The Retained Search Show – Details, episodes & analysis

Louise Archer, Sophie Robertson, David Wolstenholme and Adrian Byra come together to announce their exciting Sydney Masterclass Event taking place on October 23rd at the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel, designed to help Australian recruiters navigate changing market conditions with innovative strategies.

You'll Learn

• How to win exclusivity and commitment in cautious markets, avoid costly delivery pitfalls, and guarantee fill rates that keep clients coming back.
• How to uncover hidden temp opportunities, avoid margin-draining mistakes, and create the stability your business needs in uncertain times.
• How to leverage offshore teams and AI to cut costs, boost productivity, and keep margins healthy when revenue is under pressure.
• How to stand out with content that addresses clients’ biggest fears, builds authority, and wins trust when budgets are tight.

Join us at the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel on Thursday, October 23rd for a full-day masterclass that will transform how you approach recruitment in today's changing market. 

Book now to secure your spot. Spaces are limited: https://recruitment-masterclass.vercel.app/

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Want to know more about our retained search training? Talk to us: https://retrainedsearch.com/book-a-demo/

Check out our reviews: https://retrainedsearch.com/reviews/

Join our upcoming masterclasses: https://retrainedsearch.com/webinars/

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LinkedIn

Connect with Louise: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-archer-48612844/

Connect with Jordan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/retainedsearchcoach/

Follow Retrained Search: https://www.linkedin.com/company/retrained-search/

Pete Watson, founder of Mint R2R and Recruitment United, offers a refreshingly honest look at the realities of Australian recruitment today. With over 21 years building Australia’s longest-serving Rec to Rec business, Pete brings a unique perspective on how the industry is evolving and why community might be the secret ingredient most recruiters are missing.

Pete's journey from running pubs in Manchester to becoming a recruitment entrepreneur began with a simple phone call from a friend boasting about an £11,000 monthly bonus. That call sparked a career spanning two decades and continents, culminating in multiple successful ventures designed to bring recruiters together. His most passionate project, Recruitment United, was born from a personal realization while on the treadmill - that the isolation of running a small recruitment agency was taking a toll. "My life was somewhat isolated, dare I say, lonely," Pete admits, describing the moment he decided to create something that would connect independent recruiters across Australia.

In this episode, Pete shares:

• Why the Australian recruitment market remains resilient-though uneven-across verticals
• How community and collaboration can transform an industry built on competition
• The untapped opportunity of retained search, including the story of one regional recruiter who trebled his revenue by converting contingent jobs to retained searches
• Why AI should be seen as an opportunity, not a threat, for relationship-driven recruiters
• His advice for navigating market slowdowns: “Now is the time you raise your game. Now is the time you be way more visible.”

Whether you’re thinking about starting your own agency, shifting towards retained search, or simply craving connection in an often-isolated profession, Pete’s insights provide both inspiration and practical guidance. His message is clear: the future of recruitment isn’t about fighting competition, it’s about putting an arm around each other.

If you're interested in joining Recruitment United or learning more about Pete's ventures, connect with him on LinkedIn or call him directly at 0432 666 701.

Find out more about our upcoming Recruitment Masterclass in Sydney: https://recruitment-masterclass.vercel.app/

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Want to know more about our retained search training? Talk to us: https://retrainedsearch.com/book-a-demo/

Check out our reviews: https://retrainedsearch.com/reviews/

Join our upcoming masterclasses: https://retrainedsearch.com/webinars/

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LinkedIn

Connect with Louise: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-archer-48612844/

Connect with Jordan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/retainedsearchcoach/

Follow Retrained Search: https://www.linkedin.com/company/retrained-search/

Nick Hoadley shares his transformative journey from insurance broker to founder of Insurance Search, a successful retained executive search firm serving the UK, US, and Bermuda insurance markets.

But the path wasn’t linear. Nick opens up about how working in contingent recruitment chipped away at his confidence and professional identity. “You don’t really want to mention to people that you’re a recruiter because of the stigma that comes with it,” he reflects, describing how even major companies overlooked his industry insight and expertise.

