RecTalk Podcast - Explore Recruitment Insights

This week on RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down (again!) with the brilliant Kan Mallawathantri, co-founder of Avensys Tech, to talk all things cybersecurity—but from the lens of recruitment businesses like yours.

Think you’re too small to be hacked? Think again.

In this brutally honest episode, Nitin opens up about how he once saw cybersecurity as just "scaremongering"—until Kan breaks down exactly why recruitment agencies are prime targets for digital attacks. From ransomware and spoofed emails to compromised client data and candidate identity theft, Kan explains the real-world threats facing agencies today (yes, even if you're just 5 people in Coventry).

More importantly, Kan shares affordable, practical solutions that most recruiters already have access to—like Microsoft 365 Business Premium—and how to configure them properly (spoiler: it’s not secure out of the box).

He also dives into:

• The NEST Framework (Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover)
• Why human error is 90% of the problem
• How attackers monetise your candidate data without even targeting you directly
• Why email spoofing and dark web credential leaks are now everyday risks
• Why visual deterrents (like locked doors or antivirus logos) just don’t cut it
• What a proper cybersecurity strategy looks like without breaking the bank

💡 Who this episode is for:

• Recruitment agency founders & ops managers
• Internal recruiters using cloud tools like Gmail or Microsoft 365
• Anyone managing sensitive candidate or client data
• Recruiters unsure if cybersecurity is “worth it”
• Small agencies thinking “we’re too small to be a target”

This episode is proudly sponsored by RecCircle — your go-to platform for building referral-driven recruitment networks. Empower your community. Recruit smarter.

https://www.reccircle.co.uk/

🔗 Connect with Kan Mallawathantri

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kan-avensystech/

Avensys Software: https://www.avensystech.com/

🔗 Connect with Nitin Sharma

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

Rectools.io: https://www.rectools.io/

Find out about the Recruitment Curry Club:

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

#RecTalk #CyberSecurity #RecruitmentTech #AvensysTech #Microsoft365 #DataProtection #RecruitmentAgency #SMBSecurity #Ransomware #CyberAwareness #RecCircle #RectoolsRecommended

In this insightful and no-holds-barred episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Nick Beecroft — formerly one of the hottest free agents in SaaS and now making serious waves at Televerde. Broadcasting from Televerde’s Glasgow office, the conversation dives deep into the reality of recruitment technology, AI, market fatigue, and what recruiters actually need versus what they’re being sold.

From dissecting the chaos of over-saturated tech stacks to breaking down the misconceptions around automation and AI, Nick brings both experience and sharp honesty. The duo challenges industry norms — like the subscription-heavy SaaS model, the obsession with “fixing everything,” and the overuse of automation tools that risk authenticity and brand integrity.

They also discuss Televerde’s unique model of social impact, employing and empowering incarcerated women across the U.S. to deliver world-class demand generation solutions — a powerful blend of tech, empathy, and transformation.

🚨 Warning: This isn’t just another AI hype chat. It’s a real-world gut check on what tools actually drive value, how recruitment firms can stay lean yet smart, and why the next big thing might just be less tech, not more.

Who this episode is for:

• Recruitment agency owners feeling overwhelmed by “shiny” new tech
• SaaS vendors targeting the recruitment sector
• Talent acquisition leaders looking to build sustainable tech stacks
• Anyone exploring how empathy can be built into business at scale
• Operators questioning the current state of pricing models in recruitment tech

🎧 Topics Covered:

• The problem with bloated recruitment tech stacks
• Why AI should solve real pain, not just be a buzzword
• Ethical automation: where it works — and where it doesn’t
• The emerging “results-as-a-service” model
• Empathy-driven hiring: how Televerde is changing lives through business
• Risks of violating LinkedIn T&Cs with automation tools
• The role of Microsoft Copilot and conversational AI in shaping future stacks
• Advice for struggling recruitment agencies: scale down to grow smarter

This episode is proudly sponsored by RecCircle — your go-to platform for building referral-driven recruitment networks. Empower your community. Recruit smarter.

https://www.reccircle.co.uk/

🔗 Connect with Nick Beecroft

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickbeecroft-demandgeneration-software-saas-salesandmarketing/

Televerde: https://televerde.com/

🔗 Connect with Nitin Sharma

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

Rectools.io: https://www.rectools.io/

Find out about the Recruitment Curry Club:

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

#RecTalk #RecruitmentTech #AIinRecruitment #SaaS #TechStack #RecruitmentAutomation #NickBeecroft #Televerde #RecCircle #Rectools #ResultsAsAService #B2BSales #RecruitmentLeadership #EmpathyInBusiness #DemandGeneration

In this fire-powered episode of RecTalk, filmed once again at Firefish HQ (https://www.firefishsoftware.com/), Nitin Sharma sits down with the unstoppable Ajmal Mushtaq—law grad turned corporate consultant turned food industry juggernaut—to unpack the explosive growth of Boss Pizza, the UK’s fastest-growing pizza franchise.

