The Growth Bites Podcast

The role of a recruitment leader has changed significantly. After a whirlwind few years of hypergrowth, economic uncertainty and the rise of AI, many leaders are finding themselves back on the tools, navigating new challenges and rethinking how they build resilient, high-performing teams. But with every challenge comes an opportunity.

In this episode, Jo sits down with Dawn Hampton , Director of Dawn Hampton Consulting, to explore what it really takes to lead a recruitment business today. From managing cost pressures and maintaining profitability to embracing AI without losing the human touch, Dawn shares her...

Big legislative changes are coming, and they’re set to shake up the recruitment world. Paul Chamberlain, Partner and Head of Employment at JMW Solicitors LLP, joins us to unpack the Employment Rights Bill and what it means for recruitment businesses. From day-one unfair dismissal rights to zero-hours contracts, Paul explains the key changes and offers practical advice on how to prepare without hitting the panic button.

Tune in for a detailed analysis of how these changes could impact your business and how to stay one step ahead. This is essential listening for recruitment leaders looking to ta...

 Big legislative changes are coming, and they’re set to shake up the recruitment world. Paul Chamberlain, Partner and Head of Employment at JMW Solicitors LLP, joins us to unpack the Employment Rights Bill and what it means for recruitment businesses. From day-one unfair dismissal rights to zero-hours contracts, Paul explains the key changes and offers practical advice on how to prepare without hitting the panic button.

Tune in for a detailed analysis of how these changes could impact your business and how to stay one step ahead. This is essential listening for recruitment leaders looking to tac...

This week on Growth Bites, Jo sits down with Duncan Swainsbury, Managing Director of Bounceback Food, to discuss the incredible mission and evolution of this not-for-profit tackling food poverty. From their innovative buy-one-give-one model to opening community kitchens and teaching cooking skills, Duncan shares how Bounceback is creating long-term solutions for those in need.

Duncan also dives into the challenges of running a sustainable food organisation, the vital role partnerships play in their success, and their ambitious plans to scale nationally.

Ever feel like you’re scrolling through hundreds of metres of content daily? Adam Oldfield, CEO and founder of Force24, shares how brands can stand out in a crowded digital landscape. In this episode, Adam reveals the secrets to making automation work smarter (not harder) for recruitment companies. He dives into how to nurture contacts, personalise your marketing, and build a brand presence that doesn’t just compete – it resonates.

Tune in to hear why Adam believes automation isn’t just a tool but a way to empower marketers to work strategically, leverage data, and connect on a person...

In this episode of Growth Bites, Jo chats with Dougie Loan, CRO at SourceWhale, about how technology can empower recruiters to work smarter, not harder. Dougie shares the core features that set SourceWhale apart, from data accuracy and CRM integration to Campaign AI, a game-changer for outreach personalisation. 

Dougie brings years of experience in recruitment tech to the conversation, sharing insider tips on why SourceWhale’s approach to automation is changing the game. From Campaign AI to CRM integrations, he shares the tools that actually help recruiters to work smarter and not harder.

Is your rec...

In this episode of Growth Bites, Jo sits down with Simon Brown, Founder of Digital 51, a recruitment agency that breaks the traditional mould. Simon shares his unique journey in recruitment - how he went from working in-house to building Digital 51 with a focus on community and genuine partnerships.

Tune in to hear about the challenges Simon faced, including his experience with a failed MBO, and how he eventually grew and regained control of his brand. Simon also gives his thoughts on doom-mongering in the recruitment industry, why being niche is powerful, and how businesses can leverage technology...

Entering a new market? It’s not just about finding clients, it’s about finding the right clients, understanding the market, and avoiding costly mistakes.

In this episode, Jo sits down with Karen De-Merist, who shares her approach to building a solid client acquisition strategy, researching new territories, and validating demand before taking the plunge. From leveraging niche expertise and industry knowledge to using data to validate market fit, Karen explains why it’s crucial to have both internal expertise and external insights to make informed decisions.