The turning point? Embracing retained search.

By shifting to a model where clients commit upfront, Nick was able to deliver real value, from comprehensive market mapping to strategic talent insights, while rebuilding his reputation and relationships in the industry.

In this episode, Nick shares how he:

• Transitioned to retained to build deeper, more professional client partnerships
• Expanded his offering to include standalone research and strategic insights
• Launched innovative BD channels like The Insurance Coffee House podcast
• Uses podcasting to connect with senior leaders and drive inbound business
• Built communities through the Board Club and HR Executive Club
• Created a Managing Partner Program to scale under the Insurance Search brand
• Rejected the 360 model in favour of playing to people’s natural strengths

His advice to recruiters?
 “If you value your time, you’ve got to move to retained.”

For those unsure, he recommends starting small - testing the waters, building confidence, and experiencing firsthand how the retained model changes everything. This isn’t just about fees. It’s about restoring pride, building partnerships, and creating a career that feels good again.

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Want to know more about our retained search training? Talk to us: https://retrainedsearch.com/book-a-demo/

Check out our reviews: https://retrainedsearch.com/reviews/

Join our upcoming masterclasses: https://retrainedsearch.com/webinars/

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LinkedIn

Connect with Louise: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-archer-48612844/

Connect with Jordan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/retainedsearchcoach/

Follow Retrained Search: https://www.linkedin.com/company/retrained-search/

In this LinkedIn Live replay, Ryan and Paul reveal how they transformed their recruitment businesses by shifting from contingent chaos to retained success, right in the middle of Japan’s notoriously tough talent market.

One hit his annual target by Valentine's Day.

The other landed a $700,000 single fee.

What changed? Everything.

Japan’s recruitment market is no walk in the cherry blossom park, with only 4% LinkedIn usage, a rapidly aging population, and a small pool of globally-minded, English-speaking candidates. Yet Ryan and Paul pushed past fear, self-doubt, and myths about retained work to build smarter, stronger businesses.

Key takeaways:

 - Both recruiters emphasized diagnostic skills as critical – deeply understanding client pain before proposing solutions 

- Moving to retained required overcoming mindset barriers like fear, lack of confidence, and misconceptions about the process

- Financial impact has been transformative - more predictable revenue, higher fees, and hitting annual targets faster

- Retained work provides better quality of life – being fully present at work and able to completely disconnect when not working

- Clients appreciate the structured process, with one telling Ryan: "I could sleep well at night knowing you had everything under control"

- The shift isn't about working harder but working smarter – "slowing down" to properly diagnose client needs before rushing to solutions

- For those considering the transition: specialize in a niche, be willing to say no to inappropriate work, and focus on proper diagnostics

Whether you're just starting your retained journey or looking to master it, this episode proves the shift isn’t about working harder, it’s about working wiser.

👉 Learn more at www.retrainedsearch.com

 Explore Search Foundations for recruiters ready to move to retained, and Search Mastery for those already winning consistent retained work.

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Want to know more about our retained search training? Talk to us: https://retrainedsearch.com/book-a-demo/

Check out our reviews: https://retrainedsearch.com/reviews/

Join our upcoming masterclasses: https://retrainedsearch.com/webinars/

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LinkedIn

Connect with Louise: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-archer-48612844/

Connect with Jordan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/retainedsearchcoach/

Follow Retrained Search: https://www.linkedin.com/company/retrained-search/

From members who've doubled their revenue after transitioning from contingent to retained work, to recruiters who've fallen back in love with their profession, the transformations are nothing short of remarkable.

One of our members went from struggling to bill £140K in contingent work to effortlessly generating £300K through retained search—while working fewer hours and with greater satisfaction.

Another has completely converted their most skeptical clients who had "sworn never to go retained again" until experiencing the methodology's undeniable value.

