Webinar Recap: Navigating Recruitment in the AI Age with PPMA
Starfish Search recently partnered with the Public Services People Managers Association (PPMA) to deliver a timely and thought-provoking webinar: “Navigating Recruitment in the AI Age.” Our own Sunita Patel was joined by Jason Makepeace from GovCats to explore how artificial intelligence is already reshaping recruitment, leadership, and workforce planning across the public sector. If you missed the session, the full webinar is available to watch here.
Top Insights & Key Takeaways
1. AI’s Practical Impact vs. Overhyped Myths
AI is beginning to bring practical value to recruitment—but not without caveats. The panel highlighted how many AI tools in use today can help streamline recruitment processes, yet the broader narrative is often clouded by hype. It’s crucial to separate inflated promises from the actual, grounded use cases where AI is delivering results. As the discussion made clear, success with AI relies not only on the tools themselves but also on the quality of the underlying data, the ethical framework they operate within, and the culture of the organisations adopting them.
2. Targeted Use Cases for AI
There are several specific areas where AI is showing clear benefits in recruitment. Tools that automate CV screening are proving effective in high-volume situations, allowing teams to identify relevant candidates more quickly. Similarly, talent-matching algorithms are improving sourcing by better aligning candidate skills with role requirements. Looking ahead, the panel discussed the potential of AI to drive blind screening processes that reduce unconscious bias and to support candidate engagement through early-stage chatbot interactions, though these applications still require careful development and oversight.
3. Risks Around Bias and Fairness
One of the central concerns surrounding AI in recruitment is the risk of embedding or amplifying existing biases. While these technologies offer efficiency, they can also replicate systemic inequities if not properly managed. The panel stressed the importance of maintaining human oversight throughout the recruitment process. AI should assist, not replace, the judgement of skilled recruiters who are able to sense-check outcomes, interrogate recommendations, and ensure fairness remains a constant priority.
4. AI Transparency and Trust
Trust in AI begins with transparency. Candidates and hiring managers alike need to understand how AI is being used in decision-making and be assured that it is operating within ethical boundaries. The speakers emphasised the importance of communicating clearly about AI’s role in recruitment processes. Organisations must be able to demonstrate how decisions are made and maintain auditable trails to support accountability and build confidence among stakeholders.
5. Upskilling Recruitment Teams
Adopting AI tools successfully requires recruitment teams to build new skills and knowledge. Data literacy is becoming a core competency, allowing recruiters to critically assess AI outputs and understand their limitations. The panel discussed how legal and ethical awareness must also be part of ongoing team development. Training and practical frameworks are essential to support responsible use and to embed AI in a way that enhances rather than undermines the quality of recruitment.
6. Strategic and Incremental Adoption
Rather than implementing AI at scale all at once, the speakers recommended a phased approach. Organisations should begin with small-scale pilots, test real use cases, and scale up gradually based on what works. AI is most valuable when integrated into broader improvements in recruitment strategy and process design. It should not be viewed as a plug-and-play solution, but as one part of a more thoughtful and sustainable transformation effort.
7. Leadership and Cultural Readiness
AI adoption is not simply a technical challenge—it’s a leadership and cultural one. Without buy-in from senior leaders, AI strategies will lack clarity and impact. The panel underlined that leadership must set the tone, provide clear governance, and ensure AI use aligns with organisational values. Only when there is shared understanding and confidence in the technology can AI be used in ways that are ethical, effective, and empowering.
Why This Matters for Starfish Clients & Candidates
At Starfish Search, we are committed to embracing innovation that supports better outcomes for our clients and candidates. This webinar reinforces our belief that the future of recruitment is both digital and human. AI has the power to increase efficiency and improve decision-making, but only when applied thoughtfully and transparently. We will continue to integrate smart tools into our practice where they add value—always with the oversight of experienced consultants who understand the importance of trust, fairness, and human judgement.
Next Steps & Resources
To watch the full webinar, click here. Stay informed about future webinars and insights by visiting the News & Events section of starfishsearch.com and following us on LinkedIn.
If you’re exploring how AI might support your recruitment strategy, our team would be happy to advise. Contact us to start the conversation about future-ready talent solutions.
Lorraine Payne Named Among Top 10 Interim Consultants in the 2025 IIM Awards
We are incredibly proud to share that Lorraine Payne, Partner at Starfish Search, has once again been recognised by the Institute of Interim Management (IIM) as one of the UK’s top interim consultants, securing a place in the Top 10 for 2025. This honour, based entirely on feedback from interim managers themselves, celebrates the individual consultants who go beyond the brief — those who listen carefully, understand deeply, and deliver consistently for the interims and organisations they support.
Top Talent: Regeneration and Growth
The growth and infrastructure agenda remains central to the government’s mission, and local authorities across the country are key drivers.
Mastering the Chair and Chief Executive Partnership: Insights from Our Latest Webinar
We recently hosted the second session in our Aspiring Chief Executives webinar series, focusing on a crucial theme for any leader entering the charity sector: Mastering the Chair and Chief Partnership. The session, led by our own Louise Beales, Prinicpal Consultant, and special guest Ciara Eastell, an experienced charity CEO, Chair, and coach, both provided a wealth of practical advice for those stepping into executive roles, especially within non-profit and charitable organisations.
ACCREDITATIONS
ESPO is a public sector owned professional buying organisation (PBO), specialising in providing a wide range of goods and services to the public sector for over 40 years. Starfish Search has been awarded a place on ESPO’s Strategic HR Services framework (3S). Services we offer under the framework include: Lot 1, Executive and Managerial Interim Recruitment Lot 2, Executive and Managerial Permanent Recruitment.
Starfish are proud to be certified Disability Confident Committed. This scheme provides employers with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to attract, recruit, retain and develop disabled people in the workplace.
Crown Commercial Service supports the public sector to achieve maximum commercial value when procuring common goods and services. In 2020/21, CCS helped the public sector to achieve commercial benefits equal to £2.04bn - supporting world-class public services that offer best value for taxpayers. Starfish Search has been named as a supplier on Crown Commercial Service’s Executive and Non-Executive recruitment. Services we offer under the framework include: Lot 3 - Non-Executive and Public Appointments.
Bloom, launched in 2012 is the UK’s leading marketplace for professional services. They provide an end-to-end solution for the procurement, contract management and payment of all professional services, via the compliant NEPRO³ framework. Their public sector clients have access to 20 professional services categories and over 4500 accredited suppliers. Bloom provides swift routes to market via either direct award or mini competition. Starfish is an accredited supplier to BLOOM; our services can be accessed via this framework - Executive and Non-Executive Search and Interim Management.
Join the starfish team
We hire people who bring insight, integrity and ambition to their work. If you’re ready to contribute to shaping the future of leadership and you want to explore our current opportunities please get in touch.
