EP266: Tom White, CEO At 5Values - Why The Phone Is More Important Than AI

Lysha Holmes welcomes Scarlett Allen-Horton, founder of Harper Fox, to discuss the state of female leadership and diversity in the recruitment industry. Scarlett is also a business partner to Lord Sugar and an ambassador for several UK-based charities, including domestic abuse and women's employment initiatives.In this powerful episode, conversation dives deep into the gender pay gap and the persistent disparities in hiring practices. Sharing Scarlett's observation that many women still ask for lower salaries than men, a habit often rooted in societal expectations. Which sparks an insightful exchange between the two, as Lysha contrasts that with her own experience placing senior female leaders.Scarlett also highlights how unconscious bias influences hiring decisions, with people often gravitating toward those who resemble themselves - an instinct that can unintentionally hinder diversity efforts.The episode takes a more personal turn as Scarlett opens up about her own journey of self discovery. She speaks candidly about the years she spent hiding her true circumstances in order to fit in professionally. It wasn’t until her appearance on The Apprentice that she felt empowered to share her story. Since then, she's embraced vulnerability and authenticity as strengths, using her platform to inspire others.A major theme throughout the discussion is the importance of psychological safety in the workplace. Scarlett emphasises that real inclusion goes beyond surface level diversity and involves fostering environments where people feel safe to bring their full selves to work. She touches on the need for cognitive diversity and varied life experiences to drive innovation and success. Toward the end of the episode, she shares her plans for an upcoming podcast centered on conscious leadership, aiming to support businesses and individuals in creating more inclusive cultures.This episode is a thoughtful, inspiring exploration of what it takes to lead with purpose and create space for others to thrive, both personally and professionally.Connect with Scarlett here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/scarlett-allen-horton/-----------The Recruiter's Recruitment Podcast is proudly sponsored by Paiger and partners to Needi, Keybridge IT and Diversity and Inclusion .Our Sponsor: Paiger - Making Recruiters Smarter and Faster. Paiger helps recruiters build personal brands, identify new business opportunities, attract candidates, and have better conversations.Find out more details on Paiger here - https://paiger.co/?utm_source=podcast...Our Partners: Needi is a concierge gift-matching service using psychology and AI, to pinpoint the perfect gifts and experiences for your recipient, from the best, local independent businesses. Their team of expert gift finders, save companies time and money, with their complimentary corporate gifting service . Find out more here -https://needi.co.uk/Diversity in Recruitment helps recruitment businesses understand diversity, equity, and inclusion in a way that makes sense. Our training and advisory work is designed anidence to attract diverse talent, recruit inclusively, improve your candidate journey and confidently partner with their clients. DE&I doesn’t have to be complicated and scary - it’s simply about fair, ethical and high-quality recruitment.Keybridge IT Solutions is a London-based Fully Managed IT Support and solutions Provider - Providing 24×7 Support to all Customers. Specialities...

