The RAG Podcast - Recruitment Agency Growth Podcast

On this week's show, I'm joined by Antony Pitt. Antony is the president of Hanover USA and has been in the recruitment industry since 1996. I love this episode because Antony was so candid about his experience. He's running a business in the US with more than 30 staff. Hanover is a global business specialising in financial services recruitment, with 70 staff headquartered in London.What's really interesting about this episode is Antony talks about his challenge with alcohol addiction. He built his recruitment career in London, had a real issue with alcohol to the point where it was affecting everything in his life, and he decided to move to the US to change. When he got there, he was still suffering from his addiction, so he went into rehab. In this episode, Antony breaks down the story of how alcohol addiction can affect anyone, but also how with the right help and support, you can come out the other side and do wonderful things.He's now 👉 Running a multiple-million-dollar business👉 The owner of two homes in the US👉 More excited about his career 👉 More energised than he ever was beforeAnyone who is interested in the challenges we have outside of work and how we can get through tough times and still build a great business is going to be inspired by this show.I hope you enjoy every word of it.If you'd like to find out more about Hanover USA, head over to this link: https://www.hanoversearch.com/usHoxoWe’re on a mission to help brand recruitment agencies, giving them the means to stand out in the most competitive markets in the world.Here’s how we can help:- Recruitment Agency branding- Personal Brand Academy for recruiters- Personal Brand ManagementCheck out our website and social profile for examples of our work in action and to hear what our clients have to say about us. Like what you see? Reach out: https://bit.ly/3jpuEWaEpisode Sponsor: RecruitHubThinking about starting a recruitment business in the UK or US? Download your startup blueprint and access key information including:- Funding – how much do you need, and what are your options- Knowing where you stand - decode your non-compete and understand your restrictions- Co-founder MUST-knows- How to automate your way to faster billings- Business plan basics – what are they, and how do you write one?- Naming & brand-building – creating a brand that stands outAnd more…Get your copy at recruit-hub.com/startup-blueprint

Jonathan Field on building a super profitable recruitment business where everyone has a responsibility to drive businessOn this week's show, I am joined by Jonathan Field, who is the co-CEO of SSQ. SSQ is a niche legal search firm headquartered in London with over a hundred staff across 11 offices all over the globe.They've got offices in Europe and Asia, and they've just opened one up in the USA. I absolutely loved this episode because Jonathan spoke about things I honestly don't think I've ever covered in four years of hosting the show. We talked about his journey from leaving a law firm after two years as a practicing lawyer to join the recruitment industry, and then working his way up to CEO.We also talked about the legal recruitment sector and its high-profit nature, and the way in which they've run their business. We covered a number of things: 1️⃣How they maintain profit margins of over 30% with over a hundred people2️⃣How every single person in their business, apart from pure back-office individuals, has a fee-earning responsibility. 3️⃣The employee ownership trust. Last year, SSQ sold 100% of the business to an employee-owned trust, which effectively means that everyone in the business owns the company and will gain incredible rewards from this structure. Scaling to a hundred people, 30% profit without ridiculous management structures, and then an amazing ownership exit strategy that I've never heard about before!In this episode, we're gonna cover it all, and you're gonna learn so much from one of the most well-spoken smart founders I've ever worked with. __________________________________________HoxoWe’re on a mission to help brand recruitment agencies, giving them the means to stand out in the most competitive markets in the world.Here’s how we can help:- Recruitment Agency branding- Personal Brand Academy for recruiters- Personal Brand ManagementCheck out our website and social profile for examples of our work in action and to hear what our clients have to say about us. Like what you see? Reach out: https://bit.ly/3jpuEWa__________________________________________ Sponsor‘Wow’ your clients by uncovering tactics and power plays for high-impact candidate submissions.Download Vincere's eBook "Techify Your Client Experience Strategy"  -Learn Candidate-driven strategies -How to offer the “VIP” treatment- Leverage tech for high-impact collaborationLink: https://personalbrand.hoxomedia.com/vincere

