The Growth Bites Podcast

In this episode of Growth Bites, Jo welcomes back Kamal Ladwa, Founder and Managing Director of Syun Consulting, to talk about how AI agents are changing the way recruitment businesses use their CRM, data and technology.

Kamal explains why the real barrier to AI adoption usually isn’t the technology itself, but readiness: messy data, unclear processes and a lack of focus on where AI can genuinely create value.

Together, Jo and Kamal explore how recruitment businesses can move beyond using the CRM as a passive database and start using AI to surface buying signals, prioritise opportunities and prompt consultants to take action at the right time.

They also discuss the difference between AI copilots and genuinely agentic systems, why natural-language search could replace traditional CRM searching, and how AI could change what a recruiter’s day-to-day interface looks like over the next few years.

If you’re thinking about AI, automation, CRM optimisation or how to get more commercial value from the data you already have, this episode is packed with practical advice on where to start and what not to do.

In this episode of Growth Bites, Jo sits down with Shaun Ritchie, Founder of Third Wave and Marmalade’s Martech partner, to talk about one of the biggest missed opportunities in recruitment: the value already sitting inside your CRM.

Too many agencies assume they have a tech problem when in reality they have a data and workflow problem. Shaun explains why the issue isn’t the CRM itself, but how the data is structured, maintained and used across the business. From client data tagging and candidate segmentation to job matching, nurturing and automation, this episode explores what it takes to turn a CRM from a passive database into a genuine commercial asset. Jo and Shaun also dig into why automation and AI only work when the foundations are right, and why messy data will always lead to poor outputs.

They cover the common mistakes recruitment businesses make, why buying another tool is rarely the answer, and where to start if you want to get more value from the systems you already have.

If your CRM is full of records but not doing much else, this episode will help you understand how better structure, cleaner data and stronger processes can lead to better marketing, smarter outreach and stronger pipeline performance.

In this episode of Growth Bites, Jo talks to Amanda Capon, Chief People Officer at idverde UK with decades of experience shaping workplace culture and strategy. 

Together, they unpack the real implications of AI and automation on work, beyond the buzzwords we’re seeing online every day. Amanda shares how she’s already using AI day-to-day, what the shift means for HR and people leaders and why it’s more about augmentation than elimination.

They explore the growing need for ethical guardrails, practical strategies for closing the human and technical skils gap and why reverse mentoring, career mosaics and flexible contracts could be the key to a stronger, more human workplace.

If you’re grappling with productivity, retention, tech adoption or the future shape of your team, this one’s essential!

What does a seasoned digital leader with experience at Boohoo, Missguided and now Glamira have to say about the realities of modern marketing?

Quite a lot and it’s just as relevant for recruitment leaders as it is for e-commerce brands.

In this episode, Duke shares his career journey and talks candidly about the impact of privacy regulations, the rise of AI, and why marketing fundamentals haven’t changed, even if the tools have.

He explains how brands can improve personalisation, deal with changing search behaviours, and balance creative ideas with commercial outcomes. There’s insight on segmentation, evolving attribution models, and how to stay relevant in a shifting digital landscape, without losing the human connection.

This one’s packed with experience and real-world lessons. Worth your ears if you care about smarter, more strategic marketing.

In this episode of Growth Bites, Jo sits down with Simon Malpas, Co-founder of TRS Media, to unpack the messy truth about recruitment advertising and what smart agencies are doing differently.

With over 20 years in the industry, including senior roles at Totaljobs and Jobsite, Simon now helps recruitment agencies take control of their job board spend. He shares why simply renewing last year’s contract is no longer good enough and how data-led health checks are helping teams spend less but get more.

If you’re a recruitment leader or marketer looking to optimise budgets, improve candidate quality and use your data better, this one’s for you!

In this episode of Growth Bites, Jo sits down with Michael Halpin, Head of Global Marketing at Recite Me, to explore the business-critical topic of accessibility in recruitment. With the European Accessibility Act (EAA) coming into force in June 2025, many recruitment agencies are still unsure about what’s required, where to begin, or how this will affect their candidate experience. Michael breaks it all down clearly, offering both strategic insight and practical next steps.

He explains what the EAA actually means for UK-based recruitment businesses (even post-Brexit) and why it’s vital to start planning now. The conversation touches on how inclusive digital experiences can open up candidate pools, boost SEO, and build brand trust, making accessibility a commercial win as well as a compliance need.

Michael also shares real-world examples and easy actions teams can take today, including how to audit your website, improve user journeys, and make content accessible without overloading internal teams. He highlights common pitfalls, the importance of accessible ATS systems, and how small changes can lead to major improvements in candidate experience and conversion rates.

If you’re a marketing lead, agency founder, or ops specialist looking to get ahead of the deadline and make your brand more inclusive in the process, this episode is a great place to start.

In this episode of Growth Bites, Jo is joined by Stewart Morgan, co-founder and owner of Mixxyl, an AI-powered analytics platform helping recruitment agencies unlock and action the DE&I insights hiding in their CRMs. With over 15 years in recruitment tech, including time at Bullhorn and Kyloe Partners, Stewart brings a sharp and honest perspective on what really matters when it comes to using data well.

They explore how recruiters can use diversity data to win business, retain clients, and build more inclusive, insight-led campaigns. From navigating sensitive topics to proving ROI on DE&I, this episode is a practical listen for any recruitment leader or marketer looking to turn ethics into a commercial advantage.

In this episode of Growth Bites, Jo is joined by Matt Comber, Founder and CEO of SourceFlow, and a well-known name in the recruitment tech world. With a background in both recruitment and digital, and as the former co-founder of Volcanic, Matt brings years of hard-earned experience to the conversation around websites, marketing strategy, and real performance.

They cover everything from how recruitment agencies should be measuring the ROI of their websites to what actually moves the needle when it comes to candidate attraction and client conversion. Matt shares his thoughts on template vs. custom builds, the rise of B2B in recruitment marketing, and why EVP isn’t always the silver bullet it’s made out to be.

This is a must-listen for recruitment marketers and business leaders who want their website to do more than just look good.

In this episode of Growth Bites, Jo is joined by Jeanette Barrowcliffe, Finance Director and co-owner of Meridian Business Support - one of the UK’s largest independent multi-sector recruitment agencies.

With nearly three decades in recruitment and two MBOs under her belt, Jeanette brings a sharp, no-nonsense perspective to what it really takes to scale sustainably. From navigating economic uncertainty to making smart tech investments, this episode is packed with insight for recruitment leaders who want to grow, without losing control of the numbers.

She shares how Meridian has weathered tough market conditions, why cash flow is still king, and the metrics that matter when making high-stakes business decisions. Jeanette also talks about the evolving role of finance in recruitment businesses and what founders need to understand before diving into M&A.

The role of a recruitment leader has changed significantly. After a whirlwind few years of hypergrowth, economic uncertainty and the rise of AI, many leaders are finding themselves back on the tools, navigating new challenges and rethinking how they build resilient, high-performing teams. But with every challenge comes an opportunity.

In this episode, Jo sits down with Dawn Hampton , Director of Dawn Hampton Consulting, to explore what it really takes to lead a recruitment business today. From managing cost pressures and maintaining profitability to embracing AI without losing the human touch, Dawn shares her insights on how leadership has changed and what recruitment businesses need to focus on to thrive.

With a wealth of experience from growing businesses at scale, Dawn explains why adaptability is now a leader’s greatest asset, how to build teams that can handle whatever comes next and why controlling the way AI is used in your business is critical to staying ahead.

If you’re a recruitment leader looking to face the next wave of industry challenges with confidence, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.