21 Apr 38min

Our Host, Lysha Holmes - Founder of Qui Recruitment, deep dives into her experiences and practical strategies for thriving in a competitive and ever changing market. Focusing on adaptability and proactive planning, she provides valuable insights on how businesses can maintain success even when facing pressure.Lysha begins by emphasising the importance of going back to basics. In difficult times, it’s easy for companies to lose sight of their core principles, by revisiting the fundamentals of business, companies can streamline their operations, clarify objectives and ensure everyone is aligned toward common goals. This return to the basics can be a grounding force, helping organisations stay focused and efficient.Lysha highlights how crucial it is for businesses to clearly define their KPIs, as they provide a vital feedback mechanism. Consistently monitoring these indicators, organisations can track progress, identify areas for improvement and make more informed decisions. This approach ensures that resources are allocated effectively and strategies can be adjusted as needed.Lysha also discusses the critical role of business development, positioning it not just as a functional department but as a central driver of growth. In a crowded market, the need for businesses to actively seek new opportunities, build relationships, and innovate their offerings. A proactive approach to business development helps companies stay competitive and foster long-term success.Host, Lysha, stresses the importance of thoroughness in hiring. She explains that a careful and detailed recruitment process, from crafting job descriptions to conducting in depth interviews, is essential to attract and retain the right talent. Hiring the right people is one of the most impactful factors for ensuring an organisation’s growth and sustainability. She also touches on the need for continuous training and development within an organization. Lysha believes that investing in employee growth is not just beneficial for skills development, but also boosts morale and loyalty. A workforce that is constantly evolving and learning is better equipped to navigate the ups and downs of the market. Personal wellbeing is another focal point of the 5 points in the episode. Lastly, Lysha makes a compelling case for the value of in-person meetings. While virtual interactions have become more common, she believes that face-to-face meetings are irreplaceable when it comes to building trust and developing strong relationships, especially in recruitment and business development. Lysha’s insights serve as a valuable framework for businesses looking to thrive in challenging markets. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on these strategies and think about how they can apply them to their own situations.Connect with Lysha here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyshaholmesr2r/-----------The Recruiter's Recruitment Podcast is proudly sponsored by Paiger and partners to Needi, Keybridge IT and Diversity and Inclusion .Our Sponsor: Paiger - Making Recruiters Smarter and Faster. Paiger helps recruiters build personal brands, identify new business opportunities, attract candidates, and have better conversations.Find out more details on Paiger here - https://paiger.co/?utm_source=podcast...Our Partners: Needi is a concierge gift-matching service using psychology and AI, to pinpoint the perfect gifts and experiences for your recipient, from the best, local independent businesses. Their team of expert gift finders, save companies time and money, with their complimentary corporate...

14 Apr 19min

Briony Platt, Founder and Director of Lean Into Learning, delves into the crucial yet challenging role of the billing manager in the recruitment industry. With her knowledge of 25 years in the recruitment industry, to now transitioned into a training development role, running her own business. They discuss how a billing manager role is a delicate balance between managing people and driving revenue, making it one of the toughest positions in the field. Briony argues that separating these functions might not be feasible, as it could lead to fewer people willing to take on such responsibilities.The conversation also touches on the fact that management roles are often more vulnerable during economic downturns, and emphasizes the need for a long-term approach to team development rather than focusing purely on short-term revenue generation.The duo then explores the key attributes of successful billing managers. They highlight the importance of a blend of altruism and self-motivation, effective team management, and strong time management. Briony adds that having a growth mindset and the ability to delegate tasks is critical, while Lysha points out that billing managers often go unrecognized for the complexity of their role, suggesting that training should focus more on the leaders above them rather than the managers themselves.Briony recounts her experience of feeling overwhelmed in a leadership role, which led her to seek support and training. Succession planning and talent development are further discussed, expressing the importance of identifying future business needs and aligning team skills accordingly, stressing the need for continuous communication and regular talent reviews to ensure team members are developing in the right direction. A layered approach to role development, starting with candidate side exposure works best. Wrapping the episode up with a conversation about adaptability and the evolution of business roles, in recruitment. Talking about the importance of recognising where individuals excel and how the 360 recruitment model may not suit everyone. Businesses should invest in their people, focusing on continuous learning and leadership developmentConnect with Briony here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/briony-platt-lean-into-learning/22 Steps to a Successful Start: Whether you’re planning for new managers and leaders you’re hiring over the coming weeks and months, or you want to see if there’s anything that was missed, last time someone was hired or promoted, then you’ll want this checklist! https://hello.leanintolearning.co.uk/22-steps-sign-up Developing the Next Generation of Recruitment Leaders: Learning & Development had to take a back seat in many recruitment businesses in late 2023 and into 2024. Recruitment Leaders I was speaking to were curious about what others were planning to do around this topic in 2025. Over 120 Recruitment Leaders and Business Owners were involved in this research in early 2025. Get the results here: https://hello.leanintolearning.co.uk/next-gen-recruitment-leaders-sign-up -----------The Recruiter's Recruitment Podcast is proudly sponsored by Paiger and partners to Needi, Keybridge IT and Diversity and Inclusion .Our Sponsor: Paiger - Making Recruiters Smarter and Faster. Paiger helps recruiters build personal brands, identify new business opportunities, attract candidates, and have better...

