RecTalk Podcast - Explore Recruitment Insights

This week on RecTalk, we’re live from the buzzing TEAM Conference 2025, and Nitin Sharma is joined by two recruitment operations pros: Stewart Roberts of MAYACHI and Kan Mallawathantri of Avensys Tech.

Together, they unpack a recurring pitfall in the recruitment industry: recruiters doing everything except what they’re best at—recruiting. From clunky DIY IT setups and sketchy cybersecurity blind spots to financial chaos caused by poor bookkeeping, Stewart and Kan explain why outsourcing is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Expect hard-earned truths, cautionary tales, and practical guidance on when and why you should delegate your IT, finance, and back-office operations. Stewart shares how one client saved £55K by replacing internal inefficiencies with vetted outsourced solutions, while Kan discusses how Avensys Tech empowers recruiters by simplifying their tech stack and maximizing ROI from tools like Microsoft 365.

They also reveal the most common objections they hear (“We’re too small,” “We already have a supplier”), and why neither should stop agencies from exploring smarter ways to scale. Whether you're a solo recruiter or scaling to 250 heads, this episode delivers the straight talk you need.

Who this episode is for:

• Independent recruiters wearing too many hats
• Agency owners struggling with IT, finance, or compliance
• Operations leads looking to streamline tech or reduce costs
• Anyone curious about outsourcing without losing control

🔗 Connect with Stewart and Kan

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

MAYACHI: https://mayachi.co.uk/

Kan Mallawathantri: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kan-avensystech/

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

🔗 Connect with Nitin Sharma

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

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

#recruitment #outsourcing #itservices #financeforrecruiters #recruitmenttech #microsoft365 #recruitmentagency #TEAMConference #rectools #rectalk #recruitmentgrowth #cybersecurity #bookkeeping #recruitmentops

Welcome back to another exciting episode of RecTalk, hosted by Nitin Sharma, founder of Rectools.io! This week, Nitin chats with John Bourke, Founder and CEO of RecView, about the seismic shifts happening in the recruitment industry.

John shares his journey from door-to-door sales to building one of the most innovative recruitment tech platforms out there. We dive deep into:

• How RecView transforms live candidate interviews into rich, actionable data using AI 🚀
• Why "productizing" your recruitment services is the future for agencies
• How recruiters can use automation and AI tools to save time, reduce admin, and focus on relationship-building
• Why talent acquisition (TA) teams now hold serious power — and how agencies must adapt
• The dangers of relying on old-school recruitment methods in today's tech-driven market
• Insights into the difference between the Australian and UK recruitment markets — and what UK recruiters must learn fast
• The importance of not just selling candidates but becoming true consultative partners to clients
• Real talk about the failures of traditional RecTech vendors and why John built RecView differently (spoiler: no hidden costs, no lock-in contracts, and recruiter-first design!)

If you're serious about staying relevant in recruitment — and actually thriving — you can't miss this one.

Who this episode is for:

• Recruitment agency owners looking to future-proof their business
• Talent acquisition leaders who want smarter agency partnerships
• Tech-savvy recruiters eager to integrate AI without losing the human touch
• Anyone tired of being burnt by overpromised, underdelivered RecTech!

🔥 Sponsored by RecCircle — the ultimate platform supporting the recruitment community.

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

🔗 Connect with John Bourke

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbourke-start-in-recruitment/

RecView: https://recview.ai/

🔗 Connect with Nitin Sharma

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

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

#RecTalk #RecruitmentTechnology #RecView #RecCircle #AIInRecruitment #Rectools #RecruitmentInnovation #TalentAcquisition #AgencyRecruitment #Automation #RecruitmentTrends

This week on RecTalk, we're live from the TEAM Conference 2025, and joining Nitin is none other than Jo Major, founder of Diversity in Recruitment and one of the loudest, proudest voices for inclusion in our industry.

Jo gets real about the anxiety that comes with visibility, the persona she’s had to build to thrive in a male-dominated space, and why diversity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the cornerstone of future-proof recruitment. From navigating imposter syndrome to unlearning outdated sales methods, Jo takes us on a raw and inspiring journey through her experiences and vision.

