Talent Unboxed

In this episode of Talent Unboxed, Amie Bailey and Ben Ekins from Midland Scaffolding Services challenge everything you think you know about construction careers. From mental health in male dominated industries to why women are still underrepresented on site, this conversation goes beyond the stereotype of scaffolding being a fallback for naughty kids and reveals the real opportunities, earning potential, and career progression available in one of the UK's most misunderstood trades.

Amie and Ben open up about taking over a 45 year old family business, transitioning from the tools to the boardroom, and why too much money too soon can ruin a young scaffolder's career. They talk about running jobs at 23, managing people twice their age, why apprenticeships in scaffolding work differently to other trades, and how businesses can stop losing talent to the revolving door of better pay without better foundations. Whether you're a young person considering construction, a parent wondering if it's a viable path, or a business owner struggling to attract and retain skilled workers, this episode will challenge your assumptions and show you what real career development looks like in the trades.

👍 If this episode made you rethink what construction careers actually offer, hit subscribe and drop a like. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introductions
07:07 Ben's Journey: From Chef Dreams to Scaffolding
08:49 Setting Career Goals and Working Your Way Up
10:10 Joining Midland Scaffolding and Moving Into Management
11:24 Understanding Scaffolding Qualifications and Training
14:22 Why Construction Struggles to Attract Young Talent
20:03 Amie's Path: From Criminal Justice to Commercial Director
21:36 The Surprise Retirement: Taking Over the Family Business
23:45 Female Leadership in a Male-Dominated Industry
25:56 Growing the Business: 60% Growth and Maintaining Culture
30:00 The Tough Transition from Scaffolder to Manager
31:37 NASC Membership and Industry Committees
34:28 Diversity in Construction: More Women Needed
34:57 Mental Health in Construction: Breaking the Stigma
40:28 Too Much Money Too Soon Will Ruin You
42:58 The Revolving Door: Why Young Workers Leave
47:02 Advice for Business Owners: Education and Wellbeing
49:33 Final Advice: Be Open-Minded About Construction Careers

Links and Resources:

🔗 Find out more about Midland Scaffolding Services:
🌐 Website: https://www.midlandscaffolding.co.uk/
💼 Amie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amie-bailey-3349ba55/

💼 Amie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-ekins-a46627290/

🎙️ Talent Unboxed Platforms:

🔗 Website: https://acs.acsstaffingsolutions.co.uk/talent-unboxed

🔗 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/6aee5782-d75f-4ebd-9d69-13aed0b7632f/talent-unboxed

🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6XrU3VGEKwEZjxOck5elpi?si=fQy4lu8oR2S4niy1fXnyAg

🔗 Apple Podcasts: https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/show/talent-unboxed/4057a2b5-83a1-43b7-815f-982f10127b3c

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DqYapkPFu/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talentunboxed

🔗 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/showcase/talent-unboxed-podcast

🔗 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talentunboxed

In this episode of Talent Unboxed, Jack Fleckney shares what most people get wrong about fear, failure, and why trying something difficult is always better than staying comfortable.

Jack opens up about getting dropped from professional rugby, joining the Royal Marines at 17, and why nine months of selection taught him more about purpose than performance. He talks about leaving the military at 23, opening a CrossFit gym with no business experience, and why he slept on the gym floor for 18 months just to keep it running. Whether you're stuck in a job that doesn't fit, thinking about starting something new, or just wondering how to push past the fear of what other people think, this conversation will challenge how you see risk, resilience, and what it really takes to build a life you're proud of.

