Recruiter Startup - Recruitment Podcast - Hosted by Dualta Doherty

In Part 2 of the Build Back Better live show in Melbourne, host Dualta Doherty is joined by Matthew Cossens, Chief Growth Officer at xrecruiter and former leader behind Aurec’s growth and acquisition by Randstad. Together, they discuss what’s driving recruiter performance today - from the shift from billing to building businesses, to how activity, behaviour, and leadership still outperform tools, even in an AI-enabled world. The conversation also explores common scaling mistakes and the skills that will matter most over the next few years. If you’re working inside or leading a recruitment business, there’s plenty here to take away. Tune in!

Dualta Doherty is joined by Manu Vanderveeren (CEO & COO at Spott), John Bourke (Founder of RecView & Start In Recruitment), and Victoria Kirwin (Business Growth Specialist at APositive), each working directly with recruitment businesses across product, automation, and funding. They discuss where AI and automation are delivering value, how tech decisions impact profitability, what leaner agency models look like, and how leaders should be thinking about investment and risk in the current market. Tune in for a practical conversation grounded in real experiences across the industry.

In this episode of the Recruiter Startup Podcast, Dualta Doherty is joined by Russell Thompson – a 30-year recruitment veteran in the London market, former founder/leader behind LMA, and now advisor through Ascentia Advisory. Russell shares the real story of scaling LMA inside a backed entrepreneur model to 85+ staff across London and Singapore, and what it takes to build an agency that attracts and retains top performers. They unpack why 15–20 headcount is the toughest stage for founders, how LMA built a culture recognised by the Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For, and what’s changed now that LinkedIn became the database. Russell also doesn’t hold back on what agency leaders must do differently as AI and efficiency reshape the industry. If you’re building or scaling a recruitment business, this one’s a must-watch.

Building a company almost never goes the way you expect.In this conversation, Lander and Manu, CEO and COO of Spott (YC W25) sit down with Dualta Doherty, co-founder of RecWired, to share the real story behind how Spott was built, including the wrong turns, the pivots, and the hard decisions that forced them to rethink everything.They talk about Why they realized early they were building the wrong product What three intense months in Y Combinator changed about their mindset How talking to real recruiters reshaped the entire product direction Why most ATS systems slow recruiters down instead of helping them What an AI-native ATS needs to do differently to actually create impactWhether you’re running a recruitment agency, building a start-up or thinking about how AI will actually change day-to-day work, this conversation goes deep into what matters and what does not.

In this episode, industry leaders discuss how AI, technology, and human skills are reshaping recruitment. From signal-based selling to training modern recruiters, we explore how to build smarter pipelines, improve calls, and stay competitive in a changing market. 🎙️

Part 2 from the Manchester event explores how recruitment is evolving with AI, community building, and smarter marketing. Industry leaders share practical insights on tech, referrals, personal branding, and how to future-proof recruitment businesses.

In this live episode, industry leaders Alex Elliott and Chris Evans share real-world insights on building, scaling, and exiting recruitment businesses during challenging economic times. From productivity and profitability to leadership, tech-first models, MBOs, and the future impact of AI—this conversation is packed with honest advice, lessons learned, and practical strategies for recruiters and founders. If you’re navigating growth, considering an exit, or rebuilding stronger after tough years, this episode is for you.

In Part 2, Dualta brings Bullhorn’s Gary Cordery into the conversation alongside ReferRec’s Dave Cahill to talk about what scaling really looks like when you get your tech right. They get into founder-led agencies thinking like tech companies, the post COVID push to do more with less, and what it means when one Bullhorn client is running 185 live automations and winning back hundreds of consultant hours. Gary breaks down Bullhorn’s Amplify AI, enriching old databases so you are not held hostage by LinkedIn spend, while Dave shares what he is seeing on the ground as agencies try to build lean, CRM first businesses. Part 1 was mindset. Part 2 is systems. Tune in to rethink your tech stack, your LinkedIn bill, and how you use the data you already own.

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Dualta sits down with ReferRec co-founder Dave Cahill to unpack his journey from joining Liquid as a rookie to helping scale it into a high-performance machine that eventually sold for life-changing money. Dave shares what shaped him early on: intense standards, work-hard-play-hard culture, leadership that pushed people to operate above their limits, and the mindset that turned him into one of the most relentless operators in the industry. A real look at drive, culture, and what it takes to scale - the unfiltered version. Part 1 sets the stage. Part 2 brings the tech. Tune in now!