Jo and Karen also discuss what data you need t...

AI Won’t replace you, but it can make you better - if you use it right.

In this episode, Jo sits down with Bradley Placks, a recruitment veteran with 30 years in the game. Bradley talks about the real difference between AI and automation, and why recruitment leaders need to stop chasing every shiny new tool. He also shares why the tech stack graveyard is filled with under-used investments, and how to avoid falling into the same trap.

Tune in for no-nonsense advice on scaling your business, hiring smart, and why building relationships still trumps te...

In this fresh episode of Growth Bites, join Janan Gok from Xcede Group as she unpacks her early days as a marketing exec right through to spearheading the department. Jan discusses the impact of mentorship and professional development on her career, the challenges of expanding a recruitment business globally, the influence of AI and technology on recruitment practices, and more!

In this fresh episode of Growth Bites, join Janan Gok from Xcede Group as she unpacks her early days as a marketing exec right through to spearheading the department. Jan discusses the impact of mentorship and professional development on her career, the challenges of expanding a recruitment business globally, the influence of AI and technology on recruitment practices, and more!

In the latest episode of the Growth Bites podcast, Jo sits down with William Jacques, the mastermind behind Xcede's impressive growth. They explore the key elements of navigating a company merger, the challenge of aligning diverse cultures, and the bold strategies that took Xcede to new heights. William doesn't hold back, sharing golden nuggets on adapting leadership styles, the art of attracting and retaining top talent, and giving a pep talk for aspiring entrepreneurs that comes straight from his extensive experience in the industry.

Jo Perotta sits down with Jay Freeman, the trailblazing Co-Founder and CEO of Panda International, to discuss the complexities of leadership in life sciences recruitment.

From over two decades in the recruitment industry, Jay shares his views on the importance of maintaining emotional balance and self-awareness in leadership, the impact of AI on business processes and how continuous personal and professional growth can drive an organisation forward.

Join Jo Perotta as she sits down with the esteemed Jo Sellick, a luminary in the recruitment industry, on Marmalade Marketing's latest episode of the Growth Bites Podcast. 

Diving into a conversation that spans decades of industry experience, Jo Sellick shares the story of his humble beginnings, launching his business with nothing but a credit card and a laptop, and the pivotal moments that defined his career.

Jo reveals the entrepreneurial spirit that drove him from making his first placement in his mum's kitchen to establishing multiple offices across the UK.

From the c...

Jo Perrotta meets Paul Rawson, one of the original "Godfathers" of recruitment marketing, and asks him what he's learnt over the last two decades working in the UK and abroad. 

Paul shares his wisdom on the enduring nature of marketing fundamentals, which have remained unchanged for 60 years. He highlights the importance of understanding clients and explores the potential of AI for effectively reaching the right audience. 

Jo Perrotta meets Melanie Forbes, one of the UK's most inspirational female recruitment leaders. Melanie talks about her non-academic route into the industry and overcoming imposter syndrome.

She also explains what she's doing to help others without academic backgrounds break the glass ceiling and, through greater collaboration, help more women achieve leadership roles.

Join Jo as she sits down with Louise Shaw, Managing Director of Omni RMS to talk all things recruitment. Having worked in various organisations such as The Bank of Scotland and AstraZeneca, Louise has seen it all. In this episode, we hear all about what it takes to be a great leader, from the importance of emotional intelligence in business leadership to ensuring diversity in the workplace.

In this episode, we hear from the founder and CEO of the workflow automation platform, Autometry, Alex Farrell. From selling coat hangers to scaling and selling a business, we find out exactly what it took for her to become the successful entrepreneur that she is today. Alex also shares why she believes that AI and automation should supercharge recruiters, instead of circumnavigate them.

Having built and sold a recruitment company, it's safe to say that Kamal truly understands the industry. From candidate chaos to operational obstacles, he's seen it all. In this episode, Kamal shares the important lessons he has learned along the way, advises on when is best to review a tech stack and lets us in on the areas he would be investing in if he were a recruitment business leader today.