In this episode, we take you behind the scenes of our recent Los Angeles in-person event, where behavioral scientist Jess Biller delivered a session on DISC profiling. Understanding whether your client is a high D (direct), high I (interpersonal), high S (supportive), or high C (analytical) transforms how you communicate with them. As Jess wisely noted, "We can't change the way our communication is received. We can only change the way we give it."

We also explore the business development approaches working right now for our most successful members. The common thread? It's about adding value first and offering genuine support rather than pushing for immediate sales.

The most innovative members are creating sustainable processes that turn every client engagement into valuable market intelligence that fuels their content creation and attracts new business.

Perhaps most encouraging is the realization that while the results are impressive, the methods themselves are remarkably straightforward. As Jordan puts it, looking at what top performers are doing: "It's all doable. You go, 'Oh, okay, yeah, I can do that.'"

Ready to transform your recruitment business? We're bringing our in-person masterclasses to Sydney in September, and we're hosting a special session for those in Japan on the 22nd of April: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QXep7wUsQpWyugbkvozY5A

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Want to know more about our retained search training? Talk to us: https://retrainedsearch.com/book-a-demo/

Check out our reviews: https://retrainedsearch.com/reviews/

Join our upcoming masterclasses: https://retrainedsearch.com/webinars/

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LinkedIn

Connect with Louise: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-archer-48612844/

Connect with Jordan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/retainedsearchcoach/

Follow Retrained Search: https://www.linkedin.com/company/retrained-search/

All the way from New York and New Jersey, Sean and Tom from The Locke Group joined us to share their journey—from feeling stuck in the contingent grind to becoming valued partners in retained search.

The contingent model held them back from offering the consultative partnerships their clients truly needed. Shifting to retained search changed everything—not just for their business, but for their team.

“The whole staff is just much happier being valued by our clients,” Tom shares. And as Sean puts it: “It’s night and day compared to contingent recruitment.”

We also dive into the practical side—how to:
🎙️ Evaluate opportunities more critically
🎙️ Build the confidence to turn down contingent work
🎙️ Structure retained engagements that actually work

Their advice? “Don’t settle. Value yourself. Demand to work at the level you deserve.”

If you’ve ever felt undervalued or stuck in the contingent cycle, this conversation is for you.

Curious about making the shift to retained? Check out our Search Foundations program to consistently win and deliver retained search projects.

If you have any questions, connect with Sean Locke & Thomas Hudson on LinkedIn.

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Want to know more about our retained search training? Talk to us: https://retrainedsearch.com/book-a-demo/

Check out our reviews: https://retrainedsearch.com/reviews/

Join our upcoming masterclasses: https://retrainedsearch.com/webinars/

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LinkedIn

Connect with Louise: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-archer-48612844/

Connect with Jordan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/retainedsearchcoach/

Follow Retrained Search: https://www.linkedin.com/company/retrained-search/

In this episode, we’re joined by Gemma Beasley, who shares her journey from the corporate world to launching her own recruitment business, Hudson Cooper Search, specializing in construction recruitment.

We’ll explore how she made the leap from the UK to the U.S. market, the unique challenges she faced, and the realities of building a business focused on relationships over transactions. 

Gemma also reveals how moving to 50% retained search has given her a competitive edge—and why increasing her focus on retained search has transformed her business.

If you're curious about building stronger client relationships, creating predictable income, and navigating the competitive world of recruitment—this one’s for you.

We discuss:

• The challenges and opportunities of recruiting in the U.S.
• How to build a business rooted in client relationships
• Adding value by understanding client needs deeply
• The power of community and support in entrepreneurship
• Adapting to an ever-evolving recruitment landscape

Subscribe for more conversations on the future of retained search and how recruiters are redefining success.

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Want to know more about our retained search training? Talk to us: https://retrainedsearch.com/book-a-demo/

Check out our reviews: https://retrainedsearch.com/reviews/

Join our upcoming masterclasses: https://retrainedsearch.com/webinars/

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LinkedIn

Connect with Louise: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-archer-48612844/

Connect with Jordan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/retainedsearchcoach/

Follow Retrained Search: https://www.linkedin.com/company/retrained-search/

Ever felt the frustration of chasing contingent recruitment leads only to see them slip away?