In this episode of The Recruiter Startup Podcast, Dualta Doherty reconnects with Stuart Mitchell, Founder of Hampton North, for a candid look at how recruitment has evolved through the chaos of recent years. From LA to Connecticut, he dives into the realities of building a lean, scalable business in a shifting market - where AI, automation, and personal brand are redefining what it means to be a recruiter. Expect sharp takes on the US opportunity, the rise of “super recruiters,” the next wave of RecTech innovation, and why human connection still matters more than ever.

The US staffing market is a $180B opportunity, and more UK recruiters are making the leap than ever. In this episode, our host, Dualta Doherty, chats with Charles Causey, Founder of Agile Partnering, about what it really takes to scale in the States. From choosing the right niche and city to tackling compliance and payroll, Charles shares the hard-won lessons behind helping UK firms grow across the Atlantic, and they also dive into how AI and automation are reshaping the industry. 🎧 Listen now and learn how to build smarter, scale faster, and stay ahead in the new era of recruitment.

Chris Allaire built his recruitment firm in the heart of New York, surviving market crashes, dodging hype, and growing through pure focus on niche expertise and real relationships. Now leading a fully remote team from South Carolina, he joins our host Dualta Doherty to unpack how he scaled his business without chasing trends, what it actually takes to break into the US market, and why great recruiters won’t be replaced by AI anytime soon. If you're a founder looking to expand into the US or make sense of the current tech hiring landscape, this one’s got real insights. Tune in!

In this episode of the Recruiter Startup Podcast, host Dualta Doherty speaks with Wendy McDougall, CEO of Firefish, about the evolving world of recruitment technology. They discuss Wendy’s journey from top-billing recruiter to tech entrepreneur, the challenges of building an ATS, and the future of AI in hiring. Wendy shares insights into recruitment market cycles, the importance of customer service in tech, and how automation is reshaping the industry. Tune in for insights on how recruitment tech is evolving.

Justin McGuire has been running MCG Talent for 15 years, expanding across Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Riyadh. In this episode, he breaks down what actually works in recruitment today, why he moved away from the traditional 360 model, and how he built a leaner, more profitable business. He shares the biggest money traps recruitment firms fall into, the challenges of expanding into Saudi Arabia, and why most recruiters have forgotten how to build real client relationships. Tune in for the full conversation!

In this episode of the Recruiter Startup Podcast, Anthony Kelly, founder of Deep REC AI, reflects on his first year in business, navigating a challenging market, and expanding into high-value AI recruitment. He shares insights on hiring mistakes, business development, working with VCs, and why he’s keeping operations in the UK instead of opening a U.S. office. Host Dualta Doherty and Anthony also discuss AI’s impact on recruitment, the future of hiring, and how our guest plans to integrate venture capital investment into his business strategy. Tune in for deeper insights!

Rich Gibbard joins the Recruiter Startup Podcast to break down the state of recruitment, automation, and business development in 2024. He and Dualta discuss how the market is shifting, where the best opportunities lie, and how recruiters can win in a competitive scene. They dive into the Manchester recruitment scene, the rise (and fall) of automation, and how firms can stand out through better marketing, LinkedIn strategy, and community-building. Watch now and subscribe for more!

Join Dualta and Rich Evans for a casual and insightful chat on the Recruiter Startup Podcast. They discuss recruitment vibes, industry trends, and the contrasts between Leeds and Manchester. #Podcast #Recruitment #CareerTips

This episode of the Recruiter Startup Podcast features Dan Martin, founder of The Ripple Project and a mindset coach with a compelling story of transformation. Dan shares his journey from overcoming personal struggles to empowering recruitment leaders to find purpose, resilience, and balance in their careers. With his unique perspective and practical approach, Dan offers valuable insights for anyone navigating the highs and lows of work and life. This is an inspiring and thought-provoking episode that highlights the power of mindset and leadership. Tune in!

In this episode of the Recruiter Startup Podcast, host Dualta Doherty chats with Logan Naidu from Kernel Global. Logan shares his 20-year journey in recruitment, exploring private equity transactions and offering advice for founders. Discover the insights and strategies that drove Kernel's growth and success.

Welcome to a new episode of the Recruiter Startup Podcast! This time, Ben Browning from Resonant joins us to discuss the major challenges and opportunities recruiters are navigating in 2025. The discussion dives into shifting markets, the rise of tech disruption, and the evolving role of automation in sales. Ben shares his insights on building better systems, sharpening business development strategies, and staying competitive in an increasingly complex landscape. Drawing on his extensive experience and recent research, he offers practical advice for recruitment leaders and business owners looking to adapt and thrive. Tune in!