The Growth Bites Podcast 

Season 2, Episode 4: Simon Brown

Building a Community-Led Recruitment Business

 
 
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In this episode of Growth Bites, Jo sits down with Simon Brown, Founder of Digital 51, a recruitment agency that breaks the traditional mould. Simon shares his unique journey in recruitment - how he went from working in-house to building Digital 51 with a focus on community and genuine partnerships.

Tune in to hear about the challenges Simon faced, including his experience with a failed MBO, and how he eventually grew and regained control of his brand. Simon also gives his thoughts on doom-mongering in the recruitment industry, why being niche is powerful, and how businesses can leverage technology and resilience to thrive in today’s market. 

If you want real-world advice on building a people-first recruitment business and surviving turbulent times, this is a must-listen.

 

Meet our Guest

simon copy (1)

Simon Brown

Founder

Simon Brown is the Founder of Digital 51, a community-focused recruitment agency that prioritises people and relationships over simply filling roles. With over 18 years of experience in recruitment, Simon has held leadership roles in both large multinationals and boutique firms. He has a passion for creating meaningful partnerships within the digital space, and in 2023, he took back control of Digital 51 after a challenging acquisition process. Simon is also an investor and advisor in various tech ventures and believes in building businesses that reflect the core values of collaboration and trust.

Past Episodes 

season 1

Season 1

Listen to all season 1 episodes here.

season 2Season 2

Listen to all season 2 episodes here.