The UK's driver shortage isn't a new problem — it's a challenge that the transport and logistics industry has been facing for decades.

In this episode of Talent Matters, Dave Jenkins sits down with Noz Miah, Founder and Managing Director of Aim Recruit, to explore why the shortage of HGV drivers continues to persist and what the wider recruitment industry can learn from a market that has been candidate-led for years.

Having spent more than two decades recruiting across transport and logistics, Noz shares how he built a specialist recruitment business from scratch, the impact Brexit and Covid had on an already stretched workforce, and why many people still underestimate the opportunities available within the industry.

We cover:

• Why driver shortages have existed for decades
• How Brexit and Covid accelerated existing workforce challenges
• What it means to recruit in a truly candidate-led market
• The balance between AI, automation, and human judgement
• Building a specialist recruitment business from the ground up
• The benefits of remote working in recruitment
• Why more young people should consider careers in logistics
• The thinking behind Noz's Youth in Trucks initiative

If you're interested in skills shortages, workforce planning, or building a successful recruitment business in a specialist market, this episode offers valuable insights from someone who has spent years navigating one of the UK's most persistent hiring challenges.

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🎧 Listen to Talent Matters for honest conversations with recruitment leaders, tech experts, and marketers helping agencies grow.

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🔗 Discover more episodes at ⁠⁠https://wave-rs.co.uk/resources/podcasts/talent-matters⁠

Starting a recruitment agency is something many recruiters think about — but far fewer actually do.

In this episode of Talent Matters, Dave Jenkins sits down with Nathalie Janger, Founder of Crystal Clear Recruitment, to talk about what it really takes to leave a long-term role and build a recruitment business from scratch.

After nearly 15 years working in the same agency, Nathalie made the leap to start her own firm focused on business support roles across Greater London. She shares the moment that pushed her to back herself, the realities of launching in a challenging market, and why confidence, preparation, and the right support network can make all the difference.

The conversation explores the early days of building a new recruitment business — from landing those first placements and navigating quiet periods, to developing a personal brand and creating a service built on transparency and trust.

We cover:

• Why some recruiters decide to start their own agency
  The mindset needed to leave a stable role and go solo• What the first few months of launching a recruitment business really look like
• The practical steps involved in setting up an agency
• Why coaching and external support can accelerate progress• The importance of relationships and personal brand in recruitment

If you're a recruiter thinking about launching your own agency — or simply curious about what the early stages of building a recruitment business look like — this episode offers an honest look behind the scenes.

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🎧 Listen to Talent Matters for honest conversations with recruitment leaders, tech experts, and marketers helping agencies grow.

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🔗 Discover more episodes at⁠ https://wave-rs.co.uk/resources/podcasts/talent-matters

Most recruitment agencies claim to be specialists.

But what does it actually take to build — and scale — a truly niche recruitment brand?

In this episode of Talent Matters, Dave Jenkins sits down with Ian Whitear, Co-Founder of White Space Recruitment, to explore how a long-term specialist approach in architecture and design recruitment has shaped a resilient, internationally expanding business.

Ian shares lessons from 25+ years in the industry — from recruiting in the US to launching in Dubai — and explains why relationships, market knowledge and reputation still matter more than ever.

They also discuss:

• Why niche recruiters outperform generalists• How market cycles impact architecture hiring• Scaling without losing focus• Expanding internationally the right way• Using AI to improve efficiency, not replace recruiters

If you're building a recruitment business and thinking about going deeper rather than wider, this one’s for you.

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🎧 Listen to Talent Matters for honest conversations with recruitment leaders, tech experts, and marketers helping agencies grow.

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🔗 Discover more episodes at

⁠https://wave-rs.co.uk/resources/podcasts/talent-matters