For this episode, I’m excited to be joined by Daniel Puttick, the founder of LINKS Recruitment Group.They’re headquartered in Cardiff, with 25 staff in offices in Birmingham and Bristol.Dan started the business in 2017 and reached rather quick success.He saw 7 figures of revenue and record profits inside the first few years. In Dan’s words, he got to a point where he thought he'd made it. As they were making more and more money, he began investing in different businesses.He began starting work at different times, leaving the team to run the business.He essentially took his foot off the gas… It soon backfired!In this episode we talked about:🎙️How Daniel got to the point where his business was in a great place🎙️What happened to the business when he took his foot off the gas🎙️Daniel being quite a controlling leader and what he's had to do to learn from his own mistakes 🎙️How he had to change himself to make the business flourishDan was super candid and super humble in his approach, and you can see he's got his fire back to take the business to the next level. So anyone listening to this who's thinking about starting a business, this is a real honest account of the highs and the lows, the reality of what you must consider.But also, if you're in the thick of growth and you think you might be at a point where you can take your foot off the gas, hopefully, this might keep you in the right direction. HoxoWe’re on a mission to help brand recruitment agencies, giving them the means to stand out in the most competitive markets in the world.Here’s how we can help:- Recruitment Agency branding- Personal Brand Academy for recruiters- Personal Brand ManagementCheck out our website and social profile for examples of our work in action and to hear what our clients have to say about us. Like what you see? Reach out: https://bit.ly/3jpuEWaEpisode Sponsor: RecruitHubThinking about starting a recruitment business in the UK or US? Download your startup blueprint and access key information including:- Funding – how much do you need, and what are your options- Knowing where you stand - decode your non-compete and understand your restrictions- Co-founder MUST-knows- How to automate your way to faster billings- Business plan basics – what are they, and how do you write one?- Naming & brand-building – creating a brand that stands outAnd more…Get your copy at recruit-hub.com/startup-blueprint

On this week's show, I was joined by Gary Redman. Gary is the CEO of the Now Business Group, a collection of recruitment organisations in construction, finance, accountancy, services, and most importantly in the education sector.The business is headquartered in the UK with a really strong sales and EBITDA profile. We’re talking between five and a half to six million pounds per year in net profit.Gary started the business 27 years ago. He started in recruitment at 19, quite quickly launched his own company and has been through everything you can imagine since then.In this episode, we break down and chronologically crawl through those 27 years and talk about:🎙️The highs and lows throughout his career🎙️His health issues🎙️His personal life🎙️The catalyst that caused a lot of issues and challenges in the businessWe agreed at the end of this episode that this will only be part one because Gary's story is one that we’ll need more time to tell. But, even in this first part, you’ll get so much value and inspiration.I left the conversation feeling so inspired that someone who's in the later stages of their career is still so motivated by just doing a great job, building teams, and building businesses regardless of the money and the financial return.It makes me think that I've got so much ahead of me.I hope you enjoy this as much as I did recording it.__________________________________________HoxoWe’re on a mission to help brand recruitment agencies, giving them the means to stand out in the most competitive markets in the world.Here’s how we can help:- Recruitment Agency branding- Personal Brand Academy for recruiters- Personal Brand ManagementCheck out our website and social profile for examples of our work in action and to hear what our clients have to say about us. Like what you see? Reach out: https://bit.ly/3jpuEWa__________________________________________ Sponsor‘Wow’ your clients by uncovering tactics and power plays for high-impact candidate submissions.Download Vincere's eBook "Techify Your Client Experience Strategy"  -Learn Candidate-driven strategies -How to offer the “VIP” treatment- Leverage tech for high-impact collaborationLink: https://personalbrand.hoxomedia.com/vincere

On this week's show, I was joined by Jo Sellick. In 2022, Jo was the sole founder of Sellick Partnership, a specialist recruitment agency headquartered in Manchester. Over the last 21 years, Jo has worked tirelessly to drive the business forward and has taken the business to £95m in revenue and 105 staff across multiple offices.In 2019, Sellick Partnership was 70% acquired by a French organisation with further plans for growth.. Little did they know that within a few short months, they were about to enter the pandemic!In this episode, I spent time understanding Jo’s mindset, breaking down the barriers of what he went through in the early days, and the journey in between, from the start to now.He’s one of the most personable, natural, and charismatic recruitment founders I've ever met.This episode is hugely inspirational and Jo gives away some practical advice.HoxoWe’re on a mission to help brand recruitment agencies, giving them the means to stand out in the most competitive markets in the world.Here’s how we can help:- Recruitment Agency branding- Personal Brand Academy for recruiters- Personal Brand ManagementCheck out our website and social profile for examples of our work in action and to hear what our clients have to say about us. Like what you see? Reach out: https://bit.ly/3jpuEWaEpisode Sponsor: RecruitHubThinking about starting a recruitment business in the UK or US? Download your startup blueprint and access key information including:- Funding – how much do you need, and what are your options- Knowing where you stand - decode your non-compete and understand your restrictions- Co-founder MUST-knows- How to automate your way to faster billings- Business plan basics – what are they, and how do you write one?- Naming & brand-building – creating a brand that stands outAnd more…Get your copy at recruit-hub.com/startup-blueprint

