Ep. 5: Craig Whiting on Hedge Fund Hiring, Recruitment Strategy & Building a High-Performance Team

In this episode of Recruiting Alchemy, Andy sits down with Craig Whiting, Managing Director of RLS Search, a recruitment agency specializing in placing top technology talent into the global hedge fund space. Craig shares his journey from falling into recruitment to running a highly profitable, specialized search firm.

They discuss how hedge funds approach hiring, why recruitment has changed, and how agencies can evolve to stay ahead. Craig also sheds light on the importance of deep market knowledge, why most recruiters struggle to add real value, and how technology is reshaping the industry.

Whether you're a recruiter, hiring manager, or business leader, this episode is packed with insights into recruitment strategy, building high-performing teams, and navigating the evolving job market.

🎙 Key Topics:

🔹 The challenges of hiring top tech talent for hedge funds
🔹 Why recruitment is broken & how agencies can fix it
🔹 How specialization leads to long-term success
🔹 The impact of AI & automation on recruitment
🔹 Offshoring & remote hiring: lessons from South Africa

Tune in for an in-depth discussion on recruitment, hiring strategies, and what it takes to build a sustainable, high-performing recruitment business.

Show Notes & Timestamps

[00:00] – Opening & Introduction

• Craig’s journey into recruitment and founding RLS Search.
• Why hedge funds require a different approach to hiring.

[05:00] – The Challenges of Recruiting for Hedge Funds

• How hedge funds evaluate and hire top talent.
• Why niche expertise is critical in recruitment.
• The changing landscape of tech hiring in finance.

[15:00] – Why Recruitment is Broken & How to Fix It

• The flaws of traditional recruitment models.
• Why recruiters struggle to add real value.
• How agencies can stand out in a competitive market.

[25:00] – The Role of AI & Automation in Recruitment

• How technology is reshaping talent acquisition.
• Why AI won’t replace recruiters but will change their role.
• Using automation to enhance, not replace, human interaction.

[35:00] – Offshoring & Remote Hiring: Lessons from South Africa

• Why RLS Search expanded to South Africa.
• The benefits & challenges of offshoring recruitment operations.
• How global talent can support high-performance teams.

[45:00] – Building a Sustainable, High-Performance Recruitment Business

• Why specialization leads to better results.
• How agencies should rethink their approach to hiring.
• The future of recruitment & Craig’s outlook on the industry.

[55:00] – Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways

• The importance of deep market knowledge.
• Why recruitment should prioritize quality over volume.
• How the best recruiters add long-term value beyond placements.