The RAG Podcast - Recruitment Agency Growth Podcast

This week on The RAG Podcast, I am revisiting my episode with Anthony Webster, Managing Director of DVF Recruitment and board member at Career Legal.

Anthony and I go way back - we worked together for five years and even planned to launch Hoxo together before his journey took a different turn. At that point, Anthony made a life-changing decision: he came out as gay after years of hiding his true self.

We talk about:

• The challenges of coming out in a male-dominated industry
• Why authenticity and inclusion are vital for culture and growth
• His journey from recruiter to MD and board member
• The impact of living openly on his career and leadership style
• How DVF has grown under his leadership as part of the Career Legal group

Anthony’s story is powerful, personal, and incredibly inspiring. It’s about resilience, honesty, and the importance of creating safe and inclusive spaces in recruitment.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the RAG Podcast and Guest Introduction

01:28 Anthony's Journey: Coming Out and Career Choices

03:36 Career Path: From Recruitment to Managing Director

08:25 The Drive for Success: Personal Background and Motivation

11:19 Building Relationships in Recruitment: The Importance of Consistency

15:28 The Decision to Come Out: Personal Struggles and Growth

19:03 Navigating Life After Coming Out: Personal and Professional Changes

22:51 Integrating into the LGBTQ Community: New Experiences and Friendships

33:00 The Future of DVF Recruitment: Growth and Inclusion

48:58 Creating an Inclusive Environment in Recruitment

01:00:01 Looking Ahead: Future Plans for DVF and Personal Life

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Atlas

Your memory isn’t perfect. So Atlas remembers everything for you. 

Atlas is an end-to-end recruitment platform built for the AI generation. It automates your admin so you can focus on the business tasks that matter. 

How many conversations do you have every day? With clients. Candidates. Your team. Service providers.

Now how many of those conversations can you recall with 100% accuracy? How many hours a week do you spend making notes to try and retain as much as possible? And how much is still getting lost along the way? 

Traditional CRM systems weren’t built for the type of recruitment business you’re running right now. 

They were built to rely on the structured, tagged, categorised, and formal data you could feed it. Manual processes that needed you to input specific information, based on specific questions and answers. 

But what about all the other conversations you’re having every single day? 

Atlas isn’t an ATS or a CRM. It’s an Intelligent Business Platform that helps you perform 10X better than you could on your own. 

How? 

By removing all your low value tasks, acting as your perfect memory, and providing highly relevant recommendations to impact your performance. 

Learn more about the power of Atlas – and take advantage of the exclusive offer for The RAG listeners – by visiting https://recruitwithatlas.com/therag/ 

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Hoxo

Recruitment agency founders - this one’s for you.

What’s your plan for the rest of 2025?

If it’s based on more cold outreach, referrals, or hiring more recruiters… we’ve got news for you. That’s not where the smart money is going.

The market has changed. AI is everywhere. Noise is louder than ever.

So if you want to scale profitably this year, you need to do things differently!

It starts with what you already have.

Your experience. Your network. Your voice.

And we are showing you exactly how to use it in a brand-new, FREE Masterclass - built specifically for recruitment leaders like you.

You’re going to learn:

• Why your LinkedIn content isn’t working - and how to fix it fast
• How to generate inbound leads without being “LinkedIn famous”
• And the exact Hoxo 3X System agencies are using to book more calls - in just a few hours a week

78% of our clients made over 100K in the first 6 months using this. No fluff. No guesswork. Just stuff that works.

The Masterclass is free - but it’s only available for a limited time.

So if you’re serious about growing this year, don’t wait.

Head to https://hubs.ly/Q03lBpYC0  to get started. See you there!

This week on The RAG Podcast, we are revisiting my episode with Laura Clark, CEO of OA Group.

Laura’s journey is one of the most unique I’ve ever shared on the show. She grew up watching her mum build Osborne Appointments (now OA Group), joined the business at 19, and earlier this year bought it from her mother to take over as CEO.