In this episode of The Retained Search Show, we sit down with Ross Sanderson, Group Director of Solutions at STR Group, as he shares his transformative journey from contingent recruitment to mastering retained search.

We explore the challenges, the mindset shifts, and the impact on both business success and personal fulfillment. Plus, Ross gives us a glimpse into the future of his team and how structured processes and clear communication lay the foundation for long-term growth.

Tune in to hear:

✅ The realities of shifting from contingent to retained search
✅ The biggest misconceptions recruiters have about retained work
✅ How retained search transformed team engagement and job satisfaction
✅ The key processes that drive success and consistency
✅ What’s next for Ross and STR Group’s retained growth

A must-listen for recruiters looking to take control of their business and career! 🎧

You can connect with Ross here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ross-sanderson-22050826/

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Want to know more about our retained search training? Talk to us: https://retrainedsearch.com/book-a-demo/

Check out our reviews: https://retrainedsearch.com/reviews/

Join our upcoming masterclasses: https://retrainedsearch.com/webinars/

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LinkedIn

Connect with Louise: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-archer-48612844/

Connect with Jordan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/retainedsearchcoach/

Follow Retrained Search: https://www.linkedin.com/company/retrained-search/

Stuck in the "Contained" or "Retingent" Haze?

We're here to peel back the layers of this complex journey, spotlighting halfway retained adopters who find themselves stuck in a limbo of mixed results.

We want to help you unlock the full benefits of completely transitioning to retained search by understanding the processes, pricing, and commitment required.

Stay tuned—there’s so much we’ll cover:

• Exploring the challenges faced when shifting to retained search
• Highlighting the importance of community support in achieving recruitment success
• And how, despite regional differences, the core principles of recruitment remain consistent worldwide

Our most exciting news? We're launching a brand-new virtual Masterclass on 18th February (yes, the 18th, not the 17th!), and we’d love for you to join us. It’s going to be exceptional.

In this Masterclass, we’ll show recruiters how to smash their 2025 goals and complete their journey to Retained, providing:

✅ 95%+ fill rates
✅ Predictable, forecastable revenue
✅ Maximum team productivity, high retention rates, and increased morale
✅ Growth in EBITDA and the value of your business
✅ The ability to move up the value chain, securing bigger fees and higher margins

You’ll leave with the tools and confidence to break free from the “Retingent” and “Contingent” danger zones and step confidently into true retained search—putting you several steps ahead of your competition.

Register here to secure your spot:
https://www.linkedin.com/events/7288113497605890050

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Want to know more about our retained search training? Talk to us: https://retrainedsearch.com/book-a-demo/

Check out our reviews: https://retrainedsearch.com/reviews/

Join our upcoming masterclasses: https://retrainedsearch.com/webinars/

___

LinkedIn

Connect with Louise: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-archer-48612844/

Connect with Jordan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/retainedsearchcoach/

Follow Retrained Search: https://www.linkedin.com/company/retrained-search/

Join us for an inspiring and insightful journey into the shift from contingent to retained search, as we celebrate real-life success stories from our community and share actionable strategies for setting and achieving your goals in 2025.

In this episode, we reflect on how personal experiences shape professional growth, the pivotal role of supportive leadership in nurturing talent, and the power of a strong community. 

You’ll walk away with practical insights on:

• Setting impactful goals using proven frameworks
• Creating cohesive business development strategies
• Building a leadership style that inspires ambition
• Leveraging your network for sustained success

Tune in to gain clarity, motivation, and a roadmap for thriving in 2025!

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Want to know more about our retained search training? Talk to us: https://retrainedsearch.com/book-a-demo/

Check out our reviews: https://retrainedsearch.com/reviews/

Join our upcoming masterclasses: https://retrainedsearch.com/webinars/

___

LinkedIn

Connect with Louise: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-archer-48612844/

Connect with Jordan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/retainedsearchcoach/

Follow Retrained Search: https://www.linkedin.com/company/retrained-search/