Member News
North East recruitment specialists Talentheads are celebrating their fifth anniversary and are refreshing their business brand to reflect their journey of growth after establishing themselves as a unique disruptor in the recruitment industry.
Founded in October 2020 by Sam Spoors, the business was launched at the height of the pandemic – a bold move that reflected Spoors’ determination to rethink recruitment and build a model that puts people and purpose first.
“I started Talentheads after 15 years in recruitment, including five in-house at Parkdean Resorts during a period of huge growth,” said Sam. “That experience showed me how recruitment is about far more than filling roles – it’s about embedding talent strategies that truly help businesses grow and retain great people.
“I believed passionately that there was a big need for a disruptor in the recruitment and talent space – offering all the internal business understanding, without the recruitment fees.”
Talentheads’ model differs from traditional agencies by acting as an outsourced in-house recruitment and talent function. The company embeds itself within client teams, building talent pools and supporting retention through management and leadership development programmes.
Since launching, the business has expanded to a 10-strong team, working across five specialist sectors and 10 countries, with an average of 18 retained active clients. Having grown responsibly and sustainably, the business is now looking at the next chapter and overseas expansion.
The company’s brand refresh reflects how it has evolved from its start-up roots. “Our former brand (although relevant at the time) didn’t really capture who we were anymore,” said Sam. “We’ve matured, worked with incredible clients, and proven our approach works. This was the right time to invest in a refreshed identity that truly captures our purpose, energy and expertise.”
While 2024–25 has presented economic challenges across the sector, Sam says it’s also sharpened the business’s focus. “This year has taught me to forget vanity metrics and focus on what success really looks like – a profitable, sustainable business model built on trust, relationships and great people.”
Looking ahead, Talentheads will consolidate its strong North East base before exploring expansion into London and, by 2026, potential international opportunities including Dubai.
“Our mission remains simple,” added Sam. “To help businesses recruit and retain brilliant people – because that’s what fuels growth, stability and lasting success.”
