About · Chris Hawksey, founder of rec labs

I've run multiple transformations, and learnt from each one.

Chris Hawksey, founder of RecLabs Founder
Chris Hawksey
Founder, RecLabs · Ex-recruitment CEO
Connect with me on LinkedIn
18%
Productivity increase at BGI
55%
Productivity uplift at QXi Group
25%
Decrease in headcount, whilst maintaining NFI at BGI
The story

I spent my entire career leading recruitment businesses through exactly the kind of evolution I now help others navigate — and I've felt every hard part of it personally from the inside.

Over the last decade I've led, scaled and supported agencies across the US, UK and Europe — in both technology and professional services. I've launched international brands, opened new markets, and learned the real cost of lost opportunity when change goes wrong.

I've implemented the technology, restructured the teams, and took businesses through large-scale change — the messy, human kind that's full of compromise, creative solutions and steely resilience. In the best of those transformations we lifted productivity by as much as 55% and fees up 11%. And I've also go the scars from when things were rolled out too quickly, top billers become unsettled or teams become overwhelmed and revenue slumps in the short term. These are the things you really feel, and now I've built the system to overcome.

This is why RecLabs exists - to help staffing firms take advantage of the huge opportunites that now exist, build custom products and solutions tailored to each business, and support with the most important part - people change.

Why trust me with this
01
I've felt the pain

I've sat in the CEO seat, and understand personally the trade-offs and pressures of running an agency - meaning I can better navigate the pitfalls of your evolution.

02
Not another product

We're not selling tech, neither are we incentivised to give you something you don't need. We work with each business to create something bespoke - whether that's a product, a business solution or an introductory workshop for your leaders.

03
Only work with recruitment & staffing firms

There are some challenges unique to this industry, we know them inside out because we're been through them.

Work with me

Let's talk about where your business could go.

Whether you want a single build or a full transformation, the first step is a conversation.