👍 If this episode made you rethink what failure actually means, hit subscribe and drop a like. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Chapters

00:00 Introductions
03:22 Jack's Rugby Career and Signing with Wasps
09:33 When Rugby Didn't Work Out
11:39 Joining the Royal Marines on a Whim
15:37 Royal Marines Training: The Nine-Month Crucible
19:57 Deployments and First Experiences in Africa
22:45 Why Jack Left the Military
25:52 Should More Young People Join the Military?
29:15 Opening His First CrossFit Gym
34:10 Growing to Five Gym Locations and Building a Franchise
39:54 The World Record Ski Erg Challenge
40:21 Crossing the Okavango Delta with Hippos and Crocodiles
42:05 The Pull-Up Challenge That Taught Him About Failure
48:00 Rowing 3,000 Miles Across the Atlantic
51:32 The Fear of Failure That Holds People Back
55:32 The Birth of Legend Expeditions
59:06 Building Legend: From One Climb to 40 Per Year
1:00:48 Lessons from Tanzania and What's Next

Links and Resources:

🔗 Find out more about Jack and Legend Expeditions:
🌐 Website: https://www.legendexpeditions.com/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-fleckney/

🎙️ Talent Unboxed Platforms:

🔗 Website: https://acs.acsstaffingsolutions.co.uk/talent-unboxed

🔗 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/6aee5782-d75f-4ebd-9d69-13aed0b7632f/talent-unboxed

🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6XrU3VGEKwEZjxOck5elpi?si=fQy4lu8oR2S4niy1fXnyAg

🔗 Apple Podcasts: https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/show/talent-unboxed/4057a2b5-83a1-43b7-815f-982f10127b3c

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DqYapkPFu/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talentunboxed

🔗 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/showcase/talent-unboxed-podcast

🔗 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talentunboxed

He started at 20 in his dad's business. By 23, he was running a depot 200 miles from home, managing people twice his age. Now he's Vice President of Global Home Delivery for AIT Worldwide, living between the US and the UK, scaling operations across three countries. In this episode of Talent Unboxed, Gary McKelvey shares what most young leaders get wrong, why hard work still beats entitlement, and how he navigated family business dynamics, corporate culture clashes, and international expansion without losing himself in the process.

Gary opens up about being thrown into leadership with no safety net, learning to manage older, more experienced teams, and why the best advice he ever got was just get it done. He talks about moving from carrier to retailer, working for Argos managing a £150 million budget, and why being comfortable in your own skin is the most underrated skill in business. Whether you're a young professional figuring out your path, a business owner trying to scale, or someone managing remote teams across borders, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership, growth, and what it really takes to succeed.

👍 If this episode made you rethink what leadership looks like at any age, hit subscribe and drop a like. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

CHAPTERS:

Chapters

00:00 - 01:38 Introductions
02:30 Gary's Background and Entry into Home Delivery
03:43 What is Final Mile Delivery?
05:04 How COVID Changed the Home Delivery Industry
11:53 Running a Depot at 23: Thrown in the Deep End
19:07 The Power of Hard Work and Taking on More Responsibility
25:46 Navigating Corporate Life After Family Business
31:58 Be Comfortable in Your Own Skin
36:32 Joining Panther and the Path to Leadership
41:54 Scaling Panther Through Aggressive Growth
44:52 Taking Home Delivery Global: US and Germany Expansion
50:50 One Tip for Scaling Your Business
53:55 Outros

Links and Resources:

🔗 Find out more about Gary and AIT Worldwide:
🌐 Website: https://www.aitworldwide.com/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mckelvey-8a87a028/

🎙️ Talent Unboxed Platforms:

🔗 Website: https://acs.acsstaffingsolutions.co.uk/talent-unboxed

🔗 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/6aee5782-d75f-4ebd-9d69-13aed0b7632f/talent-unboxed

🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6XrU3VGEKwEZjxOck5elpi?si=fQy4lu8oR2S4niy1fXnyAg

🔗 Apple Podcasts: https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/show/talent-unboxed/4057a2b5-83a1-43b7-815f-982f10127b3c

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DqYapkPFu/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talentunboxed

🔗 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/showcase/talent-unboxed-podcast

🔗 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talentunboxed

What does a real career in logistics look like? We break down how to map your path from the ground floor to the C-suite.

In this discussion, In this episode of Talent Unboxed, Chris Wright sits down with Darren Twistelton who went from warehouse operative to COO in just 20 years, to explore the reality of climbing the ladder within the logistics industry. Whether you are starting out or looking to pivot, understanding the trajectory of leadership roles is essential for long-term growth.

