2025 — a year of reflection.
Not my busiest year.
Not my loudest.
But probably one of the most important.
This year, the tech market stayed eerily quiet.
Many big clients took stock of the rapid growth from the last few years and watched the market closely before making their next moves.
It felt like an industry holding its breath — waiting for the right moment to start building again.
And that shaped my year too.
I spent a lot of time working closely with businesses on key hires, using my consultancy skills to help them plan their next phase.
I reached out to old clients and held honest conversations about the year ahead — what challenges they were facing, what needed to change, and where the opportunities really were.
And I shared a few war stories with people new to my network — the kind of conversations that remind me why relationships matter more than transactions in this business.
I also started to write more about my experiences — and began building a content plan to help position myself as a trusted voice in the Welsh tech hiring space.
I’ll be honest — I also chased a few lost causes.
Jobs that were already advertised.
Briefs that weren’t really live.
Conversations that felt full of promise but went nowhere.
At the time, it felt like effort.
But looking back, it reminded me that being busy isn’t the same as being effective.
💭 What I learnt:
That I need to be more strategic — clearer goals, better structure, and more focus on where I can make the biggest impact.
Recruitment rewards consistency and clarity far more than noise and movement.
✅ What went well:
Despite the challenges, there were some great wins.
I placed a Head of IT and Digital, a Lead Software Engineer, and another Head of IT — all brilliant people joining strong, forward-thinking teams.
I reconnected with clients and candidates I hadn’t worked with in a while, and it was an absolute pleasure — genuine partnerships built on trust, not transactions.
And I took a proper three-week break. Switched off completely. It was incredible — but it also showed me the business needs better planning around those moments.
⚙️ What I could do better:
Be more selective.
Stick to the plan, not the noise.
I need a proper social media plan — to show more of the work, the stories, and the people behind the scenes.
I need an AI plan — not just to stay current, but to make the business sharper and more efficient.
And I need to get out more — more events, more face-to-face time, more real-world conversations.
🚀 2026 — the year of focus.
Next year, I’ll be putting all of that learning into action.
I’ll have a focused AI strategy.
I’ll be implementing new training to raise the bar for myself and the business.
I’ll have a consistent new business outreach plan that’s strategic and sustainable.
I’ll focus more on sleep and recovery — because performance isn’t just about output.
And, if all goes to plan, I’ll take on a Hyrox before the year’s out.
And maybe 2026 will be the year I finally decide —
do I bring in a virtual EA to help run things more smoothly,
or do I build AI-powered systems and templates to handle it smarter?
Either way, I’m moving into a new phase.
For five years, I’ve ridden the wave — and done well.
But now, it’s time for a long-term strategic plan.
New website.
New content.
New structure.
And a business built for the future.
2025 was about reflection.
2026 will be about focus, clarity, and building something lasting.