The Recruitment Leadership Podcast

Available Episodes

5 of 71

Transforming Recruitment Training with AI: Building Confidence, Capability, and Results with Will Bourne, Founder of Rekbot
Welcome to the latest episode of the Recruitment Leadership Podcast, hosted by Alison Humphries. In this episode, Alison is joined by Will Bourne, Founder of Rekall Consulting and Rekbot - a groundbreaking AI-based training and coaching tool designed specifically for recruiters. With over 15 years of industry experience, Will shares the challenges he faced leading teams, hiring new recruiters, and trying to deliver impactful training at scale. From bootstrapped startups to running large P&Ls, his frustration with traditional training methods inspired him to build Rekbot - a tool that leverages AI to deliver real-time feedback, reinforce learning, and close the performance gap in a much smarter way. In this conversation, Alison and Will explore: 💡 Why traditional training fails to create lasting behavioural change 💡 How AI simulations help recruiters build real confidence, fast 💡 The hidden cost of relying on your top billers to train others 💡 The role of emotional reinforcement and repetition in learning 💡 Why Rekbot could open the door to hiring outside the industry - and getting ROI faster 💡 How bias detection, progress tracking, and tailored scenarios set this tool apart 🎁 Will also gives listeners an exclusive 50% discount to try Rekbot - details on how to claim it are included in the episode. Whether you're a recruitment business owner struggling with underperforming hires, a leader trying to reduce training costs, or just curious about how AI can level-up your team’s capability, this is an episode you won’t want to miss Connect with Will Bourne on LinkedIn. Want to discuss this topic further with Alison? 💬 Email her at [email protected]
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Rehumanising Business Development: Practical Mindset Shifts with Kate O’Neill, Recruitment Coach
Welcome to the latest episode of the Recruitment Leadership Podcast, hosted by Alison Humphries. In this episode, Alison is joined by Kate O’Neill, Recruitment Coach and Behavioural Profiling Specialist, known for her straight-talking, practical approach to business development in recruitment. Together, they explore what it really takes to make business development work, not just for the short term, but in a way that builds long-term, sustainable client relationships. Kate shares why human connection still matters more than ever in a world of automated outreach and digital tools - and what recruitment leaders can do to help their teams overcome hesitation and build real confidence on the phone. They also dive into the mindset challenges that often get mistaken for skills gaps, and how to shift the behaviours that hold people back from BD success. You’ll learn: 💡 Why “cold calling” is an outdated and unhelpful term — and what to do instead 💡 How your team’s hidden beliefs might be sabotaging their BD performance 💡 Why phone calls, in-person meetings, and follow-ups still matter more than email 💡 The link between strategic preparation and confidence on the phone 💡 What great BD conversations actually sound like — and what’s getting in the way 💡 How to create a BD process that drives consistent results, not one-off wins If you’re a recruitment leader looking to move beyond transactional BD and help your team build confidence, consistency and credibility - this is a must-listen. Connect with Kate O'Neill on LinkedIn. Want to discuss this topic further with Alison? 💬 Email her at [email protected]
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From Boiling Frogs to Big Opportunities: Long-Term Trends in Recruitment with Louise Triance, MD of UK Recruiter
Welcome to the latest episode of the Recruitment Leadership Podcast, hosted by Alison Humphries. In this episode, Alison is joined by Louise Triance, Managing Director of UK Recruiter and organiser of the Recruitment Agency Expo. With over three decades in the industry, Louise brings a broad and informed perspective on how recruitment has changed and what recruitment leaders should be paying attention to now. While short-term data gets all the attention, Alison and Louise zoom out to examine the long-term trends - the “boiling frog” changes slowly, reshaping the industry. From stalled productivity and the rise in micro-agencies to shifting client expectations and the limits of AI, they explore what’s really going on beneath the surface. Most importantly, they highlight why each of these shifts is an opportunity, if you can spot it and adapt. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: 💡Why productivity per head has barely shifted in 25 years, and what might be behind it 💡 The risk of sounding the same as everyone else and how to genuinely differentiate your agency 💡 Why face-to-face still matters and what we’re losing by avoiding it 💡 The limitations of AI in candidate experience and how to use it without losing the human touch 💡 How to sell more sophisticated services (like SOW and employer brand consultancy) with confidence 💡 The rise of peer collaboration and why it’s a good sign for the industry’s future If you’re a recruitment business owner or leader looking for a broader perspective on what’s happening in the industry - and how to navigate it - this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Listen now to discover how recruitment is changing and how to stay one step ahead. Connect with Louise Triance on LinkedIn. Want to discuss this topic further with Alison? 💬 Email her at [email protected].
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Leading with Purpose in a Noisy Market: Business Development Lessons with Sarah Knight, Founder of Sarah Knight Consultancy
Welcome to the latest episode of the Recruitment Leadership Podcast, hosted by Alison Humphries. In this episode, Alison is joined by Sarah Knight, leadership and mindset coach, business development expert, and founder of Sarah Knight Consultancy. Sarah is also the host of the podcast “It’s Got Pockets”, which explores the realities of being a woman in business - and the conversations we need to be having more often. With a background in communications, PR, and people development, Sarah shares practical advice on how recruitment professionals can build lasting client relationships in a market where business development has become tougher - and more important - than ever. Together, Alison and Sarah explore how recruiters and business leaders can move away from over-reliance on digital tools and get back to what really drives growth: conversations, clarity, and consistency. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: 💡 Why consistency is one of the most undervalued tools in business development 💡 How to approach new business without relying on generic outreach or tired sales techniques 💡 The importance of meaningful communication — and what makes it stand out 💡 How to ensure your team reflects your company’s values in every client interaction 💡 Why business development needs space, structure, and thoughtful reflection Whether you’re a recruitment leader, a business owner, or a consultant looking to sharpen your approach, this episode is full of insight into how to build trust, develop long-term client relationships, and create space for what really works. Listen now for a thoughtful and timely discussion on business development that works in the real world. Want to discuss this topic further with Alison? 💬 Email her at [email protected].
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Revolutionising Recruitment with Skills-Based Hiring: Insights from Tim Freestone, Founder of Alooba
Welcome to the latest episode of the Recruitment Leadership Podcast, hosted by Alison Humphries. In this episode, Alison is joined by Tim Freestone, Founder of Alooba, an online skills assessment platform transforming the way companies hire. Tim shares how his frustrations as a hiring manager led to the creation of Alooba, highlighting the inefficiencies of traditional CV-based hiring and the need for skills-first recruitment. With AI evolving rapidly and job roles changing at an unprecedented pace, Tim and Alison explore how recruiters can assess candidates more effectively, eliminate bias, and future-proof their hiring strategies. Key takeaways from this episode: 💡 The problem with resumes - Why CVs are an unreliable predictor of candidate ability and how skills assessments offer a more accurate alternative. 💡 Hiring for potential - How recruiters can assess aptitude, adaptability, and learning agility to identify future-ready candidates. 💡 The role of AI in recruitment - Why recruiters should embrace AI selectively while maintaining human-led decision-making. 💡 Automation vs. personalisation - How to balance efficiency and engagement to avoid losing top talent to impersonal hiring processes. 💡 The future of recruitment tech - What small and micro recruitment businesses should consider before investing in new AI-driven tools. Whether you're a recruitment leader, hiring manager, or business owner looking to make data-driven hiring decisions, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you stay ahead in an evolving talent market. Tune in to discover how to move beyond outdated hiring practices and build a more effective recruitment strategy. Connect with Tim Freestone on LinkedIn. Want to discuss this topic further with Alison? 💬 Email her at [email protected].
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