We focus specifically on how transferable skills gathered from various educational backgrounds and life experiences can accelerate your professional development. It is not just about the technical logistics knowledge; it is about how you apply your existing strengths to navigate complex operational challenges.

Subscribe for weekly insights on recruitment, careers, and business growth, and let us know in the comments what career path you want us to cover.

CHAPTERS:


Links and Resources:

🔗 Find out more about Darren :
🌐 Website : https://kernterminal.com/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-twiselton/

🎙️ Talent Unboxed Platforms:

🔗 Website: https://acs.acsstaffingsolutions.co.uk/talent-unboxed

🔗 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/6aee5782-d75f-4ebd-9d69-13aed0b7632f/talent-unboxed

🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6XrU3VGEKwEZjxOck5elpi?si=fQy4lu8oR2S4niy1fXnyAg

🔗 Apple Podcasts: https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/show/talent-unboxed/4057a2b5-83a1-43b7-815f-982f10127b3c

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DqYapkPFu/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talentunboxed

🔗 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/showcase/talent-unboxed-podcast

🔗 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talentunboxed

They bought the business eight weeks before lockdown. Then the pan-market died overnight and they had to decide who stays and who goes. This week, Chris and Hellie Wright flip the mic: their business partner (and friend) Danny Roberts interviews them about building ACS Staffing Solutions from a single desk to a 50 person operation, together, as husband and wife.

If you're a business leader trying to build a culture that actually holds up under pressure, not just on paper, get in touch with ACS Staffing Solutions or check out Smart Sourcing, our recruitment subscription model, to see how we approach hiring and workforce flexibility in practice.

👍 Enjoyed this video? Make sure to like, follow and subscribe for more insights on recruitment, careers, business growth, and workplace success.

CHAPTERS:


Links and Resources:

🔗 Find out more about Chris and Hellie :
🌐 Website : https://acsstaffingsolutions.co.uk/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/acs-staffing-solutions

🎙️ Talent Unboxed Platforms:

🔗 Website: https://acs.acsstaffingsolutions.co.uk/talent-unboxed

🔗 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/6aee5782-d75f-4ebd-9d69-13aed0b7632f/talent-unboxed

🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6XrU3VGEKwEZjxOck5elpi?si=fQy4lu8oR2S4niy1fXnyAg

🔗 Apple Podcasts: https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/show/talent-unboxed/4057a2b5-83a1-43b7-815f-982f10127b3c

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DqYapkPFu/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talentunboxed

🔗 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/showcase/talent-unboxed-podcast

🔗 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talentunboxed

#hiringin2026 #recruitmenttrends #flexibleworking #hybridworking #recruitmentagency #talentacquisition #hrleadership #businesspartnership

In this episode of Talent Unboxed, Chris sits down with Chloe Blades. Business mentor and college lecturer to unpack what personal branding actually means for job seekers, business owners, and employers trying to attract the right talent.

Chloe shares the moment she quit her job with only 300 Instagram followers, why she believes a clear, potent message will always beat generic visibility. The conversation also digs into first impressions, dress codes, and why so many graduates are losing out on jobs before they even speak.

👍 If this episode gave you a new way to think about your personal brand, hit subscribe and give it a like it helps us keep bringing these conversations to you. Let us know in the comments what you thought about this conversation.

CHAPTERS:

• 00:00:00 3:29 Intros
• 00:03:29 6:25 What is personal brand?
• 00:06:25 8:08 Will Personal Brand Replace the CV?
• 00:08:08 9:44 Visibility vs. Loyalty: What Actually Converts
• 00:09:44 13:14 Employer Brand
• 00:13:14 14:46 The #1 Tip for Improving Your Employer Brand
• 00:14:46 18:13 Chloe's Story: Quit Her Job With Just 300 Followers
• 00:18:13 20:37 Will AI Replace Personal Brand Consultants?
• 00:20:37 26:46 First Impressions Still Count
• 00:26:46 29:34 The importance of personal brand
• 00:29:34 31:12 What's Next for Chloe
• 00:31:12 32:35 The Biggest Personal Brand Mistake
• 00:32:35 36:04 Show People the Mission, Not Just the Content
• 00:36:04 38:29 Outros

