In the final episode of 2024, the REC’s formidable duo, Neil Carberry and Kate Shoesmith, sit down to look back at the highlights, the political shifts, the challenges, and how we have supported members throughout the year. They’ll go on to talk about what’s in store for 2025 from the REC and how we are making the sector’s voice heard.

In this episode, Neil Carberry speaks with Mark Kieve, CEO of UK & Ireland of REC business partner Pixid Group. They discuss the importance of compliance in an evolving world, navigating the challenges of cross-border staffing and leveraging technology.

In this episode, we discuss:

Agility, scalability, and flexibility: in uncertain times, the ability to scale staffing solutions quickly with pay-as-you-go models helps businesses stay adaptable and minimise upfront costs.

Cross-border contingent staffing: successfully navigating the challenges of cross-border staffing requires understanding local laws and leveraging technology to manage diverse talent pools efficiently.

The recent acquisition of VectorVMS: the acquisition of VectorVMS by Pixid group strengthens its position in the UK staffing industry by enhancing its technology and offering more streamlined contingent workforce solutions.

In this episode, Neil Carberry speaks with Gemma Downing and Chris Mapp, Co-owners of REC member, Mixxos Group. They discuss their business journey and how driving standards as a recruitment agency has empowered them to aim higher.

In this episode, we discuss:

How Mixxos has grown in terms of people, technology, and personal branding.

How they balance business success with charity, community, and local presence.

How standards are upheld to allow them to choose the right partners.

How to deliver consultative client service and unmatched candidate care.

How Mixxos has integrated EDI into their daily operations, from internal policies to client interactions.

In this episode, Neil Carberry speaks with Karen Young, Social Purpose Lead at Hays, about how recruitment companies can find and embrace their social purpose. They discuss the increasing significance of purpose in the recruitment sector and its influence on attracting and supporting talent.

Key topics include:

The vital role of social purpose in recruitment and how companies can adapt and progress.

How to attract purpose-driven talent by aligning recruitment strategies with the values of the next generation.

Strategies to enhance skills development and create more opportunities for under-represented groups and the communities recruitment firms serve.

In this episode, Neil Carberry talks to Giles Morgan, Founder and Managing Director of REC business partner Kahvay. Kahvay are a negotiation training, coaching and consulting provider, on-hand to help you become a skilled negotiator. They discuss the art of negotiation with a focus on the RAD (Relationship Awareness Demand) approach. Learn how to shift from selling to negotiating with confidence, understanding that negotiation is inherently a conflict that must be embraced, not avoided.

In this episode, we discuss:

The danger of selling during negotiations – understand how overselling can weaken your stance and why shifting into negotiation mode strategically is crucial.

Embracing conflict in negotiation – discover why conflict is central to successful negotiations and how to use differences to drive agreements.

The compass framework – learn to use advanced strategy to confidently navigate complex deals and maintain control.

In this episode, Neil Carberry talks to Andrew Tallents, Leadership Coach and Founder of Tallents Partnership. They discuss the importance of staying ahead of shifting client expectations and ensuring you retain top talent.

In this episode, we discuss:

What issues businesses can face when relying too heavily on outdated recruitment methods and failing to innovate

The disvalue caused by paying lip service to diversity and inclusion without making meaningful change

In this episode, Kate Shoesmith talks to John Buyers, Partner and Head of the International AI team at Osborne Clarke. They discuss what makes artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) different from any other technology and how UK businesses should manage their own use of AI.

We discuss:

What makes artificial intelligence or machine learning different from any other technology? Should we be worried about it? What makes generative AI different?

The EU is taking steps to regulate Artificial Intelligence systems through the EU Artificial Intelligence Act – is this something to be concerned about and how does the new regulation work?

What the UK is doing to regulate AI

How UK businesses should manage their own use of AI – steps for you to take now

In this episode, Neil Carberry talks to Shazia Ejaz, Campaigns and Insights Director here at the REC. They discuss our newest campaign ‘Voice of the worker’ and why temporary work is a vital part of today's labour market; driving economic growth and getting people into work.

In this episode we discuss:

Why #TempWorkWorks for individuals, for business and for the economy.

Why it’s so important that temporary work isn’t jeopardised by any changes to employment rules

How to get involved in the campaign and amplify the message

In this episode, Neil Carberry talks to Founders Gary Elden and CEO Dan Malka of Hire Genius, a cloud-based recruitment business toolkit provider which aims to help recruitment agencies of all sizes streamline their operations. They discuss the role and the opportunity for enhancing efficiency by using AI in recruitment.

In this episode we discuss:

AI's role in enhancing recruitment efficiency

AI and bias mitigation in hiring

The future of AI and human collaboration in recruitment

In this episode, Neil Carberry talks to Rhona Driggs, Chief Executive Officer of Empresaria. They discuss the global perspective on UK recruitment and what the primary differences are between the market in the UK and in other locations, like the US.

In this episode we discuss:

The profile of the Empresaria’s business and where it’s headed.

The fundamentals of moving away from a transactional sale to a relationship-based one.

How recruiters can manage clients’ expectations.

Empresaria’s experience of driving this change and whether it required structural changes.

How to build a more effective team to deliver in this world.