RecTalk Podcast - Explore Recruitment Insights

Welcome to Talking Talent, the brand-new RecTalk spin-off where agency meets in-house, and recruitment meets real talk.

In this episode (filmed at IHR Live London), hosts Nitin Sharma and Sean Kennedy dive into the world of internal talent acquisition — and why the transition from agency life isn’t as easy as it looks.

They’re joined in the second half by Mark Kunaseelan, Head of Resourcing at University of the Arts London, for a refreshingly honest chat about:

• The purpose-driven world of public sector and higher education recruitment
• Whether degrees are still essential for career success (and why some TA roles now bizarrely require a master’s)
• The real impact of AI and automation in hiring — what’s helpful vs. what’s just hype
• How apprenticeships and accessibility in education could reshape the future workforce
• And the importance of fit, culture, and purpose when choosing your next role

Expect plenty of laughs, strong opinions, and some surprisingly deep insights into what makes modern recruitment tick — from the agency floor to the university boardroom.

Who this episode is for:

• TA and HR professionals navigating digital transformation
• Recruiters curious about moving in-house
• Leaders in higher education or public sector talent
• Anyone interested in AI’s evolving role in recruitment
• Listeners who like their recruitment talk with a dose of humour and honesty

🔗 Connect with Mark Kunaseelan

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkunaseelan/

University of the Arts London: https://www.arts.ac.uk/

🔗 Connect with the hosts

Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/

Sean Kennedy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanthetaguy/

Discover recruitment tools and services at Rectools.io:

https://www.rectools.io/

Find out about the Recruitment Curry Club:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/

New episodes of RecTalk, Founder Diaries and Talking Talent drop every Wednesday and Friday.

Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/

#TalkingTalent #RecTalk #RecruitmentPodcast #TalentAcquisition #HigherEducation #AIinRecruitment #PublicSectorHiring #CareerDevelopment #RecruitmentInnovation #Rectools

In this episode of Founder Diaries, host Nitin Sharma sits down with Chris Peace, former Hayes top biller turned founder of the award-winning Peace Recruitment, to unpack his incredible journey from launching a business during the 2008 recession to achieving a multimillion-pound exit — and finding renewed purpose as a business coach and co-founder of the Impact Board.

Chris opens up about:

• Leaving corporate comfort at Hayes to start a business at the worst economic time imaginable.
• Building Peace Recruitment from his kitchen table into one of Scotland’s top construction and property recruitment firms.
• The turning point when tragedy struck and he realised the importance of building a proper, compliant, and sellable business.
• How he transformed from a “desk recruiter” into a leader, mentor, and eventual exit-ready founder.
• The true value of coaching, what it takes to make a company attractive to buyers, and the hidden time it really takes to prepare for a sale.
• Why he joined forces with Rich Gibbins and Tristan Gardiner to reshape Impact Board into an elite peer-to-peer network for recruitment leaders.
• His biggest lessons on authentic leadership, avoiding burnout, and finding fulfilment in helping others grow.

Chris shares practical insights on valuation, leadership transitions, and why being brutally honest with yourself is the secret weapon for sustainable growth.

Who This Episode Is For:

• Recruitment founders thinking about starting, scaling, or selling their agency.
• Business owners feeling stuck between growth and burnout.
• Entrepreneurs who want to learn how to build a resilient, sale-ready business.
• Anyone interested in the real mental and emotional journey behind success stories — not just the highlight reel.

🔗 Connect with Chris Peace

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrispeace1/

Check out the Impact Board:

https://www.impactboard.co.uk/

🔗 Connect with Nitin Sharma

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/

Discover recruitment tools and services at Rectools.io:

https://www.rectools.io/

Find out about the Recruitment Curry Club:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/

New episodes of RecTalk and Founder Diaries drop every Wednesday and Friday.

Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/

#FounderDiaries #RecTalk #RecruitmentPodcast #ChrisPeace #ImpactBoard #RecruitmentFounders #BusinessExit #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #RecruitmentGrowth #NitinSharma #Rectools #RecruitmentCoaching #ScalingARecruitmentBusiness #BusinessValuation

In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Will Grashoff, the LinkedIn and TikTok sensation behind Will’s Talent. Known for his witty industry videos and no-nonsense approach, Will shares the journey of rebranding his business, going all-in on the Rec2Rec market, and why being selective with clients is at the heart of his success.

Will and Nitin dive deep into:

• Why Will pivoted from a generalist agency to a specialist Rec2Rec model
• How video content became his most powerful business development tool
• The importance of trust and empowerment for retaining top recruitment talent
• Why agencies should invest in modern tech stacks, L&D, and tailored KPIs
• Trends in recruitment: profitability per head, 360 consultants, and the decline of headcount vanity metrics
• Why not every big biller sets up their own shop—and what really motivates candidates today

Will also opens up about the realities of managing remotely, the pitfalls of old-school micromanagement, and why happiness (and a sense of humour) are just as vital in recruitment as placements.

Who this episode is for:

• Recruitment agency owners looking to scale smarter, not bigger
• Rec2Rec professionals wanting to understand client and candidate motivations
• Consultants curious about the role of social media in personal branding
• Leaders keen to modernise their agency’s culture, tech, and KPIs

🔗 Connect with Will Grashoff

https://www.linkedin.com/in/willgrashoff/

Check out Will’s Talent:

https://www.willstalent.com/

🔗 Connect with Nitin Sharma

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/

Discover recruitment tools and services at Rectools.io:

https://www.rectools.io/

Find out about the Recruitment Curry Club:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/

New episodes of RecTalk and Founder Diaries drop every Wednesday and Friday.

Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/

#RecruitmentPodcast #RecTalk #Recruitment #TalentAcquisition #Rec2Rec #RecruitmentTechnology #RecruitmentMarketing #RecruitmentLeaders #RecruiterLife

In this episode of Founder Diaries, Nitin Sharma sits down with the dynamic James Whitelock — Managing Director of ThinkinCircles, investor, advisor, and community-builder in the recruitment and HR tech space.

James shares his candid founder journey, from nearly giving up in the early days of ThinkinCircles to celebrating 13 years of growth and evolution. He discusses how the business transitioned from being known for social media delivery to becoming a trusted strategic marketing partner at board and C-suite level.

We dive into:

• The realities of starting ThinkinCircles and surviving those tough early years.
• How recruitment marketing has evolved — from the rise of social media to today’s AI-driven era.
• The power of angel investing in recruitment and HR tech, and why James only backs businesses in spaces he truly understands.
• Building communities that matter, including the Recruitment Curry Club and the Association of Recruitment Marketing Agencies (AoRMA).
• Lessons in resilience, the importance of financial discipline, and why comparison really is the thief of joy for founders.

James also shares his biggest wins, regrets, and advice for anyone considering entrepreneurship in the recruitment industry.

Who this episode is for:

• Recruitment founders looking to scale and stand out in an AI-driven world.
• Marketers and agencies wanting to understand the future of recruitment marketing.
• Entrepreneurs curious about building resilience and longevity in business.
• Anyone keen to learn from a founder who’s lived through the ups and downs of running a recruitment-focused marketing agency.

🔗 Connect with James Whitelock

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameswhitelock/

Check out ThinkinCircles on Rectools.io:

https://www.rectools.io/product/thinkincircles/

🔗 Connect with Nitin Sharma

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/

Discover recruitment tools and services at Rectools.io:

https://www.rectools.io/

Find out about the Recruitment Curry Club:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/

New episodes of RecTalk and Founder Diaries drop every Wednesday and Friday.

Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/

#RecruitmentMarketing #FounderDiaries #RecTalk #RecruitmentTech #Entrepreneurship #HRTech #ThinkinCircles #Resilience #StartupLife #RecruitmentCommunity

This week on RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Stewart Roberts and John Hetherington of Mayachi, a Rectools Recommended supplier that’s transforming the way recruitment agencies think about finance.

Recruiters are great at billing—but running a business takes more than making placements. In this conversation, Stewart and John share how Mayachi’s free two-hour consultation uncovers hidden savings, strengthens financial structures, and empowers agency owners to make smarter, data-driven decisions.

We dig into:

• Why many recruiters are unknowingly overpaying on tax 💸
• How setting up the right share classes can save thousands
• Simple but overlooked expenses—like home office allowances, mileage, and mobile phones—that boost cash flow
• The truth about company cars, director loans, and dividends (and how not to get stung by HMRC)
• Why accountants often fail to give proactive advice—and how Mayachi steps in as a fractional FD/CFO to hold them accountable
• Building a recruitment finance community, from networking dinners to the Recruitment Curry Club

Whether you’re a solopreneur, running a small team, or planning an exit, this episode is packed with practical tips that could put thousands back into your business.

Who this episode is for:

• Recruitment founders scaling their first agency
• Solopreneurs juggling placements and back-office admin
• Agency directors frustrated with accountants who don’t explain things clearly
• Anyone curious about making their recruitment business more tax efficient and financially future-proof

🔗 Connect with the guests

Stewart Roberts: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewartroberts78/

John Hetherington: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-hetherington/

Mayachi on Rectools.io: https://www.rectools.io/product/mayachi-ltd/

🔗 Connect with Nitin Sharma

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/

Discover recruitment tools and services at Rectools.io:

https://www.rectools.io/

Find out about the Recruitment Curry Club:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/

New episodes of RecTalk and Founder Diaries drop every Wednesday and Friday.

Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/

#RecTalk #RecruitmentPodcast #RecruitmentAgency #RecruitmentLeaders #RecruitmentFinance #FractionalFD #RecruitmentGrowth #Rectools #RecruitmentAccounting #RecruitmentBusiness

In this episode of Founder Diaries, host Nitin Sharma sits down with Prof.MakeItMakeSense (aka. John) — the TikTok creator with over 100,000 followers who’s built a reputation for making careers, money, and politics make sense for Gen Z and millennials.

John shares his candid journey — from struggling at school and finding his way through grammar education, to studying biology and biomedical engineering, then stepping into recruitment and medical devices before turning to content creation. Along the way, he learned invaluable lessons about negotiation, financial literacy, and resilience — insights he now shares with his audience to help them avoid the pitfalls of misinformation and lack of practical education.

Expect real talk on:

• Growing up in the UK education system and overcoming academic pressure.
• Career detours: from recruitment to medical devices to social media influence.
• Why negotiation is the most underrated skill — and how John doubled his salary.
• Financial literacy: what schools should be teaching (but don’t).
• The role of ego, purpose, and social media in shaping modern careers.
• Why slow, consistent progress beats the “overnight success” myth.

This isn’t just another influencer story — it’s about building tools for life, career, and money that actually stick.

🎧 Who this episode is for:

• Aspiring professionals & students who want practical advice on careers, CVs, and negotiating salaries.
• Content creators & entrepreneurs curious about balancing purpose, ego, and influence.
• Recruiters & educators interested in bridging the gap between education and real-world skills.
• Anyone tired of school never teaching the important stuff like credit cards, taxes, and financial planning.

🔗 Check out Prof.MakeItMakeSense

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@prof_mims

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@prof_mims

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prof_mims/

🔗 Connect with Nitin Sharma

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/

Discover recruitment tools and services at Rectools.io:

https://www.rectools.io/

Find out about the Recruitment Curry Club:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/

New episodes of RecTalk and Founder Diaries drop every Wednesday and Friday.

Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/

#FounderDiaries #RecTalkPodcast #ProfMakeItMakeSense #Prof_MIMS #CareerAdvice #NegotiationSkills #FinancialLiteracy #Recruitment #ContentCreatorJourney #GenZCareers #LifeSkills

In this solo episode of RecTalk, host Nitin Sharma takes you deep into the psychology of sales—a skill every recruiter needs to master in today’s competitive market.

Drawing on years of sales leadership and running his own recruitment agency, Nitin shares the 10 rules of sales psychology that determine why people buy, how to break through objections, and how to create real emotional connections with clients and candidates.

You’ll learn:

✅ Why buying decisions are emotional first (and only later justified by facts)

✅ How to get past “critical filters” like “We’re not adding agencies to our PSL”

✅ The art of listening—and how the Chinese symbol for listening holds the secret

✅ Why value beats price every time

✅ How to use social proof and real-life examples to build trust

✅ Why recruiters must do things differently in today’s market

This isn’t another “sales tips” episode—it’s a mindset shift that will help you transform conversations, win more business, and build stronger relationships.

Who this episode is for:

• Recruitment consultants who want to sharpen their business development game
• Agency owners looking to boost sales effectiveness
• Talent acquisition professionals curious about the psychology behind great selling
• Anyone in sales who wants to close deals without the pushy tactics

🚀 Start mastering sales psychology and future-proof your recruitment success today.

🔗 Connect with Nitin Sharma

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/

Discover recruitment tools and services at Rectools.io:

https://www.rectools.io/

Find out about the Recruitment Curry Club:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/

New episodes of RecTalk and Founder Diaries drop every Wednesday and Friday.

Listen to RecTalk on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/

#Recruitment #SalesPsychology #RecTalk #BusinessDevelopment #RecruitmentAgency #SalesStrategy #Hiring #RecruiterTips

In this Founder Diaries episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Steve Swoffer (Founder & CEO), Chester Boothe (Client Relationship Director), and Jay Muldoon (Marketing Manager) of Swof Media — a digital marketing and technology agency with over a decade of experience helping businesses grow.

Recorded at the Swof Media offices, this candid conversation explores the realities of building and running a marketing agency, from its humble beginnings to navigating today’s fast-changing digital landscape.

The trio share their insights on:

• The evolution of marketing and technology over the last 30 years
• Why partnerships matter more than transactions in client relationships
• The “leaky bucket” analogy and why retaining customers is more powerful than chasing new ones
• Tools and strategies like CRMs, email marketing, and discovery workshops that drive growth
• How to balance client trust vs. control — and the art of educating clients without just “rolling over”
• The challenges of proving ROI in marketing and aligning expectations from day one
• Their top advice for business owners in 2025 on visibility, consistency, and committing fully to marketing
• Life and business lessons, from slowing down to avoiding comparison and ultimately running your own race

This episode is perfect for business owners, founders, and marketing leaders who want to:

• Build stronger, trust-led client relationships
• Improve retention before chasing new customers
• Understand how to measure marketing ROI realistically
• Learn how to navigate control, trust, and education in client-agency partnerships
• Gain inspiration from three professionals who’ve built a thriving agency on honesty, consistency, and passion

🔗 Connect with Steve, Chester and Jay

Steve Swoffer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveswoffer/

Chester Boothe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chesterboothe/

Jay Muldoon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-muldoon/

Swof Media: https://www.linkedin.com/company/swof-media/

🔗 Connect with Nitin Sharma

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/

Discover recruitment tools and services at Rectools.io: https://www.rectools.io/

Find out about the Recruitment Curry Club:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/

New episodes of RecTalk and Founder Diaries drop every Wednesday and Friday.

Listen to RecTalk on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/

#RecTalk #FounderDiaries #SwofMedia #DigitalMarketing #BusinessGrowth #ClientRelationships #MarketingStrategy #Entrepreneurship #TrustInBusiness #MarketingROI

In this special live edition of RecTalk, host Nitin Sharma takes you inside the Onrec Awards 2025 — one of the biggest nights in the recruitment calendar.