Ajmal shares the behind-the-scenes grind that turned a single kitchen into a franchise blueprint, marketing secrets that put Boss Pizza on the map (spoiler: TikTok is king), and why simplicity and execution beat corporate theory every time. From franchisee attraction strategy to building national brand recognition with no formal business plan, Ajmal’s journey offers golden parallels for recruitment leaders scaling agencies and dreaming beyond borders.

You'll hear:

• Why Ajmal ditched a jet-set life at Accenture to go all-in on food delivery.
• The franchise model vs. self-funding expansion: what's smarter for scale?
• Social media domination: how Boss Pizza leverages 30+ channels with a single funnel.
• The truth about hustle culture, saving money, and the entrepreneurship myth.
• Sharp political and economic takes—including a candid opinion on Nigel Farage, UK taxation, and the post-Brexit landscape.

Ajmal also gets personal, sharing his biggest regret, greatest success, and the emotional moment that topped it all—holding his newborn son. No fluff, no filters, just powerful insights from a leader who builds more than just pizza shops.

Who this episode is for:

• Recruitment founders aiming to scale sustainably
• Entrepreneurs weighing franchise vs. organic growth
• Marketers and social media geeks craving ROI insights
• Anyone who’s built something from scratch—or wants to
• Business leaders who love real talk, not “follow your dreams” fluff

This episode is proudly sponsored by RecCircle — your go-to platform for building referral-driven recruitment networks. Empower your community. Recruit smarter.

https://www.reccircle.co.uk/

🔗 Connect with Ajmal Mushtaq

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajmal-mushtaq-4342a363/

Boss Pizza: https://www.boss-pizza.co.uk/about

🔗 Connect with Nitin Sharma

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

Rectools.io: https://www.rectools.io/

Find out about the Recruitment Curry Club:

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

#RecTalk #AjmalMushtaq #BossPizza #RecruitmentFounders #FranchiseSuccess #TikTokMarketing #EntrepreneurshipReality #UKRecruitment #RecCircle #Rectools #BusinessGrowth #FranchiseModel #NoBusinessPlan #RealTalkBusiness

In this fiery and insightful episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with the candid and always-on-point Tom Brown — one of the voices behind Root Embedded Talent and creator of Talivo.

If you're tired of spray-and-pray outreach, cringe at chest-thumping cold emails, and want to know what really makes Talent Acquisition teams tick, you’ll love this one.

Tom shares why most recruitment agency outreach fails to resonate with TA leaders — and how his platform Talivo helps fix that. Drawing from 15 years inside TA and hundreds of cold emails (the good, the bad, and the utterly clueless), Tom breaks down exactly how recruiters can pivot to value-led, insight-driven engagement that opens doors — and keeps them open.

💥 Topics we cover:

• Why typical sales-first outreach is killing your agency’s credibility
• What TA leaders really want from recruiters (hint: it’s not another CV dump)
• Cold outreach do’s and don’ts: real-life examples and brutal honesty
• The myth of going “straight to the hiring manager” and its long-term damage
• How to offer true added value (think: shortlist support, salary benchmarking, market data)
• Rethinking recruitment as a professional service, not just sales
• How to build retained (or as Tom calls it, “retingent”) partnerships that last

👥 Who this episode is for:

• Recruitment agency owners and consultants struggling to break into key accounts
• Talent partners wanting to bridge the agency/TA gap
• BDs and 360 recruiters trying to build sustainable pipelines in 2025's market
• Anyone who's ever screamed “TA never replies!” into the LinkedIn void

Tom Brown is the founder of Talivo — a platform built to train recruiters from the inside out with real TA insights. He’s also behind Root Embedded Talent and a longtime TA leader who’s now helping agencies navigate the complex world of in-house recruitment with more empathy, more strategy, and a lot less BS.

