Fruition’s Females of the Future: Insights and Takeaways

 

At Fruition, we’re passionate about empowering women in recruitment and supporting them to achieve their full potential. At our latest Females of the Future event, we brought together recruitment professionals, leaders, and aspiring trailblazers to share experiences, insights, and practical advice.

Hosted by Sarah Pawson, CEO and Founder of Fruition and Enablis (previously Fruition Consulting), the evening featured powerful stories and actionable advice from an incredible panel of guest speakers.This featured:

  • Alicia McGoogan, Associate Director, LJW Solutions

  • Gabbi Trotter, Digital Recruiter and Software Team Lead, Searchability

  • James May, Client Services Director, Maxwell Bond

  • Sam Brand & Ulli Brand, Co-Founders, Brand Partners

It was great for our sponsors, Paystream and Sourcewhale to also come down and build their presence in the community. It was an evening of inspiration, practical tips, and honest conversations; our expert speakers covered topics ranging from rapid career progression to starting a business, overcoming challenges, and leading with resilience.

 


Key Insights from Our Speakers

Alicia McGoogan – Associate Director, LJW Solutions

 

Alicia’s inspiring story showed how focus and resilience can propel a career forward, even in the face of adversity. Sharing the intimate details of her diagnosis with breast cancer, just as her recruitment career was taking off, Alicia shared how she turned her challenges into fuel for growth, becoming an Associate Director in just three years:

"I came back to work with a vengeance. I set myself two goals: to achieve the most promotions in my team and to become the company’s top biller. That’s exactly what I’ve done."

Key Takeaways:

  • Identify your “why” to drive motivation and set a clear vision for your career.

  • Use SMART goals to break big ambitions into achievable milestones.

  • Resilience is built by refusing to quit, even when faced with setbacks.

Another key piece of advice Alicia left us with, was to start each day by getting into the habit of asking yourself “does this support the life that I'm trying to create?”. Ultimately, her talk taught us that success isn’t about avoiding obstacles—it’s about how you embrace them and push forward.


Gabbi Trotter – Digital Recruiter and Software Team Lead, Searchability

 

Gabbi’s talk focused on the importance of empathy and authenticity in leadership. As a manager, she’s built a team by prioritising human connections and investing in her colleagues’ success:

"Being approachable as a manager is a highly underrated trait. Your team should feel comfortable coming to you with their challenges."

Gabbi also highlighted the power of personal branding in today’s competitive market, not to mention the importance of women in business; sharing the statistic that “Companies with at least 80% of women in leadership roles can increase their comfort margins by 15%”.

Key Takeaways:

  • Empathy is a vital leadership skill; understand and support your team.

  • Build a strong personal brand to differentiate yourself and connect with your audience.

  • Organisation and clear boundaries are essential for achieving work-life balance.

Her insights underscored that leadership is as much about listening as it is about leading.


James May – Client Services Director, Maxwell Bond

 

James offered a wealth of knowledge on scaling recruitment businesses internationally. Drawing from his experience of delving into new markets, he emphasised the importance of leadership, adaptability, and cultural alignment when growing teams:

"Building a team isn’t just about filling roles—it’s about cultivating a shared vision and ensuring every member contributes to its success."

Key Takeaways:

  • Strong leaders need a mix of client development skills and team management abilities.

  • Test new markets gradually to minimize risks and optimise strategies.

  • Cultural alignment is critical to long-term success in new regions.

His talk reminded us that growth requires thoughtful planning and a commitment to learning from setbacks.


Sam Brand & Ulli Brand – Co-Founders, Brand Partners

 

Sam and Ulli shared their journey of founding their own recruitment business, offering practical insights for aspiring entrepreneurs. Their candid discussion touched on the challenges of financial planning, navigating work-life balance, and building a business from scratch.

Key Takeaways:

  • Financial stability is essential; have a six-month runway before starting a business.

  • Entrepreneurship demands resilience and the ability to manage multiple roles, as they put it: "Starting your own business isn’t easy—you’re not just a recruiter anymore. You’re everything: accountant, marketer, and sales team."

  • Clear boundaries between work and personal life are vital, especially when working with a partner.

Their experience highlighted the rewards of building something aligned with your values and ambitions, and illustrated the power of determination and will power in achieving business goals.


Looking Ahead: How You Can Get Involved

 

We’re always looking to improve our events and value your feedback. If there are specific topics you’d like us to cover or if you’d like to join us as a speaker, we’d love to hear from you!


Join the Females of the Future Community

 

Want to stay up to date on future events and initiatives? Join our Females of the Future group and be the first to know about opportunities designed to empower women in recruitment. Join Here.

Contact Us:

  • Leeds Office: 1 York Pl, Leeds LS1 2DR | Tel: 0113 323 9900 | Email: hello@fruitionit.co.uk

  • Manchester Office: The Lincoln 2nd Floor, Lincoln Square, Brazennose St, Manchester M2 5AD

Together, we’re shaping the future of recruitment—one connection at a time.

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