How does someone with zero recruitment experience build a thriving search firm from the ground up—in just five years?

In this episode, Hugh Pocock, Co-Founder of Cultura Connect, shares how his deep agricultural background helped him build a rapidly scaling recruitment firm that now boasts a team of 13 specialists across the agriculture, food, and forestry sectors.

We explore Hugh’s mindset, lessons learned, and the unique systems he’s implemented to grow a purpose-led, remote-first recruitment business.

🎧 Episode Highlights:

[02:11] Hugh’s journey from agriculture to recruitment
[11:30] Key stages in building Cultura Connect
[20:15] Overcoming the challenge of hiring for your own team
[26:58] Remote setup: challenges and solutions
[38:42] Early struggles in new business and how he got through them
[44:41] Cash flow, KPIs, and what really drives growth
[48:31] Hugh’s absolute keys to success
[51:48] Cultural values and minimum standards for hiring
[54:28] Branding and marketing strategies that work

🌾 Industry Expertise: The Ultimate Differentiator

Hugh’s story proves how deep subject matter expertise can become your biggest asset in recruitment. His 20+ years in agribusiness gave him:

Credibility with clients and candidates

Clear insight into roles, trends, and talent needs

An authentic voice that builds instant trust

By combining his field experience with co-founder Tom Marsh’s recruitment background, they created a business that bridges two worlds—and serves clients better as a result.

🧠 Building the Right Team

Cultura Connect’s rapid growth comes down to one principle: hire people who live and breathe your niche. Hugh looks for:

Passion for the sector

Resilience

Integrity

Proactivity

Team-first mindset

Quality-over-quantity mindset

Culture fit and domain knowledge matter more than volume metrics.

🏡 Remote-First Doesn’t Mean Disconnected

Cultura Connect is fully remote, but their people-first model proves remote teams can thrive with the right structure. Key ingredients:

6-week rhythm: In-person team sessions every 6 weeks

Quarterly bonding: Activities like hiking and canoeing

Strong onboarding: 3–4 days in-person to set the tone

Weekly virtual check-ins to maintain alignment

Flexible workspaces to accommodate preferences

The result? A tight-knit culture that drives performance—without the overhead of a physical office.

🔑 Hugh’s Keys to Success

“Getting the right people—people who understand the industry. That’s allowed us to be seen as the agri, food, and forestry specialists. Passion, commitment, and culture fit are what make it work.”

👤 About Hugh Pocock

Hugh is Co-Founder and Director at Cultura Connect, a niche search firm founded in 2020 that specializes in agriculture, food, and forestry talent. He brings over 20 years of agribusiness experience, including high-level commercial roles in cattle genetics and livestock operations.

He also runs a regenerative farm with his family in Shropshire, raising Romney and Dorset sheep and Wagyu cattle. His dual experience in farming and recruitment gives him rare insight into team-building across the agri-supply chain.

🔗 Connect with Hugh & Cultura Connect:

Hugh on LinkedIn | Cultura Connect Website | Cultura Connect on Instagram

📚 Mentioned in This Episode:

Matt Walsh on LinkedIn | Tom Marsh on LinkedIn
Overdue Invoices? Here’s How to Collect Your Placement Fee!

🎙️ Connect with Mark Whitby:

Free Strategy Call | LinkedIn | @RecruitmentCoach on Instagram
Twitter: @MarkWhitby | Facebook: Mark Whitby

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