We talk about:

• What it was like growing up with an entrepreneurial mother as inspiration
• Joining the business at 19 and proving herself in recruitment
• Navigating four children while building her own career and leadership style
• The emotional and strategic process of negotiating the buyout with her mum
• Her vision for OA Group, balancing legacy with innovation

This was the first time I’ve had a guest who has bought their business from a parent, and it raises so many relatable themes for any founder, from negotiating long-term relationships to building a business that truly reflects your values.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to The Rag Podcast and Laura Clark

02:21 Laura's Journey in Recruitment and Family Dynamics

12:03 Early Career Challenges and Growth in Recruitment

18:19 Transitioning to Management and Leadership

28:38 Taking Over the Family Business

32:44 Navigating Business Challenges

34:37 The Emotional Dynamics of Family Business

38:35 Reflections on Business Exits

41:30 Post-Acquisition Vision and Growth

49:54 Balancing Remote Work and Team Dynamics

55:03 Gender Equality in Leadership

59:43 Juggling Work and Family Life

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Atlas

Your memory isn’t perfect. So Atlas remembers everything for you. 

Atlas is an end-to-end recruitment platform built for the AI generation. It automates your admin so you can focus on the business tasks that matter. 

How many conversations do you have every day? With clients. Candidates. Your team. Service providers.

Now how many of those conversations can you recall with 100% accuracy? How many hours a week do you spend making notes to try and retain as much as possible? And how much is still getting lost along the way? 

Traditional CRM systems weren’t built for the type of recruitment business you’re running right now. 

They were built to rely on the structured, tagged, categorised, and formal data you could feed it. Manual processes that needed you to input specific information, based on specific questions and answers. 

But what about all the other conversations you’re having every single day? 

Atlas isn’t an ATS or a CRM. It’s an Intelligent Business Platform that helps you perform 10X better than you could on your own. 

How? 

By removing all your low value tasks, acting as your perfect memory, and providing highly relevant recommendations to impact your performance. 

Learn more about the power of Atlas – and take advantage of the exclusive offer for The RAG listeners – by visiting https://recruitwithatlas.com/therag/ 

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Hoxo

Recruitment agency founders - this one’s for you.

What’s your plan for the rest of 2025?

If it’s based on more cold outreach, referrals, or hiring more recruiters… we’ve got news for you. That’s not where the smart money is going.

The market has changed. AI is everywhere. Noise is louder than ever.

So if you want to scale profitably this year, you need to do things differently!

It starts with what you already have.

Your experience. Your network. Your voice.

And we are showing you exactly how to use it in a brand-new, FREE Masterclass - built specifically for recruitment leaders like you.

You’re going to learn:

• Why your LinkedIn content isn’t working - and how to fix it fast
• How to generate inbound leads without being “LinkedIn famous”
• And the exact Hoxo 3X System agencies are using to book more calls - in just a few hours a week

78% of our clients made over 100K in the first 6 months using this. No fluff. No guesswork. Just stuff that works.

The Masterclass is free - but it’s only available for a limited time.

So if you’re serious about growing this year, don’t wait.

Head to https://hubs.ly/Q03lBpYC0  to get started. See you there!

This week on The RAG Podcast, I’m revisiting my episode with Ben Wallin and Dan Cox, founders of Edison Smart.

When I spoke to them in August 2022, they’d already hit £1.7m revenue and built a team of nearly 20 in just over a year. One year later, they scaled to 31 employees, expanded into the US, put boots on the ground in Dubai, and built a structure that no longer relies on their own billing.

We talk about:

• How they built an operational and leadership team that runs the agency
• Why they hired experienced recruiters while others were letting people go
• The rebrand to Edison Smart and its focus on smart technology
• How they achieved 40 percent growth in 2023
• What it takes to truly work on the business, not in it

For any founder asking how to become more operational and scale sustainably, this episode is a clear roadmap.

Chapters

02:58 Edison Smart's Growth Journey

06:01 Operational Structure and Leadership Dynamics

09:11 Market Challenges and Strategic Responses

11:57 Hiring Strategies and Team Expansion

15:09 Navigating Market Changes and Client Relationships

17:58 Headcount Growth and Recruitment Strategies

22:03 Geographical Expansion: US and Dubai

25:10 Branding and Rebranding: Edison Smart

27:47 Operational Working Arrangements and Company Culture

30:57 Key Takeaways and Future Vision

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Atlas

Your memory isn’t perfect. So Atlas remembers everything for you. 

Atlas is an end-to-end recruitment platform built for the AI generation. It automates your admin so you can focus on the business tasks that matter. 

How many conversations do you have every day? With clients. Candidates. Your team. Service providers.

Now how many of those conversations can you recall with 100% accuracy? How many hours a week do you spend making notes to try and retain as much as possible? And how much is still getting lost along the way? 

