVA was originally built to solve problems inside their own hiring platform before being spun out into a standalone product—giving the team a unique advantage: every feature is battle-tested with real recruiters and real hiring scenarios first. If you’re feeling fatigued by the endless wave of AI tools in recruitment, this episode will help you rethink where technology can actually make a difference. 🔗 Connect with the guest Eli Duane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eli-duane/ Check out NOVA by Dweet: https://www.rectools.io/product/nova-by-dweet/ 🔗 Connect with the host Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/ Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/ New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday. Look out also for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday. https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/ Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/ 🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliers Ascen: https://www.ascen.com/ ThinkinCircles: https://thinkincircles.com/ Infinity Staff Global: https://www.infinitystaffglobal.com/ The Marketing Junction: https://themarketingjunction.com/ Konquest: https://konquest.io/ #RecTech #RecruitmentAI #TalentAcquisition #RecruitmentTechnology #AIinRecruitment #StaffingIndustry #HRTech #RecruitmentPodcast

    1h 3m

  7. MAR 13

    From Recruitment Agency to AI-Powered SaaS: The SourceWhale Journey with Tim Hogwood

    In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Tim Hogwood, Co-Founder of SourceWhale, to unpack the fascinating journey from launching a small recruitment agency in 2020 to building one of the fastest-growing recruitment technology companies in Europe. Recorded at SourceWhale’s Shoreditch offices, Tim shares the real story behind how the business accidentally pivoted from agency life into SaaS, why recruiters originally adopted the platform for candidate outreach, and how market shifts forced the team to rethink their product, pricing, and positioning. The conversation dives deep into the evolution of recruitment technology, why SourceWhale moved to a modular product structure, and how AI is transforming recruiter workflows without replacing the human element that makes recruitment work. Nitin also challenges Tim on the future of CRMs, AI governance, recruiter productivity, and whether automation could “dumb down” the recruitment profession. Tim offers candid answers on where AI is actually useful today — and where the hype doesn’t match reality. Key topics covered include: The origin story of SourceWhale and its unexpected SaaS pivotWhy recruitment tech should focus on desk-level recruiter productivityThe shift from candidate sourcing to business development workflowsWhy SourceWhale moved to modular products instead of one all-in-one platformThe real role AI will play in recruitment automationHow contextual data and communication layers power better recruiter workflowsThe evolving role of CRM systems in an AI-driven worldWhy recruitment will remain a human business despite AI advancements Tim also myth-busts common misconceptions about SourceWhale — including pricing, enterprise adoption, and who the product is actually built for. If you want a behind-the-scenes look at how modern RecTech companies are thinking about AI, recruiter workflows, and the future of recruitment software, this episode is packed with insights. 🔗 Connect with the guest Tim Hogwood: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-hogwood/ Find out more about SourceWhale: https://www.rectools.io/product/sourcewhale/ 🔗 Connect with the host Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/ Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/ New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday. Look out also for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday. https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/ Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/ 🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliers Ascen: https://www.ascen.com/ ThinkinCircles: https://thinkincircles.com/ Infinity Staff Global: https://www.infinitystaffglobal.com/ The Marketing Junction: https://themarketingjunction.com/ Konquest: https://konquest.io/ #RecTech #RecruitmentTechnology #RecruitmentAI #SourceWhale #RecruitmentAutomation #RecruitmentLeaders #RecruitmentInnovation #RecruitmentIndustry #RecTalkPodcast

    1h 2m

  8. MAR 11

    AI in Recruitment: Hype vs Reality - with Andy Jones, CEO of Tracker

    In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Andy Jones, CEO of Tracker, one of the longest-standing enterprise CRM platforms in recruitment, for a deep dive into the real impact of AI in the industry. Forget the hype around AI writing job ads or taking meeting notes. This conversation goes much deeper — exploring what actually moves the needle for recruiters, why most AI tools are still “skin deep,” and how the future lies in agentic automation layered on top of strong CRM data. Andy shares why many recruitment businesses are still struggling to see meaningful ROI from generative AI and why the real opportunity lies in combining AI, automation, and workflow agents that take care of the repetitive tasks recruiters hide behind. They also unpack how recruitment CRMs should evolve from being just a single source of record into a single source of action, where intelligent agents automate processes like candidate screening, CV formatting, anonymisation, and even business development opportunities. The conversation also tackles some of the bigger strategic questions facing the industry: Are AI tools making recruiters more productive — or just more efficient?Could automation actually make recruiters better by removing admin work?What role should CRM providers play in guiding agencies through AI adoption?Why governance, GDPR, and data security are the hidden risks most agencies aren’t thinking about. Andy also shares how Tracker is building its AI layer, including EVA — an embedded LLM inside the CRM — combined with a growing library of automation agents designed to handle recruitment workflows behind the scenes. If you’re a recruitment leader trying to cut through the AI noise, this episode delivers one of the most practical conversations you’ll hear about the future of recruitment technology. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The difference between AI efficiency vs true recruiter productivityWhy agentic automation may be the real breakthrough in recruitment techHow recruiters can automate CV formatting, candidate screening, and BD workflowsWhy CRM data is the foundation for meaningful AI adoptionThe hidden compliance and governance risks of using AI toolsWhy the future recruiter may need less tech knowledge and more relationship skills 🔗 Connect with the guest Andy Jones: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-jones-4871722/ Find out more about Tracker: https://www.rectools.io/product/tracker/ 🔗 Connect with the host Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/ Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/ New episodes of RecTalk (including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent) currently drop on Wednesday and Friday. Look out also for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday. https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/ Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/ 🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliers Ascen: https://www.ascen.com/ ThinkinCircles: https://thinkincircles.com/ Infinity Staff Global: https://www.infinitystaffglobal.com/ The Marketing Junction: https://themarketingjunction.com/ Konquest: https://konquest.io/ #RecTalk #RecruitmentTechnology #AIinRecruitment #RecruitmentCRM #AgenticAI #RecTech #RecruitmentAutomation #AndyJones #TrackerRMS #RecruitmentLeaders

    1h 10m
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Welcome to RecTalk, the UK's biggest recruitment industry podcast on YouTube and a Top 15% Video Podcast on Spotify! Hear from trailblazers in the recruitment industry who want to have their say on all things recruitment - unbiased, unfiltered, unscripted.

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