This episode is proudly sponsored by RecCircle — your go-to platform for building referral-driven recruitment networks. Empower your community. Recruit smarter.

https://www.reccircle.co.uk/

🔗 Connect with Tom Brown

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tombrownta/

Talivo: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talivo/

Root Embedded Talent: https://rootembed.com/

🔗 Connect with Nitin Sharma

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

Rectools.io: https://www.rectools.io/

Find out about the Recruitment Curry Club:

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

#RecTalk #TomBrown #Talivo #Recruitment #TalentAcquisition #RecruitmentTraining #ColdOutreach #AgencyTips #HiringManager #EmbeddedTalent #RecCircle #Rectools #RecruitmentPodcast

This time on RecTalk, Nitin Sharma takes the mic live from the iconic Aquarium at Firefish HQ in Glasgow, joined by none other than Louise Cunningham, Director of Customer Success at Firefish Software.

In this refreshingly honest and highly practical episode, Louise breaks down how recruitment agencies can lift key strategies from SaaS customer success models—without turning into a software company. We dive deep into how journey mapping, CRM optimisation, trust-building, and candidate communication strategies can be adopted to drive loyalty, retention, and repeat business in the recruitment world.

💡 Louise shares:

• Why mapping candidate and client journeys annually is crucial
• How to tier service levels to match commercial impact (hello, 5-star candidates!)
• The role of automated reminders vs. automated relationships
• Why feedback shouldn’t be feared—and how it can unlock new business
• Using pre-recorded video content to handle FAQs and improve onboarding
• Real-life success stories from clients who turned testimonials into placements

Nitin challenges Louise on automation, feedback fears, and service scalability—and she doesn’t just hold her own, she makes a compelling case that could change how you manage your desk forever.

Who this episode is for:

• Recruitment founders and directors looking to retain clients and candidates more effectively
• Consultants who want to build better candidate trust and improve follow-up habits
• Anyone considering adopting SaaS-inspired strategies in their service-led business
• RecTech enthusiasts who want insights into how Firefish is doing it differently

This episode is proudly sponsored by RecCircle — your go-to platform for building referral-driven recruitment networks. Empower your community. Recruit smarter.

https://www.reccircle.co.uk/

🔗 Connect with Louise Cunningham

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisecunningham1/

Firefish Software: https://www.firefishsoftware.com/

🔗 Connect with Nitin Sharma

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

Rectools.io: https://www.rectools.io/

Find out about the Recruitment Curry Club:

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

#recruitment #customersuccess #rectech #firefishsoftware #recruitmentstrategy #automation #CRM #candidateexperience #recruitmentmarketing #reccircle #rectools #feedbackloops #SaaSmodels #talentacquisition #recruiterlife

In this laugh-out-loud and deeply inspiring episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Chris Fahey, founder of AGPayroll and former goalkeeper for Celtic, Albion Rovers, and more. They delve into Chris’s unconventional route into the payroll industry after an early football career that included contracts with Scottish giants and run-ins with rival fans, lap-dancing billboard sponsors (!), and run-ins with passionate village derbies that turned chaotic.

Chris opens up about:

• His early dreams of becoming a professional footballer and playing at Celtic Park
• Transitioning from pitch to business, selling ad space at semi-pro clubs (including to a strip club owner!)
• His experiences with football hooliganism and the intensity of Scottish lower-league rivalries
• The unexpected lessons he brought from football to entrepreneurship
• Building a no-BS, culture-first payroll company from scratch—and why AGPayroll thrives without flashy sales tactics

Nitin and Chris also explore the current state of payroll in recruitment, the pitfalls of vendor-client dynamics, and why AGPayroll refuses to play the PSL game of “doughnuts and Jägerbombs” just to win contracts.

Who this episode is for:

• Recruiters curious about choosing the right payroll partner
• Entrepreneurs who love real-talk about building a values-led business
• Football fans who love a behind-the-scenes look at the Scottish leagues
• Anyone needing a dose of inspiration from a founder who ditched fluff for integrity

This episode is proudly sponsored by RecCircle — your go-to platform for building referral-driven recruitment networks. Empower your community. Recruit smarter.

https://www.reccircle.co.uk/

🔗 Connect with Chris Fahey

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-fahey-agpayroll/

AGPayroll: https://agpayroll.co.uk/

🔗 Connect with Nitin Sharma

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

Rectools.io: https://www.rectools.io/

Find out about the Recruitment Curry Club:

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

#RecTalk #AGPayroll #RecruitmentPayroll #FootballBusiness #RecruitmentTech #PayrollWithPurpose #ChrisFahey #FromGoalieToGrowth #Rectools #RecCircle #StartupJourney #ScottishFootball #BusinessCulture #TeamBuilding #NoBSBusiness

In this incredibly moving and heartfelt episode of RecTalk, host Nitin Sharma welcomes Roisin McCabe to share the life, legacy, and enduring impact of her late husband, Ryan McCabe—CEO of Odro and a true giant in the recruitment world. Filmed at Firefish HQ (https://www.firefishsoftware.com/), this conversation goes beyond recruitment—it’s a story of resilience, fatherhood, entrepreneurship, and the unshakeable power of love and community.

Roisin opens up about life after unimaginable loss and how she’s chosen to channel her grief into purpose—through parenting, launching the Ryan McCabe Foundation, and continuing Ryan’s mission of helping others. We delve into:

• The personal story behind Odro’s founding and its pivot from legal tech to recruitment video software
• The origin and vision of the Greenback Group, created to foster real conversations among recruitment leaders
• How the industry is rallying to keep Ryan’s memory alive—from the 5K-a-Day "Run for Ryan" to a growing legacy of mentorship and giving back
• Unforgettable stories of Ryan’s charm, hustle, and “DJ to CEO” transformation
• Practical and emotional advice for those facing grief or personal setbacks, wrapped in Ryan’s mantra: Bite down on the gum shield and fight harder.

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Ryan McCabe—an extraordinary leader, father, and friend.

Footage at the end of the episode is from this tribute video to Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ciara-mahon1_this-is-ryan-mccabe-yesterday-we-celebrated-activity-7221423475054260226-VEQm

Who this episode is for:

• Recruitment leaders navigating personal or professional adversity
• Founders and entrepreneurs seeking inspiration from real-life resilience
• Anyone who wants to honour a life that left a massive impact on the industry
• Listeners looking for heartfelt, human moments in a business podcast

This episode is proudly sponsored by RecCircle — your go-to platform for building referral-driven recruitment networks. Empower your community. Recruit smarter.

https://www.reccircle.co.uk/

🔗 Related links

Run for Ryan 2025 (proceeds to the Ryan McCabe Foundation): https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/run-for-ryan-2025

Greenback Group: https://www.greenback-group.com/

Odro: https://www.odro.co.uk/

🔗 Connect with Nitin Sharma

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

Rectools.io: https://www.rectools.io/

Find out about the Recruitment Curry Club:

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

#RecTalk #RyanMcCabe #RecruitmentLeadership #FounderStories #GriefAndResilience #Odro #FirefishSoftware #RecCircle #Legacy #GreenbackGroup #RunForRyan #RecruitmentPodcast

In this power-packed episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Paul Sangster, the dynamic Sales & Marketing Director at itris, for a candid conversation on what it really takes to build brand trust, evolve from cold calling to consultative selling, and lead a tech brand in a recruitment world that's changing by the day.

With 14 years at itris, Paul shares his journey from dialing-for-dollars to driving an integrated sales-marketing strategy behind one of the industry's most trusted CRMs. They unpack everything from the old-school print ad days, to the rise of thought leadership, and the revolutionary launch of itris X—a web-based CRM built on 27 years of insight.

🎯 Key talking points:

• Why cold calling isn’t dead—but social selling is critical
• The evolution of CRM buying behaviour in the recruitment space
• Why “shit chat” still closes deals
• What makes itris X different (and what recruiters actually want in a CRM)
• The right way to blend AI and automation without destroying your brand
• Why sales and marketing MUST be one team—and how to make it work
• Why recruiter content should speak to clients, not peers

Paul also drops lessons from the early podcasting days, shares how itris listens to real user feedback through product suggestion loops, and why top-of-funnel brand trust is now the most powerful lead-gen strategy in rec tech.

This one’s raw, real, and ridiculously valuable.

Who this episode is for:

✅ Recruitment business owners scaling their tech stack

✅ RecTech marketers looking to align with sales

✅ CRM vendors who want to learn from a 27-year legacy brand

✅ Recruiters keen to stop spamming and start building

✅ Anyone curious about how content can drive actual sales pipeline

This episode is proudly sponsored by RecCircle — your go-to platform for building referral-driven recruitment networks. Empower your community. Recruit smarter.

https://www.reccircle.co.uk/

🔗 Connect with Paul Sangster

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-sangster/

itris: https://www.itris.co.uk/

🔗 Connect with Nitin Sharma

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

Rectools.io: https://www.rectools.io/

Find out more about the Recruitment Curry Club:

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

#RecruitmentTechnology #RecTech #CRM #itris #PaulSangster #SocialSelling #RecruitmentPodcast #SalesAndMarketing #Rectools #RecCircle #RecruiterContent #RecruitmentMarketing #RecTalk #RecruitmentCRM #B2BMarketing #RecTechPodcast

In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Kerry Greenland, Founder of Vantage Recruitment and TEAM Member of the Year 2024, to talk about the realities of running a successful recruitment business in a world of AI, KPIs, and burned-out consultants.