From award-winning innovations to candid behind-the-scenes conversations, this episode captures the energy, achievements, and celebrations that define the Onrec Awards. Expect reflections on the state of the recruitment industry, inspiring stories from winners, and a first-hand feel of what it’s like to be part of this prestigious evening.

A special thank you goes to Stuart Gentle, the organiser of the awards show, for making this event possible and welcoming RecTalk to be part of the night.

Whether you attended in person or are catching up from afar, this episode brings the highlights straight to your ears.

Who this episode is for

• Recruiters who want to stay connected to the industry’s biggest events.
• Suppliers and recruitment tech providers curious about innovation recognition.
• Anyone considering attending the Onrec Awards in the future and wanting a taste of what it’s all about.

🔗 Connect with the guests

Michelle Flynn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleflynn/

Christian Mather: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianmather/

Andy Sturgess: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-sturgess-giighire/

Jahisha Thomas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jahisha-thomas/

Simon Bliss: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonblissteam/

Georgia Randall-Quaid: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgia-randall-quaid-243220261/

Eve Rickhuss: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eve-rickhuss-885977185/

Itamar Yeshua: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itamaryes/

Octavian Neguletu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/octavian-neguletu/

🔗 Connect with Stuart Gentle

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stugentle/

🔗 Connect with Nitin Sharma

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/

Discover recruitment tools and services at Rectools.io: https://www.rectools.io/

Find out about the Recruitment Curry Club:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/

New episodes drop every Wednesday and Friday. Also stay tuned for Founder Diaries, where real entrepreneurs share raw stories of building businesses in recruitment and tech.

Listen to RecTalk on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/

#OnrecAwards #Recruitment #RecTalk #RecruitmentIndustry #HiringInnovation #RecruitmentEvents #TalentAcquisition

In this episode of Founder Diaries (a RecTalk podcast), Nitin Sharma sits down with Tim Lane, founder of Park Lane Recruitment and a true veteran of the recruitment industry with over 40 years of experience. Tim shares his incredible journey from the early days of IT mainframes and fax machines to running his own business in today’s AI-driven world.

We explore how Tim consciously chose recruitment (rather than “falling into it”), the pivotal moments that shaped his career, and the lessons he learned while building Park Lane Recruitment over the past decade. From being headhunted early on, to launching an IT training division that became one of the UK’s top providers, Tim has seen it all.

Tim also offers invaluable insights on:

• How recruitment has evolved from paper CVs and Rolodex cards to job boards, portals, and AI tools.
• Why adaptability and lifelong learning are essential to staying relevant in recruitment.
• The importance of outsourcing and playing to your strengths when running a business.
• Building trust, relationships, and reputation over decades—and why what you do today plants seeds for tomorrow.
• His candid thoughts on AI: not a recruitment killer, but the latest in a long line of tools that good recruiters can harness.

We wrap up with Tim’s reflections on success, lessons learned, and advice he’d give to his younger self before starting his business journey.

Who this episode is for:

• Recruitment founders and business leaders looking for timeless lessons on growth, resilience, and adaptation.
• Recruiters curious about the history and evolution of the industry.
• Anyone navigating technology shifts like AI and wondering how to stay relevant.
• Entrepreneurs weighing the leap into running their own business.

🔗 Connect with Tim Lane

https://www.linkedin.com/in/timlane/

🔗 Connect with Nitin Sharma

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/

Discover recruitment tools and services at Rectools.io: https://www.rectools.io/

Find out about the Recruitment Curry Club:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/

RecTalk will return! New episodes drop every Wednesday and Friday. Stay tuned for more Founder Diaries, where real entrepreneurs share raw stories of building businesses in recruitment and tech.

Listen to RecTalk on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/

#Recruitment #FounderDiaries #RecTalk #BusinessGrowth #AIinRecruitment #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #RecruitmentIndustry