The Growth Bites Podcast

In this episode of Growth Bites, Jo sits down with Shaun Ritchie, Founder of Third Wave and Marmalade’s Martech partner, to talk about one of the biggest missed opportunities in recruitment: the value already sitting inside your CRM. Too many agencies assume they have a tech problem when in reality they have a data and workflow problem. Shaun explains why the issue isn’t the CRM itself, but how th...

In this episode of Growth Bites, Jo talks to Amanda Capon, Chief People Officer at idverde UK with decades of experience shaping workplace culture and strategy.  Together, they unpack the real implications of AI and automation on work, beyond the buzzwords we’re seeing online every day. Amanda shares how she’s already using AI day-to-day, what the shift means for HR and people leaders and why it’s...

What does a seasoned digital leader with experience at Boohoo, Missguided and now Glamira have to say about the realities of modern marketing? Quite a lot and it’s just as relevant for recruitment leaders as it is for e-commerce brands. In this episode, Duke shares his career journey and talks candidly about the impact of privacy regulations, the rise of AI, and why marketing fundamentals haven’t...

In this episode of Growth Bites, Jo sits down with Simon Malpas, Co-founder of TRS Media, to unpack the messy truth about recruitment advertising and what smart agencies are doing differently. With over 20 years in the industry, including senior roles at Totaljobs and Jobsite, Simon now helps recruitment agencies take control of their job board spend. He shares why simply renewing last year’s cont...

In this episode of Growth Bites, Jo sits down with Michael Halpin, Head of Global Marketing at Recite Me, to explore the business-critical topic of accessibility in recruitment. With the European Accessibility Act (EAA) coming into force in June 2025, many recruitment agencies are still unsure about what’s required, where to begin, or how this will affect their candidate experience. Michael breaks...

In this episode of Growth Bites , Jo is joined by Stewart Morgan , co-founder and owner of Mixxyl , an AI-powered analytics platform helping recruitment agencies unlock and action the DE&I insights hiding in their CRMs. With over 15 years in recruitment tech, including time at Bullhorn and Kyloe Partners , Stewart brings a sharp and honest perspective on what really matters when it comes to us...

In this episode of Growth Bites, Jo is joined by Matt Comber, Founder and CEO of SourceFlow , and a well-known name in the recruitment tech world. With a background in both recruitment and digital, and as the former co-founder of Volcanic, Matt brings years of hard-earned experience to the conversation around websites, marketing strategy, and real performance. They cover everything from how recrui...

In this episode of Growth Bites, Jo is joined by Jeanette Barrowcliffe, Finance Director and co-owner of Meridian Business Support - one of the UK’s largest independent multi-sector recruitment agencies. With nearly three decades in recruitment and two MBOs under her belt, Jeanette brings a sharp, no-nonsense perspective to what it really takes to scale sustainably. From navigating economic uncert...

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 D...

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 hit...

 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 hi...

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 in...

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 d...

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 ins...

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 h...

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...

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...

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 a...

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 p...

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 d...

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...

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.