Kerry doesn't just share insights—she drops truth bombs. From her anti-KPI philosophy to her donut-powered BD strategy, she reveals how she’s built lasting client relationships, steered clear of transactional traps, and transitioned her agency into a professional services model.

We also dive into:

• Why “have you got any jobs?” is the worst BD line recruiters still use.
• The danger of unqualified vacancies and why saying no could save your sanity (and business).
• Building trust that gets you referrals, repeat business, and a red wine wishlist.
• Her AI-powered CV formatting tool, QuickSmart CV, built by recruiters, for recruiters.
• The power of peer networks, and how being a part of TEAM Network helped her survive COVID and thrive post-pandemic.

And yes, she talks tech—including how AI is a tool, not a threat, and how recruiters can use it intelligently to elevate their game.

Who this episode is for:

• Independent recruiters and solo agency owners fed up with cold calls and salesy BD scripts.
• Anyone looking to pivot from placement-based revenue to long-term consulting income.
• Recruiters struggling to stay motivated in a tech-dominated, candidate-shy market.
• Fans of donuts, honesty, and AI that actually saves you time.

This episode is proudly sponsored by RecCircle — your go-to platform for building referral-driven recruitment networks. Empower your community. Recruit smarter.

https://www.reccircle.co.uk/

🔗 Connect with Kerry Greenland

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-greenland/

Vantage Recruitment: https://www.vantage-recruitment.co.uk/

Quick Smart CV: https://www.quicksmartcv.com/

🔗 Connect with Nitin Sharma

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

Rectools.io: https://www.rectools.io/

Find out more about the Recruitment Curry Club:

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

#RecTalk #RecruitmentPodcast #KerryGreenland #VantageRecruitment #RecTools #RecCircle #RecruitmentInnovation #AIinRecruitment #QuickSmartCV #RecruiterLife #RecruitmentBD #TeamNetwork #ProfessionalServicesRecruitment #RecruiterAdvice #NoMoreKPIs

In this powerful and unfiltered episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Daen Fox from In-house Recruitment—a name synonymous with bold, honest conversations in the talent acquisition world.

Daen opens up about life as a neurodivergent professional in recruitment, as we challenge the industry’s obsession with "superpowers" and stereotypes. Instead of sugarcoating neurodiversity, this episode digs into the realities of masking, identity, resilience, and growth—from being the “class clown” in school to becoming one of the youngest Heads of TA in the UK.

We explore:

• Whether or not calling neurodiversity a “superpower” misses the point
• The challenges neurodivergent people face in traditional workplaces
• How Daen uses empathy, creativity, and authenticity to lead with impact
• What recruitment leaders must change to truly embrace diverse talent
• Balancing passion projects, parenting, and burnout—Daen’s real talk on life after the 9–5

There’s no fluff here—just a refreshingly honest look at thriving without conforming, with plenty of laughs and some incredible career lessons.

Who this episode is for:

• TA and HR leaders serious about inclusion beyond buzzwords
• Neurodivergent professionals navigating corporate life
• Founders, managers, and recruiters looking to build truly diverse, high-performance teams
• Anyone who’s ever been told they don’t “fit the mould”

This episode is proudly sponsored by RecCircle — your go-to platform for building referral-driven recruitment networks. Empower your community. Recruit smarter.

https://www.reccircle.co.uk/

🔗 Connect with Daen Fox

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daenjafox/

In-house Recruitment: https://www.inhouserecruitment.co.uk/

🔗 Connect with Nitin Sharma

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

Rectools.io: https://www.rectools.io/

Find out more about the Recruitment Curry Club:

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

#RecTalk #Neurodiversity #InclusionInRecruitment #DaenFox #NitinSharma #RecruitmentPodcast #Rectools #RecruitmentTech #RecCircle #TalentAcquisition #ADHD #AutismAwareness #WorkplaceInclusion #HRLeadership #AuthenticLeadership #RecruitmentInnovation