With it being our 21st Birthday we did a Q&A with Claire Bond, Director at Bond Williams Recruitment here’s what she told us…..
Q1: Bond Williams is celebrating 21 years, congratulations! What’s been the biggest change in recruitment since you started?
Thank you! One of the biggest shifts has been the role of technology. From AI-driven CV screening to remote interviewing, the tools have changed, but the heart of recruitment remains the same: understanding people. What’s also changed is candidate expectations. Flexibility, purpose, and culture now weigh just as heavily as salary.
Q2: What are the top challenges businesses face when hiring today?
Claire: There are several, but here are the ones we see most often:
- Talent Shortages & Skills Gaps – Especially in sectors like tech, healthcare, finance and engineering. Roles are evolving faster than the talent pool can keep up.
- Increased Competition for Talent – With more companies hiring in-house and using AI tools, standing out to candidates is harder than ever.
- Economic Uncertainty – Inflation, National Insurance increases, and Brexit aftershocks have made workforce planning more complex.
- Sourcing Top-Tier Candidates – The best candidates are often passive and not actively job hunting. It takes deep networks and a personal approach to reach them.
- Low or Uncompetitive Offers – Businesses sometimes lose great candidates by underestimating market rates or not aligning offers with candidate expectations.
- Technological Disruption & AI Bias – Automation helps, but it can depersonalise the process and introduce bias if not managed carefully.
- Retention & Counteroffers – Even after hiring, businesses are losing talent to counteroffers or early exits. Retention strategies are now just as important as recruitment.
Q3: What advice would you give to HR teams trying to attract better candidates?
Claire: Be authentic. Candidates can spot generic job ads a mile off. Showcase your culture, your people, and your values. And don’t underestimate the power of a great candidate experience, it’s often the deciding factor.
Q4: How do you see the role of recruitment agencies evolving?
Claire: Specialist agencies aren’t just CV providers, we’re strategic partners. Clients come to us for market insights, salary benchmarking, employer branding advice, and long-term workforce planning. It’s about adding value beyond the hire.
Q5: What makes the Bond Williams team special?
Claire: Honestly? It’s the people. We’ve built a team that genuinely cares about Bond Williams, each other, our clients, and our candidates. Many of us have been together for over a decade, with an average tenure of 11.5 years. That continuity brings deep knowledge and a level of trust that’s hard to replicate. Integrity runs through everything we do.
Q6: What’s next for Bond Williams?
Claire: We’re continuing to evolve, but always with purpose. That means investing in our people, embracing innovation, and staying true to our values. We’re excited about the future and grateful for the trust our clients and candidates place in us.
Why Do Clients work with Bond Williams?
- Trusted Expertise – With 21 years in the industry, we understand the nuances of recruitment across multiple sectors.
- Long-Term Relationships – Many of our clients have worked with us for over a decade. We’re not just a supplier we’re a partner.
- Tailored Approach – We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. Every client gets a bespoke service, aligned with their goals and culture.
- Deep Candidate Networks – We reach passive talent others can’t, thanks to our reputation and long-standing relationships.
- Integrity & Continuity – Our team’s average tenure is 11.5 years. That consistency means clients work with people who know their business inside out.
If you’re struggling to find the right talent, losing candidates to counteroffers, or simply want a recruitment partner who truly understands your business, we’re here to help. With over 250 years of combined experience, deep sector knowledge, and a team that genuinely cares, Bond Williams is more than a recruitment agency, we’re strategic hiring partners.
Whether you’re hiring now or planning ahead, we’d love to support your journey.