7 Apr 44min

Roisin McCabe, Founder of Greenback Group, a community & network building business, shares her entrepreneurial journey and insights - Roisin founded the group after her husband, Ryan McCabe, sadly passed away. She shared her perspective on the importance of community, explaining how her background as a teacher shaped her understanding of fostering environments where individuals can support and learn from each other. She highlighted that Greenback Group attracts individuals who are aligned in values and have a genuine desire to help others. Lysha and Roisin delved into the qualities of a successful CEO, including drive, balance, self-awareness, and the ability to surround oneself with supportive people who can provide valuable insights.The conversation turned to the challenges of building and maintaining community, with a focus on the value of face-to-face interactions. Both agreed that while digital platforms like WhatsApp are useful, in-person events are crucial for cultivating meaningful connections. Roisin emphasised the importance of human interaction in a world increasingly dominated by technology and automation.They discussed the resurgence of in-person events and the necessity of socialising in a tech-driven world. Roisin suggested that people are craving face-to-face connection after months of isolation, and they touched on the potential for retreats to help CEOs and professionals focus and connect on a deeper level.Roisin also shared updates on the “Run for Ryan” initiative, a charity event in memory of her late husband, Ryan McCabe. The event, which includes both in-person and virtual runs, has attracted nearly 500 participants worldwide, with Bullhorn matching sign-up fees for the next 200 people. The event supports multiple charities Ryan was passionate about.In closing, Roisin discussed the Ryan McCabe Foundation, which provides grants to charities in line with Ryan's legacy. Lysha encouraged listeners to get involved and learn more. https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/run-for-ryan-2025Connect with Roisin here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/roisin-mccabe-353467332/-----------The Recruiter's Recruitment Podcast is proudly sponsored by Paiger and partners to Needi, Keybridge IT and Diversity and Inclusion .Our Sponsor: Paiger - Making Recruiters Smarter and Faster. Paiger helps recruiters build personal brands, identify new business opportunities, attract candidates, and have better conversations.Find out more details on Paiger here - https://paiger.co/?utm_source=podcast...Our Partners: Needi is a concierge gift-matching service using psychology and AI, to pinpoint the perfect gifts and experiences for your recipient, from the best, local independent businesses. Their team of expert gift finders, save companies time and money, with their complimentary corporate gifting service . Find out more here -https://needi.co.uk/Diversity in Recruitment helps recruitment businesses understand diversity, equity, and inclusion in a way that makes sense. Our training and advisory work is designed anidence to attract diverse talent, recruit inclusively, improve your candidate journey and confidently partner with their clients. DE&I doesn’t have to be complicated and scary - it’s simply about fair, ethical and high-quality recruitment.Keybridge IT Solutions is a London-based Fully Managed IT Support and...