This episode dives deep into:

• The emotional toll and power of being a public voice for change

• Why "Jo Major" is more than a name—she’s a character built for impact

• Intergenerational differences in recruitment and how sales strategies must adapt

• The urgency of embracing social selling and ditching the one-size-fits-all approach

• How Gen Z and Alpha are redefining workplace norms—and what we can learn from them

We also chat about how technology, from LinkedIn to ChatGPT, is leveling the playing field, and why the recruitment industry needs to stop arguing about office space and start adapting to real change.

Who this episode is for:

• Recruitment professionals and leaders ready to break the status quo

• DE&I champions looking for inspiration and strategy

• Anyone struggling with self-doubt while trying to make an impact

• Business owners navigating generational divides in their workforce

• Listeners keen to understand modern sales through a diversity lens

🔗 Connect with Jo Major:

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

💬 Follow Nitin Sharma for more insightful convos with the industry’s most influential voices:

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

🌐 Explore the recruitment tech space at: https://www.rectools.io

#RecTalk #DiversityInRecruitment #Inclusion #JoMajor #TEAMConference2025 #RecruitmentTech #GenZWorkforce #SocialSelling #DEI #Leadership #RecruitmentIndustry #WomenInRecruitment #ImposterSyndrome #FutureOfWork

In this insightful episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Su Haddrell, recruitment insurance expert at Marsh Commercial, recorded live at the buzzing TEAM Conference 2025.

Whether you're a one-person agency or managing a multinational team, Su breaks down the must-know insurance policies tailored for the recruitment industry—professional indemnity, public liability, employer’s liability, and the increasingly vital cyber insurance.

From real horror stories of ransomware to UK vs US liability differences, Su explains how proper coverage can save your business from unexpected disasters. You’ll also hear about the rise of offshore hiring and the implications this has on insurance coverage when expanding into regions like the US, South Africa, and the Philippines.

This episode is not just about policies—it’s a call to action for recruiters to treat insurance as seriously as finance or compliance. Su also shares how Marsh Commercial supports recruitment businesses beyond selling cover, including risk assessments and educational support.

Who this episode is for:

• Recruitment agency owners scaling up or entering international markets

• Recruiters unsure of their insurance needs or current coverage

• Anyone dealing with contractors, offshore teams, or cyber-sensitive data

• Agencies wanting to understand insurance requirements from large corporate clients

🧠 Key Takeaways:

• Why professional indemnity is your first line of defense

• The growing need for cyber insurance in recruitment

• What to consider when recruiting under US contracts

• Legal gaps in hiring offshore without localized insurance

• Real-life impact stories of getting insurance right—and wrong

💬 Connect with Su Haddrell:

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

Marsh Commercial: https://www.marshcommercial.co.uk/

🌐 Stay connected with Nitin Sharma:

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

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

#recruitmentinsurance #recruitmentagency #recTech #TEAMconference #cyberinsurance #globalhiring #RecTalk #MarshCommercial #riskmanagement #offshorehiring #professionalindemnity #businessinsurance #recruitersafety

In this exclusive and unmissable episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma welcomes back a fan favorite—Dries De Coster, co-founder of meet DWIGHT (formerly Chat Automation). This isn't just a rebrand—it's a revolution in recruitment operations.

DWIGHT, short for Digital Worker Interface for Generic Human Tasks, is not your average automation tool. It’s a 24/7 digital coworker designed to streamline your middle and back-office recruitment processes—from onboarding and compliance to payroll and redeployment. And guess what? Dries drops this game-changing pivot before anyone else knows. That's right, you're getting the first look right here.

Dries and Nitin dive deep into:

• Why offshoring might be outdated when you can "hire" DWIGHT.

• The real-world ROI of automating admin tasks.

• The surprising cultural and commercial benefits automation brings to recruitment agencies.

• Why DWIGHT is more than tech—he’s a persona, a solution, and a member of your team.

• The biggest objections from recruitment leaders and how DWIGHT overcomes them.

If you're still manually pushing data between systems or relying on error-prone human processes, this is the wake-up call you didn’t know you needed.

