One of the things I enjoy most about my role is the opportunity to travel.
Recruitment is, and always will be, a people business. You can have great calls, Teams meetings and emails, but nothing quite replaces sitting down with someone face to face, getting to know them properly and building genuine relationships.
At Nicholas Howard, “Engaging with Experience” means exactly that – engaging with candidates, clients, new contacts and experiencing the organisations we aim to support. We believe this is how long-lasting, successful recruitment is achieved.
Whether it is meeting clients, catching up with candidates, attending events or simply spending time in a different market, travelling always gives you a much better understanding of the people, businesses and challenges involved. Conversations are often more open, ideas flow more naturally and you usually come away with far more than you would from a quick video call.
This latest run of travel has been a great reminder of that.
In the last week, I have spent time in Madrid, Seville, Mansfield and London, all very different places but each with their own energy and character.
Madrid has that real buzz about it. It is busy, vibrant and full of life, with amazing food, great places to meet and a real sense of momentum everywhere you go. It is one of those cities where you can have a productive meeting during the day and then spend the evening exploring somewhere new.
Seville has a completely different pace. It feels more relaxed, more traditional and has an incredible atmosphere. The architecture, the history and the general feel of the city make it a brilliant place to spend time, and it is easy to see why so many people fall in love with it.
Closer to home, Mansfield has been another important stop. Spending time there with clients and candidates has been a reminder that some of the best conversations and strongest relationships are often built away from the big city centres.
London, meanwhile, always has its own energy. There is something about the pace, the variety of businesses and the constant movement that makes it an exciting place to spend time. Whether it is client meetings, networking or just being around that environment, it is always a city that leaves you feeling motivated.
Travelling for work is not always glamorous. There are early starts, delayed trains and flights, too much coffee and plenty of time spent in stations and airports. But the chance to build relationships in person, spend time in different places and get out from behind a desk is something I will never take for granted.
This week alone I have checked in with contractors we have out working in Spain, talked Q2 resourcing plans over coffee with clients and caught up with contacts across the UK. It has been another reminder that face-to-face contact still matters and that some of the best business conversations happen when you are sat across the table from someone rather than behind a screen.

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