31 Mar 34min

Joined by Ellie Kay, sharing her remarkable journey from a success in recruitment to launching her own business- The Key 2 ADHD. Ellie opens up & explains her career path before her diagnosis of ADHD; Ellie joined recruitment straight after University, then goes onto starting her own business at 27 years old, trained redundant recruiters through the recession in 2008, then she became a REC2REC, not long after she returned back to the recruitment industry and now today- an ADHD Coach!"How inclusive is the Recruitment industry for Neurodiversity?" Both Lysha and Ellie touch on the concept of neurodiversity, explaining the three types of ADHD- hyperactive, attention deficit, and combined. Ellie shares her personal experiences of impulsivity, risk taking, forgetfulness and the coping strategies she had developed over time.In this episode, it was suggested that many people within recruitment, including founders & leaders, may have ADHD without realising it! Do you think you have some traits of ADHD? Ellie discusses the need for education within and emphasises the importance of how neurodiverse employees should be supported in the workplace, with ADHD friendly work cultures. Is it difficult for them to say 'no'? Ellie concludes by stressing the importance of supporting mental health in the workplace. Don't let you neurodiverse employees burn out. They estimated that up to a quarter of people in the industry may have ADHD. Expressing the need to understand and support neurodivergent individuals, to reduce anxiety and enhance performance in the workplace.This episode provides an empowering look over neurodiversity and mental health, inside of the recruitment industry... it definitely helps those understand how to better a workplace, for everyone!Connect with Ellie here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliekaythekey2adhd/-----------The Recruiter's Recruitment Podcast is proudly sponsored by Paiger and partners to Needi, Keybridge IT and Diversity and Inclusion .Our Sponsor: Paiger - Making Recruiters Smarter and Faster. Paiger helps recruiters build personal brands, identify new business opportunities, attract candidates, and have better conversations.Find out more details on Paiger here - https://paiger.co/?utm_source=podcast...Our Partners: Needi is a concierge gift-matching service using psychology and AI, to pinpoint the perfect gifts and experiences for your recipient, from the best, local independent businesses. Their team of expert gift finders, save companies time and money, with their complimentary corporate gifting service . Find out more here -https://needi.co.uk/Diversity in Recruitment helps recruitment businesses understand diversity, equity, and inclusion in a way that makes sense. Our training and advisory work is designed anidence to attract diverse talent, recruit inclusively, improve your candidate journey and confidently partner with their clients. DE&I doesn’t have to be complicated and scary - it’s simply about fair, ethical and high-quality recruitment.Keybridge IT Solutions is a London-based Fully Managed IT Support and solutions Provider - Providing 24×7 Support to all Customers. Specialities include Microsoft Cloud, including Office 365, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Azure, Security, Internet Connectivity, VoIP, and much more didence to attract diverse talent, recruit inclusively, improve your candidate journey and confidently partner with their clients. DE&I doesn’t have to be...

24 Mar 36min

Ian Knowlson, an expert in global strategy, who better than to interview on what we should be doing as recruiters to thrive in the current recruitment evolution. With his 40 years of recruitment experience and now therefore coaching abilities in his worldwide board advisory role, we ask Ian to plagiarise what all the top global recruitment firms are doing to take strides forward...So, we can all do the same!Key trends touched on:Pivoting & Innovation...Relationship...Ai...Future proofing...Also, highlights the 5 global markets that are expanding this year; examples of - healthcare, education, construction, renewable energy, & technology. What does the Employment Rights Bill mean to you as a recruitment business?As an industry we are evolving and what is the role of artificial intelligence in the recruitment industry; with Ian urging leaders to embrace AI whilst acknowledging its limitations, particularly in areas like emotional intelligence and persuasion- these are crucial for effective recruitment and we explore how it is the Human that has this control, not the AI.The dynamic duo discuss the power of storytelling & creating a compelling business vision to inspire employees and attract clients. Dive into the episode...Connect with Ian here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianknowlson/Link to Ian's blog here too - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/activity-7293300663160111105-kUei?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAABdmDUBTLuXoCiMUqTimEGH_9OlxBqkBGo-----------The Recruiter's Recruitment Podcast is proudly sponsored by Paiger and partners to Needi, Keybridge IT and Diversity and Inclusion .Our Sponsor: Paiger - Making Recruiters Smarter and Faster. Paiger helps recruiters build personal brands, identify new business opportunities, attract candidates, and have better conversations.Find out more details on Paiger here - https://paiger.co/?utm_source=podcast...Our Partners: Needi is a concierge gift-matching service using psychology and AI, to pinpoint the perfect gifts and experiences for your recipient, from the best, local independent businesses. Their team of expert gift finders, save companies time and money, with their complimentary corporate gifting service . Find out more here -https://needi.co.uk/Diversity in Recruitment helps recruitment businesses understand diversity, equity, and inclusion in a way that makes sense. Our training and advisory work is designed anidence to attract diverse talent, recruit inclusively, improve your candidate journey and confidently partner with their clients. DE&I doesn’t have to be complicated and scary - it’s simply about fair, ethical and high-quality recruitment.Keybridge IT Solutions is a London-based Fully Managed IT Support and solutions Provider - Providing 24×7 Support to all Customers. Specialities include Microsoft Cloud, including Office 365, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Azure, Security, Internet Connectivity, VoIP, and much more didence to attract diverse talent, recruit inclusively, improve your candidate journey and confidently partner with their clients. DE&I doesn’t have to be complicated and scary - it’s simply about fair, ethical and high-quality recruitment.

