REC 2022 brought together 700 professionals in the agency, in-house and HR space, to explore the many challenges and opportunities facing our sector today.
In this guide, you'll find highlights of some of the most thought-provoking discussions, curated especially for business leaders like you. We've condensed more than 12 hours of content into a format you can digest at your own pace, and we've focussed on the lessons that are most relevant to those in leadership positions.
Introduction from Neil Carberry
In his welcome address, Neil Carberry outlined his reflections on the market today, and our priorities for 2022 and beyond.
As the UK’s leading recruitment industry body, the REC has been at the forefront of working with recruiters and Government to look ahead beyond the pandemic and Brexit.
We want recruiters to be able to achieve their goals, and be best positioned to grasp the opportunities ahead.
“Our market remains strong, but it is changing and as recruiters we will need to change with it. The potential for our profession if we get it right is huge. At the REC our work over the last year has been all about helping you with that change.”
- Neil Carberry, REC Chief Executive
Chapter 1: Clients
In this chapter
This panel session, led by REC Chair and executive search business owner, Sarah Thewlis, explored the linkages between a robust labour market and economic performance.
A panel of leading industry experts shared key insights about how they, as clients, have responded to the challenges of the last few years, and what they are prioritising in their recruitment strategies.
Highlights include:
-
The economic outlook and its impact on clients and supply chains
-
The key drivers affecting how they deal with labour and talent shortages
-
The business shifts they have implemented in the last 12 months and how they might continue to evolve
-
How sustainable, inclusive growth can drive big wins for the environment, society and the global economy.
Featured speakers:
-
Helen Dickinson OBE, Chief Executive, British Retail Consortium
-
Jayne Haines MBE, Senior HR Executive
-
Seamus Nevin, Chief Economist, Make UK
Quotes from our speakers
“Tackling image perception in manufacturing and other sectors is vital if employers are going to get the right kind of skills into the workplace. Your workforce is your best asset, despite fears about robots replacing jobs, it's actually the opposite. Technology creates more jobs. Often it just changes the skills required rather than the actual jobs on the ground. 60% of manufacturers identify automation as likely to have the most significant impact on their business plans over the next decade.”
- Seamus Nevin, Chief Economist, Make UK
"I have three points. 1. I don't need upselling on items. I know what I need when I come to you and know what I'm looking for. Demonstrate your core capabilities and let's talk about that. 2. Invest in your team, in their skills and capability. 3. Your role is pivotal, think about how you can be more inclusive across the organisation. Help us not to see inclusion as a strand agenda".
- Jayne Haines MBE, Senior HR Executive
Chapter 2: Candidates
In this chapter
This inspiring panel discussion was led by Richard Charnock, REC Chief Operating Officer, as he was joined by recruitment experts to discuss values, inclusion, the importance of culture fit, and talent and retention.
Watch this panel session as they explore:
-
How to maximise candidate availability, without resorting to higher salaries
-
How having a robust diversity and inclusion policy, can ensure you are giving everyone the opportunities to succeed in in their careers
-
A strategy that ensures the recruiter is best placed to show the candidate they care
-
The importance of labour force planning for retention, being just as key as attracting new employees.
Featured speakers:
-
Adrian Walcott, Managing Director, Brands with Values
-
James Fellowes, Founder, Bridge of Hope Careers
-
Julie Halliday, Head of Employer Engagement, Maximus
Quotes from our speakers
“We all share values. If you can take the opportunity to understand people’s value, you are in great shape to think about how you can create an inclusive culture where everybody wins.”
- Adrian Walcott, Managing Director, Brands with Values
Chapter 3: Business Growth
In this session
Recruiters were led through how you can expand beyond traditional markets to take advantage of the global markets opening up post pandemic.
Samantha Beggs, REC Campaigns and Government and Relations Manager spoke with our speakers.
Find out from our speakers:
-
What challenges they overcame
-
How they developed their strategy
-
How they have handled the pandemic situation
Featured speakers:
-
Peter Stoll, Director, Marsh Commercial
-
Ray Rackham, Managing Director, Newland Chase
-
Ross MacRae, Group HR Director and Deputy MD, Orion Group
Quotes from our speakers
"While we have labour shortages, you can't stick to the old methods, you have to be agile. If you have a strategy to enter a new country, you should also have a strategy to exit."
- Ray Rackham, Managing Director, Newland Chase
In this session
There is opportunity in being specialist, and business size can allow you to leverage your position in the market.
Watch this breakout session as our recruitment leaders explore:
-
Recruiters analysing client needs more closely
-
Companies proactively documenting impressive case studies for long term wins
-
The reasons for allowing more time for preparation in a competitive market
-
The need for a unique identity to help drive the acquisition of new business.
