EP314: Why Specialist Wins In Recruitment - Natasha Klymczuk, Founder & MD of Kelham Partners

In this episode of The Recruiter’s Recruitment Podcast, host Lysha Holmes speaks with Natasha Klymczuk, founder of Kelham Partners, about her journey from an unexpected start in nursing to building a retained recruitment business in the global chemicals sector.

Natasha shares how a chance interaction with a recruiter led her into the industry, how her background in sales shaped her recruitment approach, and why retained search became central to her business model. She also reflects on launching Kelham Partners in 2025 and the realities of stepping away from a salaried role to build something from scratch.

Natasha also talks about launching her own podcast, Speciality Sessions, sharing why she recorded an entire first season early on and how podcasting has helped her connect with leaders across the chemicals industry while strengthening her brand in a new business.

If you’re considering launching your own recruitment business, transitioning to a retained model, or building influence in a niche sector, this episode is packed with honest insights and practical lessons.

🔗 Connect with the guest

Natasha Klymczuk: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natashaklymczuk-chemicalrecruitment/

Kelham Partners: https://kelhampartners.com/

Listen to Speciality Sessions on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts:

https://www.youtube.com/@SpecialitySessionsPodcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/1CS8Qos21QX83508RL5WX3

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/speciality-sessions/id1850962012

🔗 Connect with the host

Lysha Holmes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyshaholmesr2r/

Qui Recruitment: https://www.quirecruitment.co.uk/

Follow the podcast on another platform:

https://www.youtube.com/@therecruitersrecruitmentpod

https://the-recruiters-recruitment-podcast.captivate.fm/

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The Recruiter's Recruitment Podcast is proudly sponsored by Paiger, and partnered with Needi, Keybridge IT Solutions, Bristow & Hardy and Diversity in Recruitment.

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 about Paiger: https://paiger.co/

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.

https://needi.co.uk/

Bristow & Hardy partners with SME recruitment agencies to accelerate growth through sales enablement and recruitment marketing. With over 7 years’ experience, we specialise exclusively in the recruitment sector, delivering strategy, branding, websites, marketing campaigns, and sales support. Our proven growth suite of products helps agencies attract more clients, win more business, and scale efficiently.

https://www.bristowandhardy.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 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.

https://diversityinrecruitment.com/

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.

https://www.keybridgeit.com/

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