Who this episode is for:

• Recruitment agency owners and operators

• Ops leaders facing margin pressures

• Tech-forward recruitment innovators

• Anyone curious about where automation fits beyond top-of-funnel AI

Meet the Guest:

👤 Dries De Coster – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/driesdecoster/

👤 Dries's previous appearance on RecTalk: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5XegND3wLufQz0bDlRWNfr

Sponsor Shoutout:

This episode is sponsored by RecCircle, the only platform helping recruiters find their next job anonymously and without bias.

👉 Check it out at: https://www.reccircle.co.uk/

Discover DWIGHT:

Learn more about DWIGHT and the services they offer at: https://www.meetdwight.com

Connect with Nitin Sharma:

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

Founder of Rectools.io – the only whole-of-market directory for recruitment tech: https://www.rectools.io

#RecTalk #RecruitmentAutomation #MeetDwight #RecruitmentTech #DigitalWorker #StaffingSolutions #BackOfficeAutomation #RecCircle #Rectools #HiringTech #RPA #RecruitmentInnovation

In this high-energy episode of RecTalk, host Nitin Sharma hits the floor at the TEAM Conference 2025 to dive into the heart of the recruitment tech conundrum—why do so many agencies still struggle with tech adoption, despite the vast array of tools available?

Joining Nitin live from the event are Darren Westall of Paiger, and Alan McFadden of Firefish Software—two industry heavyweights who know what it takes to get recruiters truly engaged with new platforms.

From internal resistance to "shiny tool syndrome," this episode peels back the layers on:

• Why getting recruiter buy-in early is the key to adoption success

• How to build a “shopping list” that reflects your business’s real pain points

• Why tech should support outcomes, not just solve surface-level problems

• The death of the traditional SaaS model in recruitment

• How personal branding is evolving from a buzzword to a must-have KPI

• Why blending automation with human connection is the future of recruitment

Plus, Darren shares insights on building a user success model that goes beyond the decision-maker, and Alan gets candid about what recruitment leaders need to do before they ever book a demo.

This is one of our most real-talk tech episodes yet—raw, relevant, and ridiculously useful for anyone navigating the rec-tech jungle.

Who this episode is for:

• Recruitment agency owners and leaders

• Rec-tech buyers and decision-makers

• CRM and automation skeptics

• Marketers and ops pros in recruitment firms

• Anyone tired of being sold the “best” tool and ready to actually make one work

Connect with the guests:

• Darren Westall: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenwestall/

  Paiger: https://www.paiger.co

• Alan McFadden: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-mcfadden/

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

Connect with Nitin Sharma:

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

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

#RecruitmentTech #RecTalk #TEAMConference2025 #FirefishSoftware #Paiger #Rectools #CRMAdoption #RecOps #RecruitmentAutomation #PersonalBrandingInRecruitment #RecruitmentMarketing #RecInnovation #FutureOfRecruitment

In this energizing special edition of RecTalk, recorded live at the TEAM Conference 2025, host Nitin Sharma sits down with transformational coach Michelle Flynn to explore the science and strategy behind breathwork and the elusive flow state—and why both could be the key to unlocking elite performance in recruitment teams.

Michelle kicks things off by guiding attendees through a calming breathwork session designed to combat fatigue and mental fog. She explains how these simple techniques regulate the nervous system and boost mental clarity—especially crucial for busy recruiters running on low sleep and high caffeine.

But it doesn't stop there.

Michelle shares how breathwork ties into achieving "group flow"—a collective high-performance state backed by McKinsey research showing a 500% boost in motivation. Whether you're a recruiter struggling with BD or an agency leader trying to energize your team, Michelle shows you how to trigger flow, reduce stress, and rewire your mindset for resilience and results.

Expect raw honesty, laughter, and some myth-busting as Nitin challenges the 'woo-woo' and Michelle brings it back to science, structure, and stats.

🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What breathwork really is (and isn't)

• The neuroscience behind flow state and why it matters in recruitment

• How to use breathwork and time-blocking (like the Pomodoro technique) to master even the tasks you dread

• How mindset and physiology are intertwined—and how to hack both

• Real-world results from agencies already implementing Michelle’s methods

🎧 Who This Episode is For:

• Recruitment leaders wanting to boost team productivity and culture

• Consultants looking for practical tools to handle stress and burnout

• Skeptics curious about the real impact of breathwork

• Anyone chasing that elusive “in the zone” feeling at work

📲 Connect with Michelle Flynn:

LinkedIn

Michelle Flynn Coaching

🎙️ Connect with Nitin Sharma

LinkedIn
Rectools.io

#Recruitment #FlowState #Breathwork #TeamConference2025 #RecruiterWellbeing #HighPerformance #MindsetHacks #RecTalkPodcast #MichelleFlynn #Rectools

In this power-packed episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Francis Larson, CEO and founder of Ascen, a global Employer of Record provider revolutionizing how UK recruitment businesses expand into the US.

From breaking down what an Employer of Record actually does to sharing battle-tested insights on how UK recruiters are thriving across the pond—even amidst unpredictable tariff policies—Francis brings clarity, candor, and a global perspective to your recruitment game plan.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why UK recruiters are way better than they realize

• The truth about US market entry—boots on the ground or not?

• How tariffs and political uncertainty are shaping staffing trends

• Why niche, speed, and client service matter more than ever

• How Ascen helps recruitment agencies scale in the US without the red tape

• The death of AI spam and rise of real connection in business dev

Who This Episode is For:

• UK recruitment agency owners eyeing US expansion

• Recruiters fed up with procurement rabbit holes and ready for real results

• Staffing leaders exploring Employer of Record solutions

• Sales and BD pros looking for an edge in an AI-noisy world

🔗 Connect with Francis Larson:

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

Learn more about Ascen: https://ascen.com/

🎧 Sponsored by:

RecCircle – the fastest growing community for recruitment founders and industry pros. From exclusive events to peer support, RecCircle has your back.

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

Want to be featured on Rectools.io? Promote your tool or service to thousands of engaged recruiters—get in touch at https://www.rectools.io

👋 Stay Connected with Nitin Sharma:

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

#RecTalk #RecruitmentPodcast #FrancisLarson #Ascen #EmployerOfRecord #USRecruitment #RecruitmentTech #Tariffs #GlobalHiring #RecCircle #Rectools #RecruiterTips #StaffingSuccess #BDStrategy #AIinRecruitment

In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Stuart Biggs, Co-Founder and Managing Director of BE Recruitment, to unpack the raw, unfiltered journey of building a recruitment agency from scratch.

From bootstrapping with personal savings to running a £7 million turnover business, Stuart shares the real highs and lows behind the headlines. We talk about:

• What he would tell himself before launching BE Recruitment in 2018

• The early wins (and naïve mistakes) that shaped the business

• Navigating the breakdown of a business partnership with honesty and class

• The discipline that built financial longevity in a cash-volatile industry

• Why communication and over-delivery beat being the cheapest

• How BE Recruitment is creating the best place to work in Leicestershire

• What the next chapter looks like for Stuart and the BE team

This episode is a must-listen for anyone thinking about starting a recruitment business, current founders figuring things out as they go, or leaders juggling growth with staying grounded.

This episode is brought to you by RecCircle – the go-to platform for recruitment events and networking. Whether you're looking to build community or showcase your brand, RecCircle brings recruitment professionals together like no other.

👥 Who this episode is for:

• Recruitment agency founders and co-founders

• Talent acquisition leaders looking to scale sustainably

• Solo recruiters transitioning to team-based models

• Anyone considering a business partnership (and how to exit gracefully)

• Those struggling with financial runway and client sustainability

🔗 Connect with Stuart Briggs

LinkedIn

BE Recruitment

🔗 Connect with Nitin Sharma

LinkedIn

Rectools

#RecruitmentPodcast #FounderStories #RecruitmentAgency #RecTalk #StartupLessons #BERecruitment #RecCircle #RecruitmentLife #BusinessPartnerships #ScalingARecruitmentBusiness

Looking for tips on Personal Branding? Listen to my LinkedIn LIVE Session with RecruitCRM to hear my tips and tricks.Brought to you by  @recruitcrm ​