Impact Promise 2025

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Six months into our Impact Promise and what a journey it’s been.  In just half a year, we’ve delivered bold, transformative impact we are really proud of.  

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In June, we are going straight to the root of the issue: Recruitment.  Because let’s face it, the system is utterly broken.

• It’s a system that forgot people were part of it.

• It’s cold. 

• It’s outdated. 

• It’s full of mis-information. 

• It was built for a world that no longer exists - it’s filtering out the very people who are most equipped to reshape the future of work.

 

• Founder Suzie Burley attended the Recruitment & Employment Confederation Annual Conference:

Driving Change in Recruitment: A Conversation with Kate Shoesmith, Deputy CEO at the REC

As part of Suzie's ongoing mission to improve the recruitment experience for talent of all levels across the UK, Suzie met with Kate Shoesmith to discuss the persistent challenges in the hiring landscape: including AI bias, the continued lack of feedback for applicants and the cold, elongated recruitment processes.

Kate acknowledged that these concerns are all too familiar and disappointing.  Despite the advances in recruitment technology, many candidates are still left in the dark, receiving little or no feedback after interviews or applications.  She reaffirmed that the REC continues to urge all recruitment agencies to prioritise candidate experience and provide constructive feedback as standard practice, not an optional extra.

On the subject of AI, Kate also expressed clear concerns.  As AI becomes increasingly embedded in recruitment processes, she confirmed there is a growing risk of unconscious bias and depersonalisation creeping into the assessment process for professionals.  She confirmed she is currently working closely with industry leaders, the government and policymakers to advocate for clear, ethical codes of conduct that protect fairness, transparency and human judgement throughout the recruitment lifecycle.

This conversation reflects a growing call to action - one that Suzie and Kate both share - to hold recruitment to the highest standards.  A process that respects the talent behind the CVs and embraces innovation responsibly.  Kate has agreed to continue the conversation with me, I look forward to her reaching out.

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• I was proud to deliver my Career Uprising™: Beyond the 9–5 workshop once again in partnership with The King’s Trust, supporting a powerful cohort of young Founders from across the UK.  These emerging leaders are launching bold ventures, disruptive services and purpose-driven initiatives that are reshaping the business landscape in exciting, future-focused ways.  This workshop is designed to help them take back control of their careers - by building working lives that are not only authentic and values-led, but also structured for sustainability, resilience and growth.  We equip Founders with the tools to design career formats that fuel their entrepreneurial ambitions while unlocking additional income streams, expanding their impact and creating long-term security.  Because a modern career shouldn’t limit potential - it should amplify it.

• While employers have been waiting to catch up with a changing world of work, I've been rewriting the rules by introducing my talented clients to a new way of working.  One that allows them to take back control of their career, rebuilding a new phase of authentic and fulfilling work that prioritises their needs, aspirations, impact and growth.  Most importantly, I've introduced clients to dynamic employers with aligned values and ambitions, for a sustainable and rewarding future.

• In order to create transformational change across the hiring process, I’m proud to introduce: HUMAN//HIRE™ – The Human-Centred Hiring Innovation Alliance ™.  A bold framework designed to transform hiring outcomes for all through cultural alignment, transparency and best practice at the heart of the hiring process.  This isn’t about overhauling your process or changing everything, it's about committing to getting the important things right and reaping the benefits of this.  HUMAN//HIRE™ supports dynamic employers and agencies to transform their hiring expectations by:

  • Delivering standout candidate experiences.

  • Strengthening cultural fit and long-term alignment between people and organisations.

  • Showcase employer values authentically through the recruitment journey.

  • Protect and enhance brand reputation and improve hiring outcomes.

  • Enhance productivity, retention and engagement through smarter talent alignment.

• It’s a simple, actionable agreement that reflects a commitment to hiring excellence.  One with huge rewards for employers, agencies and talent - addressing core challenges and frustrations in todays hiring landscape for a brighter, more innovative and human-centred future.  Because great hiring is more than filling roles - it’s about building culture, credibility and excellence - from the very first interaction.

 

July & August 25 - We've Been Shortlist For An Important Award

 

 

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🌟 Shortlisted for Candidate Experience of the Year 2025 🌟

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Which is why it means so much more that I have been shortlisted by the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) for the Candidate Experience of the Year Award 2025. What makes this especially meaningful is that the award is judged on the feedback of those I’ve worked with directly - people who have experienced my support, my proven methods and the results of a truly transformative process.

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Too often, candidates are treated as though they are just CVs, not people; with ambitions, preferences and lives.  That’s why this shortlisting matters. It recognises the effort to go beyond transactions, to put people at the centre and to build services that deliver clarity, confidence, direction and transformative results that fit them and provide the platform to thrive.