🔗 Find out more about Chloe and growing your personal brand:
Website: https://www.itschloeco.com/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itschloeco
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itschloeco/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-blades-59816911b/

🎙️ Talent Unboxed Platforms:

🔗 Website: https://acs.acsstaffingsolutions.co.uk/talent-unboxed

🔗 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/6aee5782-d75f-4ebd-9d69-13aed0b7632f/talent-unboxed

🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6XrU3VGEKwEZjxOck5elpi?si=fQy4lu8oR2S4niy1fXnyAg

🔗 Apple Podcasts: https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/show/talent-unboxed/4057a2b5-83a1-43b7-815f-982f10127b3c

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DqYapkPFu/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talentunboxed

🔗 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/showcase/talent-unboxed-podcast

🔗 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talentunboxed

In this unfiltered episode of Talent Unboxed, Chris sits down with Ben Thomas founder of All Things Business, the Business Awards, and the Education Awards for Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes. Ben opens up about starting out on a market stall at 13, building multiple businesses through networking (not tech), and why he believes the current school system isn't preparing kids for the real world.

Whether you're a business owner, parent, educator, or someone figuring out your career path, this episode will challenge how you think about relationships, technology, and what really prepares young people for life.

👍 If this episode made you think differently, hit subscribe and drop a like it genuinely helps us keep bringing these honest, unscripted conversations to you. And let us know your thoughts in the comments.

CHAPTERS:

• 00:00:00 6:58 Introductions
• 00:06:58 12:03 Ben's Story
• 00:12:03 15:39 The power of networking
• 00:15:39 23:42 Why Relationships Still Beat Technology
• 00:23:42 33:05 Is the Education System Fit for Purpose?
• 00:33:05 38:52 Why Careers Advice in Schools Is Broken
• 00:38:52 44:17 Financial Life Skills Should Be on the Curriculum
• 00:44:17 49:30 Ben's Advice for the Next Generation
• 00:49:30 50:02 Outros

Links and Resources:

🔗 Find out more about Ben:
🌐 Website GIANT : https://www.linkedin.com/company/gogiant/
🌐 Website ATB: https://allthingsbusiness.co.uk/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benbmtthomas/

🎙️ Talent Unboxed Platforms:

🔗 Website: https://acs.acsstaffingsolutions.co.uk/talent-unboxed

🔗 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/6aee5782-d75f-4ebd-9d69-13aed0b7632f/talent-unboxed

🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6XrU3VGEKwEZjxOck5elpi?si=fQy4lu8oR2S4niy1fXnyAg

🔗 Apple Podcasts: https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/show/talent-unboxed/4057a2b5-83a1-43b7-815f-982f10127b3c

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DqYapkPFu/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talentunboxed

🔗 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/showcase/talent-unboxed-podcast

🔗 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talentunboxed

What does it really take to scale a business, build a strong team and develop the right talent? In this episode of Talent Unboxed, Dan Harding, COO of Sign in Solutions, shares lessons from growing a Northampton tech start-up into a global business operating across multiple countries, including the importance of adapting to change, investing in apprentices, developing employees and thinking bigger when it comes to business growth. Dan also discusses AI and technology, recruitment, career development, apprenticeships, hiring young talent and advice for people looking to change careers or start a business.

👍 Enjoyed this video? Make sure to like, follow and subscribe for more insights on recruitment, careers, business growth, and workplace success.

CHAPTERS:

• 00:00:00 3:29 Introductions
• 00:03:29 9:36 Story behind Sign in Solutions
• 00:09:36 12:20 Building a Local Team and Scaling Globally
• 00:12:20 14:44 Managing Culture Through Business Growth
• 00:14:44 16:04 Why Adaptability Drives Career Growth
• 00:16:04 18:12 Why Founders Need to Think Bigger
• 00:18:12 20:03 How AI Has Changed Business Growth
• 00:20:03 23:43 What's Next for Sign In App?
• 00:23:43 23:28 The Future of Business in Northampton
• 00:23:28 36:19 Why Businesses Should Invest in Apprentices
• 00:36:19 38:17 The Advice Every Job Seeker Needs
• 00:38:17 40:13 Outros

