Carrot and Stick

What if the corporate leadership playbook has it all wrong? In this episode, we sit down with Charlie Ginzburg, Managing Director at Michael Page overseeing Chicago and LA, to break down the hard truths of scaling a recruitment operation. From his early days as a cigarette salesman to managing a team of 120 people, Charlie shares a masterclass on what it  actually  takes to build a sustainable, lo...

We took Carrot & Stick on the road to the Recruitment Agency Expo 2026. We grabbed the mics, and asked 10 of the industry's sharpest leaders the same 5 questions — on top-biller habits, AI, the human touch, and how they'd start an agency today. Rapid-fire, honest answers, with Derry's take after each. The one thing they all came back to? Relationships. — 🎙️ Hosted by Derry Holt, CE...

Recruitment has always rewarded specialists — but how do you stay niche when you're scaling across multiple markets? On this episode of Carrot & Stick, host Derry Holt sits down with Chris Atiyah, CEO and Co-founder of Engtal — a Chicago-based firm that has scaled to 50 people across three specialist brands with zero attrition in over eight months. Chris shares his journey from Portsmouth to t...

How do you build a recruitment agency that not only scales but survives the founder’s eventual exit? On this episode of Carrot & Stick, host Derry Holt dives deep with Sam Crisp, the former founder of the highly successful SaaS recruitment agency, Arama. Sam shares his explosive journey of growing a business to 60 people and then making the strategic decision to step away. The discussion tackl...

Martin Doig and Robbie Sturgess, founders of Verto People, join Derry Holt to explain how their 99% perm agency not only survived a pandemic launch but rapidly scaled to 38 employees by prioritizing relentless daily Business Development (BD) over fleeting contract trends. They share their controversial stance on cold calling, detail their data-driven hiring methodology, and unpack the crucial less...

Derry Holt talks with recruitment ops expert Saeed Bhor about the common operational mistakes agencies make. They cover the crucial difference between performance and recruitment data, why "process over tech" is his mantra, how to navigate the crowded Rectech market, and what to look for in a consultant. An episode packed with practical advice for improving agency efficiency.

Derry Holt chats with Laura Clark, owner of OA Recruitment Solutions. Laura shares her journey from a Yellow Pages start to buying out her mother's £20M turnover business. They dive into OA's unique "Back on Track" performance plans, her "magnet" hiring philosophy, the importance of L&D, and her take on remote work. A truly insightful episode on leadership and cultu...

Derry Holt talks with Elliot Dell, CEO of Salt Recruitment Group, about their unique global M&A expansion model, the power of authentic founder-led branding, his journey into coaching, and a practical take on AI in recruitment. An inspiring episode on building a global business with heart and vision.

Derry Holt talks with David Morel, founder of the global recruitment firm Tiger Recruitment. David shares 20+ years of insights on scaling internationally (including his recent move to Dubai), leading by example, using data effectively, the real role of AI in recruitment, and maintaining a strong culture. Essential listening for agency leaders on longevity and growth.

Derry Holt talks with Sachin Ruparelia, CEO of Camino Partners, about scaling a recruitment business in tough times, the metrics that really count, and fostering a high-performance culture. Sachin also shares his inspiring personal journey of transformation, therapy, and finding his 'why' in family and positive impact. Essential listening on leadership, resilience, and motivation.

This week, Derry Holt talks to Chris O'Connell about his incredible journey building a £25M recruitment business, navigating a traumatic Private Equity (PE) exit, and finding strength in vulnerability. They dive deep into authentic leadership (why being 'real' works), the pitfalls of over-automating BD, and Chris's love-hate relationship with LinkedIn. A raw, honest conversation packed with lesson...