Traditional CRM systems weren’t built for the type of recruitment business you’re running right now. 

They were built to rely on the structured, tagged, categorised, and formal data you could feed it. Manual processes that needed you to input specific information, based on specific questions and answers. 

But what about all the other conversations you’re having every single day? 

Atlas isn’t an ATS or a CRM. It’s an Intelligent Business Platform that helps you perform 10X better than you could on your own. 

How? 

By removing all your low value tasks, acting as your perfect memory, and providing highly relevant recommendations to impact your performance. 

Learn more about the power of Atlas – and take advantage of the exclusive offer for The RAG listeners – by visiting https://recruitwithatlas.com/therag/ 

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Hoxo

Recruitment agency founders - this one’s for you.

What’s your plan for the rest of 2025?

If it’s based on more cold outreach, referrals, or hiring more recruiters… we’ve got news for you. That’s not where the smart money is going.

The market has changed. AI is everywhere. Noise is louder than ever.

So if you want to scale profitably this year, you need to do things differently!

It starts with what you already have.

Your experience. Your network. Your voice.

And we are showing you exactly how to use it in a brand-new, FREE Masterclass - built specifically for recruitment leaders like you.

You’re going to learn:

• Why your LinkedIn content isn’t working - and how to fix it fast
• How to generate inbound leads without being “LinkedIn famous”
• And the exact Hoxo 3X System agencies are using to book more calls - in just a few hours a week

78% of our clients made over 100K in the first 6 months using this. No fluff. No guesswork. Just stuff that works.

The Masterclass is free - but it’s only available for a limited time.

So if you’re serious about growing this year, don’t wait.

Head to https://hubs.ly/Q03lBpYC0  to get started. See you there!

This week on The RAG Podcast, we are revisiting Episode 1 from Season 7 with Kevin Frater, Director at Stable10 and a recruitment leader with over 18 years of experience across Allegis and Frank Group.

Kevin built his reputation as a fixer, turning underperforming offices into high-performing teams. Most notably, he grew a team in Germany from 12 to 180 recruiters over six years, creating one of the most successful divisions within Frank Group globally.

We talk about:

• The playbook for turning around underperforming recruitment teams
• Scaling internationally across London, Singapore and Germany
• What it really takes to grow and manage high-performing sales cultures
• How to balance leadership, travel and personal life at scale
• Why Kevin chose to take a break before his next chapter
• 
  

Whether you’re a manager looking to build and lead bigger teams or a recruitment business searching for a leader to drive growth, this episode is packed with insight.

Chapters

03:02 Kevin Frater's Journey in Recruitment

08:25 Transition from Allegious Group to Frank Group

14:32 Leadership and Team Growth Strategies

20:10 Turning Around Underperforming Teams

31:50 International Experience: Asia and Germany

40:37 Challenges and Successes in the German Market

48:32 Scaling the Team from 12 to 180

55:35 Reflections on Career and Future Opportunities

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Atlas

Your memory isn’t perfect. So Atlas remembers everything for you. 

Atlas is an end-to-end recruitment platform built for the AI generation. It automates your admin so you can focus on the business tasks that matter. 

How many conversations do you have every day? With clients. Candidates. Your team. Service providers.

Now how many of those conversations can you recall with 100% accuracy? How many hours a week do you spend making notes to try and retain as much as possible? And how much is still getting lost along the way? 

Traditional CRM systems weren’t built for the type of recruitment business you’re running right now. 

They were built to rely on the structured, tagged, categorised, and formal data you could feed it. Manual processes that needed you to input specific information, based on specific questions and answers. 

But what about all the other conversations you’re having every single day? 

Atlas isn’t an ATS or a CRM. It’s an Intelligent Business Platform that helps you perform 10X better than you could on your own. 

How? 

By removing all your low value tasks, acting as your perfect memory, and providing highly relevant recommendations to impact your performance. 

Learn more about the power of Atlas – and take advantage of the exclusive offer for The RAG listeners – by visiting https://recruitwithatlas.com/therag/ 

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Hoxo

Recruitment agency founders - this one’s for you.

What’s your plan for the rest of 2025?

If it’s based on more cold outreach, referrals, or hiring more recruiters… we’ve got news for you. That’s not where the smart money is going.

The market has changed. AI is everywhere. Noise is louder than ever.

