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The Future of Recruitment: Insights from Industry Veteran James Ashwell
Welcome back to The MorePeople Podcast! In our latest episode, host Richard Hanwell, Managing Director at MorePeople, sat down with our very own Non-Executive Director James Ashwell, a seasoned expert with over two decades in the recruitment industry, to explore the ever-evolving recruitment landscape, industry challenges, global trends, and what’s next for MorePeople.
Meet James Ashwell: A Career in Recruitment Leadership
James has been deeply entrenched in recruitment for 24 years, with the last decade spent advising businesses as a non-executive director. He currently sits on the board of five recruitment companies and even dabbles in the food and beverage sector - yes, Richard has enjoyed a pint or two of his beer!
His tenure with MorePeople spans 6–7 years, helping guide the company through significant growth and transformation. With a bird’s-eye view of the industry across different geographies, James brings a unique perspective on what makes recruitment tick.
Recruitment: The Human Broker
So, what does the future hold for recruitment? According to James, at its core, recruitment is about brokering human relationships, a task that can’t easily be automated.
“We’re not just selling a product or service. We’re dealing with two human beings and helping them make a significant life decision.”
While parts of the industry, especially at the lower end, are becoming more commoditised, James believes the high-touch, high-value side of recruitment will not only remain relevant but grow in importance. The role of a recruiter in facilitating career moves, mediating between expectations, and helping both sides find the right fit is indispensable.
Who Makes a Great Recruiter?
Richard brought up a common theme in recruitment: many people "fall into it." James agreed, adding that success isn’t tied to any one background. The most successful recruiters share a blend of social skill, resilience, and a strong work ethic, qualities that are often best developed early in one's career.
Experience from other industries can help, but it doesn't always translate. For example, people coming from real estate may struggle with the transition from fieldwork to the desk-based demands of recruitment.
Recruitment Around the World: Different Landscapes, Same Fundamentals
With experience in markets from the UK to Asia and the US, James sees universal principles in recruitment: it’s always about people. But how recruitment operates and is perceived can vary drastically.
Interestingly, he notes that the UK has the most developed recruitment market globally, yet it's still largely unregulated compared to industries like finance or law. This allows for innovation and entrepreneurship but also creates inconsistencies in quality and ethics.
“If you can succeed in recruitment in the UK, you can succeed anywhere.”
Technology and the Next Evolution
From job boards to LinkedIn, many tools have been touted as the “end of agency recruiters.” But, as James points out, none have replaced the recruiter’s role, they’ve simply become part of the toolkit.
The next evolution? AI.
While AI will certainly reshape parts of recruitment, James sees it as an enabler rather than a threat. The expertise and intuition required to match people with careers aren’t easily replicated by algorithms.
“Good consultants make a couple of placements a month, that's how hard this job is. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it.”
The MorePeople Journey: From Potential to Performance
James has seen MorePeople evolve significantly in his tenure. When he first joined, the company had a wealth of market knowledge and client relationships but was “punching below its weight.” Fast forward to today, and the business is rapidly scaling, growing from 14 to over 30 employees with even more on the way.
He calls this the “troublesome teenage years” of business growth - figuring out infrastructure, operations, and culture before the next big leap. With plans to grow to 50+ people, the business is entering an exciting phase of exponential growth.
The Road Ahead: More People for MorePeople
Looking forward, James sees the future of MorePeople in specialisation and scale. Dedicated divisions, deeper sector knowledge, and team-based structures will offer even more value to clients and candidates.
“We're like our clients, we struggle to find top talent, especially at the management level. That’s why growing from within is so important.”
The internal focus on career pathways, retention, and development means that as the business grows, it brings its people with it. A strong culture, robust training, and patient leadership are key to sustainable success.
Final Thoughts
The recruitment industry is evolving but the need for skilled, people-focused recruiters remains as critical as ever. At MorePeople, we're proud to be at the forefront of that change: growing thoughtfully, building teams that care, and always working to find the perfect fit.