Featured speakers:
-
Chris Martin, Managing Director, Tenders-UK
-
Laura Van Zyl, Managing Director, Nuwe Consulting
-
Sean Anderson, CEO & Founder, Hoxo Media
-
Steve Hill, Managing Director, Extrastaff
Quotes from our speakers
“…Recruitment companies should be more proactive than reactive. You’ve got to get your own wins and be proud of it”.
- Sean Anderson, CEO & Founder, Hoxo Media
Chapter 4: Business Strategy and Leadership
In this session
Neil Carberry and Tim Cook, Group CEO, nGAGE Talent, held a thought-provoking conversation on how the pandemic has accelerated macro trends within the recruitment industry and where the industry is now.
In this keynote session, discover:
-
How recruiters react and prepare for the changes that have happened, as well as those that are emerging
-
A practical approach to future challenges that will leave you equipped for the future
-
Where price should figure in those all-important client conversations.
Quote from our speaker
"Too often the talent organisation, the recruiter thinks about their own profit, their own money and what they're doing, rather than what's best for their client. If we want to professionalise, we have to look through the lens of the customer and think 'are we adding value to them'."
- Tim Cook, Group CEO, nGAGE Talent
In this session
Neil Carberry together with Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP, discuss the future of healthcare, what we have learnt during the pandemic and how we can build upon the advances in technology.
In this session, you will find out:
-
How we can support the staffing of the NHS as the recruitment industry
-
How Matt's own experiences with dyslexia drive his views on inclusion in the recruitment processes to ensure opportunities and encouragement for all
Quote from our speaker
“Getting neurodiverse people into work is a matter of social justice – but it’s also about helping businesses to create better teams. Recruiters can play a role by educating and supporting clients to improve inclusion.”
- Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP
Chapter 5: ED&I
In this chapter
An interview by Scarlett Allen-Horton, REC EDI Ambassador and Director for Global Engineering & Energy Leadership Search at Harper Fox Partners, with our recruitment experts.
The speakers discuss:
-
Why recruiters should adopt the correct culture fit for better ED&I
-
Why authenticity is paramount to success
-
The need to embed ED&I and include it in business objectives
Featured speakers:
-
Yvonne Smyth, Group Head of EDI, Hays
-
Adeife Onwuzulike, Global EDI Director, Euromonitor International
Quotes from our speakers
“Internal recruiters need to get the culture right to ensure we attract the right talent; your brand needs to align with the values of those you are hoping to attract. Make sure ED&I is included not only in your business strategy, but in objectives - this is the way to embed ED&I in your ecosystem. People are drawn to purpose. Whatever you do, it has to be done authentically.”
- Adeife Onwuzulike, Global EDI Director, Euromonitor International
“The right job can transform a person’s life. The right person can transform a business.”
"You have to work with stakeholders to drive change, the 'leaders' have to get it! The challenge has to be set in the context of business performance, so it is the smart thing to do, not just the right thing."
- Yvonne Smyth, Group Head of EDI, Hays
Chapter 6: Sustainability
In this chapter
The pandemic means we’ve now embraced digital interviews but how much further can we take this to support net zero goals?
In this session, we looked at how we can expand on the new ways of working to drive real change in working practices.
Find out how to help
From our impact on the environment, to managing client impacts, to expanding the green economy – watch this session to help the UK reach its climate goals and help influence positive change.
Featured speakers:
-
Dr Emma Wilcox, CEO, Society of the Environment
-
Elliot Coad, CEO, Ecologi
-
James Staniforth, Founder & Director, Sustainable Business Services
-
Mark Edwards, Group Chief Executive Officer, SERT
Quote from our speakers
“Take practical simple steps – in many instances that will help your organisation, give you credibility and save you money.”
- Dr Emma Wilcox, CEO, Society of the Environment
Chapter 7: Developing Your Own People
In this session
This panel was all about ensuring you are a step ahead and ready to provide strategic advice to clients when it comes to adapting for the next decade.
Watch our panel of industry leaders discuss ways to:
-
Deal with the challenges you face in getting the right calibre of candidates
-
Futureproof business plans to mitigate for labour and skills shortages
-
Attract the next generation of professional recruiters
-
Use technology, marketing and new business development strategies to your advantage
-
Work with trusted advisors to support education and skills development programmes
Featured speakers:
-
Ben Blackledge, Deputy CEO, World Skills UK
-
Jo Major, Founder, Diversity in Recruitment
-
Kevin Butler, Founder & CEO, Centigy
-
Melanie Hayes, Chief People Officer, Nash Squared
-
Paulo Canoa, Country Manager, Gi Group UK
Quotes from our speakers
“It’s very important to prepare our internal teams to face change with a smile, promote change and be ready for innovation.”
- Paulo Canoa, Country Manager, Gi Group UK
In this session
Our panel of trainers and recruiters looked into the difference developing the right skills can make to a recruiter.
Watch this breakout session as our expert leaders drill down into
- the key goals for you and your business
- how to take advantage of the opportunities learning and development can give
- the advantages of mentoring and community.