So if you want to scale profitably this year, you need to do things differently!

It starts with what you already have.

Your experience. Your network. Your voice.

And we are showing you exactly how to use it in a brand-new, FREE Masterclass - built specifically for recruitment leaders like you.

You’re going to learn:

• Why your LinkedIn content isn’t working - and how to fix it fast
• How to generate inbound leads without being “LinkedIn famous”
• And the exact Hoxo 3X System agencies are using to book more calls - in just a few hours a week

78% of our clients made over 100K in the first 6 months using this. No fluff. No guesswork. Just stuff that works.

The Masterclass is free - but it’s only available for a limited time.

So if you’re serious about growing this year, don’t wait.

Head to https://hubs.ly/Q03lBpYC0  to get started. See you there!

This week on The RAG Podcast, I’m revisiting my episode with Joe Jani, founder and CEO of Metric Search, one of the fastest growing recruitment firms in the world.

Joe launched Metric in 2019 and in just six years has scaled to 90 heads across the US and UK. At only 31 years old, he’s already closed a private equity deal, taking seven figures off the table while setting the business on course for a $100m valuation.

We talk about:

• The strategic decisions behind launching and scaling Metric
• Navigating the COVID pandemic without slowing momentum
• How leadership and culture have fuelled rapid growth
• The truth about managing and billing at the same time
• What private equity means for the next stage of growth

Joe’s story is proof that with the right vision, culture and commercial focus, you can scale globally at pace while still building a business that lasts.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Joe Jarny and Metric Search

02:09 Joe's Journey in Recruitment

11:52 Launching Metric Search and Navigating COVID

22:03 The MBO Process and Growth Strategy

35:14 Private Equity Deal and Future Plans

49:21 Personal Life and Work-Life Balance

01:00:38 Myths in Recruitment and Leadership

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Atlas

Your memory isn’t perfect. So Atlas remembers everything for you. 

Atlas is an end-to-end recruitment platform built for the AI generation. It automates your admin so you can focus on the business tasks that matter. 

How many conversations do you have every day? With clients. Candidates. Your team. Service providers.

Now how many of those conversations can you recall with 100% accuracy? How many hours a week do you spend making notes to try and retain as much as possible? And how much is still getting lost along the way? 

Traditional CRM systems weren’t built for the type of recruitment business you’re running right now. 

They were built to rely on the structured, tagged, categorised, and formal data you could feed it. Manual processes that needed you to input specific information, based on specific questions and answers. 

But what about all the other conversations you’re having every single day? 

Atlas isn’t an ATS or a CRM. It’s an Intelligent Business Platform that helps you perform 10X better than you could on your own. 

How? 

By removing all your low value tasks, acting as your perfect memory, and providing highly relevant recommendations to impact your performance. 

Learn more about the power of Atlas – and take advantage of the exclusive offer for The RAG listeners – by visiting https://recruitwithatlas.com/therag/ 

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Hoxo

Recruitment agency founders - this one’s for you.

What’s your plan for the rest of 2025?

If it’s based on more cold outreach, referrals, or hiring more recruiters… we’ve got news for you. That’s not where the smart money is going.

The market has changed. AI is everywhere. Noise is louder than ever.

So if you want to scale profitably this year, you need to do things differently!

It starts with what you already have.

Your experience. Your network. Your voice.

And we are showing you exactly how to use it in a brand-new, FREE Masterclass - built specifically for recruitment leaders like you.

You’re going to learn:

• Why your LinkedIn content isn’t working - and how to fix it fast
• How to generate inbound leads without being “LinkedIn famous”
• And the exact Hoxo 3X System agencies are using to book more calls - in just a few hours a week

78% of our clients made over 100K in the first 6 months using this. No fluff. No guesswork. Just stuff that works.

The Masterclass is free - but it’s only available for a limited time.

So if you’re serious about growing this year, don’t wait.

Head to https://hubs.ly/Q03lBpYC0  to get started. See you there!

This week on The RAG Podcast, I’m revisiting my chat with Jordan Shlosberg, founder of Atlas, the first AI-first CRM built for the recruitment market.

Jordan’s no stranger to scale. Before Atlas, he founded Prosapien, growing it to $40 million in revenue in just five years before exiting. He’s now bringing the same disruptive approach to recruitment technology.

