(TRN) The Recruitment Network

The biggest shake-up in UK recruitment legislation in decades is already underway - the question is, are you prepared? 2026 is set to be one of the most significant years of legislative change the UK recruitment industry has seen in decades, and for recruitment leaders, this is no longer just a compliance conversation. It’s a strategic one. In this episode of The TRN Podcast, James Osborne is joined by an expert panel of industry leaders to unpack the real-world impact of umbrella reform, Joint & Several Liability, Chapter 11 developments, and wider changes through the Employment Rights Act. Together, they explore what these changes mean for recruitment businesses today - from managing risk and strengthening supply chains, to identifying the opportunities for those who act early. This isn’t just about staying compliant. It’s about positioning your business to operate with confidence, build stronger partnerships, and become a trusted advisor in an increasingly complex market. If you’re responsible for leading a recruitment business, managing contractor supply chains, or navigating client relationships, this is a conversation that will help you stay ahead of what’s coming next.

Recruitment leaders - if moving from supplier to trusted advisor is the goal, what is actually standing in the way? Ahead of tomorrow’s session with James Osborne, we’re exploring one of the most common challenges facing recruitment leaders today. While many recognise the value of deeper, more strategic client relationships, the path to getting there is often less clear in practice - Barriers around client access, commercial pressure, and positioning can make that transition difficult to navigate. We’re interested to understand where you see the biggest challenge. Cast your vote below, and join us tomorrow as James breaks down the practical steps, behaviours and conversations that enable this shift in a meaningful and commercially effective way 👇

Are you using AI in your business, or just experimenting with it? AI is everywhere in recruitment right now. New tools are constantly emerging, and many businesses are testing them, but without a clear strategy, it often leads to fragmented efforts, wasted time, and little measurable impact. Join Gordon Stoddart for this practical session on Building a Simple AI Strategy for Your Recruitment Business, where we’ll focus on how to cut through the noise and implement AI in a way that actually supports performance, productivity and growth. In this session, we’ll cover: ✅ How to separate AI hype from tools that genuinely add value. ✅ Simple ways to integrate AI into sourcing, candidate engagement and workflows. ✅ How to get your team adopting AI effectively. ✅ How to measure the real impact on productivity, client outcomes and revenue. ✅ How to build a scalable approach that supports growth without adding complexity. This is a practical, no-nonsense session designed to help you move from experimentation to clear, commercially focused AI adoption. If you want to use AI with purpose, improve results and avoid unnecessary complexity, this session is for you 👇

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation’s latest JobsOutlook suggests employer confidence recovered in the first quarter of this year, before the onset of the Gulf conflict. The findings show that businesses, while facing headwinds from rising costs, were more ready to invest at the beginning of 2026 than in the previous year.

LHH, a global business unit of the Adecco Group, has released research into early careers – those in the first 4 years of their careers – finding that 28 per cent of UK early careers employees do not see a clear path for career progression in their current organisation but are staying due to external constraints and uncertainty in the job market.

Taranata Group has announced the promotion of Lyle Ritchie to Director: Permanent Recruitment, Taranata Group – Head Resourcing & Change Digital. Lyle steps into this expanded role after successfully leading the Head Resourcing Talent Solutions offering.

HR, hiring and payroll software provider, Employment Hero has revealed new data indicating that UK Retail and Hospitality businesses are increasing wages sharply ahead of April, while slowed hiring signals mounting pressure on the sector.

We’re delighted to welcome Privalgo as a partner to The Recruitment Network 🤝 In today’s recruitment market, speed, efficiency, and global reach matter more than ever - especially when it comes to payments, contractor management, and international growth. Privalgo supports recruitment businesses with faster, more connected FX and payment solutions, helping agencies operate seamlessly across borders while protecting margins from currency volatility. With access to 140+ currencies across 180+ countries, multi-currency accounts opened in as little as 24 hours, and a powerful client platform designed for ease and control, their solution is built for businesses operating at pace. For recruitment leaders managing international payments, contractor payroll, or global expansion, this is about more than just transactions - it’s about creating a smoother, more scalable financial infrastructure. We’re looking forward to working closely with the Privalgo team and bringing their expertise to TRN members. If you’re looking to streamline global payments, improve FX outcomes, and support international growth, it’s worth starting a conversation 👇

You don’t have to build your recruitment business alone. Our regional meetups are designed to connect you with like-minded leaders who are facing the same challenges, and finding smarter ways to overcome them. From expert-led insights to peer-driven support, it’s all about helping you grow with clarity and confidence. Become part of The Recruitment Network, and experience the power of the right community 👇

We’re pleased to welcome Woo.io as a new partner. One of the most overlooked sources of growth for recruitment businesses is their existing network of former clients and contacts. Over time, these individuals move companies, step into leadership roles, and influence new hiring decisions - yet most agencies struggle to track these changes and re-engage at the right moment. Woo’s AI Career Tracker™ technology helps recruitment businesses unlock this hidden opportunity. By continuously tracking career movements such as job changes, promotions, and relocations, Woo provides real-time signals that enable recruiters to reconnect with former clients when it matters most. The platform integrates directly with leading CRM systems including Bullhorn, Salesforce, HubSpot, Greenhouse, and Lever, automatically updating records with the latest career data. This means recruitment teams can maintain accurate networks, identify new opportunities earlier, and turn warm relationships into new business without leaving their existing workflow. The commercial impact of leveraging former clients is significant: ✅ Former clients convert 3× higher than new prospects. ✅ Time to win business is 2× faster. And 70% of former clients have moved to new organisations, creating new hiring opportunities ✅ By bringing together AI-powered career tracking, predictive engagement signals, and seamless CRM integration, Woo helps recruitment businesses transform their networks into a consistent source of high-quality opportunities. We’re excited to welcome the Woo team to the TRN partner community and look forward to the value they’ll bring to recruitment leaders across the network 👏