Words from our Founder
Showing up where it matters
It’s been a full and energising week for the BRN team, showing up and standing alongside our community partners.
We hit the stage with La Fosse x Programme One, diving into a powerful conversation on the representation of Black talent in recruitment. Together, we unpacked what real inclusion looks like, moving beyond diversity tick boxes to building spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued. Show out to fellow panellists, Jasmine Alexander, Jennine Gibbs, Glyn Blaize 🙌🏾
A few reflections that really landed:
👀 Visibility isn’t just about being seen - it’s about being valued.
💡 Culture add over culture fit - difference drives innovation.
🖤 Our lived experiences matter - they’re proof of our progress and a reminder of the work still to do.
La Fosse x Programme One: Rewriting the Rules: Power & Pride in Recruitment
We also joined Coding Black Females at CBF Fest, hosting a Careers & Interview Roundtable. The room was filled with talented women in tech, all at different stages of their journeys, from career changers to future leaders. The conversation was honest, supportive, and full of practical insight from a recruiter’s perspective.
As we map out our 2026 community calendar, it’s been incredible to see more BRN members stepping up to share their expertise and connect with others.
✨ Want to get involved as a speaker? Fill in this form
🧡 Interested in partnering with us? Reach out at [email protected]
People are always at the heart of what we do. Thanks for being part of this growing network.
BRN Community Partner Events
Master LinkedIn with the Creator Team
BRN Community Partner, Create Connect, are hosting their final event of the year with Boxpark Shoreditch, and bringing in the LinkedIn Creator and Community Team!
This event is specifically designed for anyone who wants to start using or get better at using the platform. We'll guide you on:
How to position your content for maximum impact.
Creating content that truly thrives and converts.
What it takes to earn a LinkedIn Top Voice badge.
What to Expect
Alicia will kick things off by running a workshop to help you immediately level up your LinkedIn profile.
You'll also get to join a fireside chat with the LinkedIn Creator and Community Team, as well as a panel of successful entertainers who are currently navigating and thriving on LinkedIn.
Industry News
What's Happening in UK Recruitment Right Now
We've been diving into some fresh research that paints a pretty clear picture of what's going on across our industry, across both agency and in-house.
Spoiler alert: we're all dealing with similar challenges, just from different angles.
For Our Agency Recruiters: The APSCo Reality Check
APSCo (the trade body for recruitment agencies) just dropped their 2025 Index, and it's a mixed bag. The UK recruitment sector is worth £43 billion, but agencies are navigating some choppy waters right now.
The struggles are real:
43% of agency leaders feel pessimistic about the UK market
Rising costs (National Insurance, minimum wage) are squeezing margins
Competition from in-house teams is intensifying
Finding and keeping consultants - especially at mid and junior levels - is tough
One in five agencies have no formal training budget
But there are opportunities:
37% are eyeing US expansion, with the UAE (5%) also on the radar
AI is projected to cut senior hire time-to-fill by 50% and boost retention by 92%
33% of firm owners are thinking about selling up for retirement - creating leadership opportunities for the next generation
Growth sectors like AI engineering, cybersecurity, and renewable energy are heating up
Read the full report here
For Our In-House TA Folks: You're Not Alone
New research from Ciphr surveyed 300 UK HR decision-makers, and honestly? The top challenges are separated by just one percentage point - meaning you're all juggling everything at once:
Recruitment (29%) - Attracting skilled candidates
Retention (28%) - Keeping the talent you've got
Rising costs (27%) - Budget pressures everywhere
Hybrid/remote expectations (26%) - Meeting flexibility demands
AI, pay rises, and compliance (25% each) - Three different beasts, equally challenging
Plus: training and development, work-life balance, inclusion, and competitive benefits are all fighting for attention too.
The Common Thread
Whether you're an agency or in-house, the same themes keep coming up: talent is scarce, costs are rising, AI is transforming everything, and people want more - more flexibility, more development, more pay, more purpose.
The organizations (and agencies) that will thrive? The ones putting people first, investing in development, listening to feedback, and adapting quickly.
Read the full report here
Question for you:
What's your biggest challenge right now? And what's actually working for you?
Get involved in these conversations within our WhatsApp Channel!
Recruitment & TA Events
What’s coming up?
BIMA: Gen Z Unfiltered | AI Competition & The Future of Work: As AI rapidly reshapes the workplace, what does the new face of competition look like for Gen Z? Join recruiters, talent leaders, and Gen Z professionals to explore how AI is impacting everything from internships to long-term careers.
Thu, 30 Oct 2025 6.30-9.30pm, London, UK
Fair Shot | Hiring more inclusively: Neurodiversity in the hospitality industry: An engaging evening exploring how hospitality organisations can become more inclusive for people with learning disabilities.
Tuesday 4th Nov, 6pm, London, UK
Metaview x hyperexponential: The London kickoff event for Metaview's 10x Recruiting community to learn from and connect with some of the sharpest recruiting minds.
Tuesday 11th Nov, 6-9pm, London, UK
That’s it for this week.
Thanks for being part of the BRN community; we’re growing, learning, and making an impact together. Stay visible. Stay inspired. Stay connected.
Got something you’d love to see in future editions? Reach out: we’d love to hear from you!
-The Black Recruiters Network Team 🧡