We talk about:

• How Atlas uses AI to eliminate low-value admin work for recruiters
• Why the recruitment industry is ripe for disruption
• Lessons from scaling and exiting Prosapien
• His vision for building a CRM that recruiters actually want to use
• How he’s creating a culture where employees share in the company’s success

Jordan’s mission is to give recruiters more time to do what they do best, building relationships and making placements, while Atlas handles the admin.

If you’re questioning whether your CRM is keeping up with AI’s potential, this is one to watch.

--------------------------------------

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to The Rag Podcast and Guest Jordan Shlosberg

02:51 Jordan's Entrepreneurial Journey and Background

05:57 The Birth of Atlas and AI in Recruitment

08:51 The Role of Family Background in Entrepreneurial Drive

12:03 Transition from Finance to Entrepreneurship

15:03 Building ProSapient: The First Company

18:06 Growth Strategies and Challenges in ProSapient

20:55 Technology's Impact on Business Operations

23:52 Navigating Funding and Investment Rounds

26:41 The Evolution of Leadership and Management

29:47 The Future of Atlas and AI in Recruitment

43:54 Navigating a Competitive Recruitment Landscape

45:31 Building Software for Recruitment Success

48:48 Innovating in Recruitment Technology

50:31 The Future of Spec CVs and AI Integration

58:30 Streamlining Administrative Tasks with AI

01:00:27 Enhancing Data Management and Reporting

01:08:37 Customer Support and User Experience

01:17:42 Vision for the Future of Atlas

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Atlas

Your memory isn’t perfect. So Atlas remembers everything for you. 

Atlas is an end-to-end recruitment platform built for the AI generation. It automates your admin so you can focus on the business tasks that matter. 

How many conversations do you have every day? With clients. Candidates. Your team. Service providers.

Now how many of those conversations can you recall with 100% accuracy? How many hours a week do you spend making notes to try and retain as much as possible? And how much is still getting lost along the way? 

Traditional CRM systems weren’t built for the type of recruitment business you’re running right now. 

They were built to rely on the structured, tagged, categorised, and formal data you could feed it. Manual processes that needed you to input specific information, based on specific questions and answers. 

But what about all the other conversations you’re having every single day? 

Atlas isn’t an ATS or a CRM. It’s an Intelligent Business Platform that helps you perform 10X better than you could on your own. 

How? 

By removing all your low value tasks, acting as your perfect memory, and providing highly relevant recommendations to impact your performance. 

Learn more about the power of Atlas – and take advantage of the exclusive offer for The RAG listeners – by visiting https://recruitwithatlas.com/therag/ 

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Hoxo

Recruitment agency founders - this one’s for you.

What’s your plan for the rest of 2025?

If it’s based on more cold outreach, referrals, or hiring more recruiters… we’ve got news for you. That’s not where the smart money is going.

The market has changed. AI is everywhere. Noise is louder than ever.

So if you want to scale profitably this year, you need to do things differently!

It starts with what you already have.

Your experience. Your network. Your voice.

And we are showing you exactly how to use it in a brand-new, FREE Masterclass - built specifically for recruitment leaders like you.

You’re going to learn:

• Why your LinkedIn content isn’t working - and how to fix it fast
• How to generate inbound leads without being “LinkedIn famous”
• And the exact Hoxo 3X System agencies are using to book more calls - in just a few hours a week

78% of our clients made over 100K in the first 6 months using this. No fluff. No guesswork. Just stuff that works.

The Masterclass is free - but it’s only available for a limited time.

So if you’re serious about growing this year, don’t wait.

Head to https://hubs.ly/Q03lBpYC0  to get started. See you there!

This week on The RAG Podcast, I’m joined by Stuart Mitchell, the founder of Hampton North, a specialist cybersecurity search firm based in the US.

Stuart launched his business, and in just nine months, he had already surpassed the seven-figure mark. There were no cold calls, no marketing spend, just LinkedIn and a consistent commitment to personal branding.

We talk about:

• How he’s built a brand that attracts top talent and clients
• What it was like launching through RecruitHub
• His remote first mindset and how that’s shaped the team
• The “Magic Inbox” that helped him scale at record speed
• And why authenticity is his biggest competitive edge

Every one of Stuart’s hires so far has approached him directly after following his content. He’s building an Avengers-level team of high performers who believe in his approach and are now reaping the rewards of it.

If you’re running a recruitment business or thinking about starting one, this is the episode to watch.

