Careers Rooted in Passion: A Conversation with Rae Goss on the MorePeople Podcast
In the latest episode of TheMorePeople Podcast, our Managing Director, Richard Hanwell, sat down with one of our very own recruitment experts, Rae Goss. While many listeners may already recognise Rae as the voice behind the podcast, this time she stepped into the spotlight to share her journey, insights into the agricultural recruitment world, and why she’s passionate about helping people grow careers in this dynamic industry.
From Live Entertainment to Recruitment
Rae's career didn't begin in agriculture. Originally from the US, she came from a background in live entertainment. But like many during the pandemic, Rae was forced to pivot when her role ended. After relocating to the UK and running low on funds, she stumbled across an opportunity at MorePeople. With a natural flair for communication and a curiosity for learning, she applied despite knowing little about the sector. Three years later, Rae has become a vital part of our team, recruiting for commercial roles within the agriculture, horticulture, and garden industry manufacturing space.
Why Stay in Recruitment? It's All About People and Purpose
What’s kept Rae in recruitment? Two things: the people and the industry itself. From working with candidates excited about new roles, to engaging with employers driven by purpose, Rae highlights the deep passion that runs through agriculture and horticulture.
“This industry is full of people who really care about what they do,” Rae shares. “Whether it's food production or getting plants into garden centres, it’s vital work. And we get to play a role in making that happen by connecting the right people to the right opportunities.”
Flipping the Narrative for Young Talent
One of Rae’s key focuses is helping younger individuals, many coming from family farms, see a future in commercial roles like sales and account management. Often, these candidates love the industry but want more sociable, stable roles that still keep them close to their roots.
Rae explains, “Sometimes it’s just about showing them what’s possible. They’ve got the knowledge and background, they just need that nudge to see how they can apply it in a different way.”
The same goes for career changers, those who’ve worked hands-on for years and are ready for a new challenge but want to stay connected to the industry they love.
Broadening the Talent Pool
While agriculture-focused universities like Harper Adams or RAU have historically been hotspots for industry talent, Rae notes a shift. More employers are now open to candidates from diverse educational and career backgrounds, as long as they bring the passion and transferable skills.
Recruiters like Rae play a key role in encouraging businesses to think outside the box. Whether it's someone coming from a fresh produce background moving into seed sales, or someone from finance looking to pivot into horticulture, there’s untapped potential everywhere.
Education, Opportunity, and Growth
During the episode, Rae also reflected on her recent speaking appearance at the HTA conference, where she highlighted the importance of succession planning and developing internal talent.
“There are young people out there who want to be part of this industry. But they need to see a future. Employers need to invest in training, mentorship, and clear career pathways,” she says. “Too often we overlook passionate people already in the business because they don’t tick every box. But with support, they can thrive.”
The industry has proven its resilience in recent years, from the essential role of food and plant production during the pandemic to the unexpected boom in gardening. Rae believes this stability and purpose are key messages to share with job seekers, especially in a post-COVID world where career security matters more than ever.
Laying Out a Clear Pathway
Rae and Richard also touched on the expectations of the younger generation. While it's true that some grads come out of university asking for high salaries and quick promotions, she sees this as a learning opportunity for both sides.
“It’s about communication and transparency. Lay out the progression path early, talk about learning and development. And from our side as recruiters, we educate candidates about what’s realistic while also advocating for their growth.”
Final Thoughts
Whether you're a hiring manager looking for fresh talent or a candidate thinking about your next step, Rae’s story is a reminder of how careers can take unexpected, and incredibly rewarding turns.
As Rae puts it: “You’ve got to water the plants you already have to help them grow.” A fitting metaphor for both horticulture and career development.
