What does it take to stay authentic and succeed in a world of challenges?

In this episode of The Counter Offer, Susanna sits down with Lee McQueen, entrepreneur, recruitment innovator, and winner of The Apprentice (Series 4). Lee shares his journey from humble beginnings to building multiple seven-figure businesses and reflects on the role of authenticity, resilience, and decisive action in achieving success.

The conversation covers Lee’s approach to recruitment, including his revolutionary take on hiring without CVs and his development of Phoenix 51, a platform that digitizes the assessment process.

Lee also discusses the lessons he learned from working with Lord Sugar, the importance of asking tough questions in recruitment, and why coachability is a key trait for success.

Packed with insights and inspiring stories, this episode is a must-listen for recruiters, entrepreneurs, and anyone striving to create a lasting impact in their field.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• Authenticity on The Apprentice: Lee reflects on how staying true to himself during The Apprentice helped him win, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and relationship-building in both personal and professional settings.

• The CV-Free Recruitment Revolution: Lee explains how a mistake on his CV inspired him to create a recruitment model that focuses on behavior and competencies rather than traditional resumes, leading to the creation of Phoenix 51.

• Lessons from Lord Sugar: Key takeaways from working with Lord Sugar include simplifying processes, solving real problems, and taking consistent, decisive action.

• Navigating the Pandemic: The challenges of COVID-19 pushed the transition to virtual assessment centers, showing how adaptability can lead to innovation and business growth.

• The Importance of Tough Questions: Asking probing and sometimes uncomfortable questions is essential to understanding client needs and delivering impactful solutions.

• Why Coachability Matters: Being open to learning and feedback remains a cornerstone of personal and professional growth, a principle that drives Lee’s coaching approach.

About Lee McQueen

Lee McQueen is the Founder and CEO of the award-winning software business Phoenix 51, a platform revolutionizing how organizations assess and recruit top talent. Best known as the winner of The Apprentice (Series 4), Lee has over 25 years of experience in recruitment and sales, having built multiple seven-figure businesses.

Passionate about changing traditional hiring methods, he champions assessing behaviors and competencies over CVs. Lee’s journey, from humble beginnings to business success, highlights his commitment to innovation, authenticity, and empowering organizations to thrive.

Connect with Lee McQueen:

• LinkedIn

• Website

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Are you listening to the people around you—or just waiting to speak?

In this special Christmas episode of The Counter Offer, Susanna Gray-Jones sits down with a very special guest—her father, Lindsay Gray. With decades of experience across leadership, education, mediation, and volunteer work, Lindsay shares his timeless wisdom on how to navigate change, build trust, and manage burnout with grace.

He offers practical insights on how leaders can gain the trust of their teams, why understanding individuals is the foundation of effective leadership, and how to create balance to avoid burnout.

Lindsay’s journey highlights the importance of stepping into uncomfortable situations, learning from mistakes, and recognizing the power of listening.

Whether you’re a recruiter, a manager stepping into a new leadership role, or someone looking for ways to manage stress and create more balance in life, this episode is filled with invaluable lessons to help you thrive.

Listen now and take the first step toward a stronger, more balanced version of yourself!

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• Embracing Change in Leadership: Lindsay shares how to manage change effectively, gain trust in a new role, and balance respect for existing systems with necessary improvements.

• Handling Tough Conversations: Practical advice on approaching managers with ideas for change, focusing on positivity, preparation, and finding the right communication method.

• Overcoming Burnout and Stress: Lindsay opens up about his personal experience with burnout, the warning signs he missed, and the steps he took to recover and restore balance.

• Supporting Colleagues Through Challenges: Drawing from his Samaritan work, Lindsay explains how to recognize when someone is struggling and approach them with care and understanding.

• The Power of Calm Leadership: He discusses how leaders create the atmosphere of an organization and why staying calm and composed earns respect and builds trust.
• Timeless Advice for Life: Lindsay’s one key piece of wisdom: "Take your time with every individual and look for the good in them."

About Lindsay Gray

Lindsay Gray is an experienced consultant, mediator, and educator with a career spanning over 40 years in education, music, and charity development. He served as Headmaster of The Cathedral School and Director of the Royal School of Church Music.

Currently, he is a Samaritans volunteer, Founder & Director of Caritas Consort, and a trusted advisor in education and choral music. Passionate about mental health and leadership, Lindsay’s career reflects his dedication to helping others and fostering positive change.

Connect with Lindsay Gray:

• ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

• 
  

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What if the life you want is just one gutsy decision away?

In this episode, Susanna Gray-Jones welcomes Tiarna Mccormack, a bold Rec2rec professional whose career journey is a masterclass in taking risks and reaping rewards. From selling dream holidays to building a thriving recruitment career across continents, Tiarna proves that stepping outside your comfort zone can open doors you never imagined.

This episode brings strategies for choosing the right recruitment market, mastering salary negotiations, and building authentic relationships with candidates and clients.

Tiarna’s honest insights on career transitions, navigating counteroffers, and finding fulfillment offer a refreshing perspective for recruiters at any stage of their journey.

Whether you're aiming for the next level in recruitment or seeking inspiration to make your own gutsy move, this conversation will leave you empowered and ready to take action.

This episode is your nudge to leap!

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• Tiarna’s Bold Career Shift: From managing sales at Flight Centre to entering the recruitment industry, Tiarna shares how her passion for people and travel led her to a thriving career in Rectorec.

• The Power of Listening: They discuss the often-overlooked skill of active listening in recruitment, emphasizing how truly understanding candidates and clients can set recruiters apart.

• Navigating Counteroffers: Tiarna breaks down her approach to guiding candidates through salary negotiations and counteroffers, ensuring long-term satisfaction rather than short-term fixes.