Catch it live on my LinkedIn at 12 pm on Wednesday or listen back afterwards wherever you get your podcasts.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Stuart Mitchell and Hampton North

02:53 Stuart's Journey into Recruitment

06:08 Building a Personal Brand

08:59 Transitioning to Cybersecurity Recruitment

11:57 The Launch of Hampton North

14:34 The Role of Recruit Hub

17:36 The Impact of Personal Branding on Business

20:40 Navigating the Recruitment Landscape

23:28 Hiring and Building a Team

26:46 Work-Life Balance as a New Parent

29:40 Advice for Aspiring Recruitment Entrepreneurs

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Atlas

Your memory isn’t perfect. So Atlas remembers everything for you. 

Atlas is an end-to-end recruitment platform built for the AI generation. It automates your admin so you can focus on the business tasks that matter. 

How many conversations do you have every day? With clients. Candidates. Your team. Service providers.

Now how many of those conversations can you recall with 100% accuracy? How many hours a week do you spend making notes to try and retain as much as possible? And how much is still getting lost along the way? 

Traditional CRM systems weren’t built for the type of recruitment business you’re running right now. 

They were built to rely on the structured, tagged, categorised, and formal data you could feed it. Manual processes that needed you to input specific information, based on specific questions and answers. 

But what about all the other conversations you’re having every single day? 

Atlas isn’t an ATS or a CRM. It’s an Intelligent Business Platform that helps you perform 10X better than you could on your own. 

How? 

By removing all your low value tasks, acting as your perfect memory, and providing highly relevant recommendations to impact your performance. 

Learn more about the power of Atlas – and take advantage of the exclusive offer for The RAG listeners – by visiting https://recruitwithatlas.com/therag/ 

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Hoxo

Recruitment agency founders - this one’s for you.

What’s your plan for the rest of 2025?

If it’s based on more cold outreach, referrals, or hiring more recruiters… we’ve got news for you. That’s not where the smart money is going.

The market has changed. AI is everywhere. Noise is louder than ever.

So if you want to scale profitably this year, you need to do things differently!

It starts with what you already have.

Your experience. Your network. Your voice.

And we are showing you exactly how to use it in a brand-new, FREE Masterclass - built specifically for recruitment leaders like you.

You’re going to learn:

• Why your LinkedIn content isn’t working - and how to fix it fast
• How to generate inbound leads without being “LinkedIn famous”
• And the exact Hoxo 3X System agencies are using to book more calls - in just a few hours a week

78% of our clients made over 100K in the first 6 months using this. No fluff. No guesswork. Just stuff that works.

The Masterclass is free - but it’s only available for a limited time.

So if you’re serious about growing this year, don’t wait.

Head to https://hubs.ly/Q03lBpYC0  to get started. See you there!

Chris Redmond is back on The RAG for the third time and his story keeps getting better.

When I first interviewed Chris in 2019, he’d just gone fully remote and was chasing a digital nomad lifestyle with no fixed office. At the time, I thought he was mad.

Then COVID hit, and while the rest of the industry scrambled, Chris and his team were already built for the new world.

Fast forward to now, Redholt is a retained headhunting firm running at 60 percent profit with just 8 people. Chris lives in Dubai, has transformed his health (losing 35kg in six months), and is building towards something much bigger: a business that runs without him and can one day be sold.

In this episode, we cover:

• His unique forensic recruitment model
• What it takes to move from lifestyle business to scalable business
• The pressure of being the only BD engine in your company
• Why personal reinvention is key to professional growth
• And how social media is helping drive both brand and client retention

Watch the episode live on my LinkedIn this Wednesday at 12 pm or catch up afterwards wherever you get your podcasts.

If you're a founder thinking about long-term value and lifestyle alignment, this one’s not to be missed.

Watch our ten-minute video on “The most profitable way to grow your recruitment agency in 2025” here: https://hubs.ly/Q03lBpYC0

Apply to be on the next RAG season here: https://hubs.ly/Q03yjlLd0 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to The Rag Podcast

03:23 Chris Redmond's Journey and Business Evolution

10:13 Red Hole's Unique Recruitment Methodology

17:56 Scalability and Future Plans for Red Hole

22:02 The Impact of Moving to Dubai

29:06 Personal Transformation and Health Journey

50:36 The Power of Social Media in Business

01:04:30 Future Vision and Exit Strategy for Red Hole

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Atlas

Your memory isn’t perfect. So Atlas remembers everything for you. 

