Most recruitment agencies are using just a fraction of the tech they’re already paying for—and many are being upsold by MSPs (Managed Service Providers) on tools they don’t need.

In this episode of Talent Matters, we’re joined by Kan Mallawathantri, Founder of Avensys Tech and former in-house IT leader for recruitment businesses like MSI and DRC. Kan breaks down what most MSPs don’t tell you, the hidden tools inside Microsoft 365 that recruiters overlook, and how to stay lean, secure, and efficient without bloating your tech stack.

We cover:

• Why most recruitment agencies only use 30% of Microsoft 365

• The tools already in your licence that can replace Calendly, Dropbox, Slack, and more

• How to automate onboarding, offboarding and compliance

• Shadow IT and how it puts your agency at risk

• What to ask when choosing an MSP—and what to avoid

• Why Microsoft Copilot could change the way recruiters work

If you're a recruitment agency owner, ops lead, or marketer trying to cut costs while scaling your business, this one’s for you.

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🎧 Listen to Talent Matters for honest conversations with recruitment leaders, tech experts, and marketers helping agencies grow.

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🔗 Discover more episodes at wave-rs.co.uk/resources/podcasts/talent-matters

In this episode of Talent Matters, Rupert McSheehy, Director at RMG Digital, shares how his journey from billing recruiter to agency founder shaped a new way of working — one that prioritises trust, autonomy, and long-term value over old-school sales culture and vanity metrics.

Rupert reflects on the lessons he took from his time at S3, what he kept and what he left behind, and how he's built a lean, profitable agency focused on enabling his team and delivering meaningful impact for clients and candidates alike. He also shares how Fireside with Founders, his podcast, has become a powerful tool for business development and brand building.

We talk about:

• Letting go of control and trusting your team
• Why headcount doesn’t equal success
• How smaller agencies can do more with less
• Moving from transactional to strategic recruitment
• Using content to engage candidates and clients alike

If you’re a recruitment agency owner, aspiring founder, or someone rethinking how an agency should run, this one’s for you.

// ABOUT RUPERT McSHEEHY

Rupert McSheehy is Director of RMG Digital, a recruitment agency specialising in Design, Product, and Software Engineering roles across the UK, Europe, and the US. With over 17 years in recruitment, Rupert co-founded RMG to build a lean, values-led agency focused on people, performance, and purpose. He also hosts Fireside with Founders, a podcast that explores the stories behind high-growth tech companies.

// ABOUT WAVE⁠⁠

Wave is the candidate attraction solution for recruitment agencies. Source high-calibre candidates faster and hassle-free. Build and grow a high-performing recruitment website. Buy and manage your job board contracts with ease.

In this episode of Talent Matters, Tamar Avakian, Co-Founder – Property & Surveying at Invictus Group, shares how 20 years in real estate recruitment has shaped her approach to building lasting relationships, specialist knowledge, and long-term impact in the built environment.

From engineering placements at Wimbledon to helping clients navigate a post-pandemic world, Tamar explains how her team supports hiring in a sector where flexibility, infrastructure, and people all collide. She also reflects on the changing nature of candidate expectations, the role of AI, and what recruiters can do to stay relevant in today’s market.

We talk about:

• How workplace flexibility is shaping real estate hiring

• Why niche knowledge gives specialist recruiters an edge
• What recruiters can learn from high-pressure event staffing
• The risks and rewards of launching a business during a recession
• Why long-term relationships still beat short-term wins

If you recruit in real estate, facilities, or the built environment – or want to hear what great recruitment looks like when it's powered by deep expertise – this one’s for you.

// ABOUT TAMAR AVAKIAN

Tamar Avakian is Co-Founder of the Property & Surveying division at Invictus Group, a specialist recruitment agency serving the built environment. With two decades of experience in real estate recruitment, Tamar leads a team that works across surveying, facilities, and engineering, supporting clients ranging from consultancies to developers and major institutions.

// ABOUT WAVE

⁠⁠⁠⁠Wave⁠⁠⁠⁠ is the candidate attraction solution for recruitment agencies. Source high-calibre candidates faster and hassle-free. Build and grow a high-performing recruitment website. Buy and manage your job board contracts with ease.