17 Mar 42min

Greg Savage is making his THIRD entrance back on the show- his first was back in 2020 which put our podcast on the global map; and he is BACK, bringing his knowledge of the recruitment industry to every single recruiter listening.Board adviser, Speaker around the world, even an Author - with an audience of 350k followers on LinkedIn; Greg delves into the topic of creating and keeping target audiences on LinkedIn as a recruiter - whether that being as a leader or all the way to being a starter/newbie recruiter. Advising to steer away from the "likes" obsession and "viral" achieving posts if that doesn't get you the engagement from your wanted audience. It is all about ROI! Lysha asks Greg in this episode: what does a top biller look like to YOU in 2025? The question is - What do you think Greg's views are?...The understanding of AI in Recruitment can be misunderstood; "it will replace recruiters", "AI can do it all". Greg proves in this episode the good can't be replaced, if you adapt, make the changes & don't hide behind the digital. AI can do it "all" but finding what humans can do better is the key.Greg is visiting the UK soon and hosting a few REC master classes in Edinburgh, Manchester and London. Mastering How we balance AI & Recruitment with human influencing skills. If you are interested to attend the event, link to Book is here - https://bit.ly/42gI6Qw and remember to mention the Recruiter's Recruitment Podcast if you do:)To conclude, this episode is full of everything you need to know and has much to learn from. Delving into hiring strategies, how to build plans for success and in Greg's book with what works and the mistakes of starting a new business. There is absolutely no-one like Greg in the industry, and he is a total legend, Enjoy... Connect with Greg here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregpsavage/-----------The Recruiter's Recruitment Podcast is proudly sponsored by Paiger and partners to Needi, Keybridge IT and Diversity and Inclusion .Our Sponsor: Paiger - Making Recruiters Smarter and Faster. Paiger helps recruiters build personal brands, identify new business opportunities, attract candidates, and have better conversations.Find out more details on Paiger here - https://paiger.co/?utm_source=podcast...Our Partners: Needi is a concierge gift-matching service using psychology and AI, to pinpoint the perfect gifts and experiences for your recipient, from the best, local independent businesses. Their team of expert gift finders, save companies time and money, with their complimentary corporate gifting service . Find out more here -https://needi.co.uk/Diversity in Recruitment helps recruitment businesses understand diversity, equity, and inclusion in a way that makes sense. Our training and advisory work is designed anidence to attract diverse talent, recruit inclusively, improve your candidate journey and confidently partner with their clients. DE&I doesn’t have to be complicated and scary - it’s simply about fair, ethical and high-quality recruitment.Keybridge IT Solutions is a London-based Fully Managed IT Support and solutions Provider - Providing 24×7 Support to all Customers. Specialities include Microsoft Cloud, including Office 365, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Azure, Security, Internet Connectivity, VoIP, and much moredidence to attract diverse talent, recruit inclusively, improve your candidate journey and confidently partner with...

3 Mar 48min