Atlas is an end-to-end recruitment platform built for the AI generation. It automates your admin so you can focus on the business tasks that matter. 

How many conversations do you have every day? With clients. Candidates. Your team. Service providers.

Now how many of those conversations can you recall with 100% accuracy? How many hours a week do you spend making notes to try and retain as much as possible? And how much is still getting lost along the way? 

Traditional CRM systems weren’t built for the type of recruitment business you’re running right now. 

They were built to rely on the structured, tagged, categorised, and formal data you could feed it. Manual processes that needed you to input specific information, based on specific questions and answers. 

But what about all the other conversations you’re having every single day? 

Atlas isn’t an ATS or a CRM. It’s an Intelligent Business Platform that helps you perform 10X better than you could on your own. 

How? 

By removing all your low value tasks, acting as your perfect memory, and providing highly relevant recommendations to impact your performance. 

Learn more about the power of Atlas – and take advantage of the exclusive offer for The RAG listeners – by visiting https://recruitwithatlas.com/therag/ 

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Hoxo

Recruitment agency founders - this one’s for you.

What’s your plan for the rest of 2025?

If it’s based on more cold outreach, referrals, or hiring more recruiters… we’ve got news for you. That’s not where the smart money is going.

The market has changed. AI is everywhere. Noise is louder than ever.

So if you want to scale profitably this year, you need to do things differently!

It starts with what you already have.

Your experience. Your network. Your voice.

And we are showing you exactly how to use it in a brand-new, FREE Masterclass - built specifically for recruitment leaders like you.

You’re going to learn:

• Why your LinkedIn content isn’t working - and how to fix it fast
• How to generate inbound leads without being “LinkedIn famous”
• And the exact Hoxo 3X System agencies are using to book more calls - in just a few hours a week

78% of our clients made over 100K in the first 6 months using this. No fluff. No guesswork. Just stuff that works.

The Masterclass is free - but it’s only available for a limited time.

So if you’re serious about growing this year, don’t wait.

Head to https://hubs.ly/Q03lBpYC0  to get started. See you there!

What I’ve learned from 40 recruitment founder interviews in a year

This week’s episode of The RAG is a little different - it’s just me

After 40 in-person interviews across the UK, Dubai and Sydney, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what I’ve learned in season 8 and what’s next for the show.

Here’s 3 key learnings that I cover in this solo episode:

• Why headcount is no longer the main measure of success
• Why remote teams, offshore talent and AI are shaping the future of recruitment
• Why profit is becoming more important than scale and exit

If you’re a founder who's rethinking what growth really means and you want to build something profitable, sustainable and enjoyable - then this will help

Watch our ten-minute video on “The most profitable way to grow your recruitment agency in 2025” here: https://hubs.ly/Q03lBpYC0

Apply to be on the next RAG season here: https://hubs.ly/Q03yjlLd0 

Chapters

00:00 Season Reflection and Future Plans

02:48 Shifts in Recruitment Success Metrics

05:44 Personal Business Transformation and Insights

09:01 Profit Maximization Focus for Future Seasons

11:43 Engagement and Community Building

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Atlas

Your memory isn’t perfect. So Atlas remembers everything for you. 

Atlas is an end-to-end recruitment platform built for the AI generation. It automates your admin so you can focus on the business tasks that matter. 

How many conversations do you have every day? With clients. Candidates. Your team. Service providers.

Now how many of those conversations can you recall with 100% accuracy? How many hours a week do you spend making notes to try and retain as much as possible? And how much is still getting lost along the way? 

Traditional CRM systems weren’t built for the type of recruitment business you’re running right now. 

They were built to rely on the structured, tagged, categorised, and formal data you could feed it. Manual processes that needed you to input specific information, based on specific questions and answers. 

But what about all the other conversations you’re having every single day? 

Atlas isn’t an ATS or a CRM. It’s an Intelligent Business Platform that helps you perform 10X better than you could on your own. 

How? 

By removing all your low value tasks, acting as your perfect memory, and providing highly relevant recommendations to impact your performance. 

Learn more about the power of Atlas – and take advantage of the exclusive offer for The RAG listeners – by visiting https://recruitwithatlas.com/therag/ 

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Hoxo

Recruitment agency founders - this one’s for you.

