Thomas Flaherty

Leadership diversity continues to be an area where many organisations across the chemicals industry are still evolving. In this conversation, Liran Kessler MA FCIPD of 2M Group of Companies shares how she and her team have approached building inclusive leadership through practical policy, strong retention strategies and a clear focus on progression. Plenty of valuable takeaways here for business leaders, HR professionals and anyone working to support long-term talent growth. Thank you, Liran, for sharing your experience and insights. Read the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/d-Rpknnf

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We’ve talked about Europe before, but today let’s look at what’s happening in the U.S. and Latin America before the year ends, especially in industries like chemicals, plastics, manufacturing, IT and automation, the sectors we work with at Altorecruit Recruiting is evolving fast, and here are the techniques gaining the most traction: ➡️ Social Recruiting with regional nuances 🇺🇸 U.S.: LinkedIn, TikTok and niche job platforms dominate. 🌎 LatAm: Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp groups remain extremely powerful. Across both regions, authentic, human content converts far better than job boards. ➡️ Asynchronous video interviews Common in the U.S. and increasingly popular in LatAm. They speed up processes, reduce scheduling issues and allow companies to screen more candidates without losing quality. ➡️ AI in pre-screening 🇺🇸 Widely adopted: automated screening, chatbots, predictive analytics. 🌎 Gaining traction in multinational and tech-driven companies. The universal rule: use AI to accelerate, not replace, human judgment. ➡️ Authentic employer branding Candidates across both markets want real stories, not slogans: Employee voices Day-to-day content Transparent growth opportunities This is especially relevant in industrial and technical sectors where culture and stability matter. ➡️ Talent Intelligence The U.S. is far ahead, but LatAm is catching up. Companies want fast insights on salary benchmarks, talent availability and competitor hiring trends. ➡️ Agile hiring processes Shorter timelines, fewer interview rounds, less bureaucracy. Because in both regions, one fact is universal: 👉 Top talent won’t wait. Which of these trends do you think will grow the fastest in the U.S. and LatAm?

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I’m delighted to welcome James Milligan to Robert Walters as our new Global Head of Consultancy. Many organisations today are navigating complex change, tighter budgets and greater scrutiny on results. Having access to the right specialists and structured delivery that drives accountability and outcomes has never been more important. Strengthening our Consultancy leadership is an important step in ensuring we continue to support our clients in exactly that way. James brings more than 25 years of experience building and scaling multi-market consultancy and technology businesses. His track record will be hugely valuable as we grow our offering and respond to the increasing demand for flexible, capability-led solutions beyond permanent hiring. Welcome to the team, James!

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Navigating U.S. biotech recruitment requires UK HR teams to focus on compliance, specialized skills, and strategic hiring. With talent shortages in areas like cell and gene therapy, proactive recruitment and training are essential. Mistakes in hiring can lead to costly delays and compliance risks. Partnering with biotech-specific recruiters ensures access to top talent and supports innovation. #BiotechRecruitment #HRStrategy #GlobalCompliance https://lnkd.in/ehtf6DFn 

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🔎 New Leadership at Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA) — A Big Moment for the Screening Industry The Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA) has announced new Board leadership as it continues its global expansion and governance evolution. Katie Hartley (Accurate Background) steps into the role of Chair, succeeding Tim Gordon (InfoMart), who remains on the board following what’s been described as a transformative tenure. During his time as Chair, Gordon oversaw a major shift in PBSA’s structure — moving to a fully staffed global association model and strengthening its approach to regulatory and industry risk. He commented: “Moving to a dedicated global staff structure has been a defining step forward… I’m incredibly proud of the foundation we’ve built and confident in the Association’s future under Katie’s leadership.” Hartley takes on the role at a pivotal time for screening providers — with increasing regulatory complexity, rising scrutiny around data privacy and identity, and rapid technological change shaping the landscape. She said: “Now is the time to bring clarity to what background screening does, why it matters and how it benefits employers, candidates and consumers alike.” She also highlighted key focus areas including: • Fraud detection • Identity verification • Artificial intelligence • Evolving global privacy legislation Alongside this, Will Hoggarth (Chexperts) has been appointed Chair of the Europe and Africa Council — reinforcing PBSA’s regional leadership focus. With more than 850 member companies globally, PBSA plays a significant role in shaping standards, accreditation and advocacy across employment and tenancy screening markets Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ezjMSAzj

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The Aerospace & Defence workforce is evolving — fast. 🚀  In our all-new UK version of the #ManpowerGroup Global Insights Aerospace & Defence World of Work 2025 Outlook report, we explore the trends shaping the industry, including:   🌎 Navigating global geopolitical tensions, 🤖 Retooling for #AI  💻 Combatting cyber attacks   ✈️ Securing a highly skilled and specialised workforce  Download the full report now!

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Despite a challenging year, the latest Recruitment & Employment Confederation report shows that the recruitment industry continues to deliver real economic value – contributing £40.6 billion to the UK economy in 2024. This figure reflects far more than placements alone. Recruiters are a vital part of the UK’s economic engine for multiple reasons including: ▶️ Helping employers tackle chronic skills shortages by connecting them with the right talent at the right time - our latest Salary Guide highlights that almost all (93%) of employers faced skills shortages last year. (request access here: https://lnkd.in/ek_aFumy ) ▶️ Supporting businesses to adapt to change – whether that’s digital transformation, the rise of AI, or shifting workforce expectations. ▶️ Creating opportunities for individuals to build careers, reskill, and re-enter the workforce, ensuring that talent is not left behind. ▶️ Enabling industries to remain competitive and resilient, even in uncertain economic conditions. ▶️ Acting as trusted advisors to employers, guiding them on market trends, workforce strategy – and in many cases expanding to areas such as social purpose and supporting our communities. As the UK continues to face complex challenges, the importance of recruitment has never been clearer. Our industry is not only about filling vacancies – it’s about enabling growth, driving innovation, and helping businesses and professionals thrive. I’m proud to champion the recruitment profession and the impact it makes every day - I'm sure many of my colleagues at Hays feel the same as well as fellow leaders across the industry.

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“The recruiter’s support and briefings were invaluable in helping me to prepare and perform at my very best.” It was great to see Michael Lawrie-Simmons share his headhunting experience in The Times, following his move - supported by Reed’s Joel Greenhalgh - from the pharmaceutical industry to Director of Finance at Leprino Foods, the world’s largest producer of mozzarella. Michael highlights something I see time and again: the best recruitment outcomes aren’t driven by keyword searches, but by trust. Great recruiters build long-term rapport with employers and candidates, enabling them to recognise the right fit early - and to provide the briefing, preparation and support needed through a rigorous process I also share the most effective strategies for increasing your chances of being headhunted. 🔗 https://bit.ly/4rsXwLf  (Please note that the full article is behind a paywall) #Reed #Recruitment #CareerProgression #Careers

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Looking to boost retention and drive performance within your team? 🚀 Our latest blog dives into practical strategies to keep top talent engaged, motivated, and performing at their best. From fostering a strong company culture 🏢 to implementing effective feedback mechanisms 💬, we cover actionable steps that make a real difference. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e6Q-UM_i Let’s start building teams that stay, thrive, and succeed 💡✨ #TalentManagement #EmployeeEngagement #RetentionStrategies #Performance #GRSRecruitment

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