Featured speakers:
-
Heather Salway, Director, Jump Advisory Group
-
Mel Venner, Head of Performance, Maxwell Bond and Director, Instinct Performance
-
Simon Thorpe, Managing Director, Expressions Partnership
Quotes from our speakers
“1. Understand what a good manager looks like in your organisation. 2. Less Ego more Eco – it’s about how a manager’s team performs."
- Simon Thorpe, Managing Director, Expressions Partnership
“Prioritising your development over your comfort is a skill. Consulting and communicating is a skill. Look good or get good – the two options for recruiters.”
- Mel Venner, Head of Performance, Maxwell Bond and Director, Instinct Performance
Chapter 8: Running a Business
In this chapter
Our panel of industry experts discuss how the recruitment industry can mitigate costs, whilst maximising revenue streams available.
Find out more about
- Salary inflation
- The cost of living
- Supply chain demands
- Who to turn to for the right advice on banking
- Managing both direct and indirect costs.
Featured speakers:
-
Chandni Patel, Director of Strategy, NatWest Rapid Cash
-
Julia Kermode, NED, PayePass and Founder, IWORK
-
Joe Wolstenholme, Head of Consulting Sales, KPMG South
-
Richard Prime, Co-CEO and Founder, Sonovate
Quotes from our speakers
“There’s a lot of near-term challenges businesses need to be on to. Having one eye on the future and scanning the opportunities on the horizon will really help.”
- Chandni Patel, Director of Strategy, NatWest Rapid Cash
Meet our sponsors
PIXID
Pixid Group is leading the way in transforming the Digital Recruitment Technology landscape.
Our award winning, fast to deploy online technology is used by over 9,000 recruitment agency branches and at over 150,000 end client locations. It is used to process over 230,000 contingent, permanent, and contract workers every day, seamlessly connecting agencies, workers and organisations.
Newland Chase
Newland Chase, a wholly owned subsidiary of CIBT, is the leading global provider of immigration and visa services for corporations and individuals with expert immigration and visa professionals, attorneys and qualified migration consultants located in over 70 offices in 25 countries.
Sonovate
Sonovate is the global financing platform for the Future of Work.
It offers finance and technology services to recruitment businesses, consultancies and labour market places that engage contractors and freelancers across the world. Its platform delivers invoice financing solutions to free up cashflow and simplify financial processes. It also helps take the hassle out of managing contractors’ appointments, assignments and payments. Sonovate enables its customers to get back to growing their businesses, confident that funding is in place to meet payment deadlines.
Bullhorn
Bullhorn is the global leader in software for the recruitment industry. More than 10,000 companies rely on Bullhorn’s cloud-based platform to power their recruitment processes from start to finish.
Headquartered in Boston, with offices around the world, Bullhorn is founder-led and employs more than 1,000 people globally.
Access Financial
Access Financial is the leading international payroll and contract management solutions provider to recruiters, corporations and professional contractors.
Being headquartered in Switzerland and with a presence in 8 countries worldwide, our nearly 100 staff take care of all the hassles of contract management, payroll, immigration, taxes and compliance in more than 150 countries.
Liquid Friday
Liquid Friday is a leading FCSA accredited provider of umbrella and business support services.
Established in 2006, we have built our reputation for personal, straight-talking service and being thought-leaders for the flexible employment industry. More recently, we are the only umbrella company who can demonstrate a proven track record in deemed payment services.
Marsh Commercial
Marsh Commercial is part of a global group with a 140-year heritage and a strong community focus. Whether you’re a start-up recruitment business or a large multinational, they have the recruitment insurance expertise, advice and solutions to help protect your business and manage the risks you face.
SafeRec
SafeRec, we provide Recruitment Agencies with automated compliance solutions; helping remove all the risks of using any Umbrella Companies and guarantying compliance to their clients and agency workers.
Their AI driven solution will allow you to: automate payslip audits (Umbrella and/or Agency PAYE payslips), guarantee Umbrella Compliance to your supply chain and easily share audit reports with contractors/end-clients, help your end clients investigate their supply chain, have access to your auditing platform, and automatically generate and send compliant Key Information Documents on behalf of your Umbrella Companies as well as for Agency PAYE, PSC Inside IR35, PSC Outside IR35.
Tenders UK
Tenders-UK work with their clients to help them create compelling bids which show their customers the real impacts of a great service.
They have been supporting businesses to bid for and win public sector recruitment contracts since 2008. Through their specialist bid management, writing and evaluation services we give our clients a competitive edge in tenders by driving up their quality scores.
PayePass Software Solutions Ltd
PayePass is a niche software development house that develops specifically for the temporary workforce sector, bringing truly unique compliance benefits to the entire supply chain.
With its Verify Auditing Module, we bridge the crucial missing gap between traditional compliance standards and employment businesses having complete confidence that they are not being exposed to unknown business ending financial liabilities from their umbrella PSL.