Season 6 | Ep 22 - Paul Sammeroff on how starting a rec business with two strangers backfired within 3 years!On this week's show, I'm joined by Paul Sammeroff, the Founder and Director of PAS Capital, a specialist recruitment firm headquartered in Glasgow that exclusively operates within the oil and gas markets.Paul’s business is only three years old with just under 20 staff at the moment. What's really interesting is the story that Paul's been through in those last three years. He founded the company in January 2020, just before the pandemic, in partnership with two guys that he didn't know. He was introduced by a rec to rec. One of the guys had recruitment experience, the other had cash and Paul drove their everyday operations. Together they created a business, but Paul quickly realised that this wasn’t becoming the partnership he had planned for. Sadly, the relationship didn’t work out and this led to serious strain on Paul, both in business and with his mental health. By the end of 2022 last year, Paul had decided that enough was enough - he was ready to walk away and leave the business or buy out his partners. In this episode, Paul breaks down everything that he did, all the challenges he faced, and how he got to a positive outcome.I'm delighted for Paul that he's in a place that he's happy with, and I'm super excited for people to listen to this and learn the do's and don'ts of going into partnership with investors and anyone when launching a new entity. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!HoxoWe’re on a mission to help brand recruitment agencies, giving them the means to stand out in the most competitive markets in the world.Here’s how we can help:- Recruitment Agency branding- Personal Brand Academy for recruiters- Personal Brand ManagementCheck out our website and social profile for examples of our work in action and to hear what our clients have to say about us. Like what you see? Reach out: https://bit.ly/3jpuEWaEpisode Sponsor: RecruitHubThinking about starting a recruitment business in the UK or US? Download your startup blueprint and access key information including:- Funding – how much do you need, and what are your options- Knowing where you stand - decode your non-compete and understand your restrictions- Co-founder MUST-knows- How to automate your way to faster billings- Business plan basics – what are they, and how do you write one?- Naming & brand-building – creating a brand that stands outAnd more…Get your copy at recruit-hub.com/startup-blueprint

Due to unforeseen circumstances, I wasn't able to record this week's episode with a new guest.Rather than leave you with a week of no RAG Podcast, I wanted to bring back an episode that I recorded in 2019, which was one of the best I've ever recorded.My guest is known as Tom Glanfield, founder of Lawrence Harvey, LHi group. This episode was recorded pre-pandemic in an office in London.Tom talked about his business, where he was at the time and how he was looking to exit it. He also told his story of launching the business from his house that he ACTUALLY renamed ‘Harvey House’... Amazing :)The stories in this episode were incredible, and in fact, absolutely hilarious. I remember nearly crying with laughter at one point. Lawrence Harvey is one of the most well-known recruitment brands to have launched in the UK and scaled globally.So I'd love to bring it back!Tom and the team are incredible and have a great business. They've gone from strength to strength since the pandemic!Today we’re going back in time. I really hope you’ll enjoy this episode!__________________________________________HoxoWe’re on a mission to help brand recruitment agencies, giving them the means to stand out in the most competitive markets in the world.Here’s how we can help:- Recruitment Agency branding- Personal Brand Academy for recruiters- Personal Brand ManagementCheck out our website and social profile for examples of our work in action and to hear what our clients have to say about us. Like what you see? Reach out: https://bit.ly/3jpuEWa__________________________________________ Sponsor‘Wow’ your clients by uncovering tactics and power plays for high-impact candidate submissions.Download Vincere's eBook "Techify Your Client Experience Strategy"  -Learn Candidate-driven strategies -How to offer the “VIP” treatment- Leverage tech for high-impact collaborationLink: https://personalbrand.hoxomedia.com/vincere

On this week’s episode of The RAG Podcast, I am joined by Chris Allaire, the founder and CEO of Averity, a specialist technology recruitment agency. Averity was initially headquartered in New York City but is now operating across the USA.They have 30 employees, are completely remote post-pandemic, and were awarded the best staffing firm to work for in the 10 to 20 employees bracket by the Staffing Industry Analyst, SIA, in 2022.Chris has got energy and is a big biller! This is his eighth startup team, and he clearly comes with a pedigree of knowledge and confidence that has enabled him to not only grow a business to 30 employees in eight years, but to grow one that is incredible to work for!In this episode, we break down Chris’ career and his mindset around building a team and business, and what has made his organisation the best place to work for in the USA.Loads of information, loads of energy, loads of inspiration. I hope you’ll enjoy the episode as much as I did recording it. __________________________________________ Sponsor: RecruitHub*Thinking about starting a recruitment business in the UK or US? Download your startup blueprint and access key information including:-Funding – how much do you need, and what are your options-Knowing where you stand - decode your non-compete and understand your restrictions-Co-founder MUST-knows-How to automate your way to faster billings-Business plan basics – what are they, and how do you write one?-Naming & brand-building – creating a brand that stands outAnd more…Get your copy at recruit-hub.com/startup-blueprint

