Blog

by Hetty Woyka - March 05, 2026

At Bain and Gray, we’re proud to work alongside an exceptional network of women across business, creativity, wellbeing and leadership. All of the women below feature in our LINKS directory and exemplify the depth, expertise and impact found within our community.

by Claire Gray - February 26, 2026

When we talk about business decision-making, attention naturally gravitates towards CEOs, founders and leadership teams. Yet behind almost every strong decision sits a network of highly skilled support professionals, shaping outcomes long before anything reaches the boardroom.

by Tara Polglase - February 17, 2026

For those who weren’t aware, Bain and Gray is an Employee Owned Business. As part of our Behind the Desk series, Tara Polglase, our Employee Council Chair, has written a short piece on what high-performing support teams really need from leadership.

by Claire Gray - February 12, 2026

AI-led video interviews are becoming an increasingly common part of the recruitment process, particularly for organisations hiring at scale or screening candidates early in the journey. For many professionals, they can feel unfamiliar, impersonal or even intimidating. The reality, however, is that they are simply another format to prepare for, and one you can approach with confidence.

by Tray Durrant - February 05, 2026

Q1 is the most strategically powerful moment in the hiring calendar. Our Managing Director, Tray, shares why securing exceptional business support early in the year creates calmer leadership, sharper decision-making and long-term operational momentum.

by Jessie Hignell - January 27, 2026

As we step into this new year, organisations are sharpening their focus on priorities and executive support teams are no exception. Explore Jessie Hignell's perspective on why leaders are looking for partners who can elevate the business, act as trusted representatives, and help shape company culture.

by Tray Durrant - January 27, 2026

A skills gap occurs when the capabilities within a workforce do not fully align with what the business needs now (or will need in the future.) Traditionally, identifying these gaps relied heavily on manager judgement, annual reviews, and manual audits. While useful, these approaches are often subjective, time-consuming and quickly out of date. This is where AI is changing the picture.

by Victoria Brown - January 22, 2026

Introducing Behind the Desk - Bain and Gray’s new blog series sharing insider insight from our permanent recruitment team, starting with our Associate Director, Victoria.

by Claire Gray - January 20, 2026

In today’s job market, your CV isn’t a static document, it’s a living, breathing marketing tool. Recruiters are reviewing CVs in seconds, not minutes, and before a human even looks at yours, an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) probably will.

by Claire Gray - January 15, 2026

Recruitment is no longer a choice between technology or people. This article explores what hybrid recruitment is, the benefits of hybrid recruiting, the challenges businesses must navigate, and how organisations can implement a successful hybrid recruitment model.

by Claire Gray - January 08, 2026

This article explores the most important hiring trends predicted for 2026, examining what they mean in practice for recruiters and employers. By staying ahead of recruiter hiring trends and adapting early, organisations can attract stronger talent, reduce hiring risk, and build teams designed for long-term success.

by Tray Durrant - December 22, 2025

Ethical AI in recruitment focuses on fairness, explainability and accountability. When used responsibly, it can improve decision-making, widen access to talent and reduce discrimination. But it also introduces challenges around transparency, data use and maintaining the human touch in the hiring process.

by Tray Durrant - December 22, 2025

AI now plays a major role in recruitment, helping employers filter high volumes of applications quickly and consistently. For job seekers, this means your CV often meets an algorithm before it ever reaches a hiring manager. Understanding how these systems work, and how to optimise your CV for them, can significantly boost your chances of progressing.

by Claire Gray - December 18, 2025

The new year is the perfect moment to reset your working habits, refresh your routine and sharpen the skills that help you thrive in a remote environment. As flexible and hybrid working continue to shape the modern workplace, professionals need digital-first capabilities that boost productivity, strengthen collaboration and support long-term career growth.

by Hetty Woyka - December 16, 2025

This year, we’ve continued our support of Astriid - our charity partner dedicated to improving working lives for people with chronic illness - through ongoing fundraising and awareness initiatives. A highlight has been our conversation with Pippa Stacey, Astriid’s Communications Consultant and founder of @LifeofPippa.

by Claire Gray - December 09, 2025

As the Christmas break creeps closer, managers across the country are preparing their teams for a festive-season slowdown. But for remote teams, the holidays introduce a unique set of challenges: staggered annual leave, disrupted routines, and the looming temptation of shopping online during working hours… purely hypothetically, of course.

by Hetty Woyka - December 04, 2025

National Tree Week is the UK’s biggest annual celebration of trees and a reminder of how vital they are to our ecosystems, communities and future. As technology continues to power modern recruitment, we’re more conscious than ever of the environmental footprint that comes with a fast-paced, digital-first industry.

by Tray Durrant - December 02, 2025

As your trusted recruitment partner, we know the budget announcements from 26 November last week stirred up a mix of relief, uncertainty and a bit of head-scratching in our industry. On one hand: no dramatic “tax disaster,” which soothed some nerves. On the other: creeping cost pressures, shifting employer behaviour, and tougher budget headwinds for staffing firms.