• Choosing the Right Recruitment Market: Tiarna offers insights into identifying resilient and lucrative markets, such as tech, private equity, and ESG, while highlighting the importance of recruiting in a field you genuinely connect with.
• The Role of Guts in Career Success: Reflecting on how stepping outside her comfort zone—from moving to new countries to starting her first podcast—has fueled her personal and professional growth.

About Tiarna Mccormak

Tiarna Mccormack is a recruitment professional with over 10 years of experience, specializing in connecting senior talent with recruitment agencies. She has held key roles, including Director, Associate Partner, and Regional Director, across sectors such as HR, Technology, Life Sciences, and Accountancy & Finance. Tiarna focuses on executive search, interim solutions, and talent acquisition while helping senior professionals achieve their career goals.

Her approach centers on building strong relationships, emphasizing the importance of communication and trust in recruitment. Tiarna is also committed to coaching and mentoring, supporting individuals in unlocking their potential and advancing their careers.

Outside of work, Tiarna enjoys traveling, yoga, and spending time with friends over a glass of wine. She believes in fostering meaningful connections and creating opportunities for others. For senior-level recruitment support or career advice, Tiarna is an experienced and trusted partner to collaborate with.

Connect with Tiarna Mccormak:

• ⁠LinkedIn⁠

• 
  

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Can a recruiter’s greatest success come from redefining the game and putting relationships above all else?

In this episode, Susanna Gray-Jones sits down with Josh Brandon, founder of Qualiteach, to explore the journey of building an exceptional recruitment business.

Josh shares how his purpose, rooted in family and a relentless pursuit of quality, drives him to create a reputable name in education recruitment.

From starting his own company at a young age to the unique challenges of staying boutique, Josh opens up about his early hurdles, the importance of relationships, and the value of caring deeply for clients and staff.

This is a must-listen for recruiters aiming to achieve career success and a meaningful impact in their roles.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• Josh’s “Why”: Josh shares that his family motivates him daily, while professionally, he aims to be recognized for quality over size in the recruitment world.
• Founding Qualiteach: He discusses starting Qualiteach at a young age, viewing it as “starting a desk” to reduce fear, with support from a mentor.
• Long-Term Focus: Josh explains Qualiteach’s emphasis on long-term placements, inspired by his special education background, to build stability and strong relationships.
• Value of Relationships: He stresses that recruitment success relies on understanding each school’s needs rather than quick, transactional placements.
• Prioritizing Organic Growth and Integrity: Josh advises aspiring entrepreneurs to focus on organic growth, invest in back-office support, and put integrity and care at the forefront, emphasizing that sustainable success goes beyond just billing.

About Josh Brandon

Josh Brandon is the founder of Qualiteach, an education recruitment consultancy he launched in December 2015 with a mission to deliver unmatched service in the sector. With 14 years of dedicated experience in education recruitment, Josh brings a wealth of expertise and a strong commitment to quality, reliability, and trustworthiness.

Under his leadership, Qualiteach has grown to include approximately 40 employees across three regional offices, serving a broad network of schools and educational institutions.

Josh’s approach is rooted in a belief in fostering a positive, supportive work environment where each team member is empowered to reach their full potential.

This culture of encouragement and professional growth has become a cornerstone of Qualiteach’s success, allowing the company to thrive and make a meaningful impact in the lives of both candidates and clients. Whether helping schools find exceptional educators or guiding professionals to fulfilling roles, Josh remains steadfast in his commitment to excellence.

Connect with Josh Brandon:

• Website

• LinkedIn

• 
  

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What does it take to elevate your recruiting career from average to elite?

In this episode, Susanna Gray-Jones is joined by the esteemed recruitment trainer, Alan Clarke, founder of RecruiterFit. With over 27 years of industry expertise, Alan shares his mission of empowering recruiters to refine their skills and build resilience in a demanding field.

He dives into the art of developing essential recruiting techniques and enhancing softer skills that many overlook, emphasizing how mastering these can elevate one's career from ordinary to elite.

Alan's unique blend of practical insights and motivational guidance helps listeners tap into their fullest potential, pushing beyond perceived limits to succeed in today’s tough market.

They also explore the mindset shifts that separate top-performing recruiters from the rest and discuss why investing in continuous improvement and self-discipline is key to navigating the industry's highs and lows.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• Getting RecruiterFit – Alan’s mission is to help recruiters build resilience and sharpen both hard and soft skills to elevate their performance.
• Mastering the Basics – Success in recruitment starts with consistently excelling at fundamentals like thorough candidate qualification and understanding the client's real needs.
• Deep Qualifying – Going beyond surface-level motivations, Alan recommends uncovering six or more reasons a candidate wants to move, ensuring a stronger commitment.
• Referrals Done Right – Referrals are strategic when done well. Alan shares tips for framing referral requests that tap into top-performer networks.
• Building Resilience – In a tough market, keep relationships active with long-term thinking, even if immediate opportunities aren’t there.
• Backfill Opportunities – Leverage open roles left by placed candidates. Backfilling is a powerful, often overlooked way to secure new business.

About Alan Clarke

Alan Clarke is an experienced recruitment trainer with over 25 years in the industry, having trained more than 11,500 recruiters across 17 countries. From new consultants to business owners, Alan equips professionals with the essential skills to excel in recruitment, build successful desks, and lead teams effectively.

As the founder of RecruiterFit, he offers a wide range of tailored training programs, from induction to advanced management courses, all aligned with each client’s unique brand and values.

His resources extend beyond the classroom, featuring over 100 online training videos and practical 'Response Handlers' for managing client and candidate calls.

Alan’s dedication to enhancing recruitment standards and his commitment to empowering recruiters have established him as a highly valued mentor and expert in the industry.

Connect with Alan Clarke:

• ⁠Website⁠
• LinkedIn⁠

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