What’s your plan for the rest of 2025?

If it’s based on more cold outreach, referrals, or hiring more recruiters… we’ve got news for you. That’s not where the smart money is going.

The market has changed. AI is everywhere. Noise is louder than ever.

So if you want to scale profitably this year, you need to do things differently!

It starts with what you already have.

Your experience. Your network. Your voice.

And we are showing you exactly how to use it in a brand-new, FREE Masterclass - built specifically for recruitment leaders like you.

You’re going to learn:

• Why your LinkedIn content isn’t working - and how to fix it fast
• How to generate inbound leads without being “LinkedIn famous”
• And the exact Hoxo 3X System agencies are using to book more calls - in just a few hours a week

78% of our clients made over 100K in the first 6 months using this. No fluff. No guesswork. Just stuff that works.

The Masterclass is free - but it’s only available for a limited time.

So if you’re serious about growing this year, don’t wait.

Head to https://hubs.ly/Q03lBpYC0  to get started. See you there!

Would you walk away from recurring revenue to chase a bigger opportunity overseas?

On this week's episode of The RAG Podcast, I’m joined by Jamie Trevett, founder of Just Construction. Jamie was last on the show in 2022 when his UK construction recruitment firm had 25 staff and a growing contract book.

Fast forward to today and Jamie has completely transformed the business. He shut down the contract side in the UK and relocated the company’s focus to the US market, where he now runs a similarly sized team doing 95% of their work stateside.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why he made the bold decision to leave the UK market behind
• The operational and cultural shifts required to succeed in the US
• How time zones and remote management work across continents
• The growing influence of AI on recruitment delivery
• What the future could look like for Just Construction, including a potential sale

If you're thinking about scaling into the US or questioning how to futureproof your business in a changing market, you’ll get real insight from this one.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jamie Trevett and Just Construction

02:59 Transitioning from the UK to the US Market

05:56 Challenges in the UK Construction Recruitment Market

08:49 Shutting Down the Contract Side of the Business

12:07 Building a Stronger Focus on Permanent Recruitment

14:57 Navigating Time Zones and Work Arrangements

17:53 Strategies for Expanding into the US Market

21:04 The Impact of AI on Recruitment

23:43 Future Plans and Potential Sale of the Business

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Atlas

Your memory isn’t perfect. So Atlas remembers everything for you. 

Atlas is an end-to-end recruitment platform built for the AI generation. It automates your admin so you can focus on the business tasks that matter. 

How many conversations do you have every day? With clients. Candidates. Your team. Service providers.

Now how many of those conversations can you recall with 100% accuracy? How many hours a week do you spend making notes to try and retain as much as possible? And how much is still getting lost along the way? 

Traditional CRM systems weren’t built for the type of recruitment business you’re running right now. 

They were built to rely on the structured, tagged, categorised, and formal data you could feed it. Manual processes that needed you to input specific information, based on specific questions and answers. 

But what about all the other conversations you’re having every single day? 

Atlas isn’t an ATS or a CRM. It’s an Intelligent Business Platform that helps you perform 10X better than you could on your own. 

How? 

By removing all your low value tasks, acting as your perfect memory, and providing highly relevant recommendations to impact your performance. 

Learn more about the power of Atlas – and take advantage of the exclusive offer for The RAG listeners – by visiting https://recruitwithatlas.com/therag/ 

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Hoxo

Recruitment agency founders - this one’s for you.

What’s your plan for the rest of 2025?

If it’s based on more cold outreach, referrals, or hiring more recruiters… we’ve got news for you. That’s not where the smart money is going.

The market has changed. AI is everywhere. Noise is louder than ever.

So if you want to scale profitably this year, you need to do things differently!

It starts with what you already have.

Your experience. Your network. Your voice.

And we are showing you exactly how to use it in a brand-new, FREE Masterclass - built specifically for recruitment leaders like you.

You’re going to learn:

• Why your LinkedIn content isn’t working - and how to fix it fast
• How to generate inbound leads without being “LinkedIn famous”
• And the exact Hoxo 3X System agencies are using to book more calls - in just a few hours a week

78% of our clients made over 100K in the first 6 months using this. No fluff. No guesswork. Just stuff that works.

The Masterclass is free - but it’s only available for a limited time.

So if you’re serious about growing this year, don’t wait.

Head to https://hubs.ly/Q03lBpYC0  to get started. See you there!