Is recruitment training overrated? Ben Browning (Resonant, Recruiting Better Podcast) argues process is king. He joins Derry Holt to share insights from surveying 500+ agencies on BD, moving beyond transactional sales, crafting a sales story, and reframing rejection. #recruitment #salesprocess #BD #salestraining #consultativeselling #podcast

Top billers don't always make great operators. Hishem Azzouz (Hector, The Recruitment Mentors Podcast) joins Derry Holt to discuss this challenge, and share insights on building a sales-led culture, closing skill gaps, and why human connection still matters in recruitment. #recruitment #sales #skills #leadership #podcast

Can AI replace recruiters? Andy Hallett (Recspand, Recwired, ex-SThree) joins Derry Holt on the Carrot & Stick podcast to tackle this crucial question and much more. Andy, with over 25 years in recruitment, challenges conventional thinking and offers a practical roadmap for agencies navigating a rapidly changing landscape. Andy, a veteran of multiple recruitment cycles, shares his insights on...

Joe Bungey, Operations Director at Mustard, shares his unique perspective on recruitment leadership, emphasizing the importance of data-driven decisions and a stoic mindset. Discover how Joe's "big picture" approach has fueled his 10-year journey in the industry. Subscribe to Carrot & Stick for more expert guidance on sales performance management and motivation in the recruitment industry.

Will Grashoff, Founder and CEO of OxSeven, joins Carrot & Stick for a candid conversation about the challenges and rewards of leadership in the recruitment industry. Will shares the mistakes he's made as a manager, the lessons he's learned about accountability and data, and his strategies for maintaining a healthy work-life balance while growing a successful business. Don't miss out on this in...

Greg Savage, recruitment legend and industry veteran, joins Carrot & Stick to share his unfiltered insights on leadership, coaching, and building a high-performing recruitment team. Expect some controversial takes, actionable strategies, and a healthy dose of tough love to help you navigate the ever-changing recruitment landscape. Don't miss out on this game-changing episode! Subscribe to Carr...

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with James Osborne, Founder and CEO of The Recruitment Network, as he shares his unique perspective on the importance of personal purpose, the transformative power of empathy, and the ongoing revolution in the recruitment industry. Key Takeaways: Discover Your Purpose: Learn why understanding your personal purpose is crucial for success in sales and lea...

In this episode of the Carrot and Stick podcast, we delve into the entrepreneurial journey of Alex Elliott, co-founder of Liquid Personnel, a healthcare contract recruitment business that achieved remarkable success, scaling to over 140 staff and nine figures in revenue before its acquisition in 2016. Alex shares invaluable insights gleaned from his experience, speaking of the critical role of pro...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Elaine Tyler, CEO of Venatrix, a specialist recruiter for fast-growth SaaS businesses. Elaine shares her journey from graduate to CEO, her secrets to building a high-performance culture, and her candid perspective on the challenges and rewards of leadership.

In this episode of the Carrot and Stick podcast, we sit down with Alex Dick, the CEO of Alexander Lyons Solutions (ALS), a fully remote recruitment company. Alex shares his insights on building a successful remote team, his unique approach to LinkedIn, and the often-overlooked challenges of being a CEO.

Join us in the vibrant city of Austin, Texas as we chat with Ross Fraser, Founder and CEO of Connecting Experts. Ross shares the inside scoop on Connecting Experts' strategic move into the United States, their unique approach to building high-performance teams, and the pivotal role of an "expectant culture."Don't miss out! Hit the subscribe button and turn on notifications so you...

In this episode, we've got Spencer Pike Lyon, Head of L&D and Sales Operations at Discover International joining us. Spencer's got some interesting ideas. He'll be chatting about why L&D should be working hand-in-hand with the sales team to drive up results. And don't forget the power of information! Spencer believes in using data to see what's working and what's no...

In this episode of the Carrot and Stick podcast, Derry Holt sits down with Ashley Rice, a consultant with expertise in leadership, management, data, and analytics. With over 23 years of experience in the recruitment industry, Ashley shares his insights on what motivates people, with a focus on the evolving expectations of Gen Z in the workplace. They also delve into the critical role of data and a...

In this episode, recruitment mogul Gary Goldsmith and co-founder of the RDLC Pirates (fresh from the Celebrity Big Brother House) joins Derry to discuss the art and science of building a successful recruitment business. They delve into the shift towards contract work, the importance of data-driven decision-making, and the power of repeatable models for scaling. Gary shares his unique perspective o...