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Sam Spoors was head of talent acquisition for a large, multi-site business before she started Morpeth-based Talentheads, which acts as an in-house recruitment team for its clients. Since 2020, the company has grown to a 10-strong team.

What was your first job (and how much did it pay)? My first job was babysitting for neighbours and family friends. I remember one evening babysitting for a new neighbour during Eurovision Song Contest, I was pretty young and the couple had a cat, which absolutely terrified me. I hardly moved all night. If I remember correctly, I was paid £3 an hour, plus a taxi home when needed.

My next job was a paper round, delivering papers around the streets of the village I grew up in, proudly wearing my red tartan trousers. Early lessons in responsibility (and perseverance) if ever there were!

What is the best advice or support you’ve been given in business? The best advice I have been given is to ask myself the question ‘if I choose to do this, am I comfortable with what I’ll have to say no to?’ For example, if I choose to work late tonight – am I okay missing dinner with the kids? The honest answer to that question naturally reveals your priorities. I find this super useful.

What are the main changes you’ve seen in your business/sector, and what are the challenges you’re facing The reason I decided to create Talentheads in the first place was because I didn’t believe the recruitment sector had evolved enough. While almost every other industry has innovated, pivoted, and moved with the time, recruitment has largely stayed the same - transactional and focused on CV submission. I believe that growing businesses need more than that. They need the right people and the ability to retain them. They want to use their brand more effectively and build long-term recruitment and retention strategies, not just fill vacancies.

That’s why Talentheads exists. We partner with organisations as their outsourced internal recruitment team, helping them attract, engage, and retain the talent that fuels sustainable growth.

What would your dream job be? In my later years, my dream role would be one where I can continue to support others, either through volunteering in a charity where I can genuinely add value, or mentoring and advising other business owners, entrepreneurs and leaders. Helping people to grow and succeed is what motivates me most.

What advice would you give to someone starting out a career in your sector? It’s tough out there. Our sector is saturated and loud. Be part of something bold, ambitious and different. Think about the so what? What value can you add and what meaningful difference can you truly make? That mindset is what sets people apart.