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Talking Recruitment

Talking Recruitment

Recruitment & Employment Confederation 196 episodes Latest Jun 3, 2026

A regular podcast featuring the leading thinkers from across the recruitment and business world, in conversation with REC Chief Executive Neil Carberry. The views expressed by guests are not those of the REC and reflect the individual's personal opinions.

Episodes

Untapped talent: creating pathways into work Jun 3, 2026 00:29:27 In this episode of the Talking Recruitment podcast, Neil Carberry is joined by Sarah Bishop from The Talent Arc and Guy Venables from Maximus to discuss how recruiters, employers and employability organisations can work together to connect more people with meaningful careers. The conversation explores the barriers many young people and underrepresented groups face when entering the workforce, the
Has EDI been deprioritised – or is it evolving? May 20, 2026 00:33:14 In this episode of Talking Recruitment, Olga Frańczak is joined by Beth Foley and Helen Tomlinson to discuss how approaches to equality, diversity and inclusion are changing across recruitment and the wider workplace. The conversation explores how EDI has shifted from awareness campaigns and performative activity towards something more measurable, operational and commercially focused. The guests
Global recruitment trends: what’s next for UK agencies? May 6, 2026 00:30:22 In this episode of Talking Recruitment, Maxine Bligh is joined by Ross Thompson and Jurgen Jaarsma to discuss what is happening across global recruitment markets and what it means for UK agencies. They explore current trends including regional growth, ongoing talent shortages and the continued shift towards remote and offshore hiring. As costs rise in the UK and other established markets, more ag
Is the recruitment model changing for good? Apr 22, 2026 00:30:22 As the pace of legislative change accelerates, this episode of Talking Recruitment asks a bigger question: is the recruitment model itself starting to shift? Neil Carberry is joined by Ross Thompson (Infinity Staff Global) and Simon Whitehead (Brabners) to explore how rising compliance demands, increased enforcement and ongoing economic uncertainty are reshaping how agencies operate. The convers
Employment Rights Act: What next for recruiters? Apr 9, 2026 00:33:24 In this episode of Talking Recruitment, Neil Carberry is joined by David Levenston (Orbital) and Lee McChrystal (Brookson) to explore how agencies are responding to a market that is improving, but still uncertain. They discuss early signs of recovery in 2026, particularly in the temporary market, alongside the impact of upcoming legislative changes as part of the Employment Rights Act. The conver
Hiring for growth: how to avoid costly mis-hires in recruitment with Dominic Waters Mar 31, 2026 00:34:56 In this episode of Talking Recruitment, Maxine Bligh, Chief Membership and Innovation Officer at the REC, is joined by Dominic Waters (Paul Waters Associates) to explore what drives performance in recruitment and what businesses should be prioritising if growth returns to the market. The conversation focuses on what separates high-performing recruiters from the rest, challenging common assumption
Get April Ready: What you need to know about the Employment Rights Act Mar 18, 2026 00:42:13 In this episode of Talking Recruitment, Neil Carberry is joined by Paul Chamberlain (JMW Solicitors), David Johnson (PayStream) and Lewis Gosling (Liquid Friday) to discuss what the Employment Rights Act means for recruitment businesses right now and how agencies can prepare for the changes coming into force from April 2026. The conversation focuses on the immediate operational challenges around
Get April Ready: Risk in a changing legal landscape Mar 4, 2026 00:42:58 In this episode of Talking Recruitment, Neil Carberry is joined by Daniel Haslam (Giant Group), Rob Leake (NumberMill) and Sebastien Sauca (SafeRec) to unpack what compliance risk looks like in 2026 and why this moment represents both a threat and an opportunity. The panel explores: > The compliance risks recruiters may be underestimating, from umbrella expense practices to solvency risk > W
Lifetime Achievement: What it really takes to build a lasting recruitment business Feb 18, 2026 00:37:24 In Episode 75 of the Talking Recruitment Podcast, REC Chief Executive, Neil Carberry OBE, is joined by the REC’s 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award winner Kate Allen, Founder of Allen Associates. Kate shares the story behind building a relationship-led recruitment business in Oxfordshire – from launching solo in 1998 to creating a debt-free, specialist consultancy service that engages the community
Why the CV is dead and what comes next Feb 5, 2026 00:45:23 In this episode of Talking Recruitment, REC Chief Executive Neil Carberry OBE is joined by recruitment reformer and tech innovator Keith Langbo to explore how hiring is being reshaped by AI, shifting workforce expectations, and growing skills uncertainty. They argue recruitment needs to move beyond CV and skills-based matching towards “signal-based” hiring that focuses on behaviours, adaptability
Episode 73: Better Together: The REC & TRN on the future of recruitment Jan 22, 2026 00:36:54 In this episode of Talking Recruitment, REC Chief Executive Neil Carberry OBE is joined by James Osborne, Founder of The Recruitment Network (TRN), to explore how the role of recruiters is evolving in a complex and fast-changing market. The conversation looks at the shift away from purely transactional recruitment towards deeper client partnerships, with Neil and James discussing how the strongest
Episode 72: 2025 Recruitment Roundup – Why human insight still matters in a tech-driven market Dec 17, 2025 00:30:45 In the final Talking Recruitment podcast of the year Neil Carberry OBE, REC Chief Executive, is joined by Maxine Bligh, REC Chief Membership & Innovation Officer, to reflect on a challenging but pivotal year for recruitment. They explore what’s held hiring back in 2025, where confidence is starting to return, and how recruiters are adapting their business models, skills and use of technology to pr

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