Podcas

​From Molecular Biology to Recruitment: Routines, Resilience, and the Realities of Career ChangeWelcome toThe MorePeople Podcast, where we share expert insights, personal journeys, and practical strategies shaping the recruitment world today. In this episode, Managing Director Richard Hanwell sits down with Senior Consultant Jordan Waobikeze to explore an unconventional career journey, the science behind high performance, and the ever-evolving world of talent acquisition. Meet Jordan Waobikeze: From Molecules to MarketJordan’s route into recruitment wasn’t exactly textbook. With a degree in molecular biology, he began his career in London’s fast-paced financial district. But the city grind soon lost its charm.“I’d lived in London my whole life, and the novelty wore off. It’s claustrophobic, expensive and honestly, not where I saw my future,” says Jordan.After a move to the Midlands and a classic case of “falling into recruitment,” Jordan eventually joined MorePeople, where he’s now helping drive the business forward on the commercial desk. What Can a Science Degree Teach You About Recruitment?While Jordan may not be using pipettes and petri dishes these days, his science background still serves him.“Biology taught me about systems, body, mind, performance, and how to optimise them. And in recruitment, that’s vital. It’s a high-pressure sales environment. You need structure, resilience, and mental clarity.”From sleep cycles to stress management, Jordan draws on biological insights to keep himself sharp in a role that can be emotionally volatile. It’s all about creating consistency in a chaotic world. Building a High-Performance Routine: Sleep, Stress, and Ice BathsJordan is passionate about performance and not just at work. He’s developed a daily routine focused on regulating stress and staying grounded, starting with one very cold habit: ice baths.“Two minutes every morning. It’s horrible at first, but it’s a natural hit of adrenaline and it sharpens your focus. After that, everything else in your day feels easier.”Beyond the cold, Jordan also focuses on the health trifecta: sleep, diet, and exercise, with a few hacks like ashwagandha and beetroot juice thrown in.“You can’t manage other people’s careers if your own day is in disarray. Clients and candidates both need you to be consistent, mentally and emotionally.” Recruitment: More Than Just a JobRichard and Jordan both touch on the emotional complexity of the recruitment industry. Whether someone’s switching careers or a client is hiring under pressure, the stakes are always high.“We meet people in what’s often the most stressful moment of their professional lives,” Jordan notes. “Our job is to stay calm, steady, and guide them through it.”Richard adds: “It’s easy to forget we’re not just filling roles. We’re managing change, emotion, and long-term career decisions.” Looking Forward: Mentorship, Growth, and Adding ValueJordan’s ambitions go beyond billing targets. He’s keen to move into management and mentorship as MorePeople grows.“Helping new consultants succeed gives me a lot of personal satisfaction. If I can turn green talent into high performers, that’s real value for the business and it’s rewarding too.”But mentoring isn’t just about seniority. As Richard points out, value can come from all directions.“Mentoring isn’t always top-down. Sometimes the 25-year-old has the insight the 50-year-old needs. We want people who bring different lenses and challenge blind spots.” Talent Trends: Power Shift, Hybrid Work, and What Candidates WantJordan sees the candidate market subtly shifting. While the post-pandemic years gave jobseekers more leverage, he’s noticed a return of balance.“We’re seeing a shift back toward clients having more power. Candidates are having to flex more, especially around hybrid working.”He believes hybrid work is here to stay but it’s evolving.“The genie’s out of the bottle with remote work. But some people stretched it too far. If your office is in London and you live in Liverpool, going in four days a week just won’t fly.”That said, Jordan remains a strong advocate for flexible work:“Hybrid roles open up the talent pool massively. And people who have work-life balance are generally happier and stay longer.” Final ThoughtsJordan’s journey shows that recruitment isn’t just about filling jobs: it’s about managing change, cultivating performance, and guiding people at pivotal moments.Whether it’s through biohacks, cold plunges, or mentorship, his approach to work is thoughtful, grounded, and growth-oriented.“If you’ve done something really hard at the start of the day, the rest of it feels manageable. That’s how I approach life and recruitment.”​

​The Future of Recruitment: Insights from Industry Veteran James AshwellWelcome 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 LeadershipJames 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 BrokerSo, 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 FundamentalsWith 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 EvolutionFrom 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 PerformanceJames 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 MorePeopleLooking 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 ThoughtsThe 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.​