On this week's show, I am joined by Sinead Connolly. Sinead is the award-winning founder of Lotus People, a specialist business support recruitment firm headquartered in Sydney, Australia, with over 22 staff. Now, Sinead and I have known each other for a few years.She’s been a Hoxo client since just after the pandemic, and I've watched her journey go from strength to strength.In this episode, we talked about:- Her journey from Ireland to Australia as a backpacker- How she got into recruitment- How she launched her business within three and a half years of starting in the industry- The support and backing she got from another recruitment firm to start the business- Her original business partner and what happened there- How she went through severe burnout after nine months of being a founder to the point where she had to take three months out of the company all while as a pair, she and her business partner billed 1 million AUD in their first yearWe explored the balance between success and working ourselves to the bone as founders and recruiters, and also why looking after yourself is crucial. We are all aware of wellbeing in 2023, but this is a real life story of someone who's got the balance wrong and became bedridden because she worked too hard.Now, seven years later, she's won Recruitment Leader of the Year at the SEEK Awards. She's got a really, really strong business and is in a strategic CEO role where she can look after the business and isn't responsible for billing. If you are a potential or an existing recruitment owner who is (1) looking to find balance, and (2) looking to offload responsibility and become more strategic and make the business less reliant on your billings, then you need to listen to this. Sinead is vulnerable, honest, and confident. She's a star in the industry. I hope you enjoy every single second of this episode.__________________________________________ If you’re a recruiter who’d love to listen and learn from some of the greatest recruitment owners and leaders then you need to listen to the RAG Podcast! We’re having real and raw conversations with successful recruitment entrepreneurs about what is happening in their businesses right now and their plans to navigate market changes.Episodes are released every Wednesday at 12pm GMT________________________________________HoxoWe’re on a mission to help brand recruitment agencies, giving them the means to stand out in the most competitive markets in the world.Here’s how we can help you:- Recruitment Agency Branding- Personal Brand Bootcamp for recruiters- Personal Brand ManagementFill in this form to find out more: https://bit.ly/3jpuEWa__________________________________________Sponsor‘Wow’ your clients by uncovering tactics and power plays for high-impact candidate submissions.Download Vincere's eBook "Techify Your Client Experience Strategy" - Learn Candidate-driven strategies- How to offer the “VIP” treatment- Leverage tech for high-impact collaborationLink: https://personalbrand.hoxomedia.com/vincere__________________________________________

On this week's show, I am excited to be joined by Luke McCormack, the founder and CEO of McCormack Partners.Luke owns a specialist recruitment business in Glasgow that focuses on the commercial roofing and cladding sectors all over the UK.Luke reached out to me a long time ago to talk about personal branding, and I've witnessed his journey ever since. I’ve been unbelievably impressed by what he’s achieved.Luke’s got a team of seven billing just under a million pounds this year, and his process is absolutely crystal clear and mapped out:-He’s the face of the business-He’s built a brand that has him in industry magazines-He’s running podcasts and videos-He gets lots of engagement online-He has someone booking all of his meetings-He sells 100% retained or exclusive assignments, paid upfront-The whole recruitment process and delivery are taken care of by Luke's teamBeing the face of the business, Luke requires the right people around him to deliver the retained assignment successfully within 30 days.It’s a very different recruitment model to a lot of the businesses I've interviewed over the last few years, but one that I believe is becoming more common and hugely successful.Luke talks about where he got his inspiration from and his energy and drive to become successful despite his humble beginnings. He also breaks down how he does what he does in a visual document and talks about the future and his plans to dominate in the US in the future as well.Anyone listening to this will gain lots of value, especially smaller recruitment companies and potential startups who are thinking about disrupting and doing things differently by having a model that's modern and digital.You need to listen to this episode because Luke is doing something extra! Sponsor: RecruitHub*Thinking about starting a recruitment business in the UK or US? Download your startup blueprint and access key information including:-Funding – how much do you need, and what are your options-Knowing where you stand - decode your non-compete and understand your restrictions-Co-founder MUST-knows-How to automate your way to faster billings-Business plan basics – what are they, and how do you write one?-Naming & brand-building – creating a brand that stands outAnd more…Get your copy at recruit-hub.com/startup-blueprint