Links and Resources:

🔗 Find out more about Dan Harding and Sign in Solutions :
🌐 Website : https://signinsolutions.com/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hardingdan/

🎙️ Talent Unboxed Platforms:

🔗 Website: https://acs.acsstaffingsolutions.co.uk/talent-unboxed

🔗 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/6aee5782-d75f-4ebd-9d69-13aed0b7632f/talent-unboxed

🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6XrU3VGEKwEZjxOck5elpi?si=fQy4lu8oR2S4niy1fXnyAg

🔗 Apple Podcasts: https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/show/talent-unboxed/4057a2b5-83a1-43b7-815f-982f10127b3c

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DqYapkPFu/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talentunboxed

🔗 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/showcase/talent-unboxed-podcast

🔗 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talentunboxed

Welcome to Talent Unboxed. In this episode, titled "You Don’t Need to Tick Every Box to Get Hired," I sit down with Ben Eveson, an HR Business Partner at HomeServe Finance. Ben shares invaluable insights on navigating the job market, emphasising that candidates should not hesitate to apply even if they meet only 50% of the job requirements. We delve into the importance of accommodating neurodiversity and creating inclusive work environments. Ben also discusses his journey from operations to HR, the impact of his ADHD diagnosis, and how it has become his superpower in the workplace. Tune in for practical advice on career progression, the significance of onboarding, and fostering a positive company culture. Don't miss this enlightening conversation, and remember to subscribe for more insights from Talent Unboxed.
Links and Resources
🔗 Find out more about (name) :
🌐 Website: https://homeservegroup.com/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/homeserve-plc/
Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-eveson-mba-cmgr-fcmi-b25b6551/
🎙️ Talent Unboxed Platforms:
🔗 Website: https://acs.acsstaffingsolutions.co.uk/talent-unboxed
🔗 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/6aee5782-d75f-4ebd-9d69-13aed0b7632f/talent-unboxed
🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6XrU3VGEKwEZjxOck5elpi?si=fQy4lu8oR2S4niy1fXnyAg
🔗 Apple Podcasts: https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/show/talent-unboxed/4057a2b5-83a1-43b7-815f-982f10127b3c
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DqYapkPFu/?mibextid=wwXIfr
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talentunboxed
🔗 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/showcase/talent-unboxed-podcast
🔗 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talentunboxed

In this episode of Talent Unboxed, we sit down with David Cormack, Head of School at the National College for Logistics, to uncover why logistics is one of the UK's fastest-growing industries and how apprenticeships, AI, and employer-led training are transforming recruitment. Whether you're a job seeker looking for long-term career progression, someone considering a career change, or a business leader struggling with skills shortages, this episode is packed with practical insights. We discuss funded logistics apprenticeships, government support for SMEs, how employers can access pre-trained talent, why attitude matters more than experience, and how businesses can reduce recruitment costs while building a future-ready workforce. Discover why logistics offers real career progression, why apprenticeships aren't just for school leavers, and how the National College for Logistics is helping employers develop the next generation of talent.

👍 Enjoyed this video? Make sure to like, follow and subscribe for more insights on recruitment, careers, business growth, and workplace success.

CHAPTERS:


Links and Resources:

🔗 Find out more about (name) :
🌐 Website : https://bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk/colleges-and-campuses/national-college-for-logistics/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/bedford-college-group/

🎙️ Talent Unboxed Platforms:

🔗 Website: https://acs.acsstaffingsolutions.co.uk/talent-unboxed

🔗 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/6aee5782-d75f-4ebd-9d69-13aed0b7632f/talent-unboxed

🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6XrU3VGEKwEZjxOck5elpi?si=fQy4lu8oR2S4niy1fXnyAg

🔗 Apple Podcasts: https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/show/talent-unboxed/4057a2b5-83a1-43b7-815f-982f10127b3c

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DqYapkPFu/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talentunboxed

🔗 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/showcase/talent-unboxed-podcast

🔗 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talentunboxed