Talking Recruitment

In episode 90 of Talking Recruitment, REC Interim Chief Executive Maxine Bligh is joined by Bev White, Executive Chair of Harvey Nash and Crimson and incoming REC Chair, to discuss how recruitment businesses can use AI while keeping people at the heart of hiring. They explore why successful adoption starts with reliable data and a clear understanding of where human interaction matters. Bev shares practical advice on testing tools safely, involving both early adopters and reluctant colleagues, and understanding the full cost of implementation. The conversation also turns to candidate experience, including the difficulties people face when they cannot get through to a recruiter. Could AI help businesses offer better feedback, suggest other suitable roles and make it easier for candidates to build their skills? Bev and Maxine also discuss the role of video interviewing in making recruitment accessible. Looking ahead, Bev outlines how the REC can support members by sharing experiences of AI adoption and bringing international trends into view. She also shares her priorities as incoming Chair, with a focus on making sure the Board reflects the breadth of the industry and acts on members’ needs. Host: Maxine Bligh, Interim Chief Executive, REC Guest: Bev White, Executive Chair of Harvey Nash and Crimson and incoming REC Chair

In his final episode of Talking Recruitment as REC Chief Executive, Neil Carberry is joined by Alyx Peters, CEO of Network Recruitment Wales and Chair of the REC’s Advisory Council, to explore what recruitment could look like in 2037 and what businesses should be doing now to prepare. They discuss what successful AI adoption really involves, from improving processes before automating them to giving employees the training and tools to use AI confidently. Alyx shares how her business approached redesigning candidate onboarding, including identifying the decisions that must stay human and keeping a clear record of automated actions. Looking further ahead, the conversation turns to the growing commercial value of trust, judgement and emotional intelligence. Could tomorrow’s recruiter be a consultant first and a salesperson second? And could access to affordable technology give smaller, regional specialists a stronger competitive position? Drawing on her experience in healthcare recruitment in Wales, Alyx explores the opportunities in local relationships, specialist knowledge and recruitment as a service. She also turns the questions on Neil, who reflects on why recruiters should take greater pride in their work and charge confidently for the value they deliver. Host: Neil Carberry, Chief Executive, REC Guest: Aly Peters, CEO of Network Recruitment Wales and Chair of the REC's Advisory Council

With skills shortages continuing across the UK, could employers be overlooking millions of people who have the skills and potential they need? In this episode of Talking Recruitment, REC Chief Executive Neil Carberry is joined by Neil Wood, Chief Operating Officer at the Fair Chance Business Alliance, and Simon Blockley, CEO UK & Europe at HeadFirst Global, to explore the case for fair chance hiring. There are currently 9.6 million working-age people in the UK with a criminal record, yet outdated recruitment practices, misconceptions and concerns about risk can prevent employers from accessing this significant talent pool. The discussion looks at why fair chance hiring isn't simply about social responsibility, but can be an important part of workforce strategy at a time when employers are struggling to find the skills they need. Neil Wood explains how the Fair Chance Business Alliance and its Unite 1K campaign are helping employers move beyond 'Ban the Box', with practical guidance and a framework for making informed, risk-based hiring decisions. Simon Blockley also explores the role recruiters can play as strategic advisers, helping clients rethink traditional hiring criteria and confidently access overlooked talent. In this episode, you'll hear about: • Why millions of skilled people with criminal records remain overlooked by employers. • The business case for widening talent pools as employers face skills shortages. • How the Fair Chance Business Alliance and Unite 1K are helping employers adopt fair chance hiring. • How businesses can balance managing risk with creating opportunity. • The role recruiters can play in helping clients access overlooked talent and make more informed hiring decisions. • Why inclusive recruitment can deliver benefits for individuals, businesses and wider society. Host: • Neil Carberry, Chief Executive, REC Guests: • Neil Wood, Chief Operating Officer, Fair Chance Business Alliance • Simon Blockley, CEO UK & Europe, HeadFirst Global

AI is transforming recruitment, but technology alone won't create better hiring outcomes. As automation takes care of more administrative tasks, the value recruiters bring is becoming even more human. In this episode of Talking Recruitment, REC Chief Executive Neil Carberry is joined by Laura Tressler, Managing Director, Access Recruitment, and Dominic Waters, Director, Paul Waters Associates, to explore what clients really want from recruiters in an AI-enabled world. From improving hiring decisions and reducing the risk of costly bad hires to preparing for employment law changes that place greater emphasis on getting recruitment right first time, the discussion explores why technology should support, not replace, human judgement. The guests also examine how recruiters can use AI to remove administrative burden, strengthen client relationships and become more strategic advisers. In this episode, you'll hear about: • Why trusted advice is becoming more valuable than transactional recruitment. • How AI can automate administration while creating more time for meaningful conversations. • The importance of getting hiring decisions right first time as employment rights evolve. • Why strong recruitment processes and effective assessment reduce the risk and cost of a bad hire. • How recruiters can use technology to enhance, rather than replace, human judgement. • The skills recruitment leaders should be investing in for the future. Host: • Neil Carberry, Chief Executive, REC Guests: • Laura Tressler, General Manager, Access Recruitment • Dominic Waters, Director, Paul Waters Associates

In this episode of Talking Recruitment, REC Chief Executive Neil Carberry is joined by Katy Forsyth, Owner and Managing Director of Red Recruitment, Joe Taffurelli, Chief Executive of Ovio, and Antoine Poiron, Vice President Sales Europe at Pixid Group, to discuss what successful AI adoption really looks like in recruitment. Rather than asking what AI can do, the panel explores where it adds genuine value and where human judgement, empathy and expertise remain essential. From improving candidate journeys and automating repetitive tasks to preparing data, processes and people for change, they share practical lessons from implementing AI in recruitment businesses. The conversation also examines why the most successful firms won't be those that simply adopt the latest technology, but those that use it to strengthen relationships with candidates and clients, freeing recruiters to focus on the work only people can do. In this episode, you'll hear about: • How AI can improve recruiter productivity without replacing human expertise. • Why strong processes and high-quality data are essential before investing in AI. • The impact of AI on candidate experience and recruitment outcomes. • How recruiters can use AI to reduce administration and spend more time consulting clients and candidates. • Why empathy, judgement and relationship-building will become even more valuable as AI evolves. • Practical advice for recruitment businesses starting their AI journey. Host: • Neil Carberry, Chief Executive, REC Guests: • Katy Forsyth, Owner and Managing Director, Red Recruitment • Joe Taffurelli, Chief Executive, Ovio • Antoine Poiron, Vice President Sales Europe, Pixid Group