My Interview with the Winners of Sheffield Podcast
A reflection on my journey, leadership, and why I still love recruitment after 12 years.
Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the Winners of Sheffield podcast team in the University of Sheffield’s podcast studio. We covered everything from growing up in a small Herefordshire village, finding my feet in Sheffield, and eventually taking ownership of Benchmark Recruit, to launching Benchmark Pathways and why authenticity remains at the core of everything I do.
Listen to the full episode here
How I Fell into Recruitment, and Why I Stayed
Like many recruiters, I didn’t set out to work in this industry. After graduating with a degree in Communication Studies, I took the first job I could find as a legal secretary in Barnsley. It wasn’t a natural fit (let’s just say wills and probate was never my passion), but it taught me a lot about people, structure, and resilience.
Eventually, I spotted a role in legal recruitment at Benchmark. I didn’t know much about the industry, but something about the word “people” pulled me in. I got the job, and from the very start, I felt like I’d found something that made sense. I didn’t love targets, but I loved people. Early on I realised that I was good at recruitment because I listened, cared, and wasn’t afraid to say when something didn’t feel right.
Taking on Benchmark and Making It My Own
Fast-forward nearly a decade, and in 2022, I completed a Management Buyout (MBO) of Benchmark Recruit. I’d been running the business day-to-day for a while, and the transition with Louisa Harrison-Walker (Benchmark’s founder) was entirely amicable and values-led, just like the business itself.
Benchmark has always been about meaningful relationships, not transactions. So, when I took ownership, I knew I wanted to honour what had already been built whilst evolving the brand to reflect my vision. That included a rebrand, a refreshed approach to client and candidate care, and a new phase of growth.
Why I Launched Benchmark Pathways
Over the years, I’ve had countless conversations with candidates who weren’t ready to move jobs, not because of a lack of skill, but because of life. Stress, confidence dips, burnout, and facing change. I found myself naturally coaching people through more than just interviews.
In 2025, I launched Benchmark Pathways, a second business under the Benchmark umbrella, focused on career coaching, confidence building, and team wellbeing. It’s also where I deliver workplace resilience workshops and 1:1 support for people feeling stuck or overwhelmed.
I’m now studying to become a Solution-Focused Practitioner. This work sits perfectly alongside recruitment, because no matter the label, everything I do is about helping people find their direction and be the best versions of themselves.
My Approach Hasn’t Changed, and that’s the Point
The industry has changed massively since I started in 2013, but my approach to recruitment hasn’t. I’m still the same person who:
- Won’t sell a job that doesn’t feel right.
- Gives honest feedback, even if it’s hard to hear.
- Builds long-term relationships over quick wins.
- Believes in doing business face-to-face (where possible)
I know I’m not the right recruiter for everyone, but if you value transparency, trust, and a bit of heart in the process, we’ll probably work extremely well together.
You can listen to the full Winners of Sheffield episode here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_LCladPGeQ
If you’re curious about recruitment, coaching, or what Benchmark can do for you, it would be great to speak to you.
If you would like to learn more about Benchmark Recruit, or Benchmark Pathways, or to book a session, please visit www.benchmarkrecruit.co.uk / www.benchmarkpathways.co.uk or get in touch at rebecca@benchmarkrecruit.co.uk