Andy Simpson is joined by Bradley Lewington, CEO and founder of Generative and former CEO of Spencer Ogden, the energy and infrastructure recruiter he scaled to over 500 people before a private equity backed MBO closed on 20 February 2020, three weeks before COVID hit. Brad explains why the business had to become one a private equity firm actually wanted to buy, what it was like to sign the deal and watch the plan disappear within four weeks, and why he chose to build an AI focused staffing business rather than return to energy. The conversation also covers why recruiters who assume AI platforms cannot do the human bit are in for a surprise, and where the trust element still gives them the edge.

FIVE KEY MOMENTS

00:00· Bradley Lewington on the marine biology degree that led him into recruitment, and cutting his teeth at Matchtech before joining Spencer Ogden.

13:10· Flying solo to Singapore at 28 with a suitcase and no contacts to launch Spencer Ogden's APAC business.

32:00· Refocusing a colourful, oil heavy business into a renewables led, profit generating one ahead of a sale.

47:00· Signing the MBO on 20 February 2020, the best ever profit month in March, and COVID cancelling the plan within four weeks.

68:00· Why recruiters are underestimating what AI platforms can already do, and where the human trust element still wins.

GUEST
Bradley Lewington, CEO and Founder
linkedin.com/in/bradlewington

GUEST COMPANY
Generative
linkedin.com/company/generativegroups

HOST
Andy Simpson
linkedin.com/in/andyhsimpson

HOST COMPANY
ryvr.ai
https://ryvr.ai/

SPONSOR
Recruiting Alchemy is sponsored by ryvr.ai.
https://ryvr.ai/

PRODUCTION CREDIT
Produced by Vertical Drop.
https://www.vertical-drop.com/