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And this connects directly to my Impact Promise: to ensure not only that my clients receive the highest quality of support, but also that these same services and methodologies reach those who wouldn’t normally get the opportunity to benefit. Everyone deserves the chance to thrive, not just those with networks, resources or privilege.

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It’s time for all of us to raise the standard and make a difference. I’m proud to be pushing this conversation forward and, hopefully, leading by example.  

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Who knows whether I’ll win the award.  Either way, I’m proud that my clients know I go above and beyond and provide results that empower them to reach their full potential in careers that feel fulfilling, impactful and truly theirs.

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September 25 - Career Education, Reform & Innovation

​What a month September has been for real reform and transformational change!

 

This month, the absolute focus has been on career reform, innovation and scaling best practice. At a time when youth unemployment remains one of the most pressing challenges of our economy, I have been working with partners across education, enterprise and policy to design and deliver solutions that move the dial for young people.

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Consulting with The King’s Trust

• I was invited to meet with the employability team at The King’s Trust to deliver global unemployment trends and the strategies other countries have adopted to reduce youth unemployment.  Together, we explored my insights and methodologies to uncover how they can be applied here in the UK to unlock better outcomes.

• Following this, I am delighted to be acting as an ongoing consultant to The King’s Trust - bringing clarity on the current challenges facing young people, the barriers to entry they encounter and the methodologies I have implemented to successfully improve outcomes, boost confidence and strengthen employability skills. I am incredibly honoured and excited to extend my current voluntary portfolio within the Trust, to include advising and problem-solving with their core employability team to strengthen and accelerate the Trust’s position as a leader in the space of tackling youth unemployment through innovation.

 

Driving Local Impact - BEACON & Careers Hub Gloucester

• Alongside this national work, I joined BEACON (Business, Education and Careers Opportunities Network) in Cirencester, where an incredible team of local professionals in education, careers and employability are working tirelessly to connect schools and businesses, accelerate opportunities and dismantle barriers for young people in the local area.

• I also met with the Head of the Careers Hub Gloucester team, where I shared insights from my work and methodologies. I’m delighted that we now have exciting plans ahead to support the professionals delivering careers across multiple institutions - equipping them with knowledge of career innovation to drive more inclusive outcomes for young people in Gloucestershire and beyond. 

• Watch this space, both BEACON and Careers Hub Gloucester are already doing such great work.

 

Reintegrating Female Talent into the Workforce

• Another major focus this month has been supporting women returning to work after career breaks.  With the right strategies, confidence-building and targeted support, several women I worked with are now back in employment - ensuring valuable skills are reinvested into the UK economy. This is not only about individual outcomes but about strengthening our national talent pipeline at a time when it’s needed most.

 

Mentorship & Entrepreneurial Growth - The Kings Trust

• Through my ongoing 1:1 mentorship with The King’s Trust, I’ve continued to support young people pursuing enterprise pathways, helping them build viable businesses and gain confidence in their entrepreneurial potential. Additional workshops in entrepreneurship this month received excellent feedback, with participants highlighting how the sessions opened up new opportunities and gave them clearer direction.

 

Speaking at the JM Finn & Cheltonian Society Entrepreneurial Forum

• It was a privilege to speak at the Entrepreneurial Forum hosted by JM Finn Wealth Management and The Cheltonian Society, where I encouraged young people to consider enterprise as a pathway to fulfilling, resilient careers.  Enterprise isn’t just about gambling everything on one business idea – its about embracing innovative career formats to position yourself to stack skills, pursue passions and develop agile, varied and fulfilling careers. Sharing the stage with other business leaders highlighted the collective passion and responsibility we hold in ensuring that entrepreneurship is accessible, inclusive and impactful for the next generation.

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Appointed Career Consultant at the Royal Agricultural University

• I am honoured to be returning as Career Consultant at the Royal Agricultural University. RAU are embracing a bold approach to career innovation, and I’m excited to continue our journey together - thinking big and embracing modern career methodologies that combine traditional pathways with enterprise and forward-thinking careers to deliver real fulfilment.

• My focus is on embedding approaches that empower students to pursue their specialisms with confidence, unlock outcomes faster, and align with their talents to embrace innovation as a natural part of their early journey. This is about aiming high and driving impact that strengthens both individuals and communities.

 

A Final Reflection

September has reinforced for me that systemic change is possible when proven methodologies are shared, scaled and embedded into the heart of education and employability services. My work this month has spanned global strategy, local action and individual mentorship - and the common thread is clear: innovation transforms outcomes.

 

We will continue to push forward career reform, challenging outdated models, and ensuring that young people, regardless of their background, have the clarity, confidence and opportunities they need to thrive.

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