Tech at the Tower London: AI, innovation, and the future of recruitment
Bullhorn’s Tech at the Tower London returned to Salesforce Tower for a second year, bringing together leading minds in recruitment to explore how AI, technology, and transformation are reshaping the industry. With the sector evolving faster than ever, the event sparked valuable conversations around the opportunities and challenges of continuous innovation. The evening featured two key sessions: a fireside chat with Ed Thompson, SVP and Market Strategist at Salesforce, moderated by David Stott, and an insightful panel discussion hosted by Shaun Weise, featuring executives from Morgan Hunt, The Best Connection, and The SR Group.
The discussions captured how recruitment agencies can embrace change, drive growth, and stay competitive — all whilst keeping people at the heart of their strategies.
AI: The new frontier in recruitment
In the fireside chat, Ed Thompson explored the transformative impact of AI-powered technology on recruitment. He highlighted the importance of combining predictive AI — which uses data insights to anticipate needs — and generative AI, which enables new creative solutions. Together, these capabilities offer more efficient workflows and more meaningful interactions between recruiters, clients, and candidates.
“We’re not talking about evolution — this is revolution,” Thompson said, noting that AI must be embraced proactively to maintain a competitive edge. “The urgency to adapt is now.” He emphasised that innovation must be constant, especially in an industry where the pace of change is relentless:
“The only way forward is through continuous innovation.”
Far from replacing recruiters, Thompson explained, AI serves as an empowerment tool, enhancing their capabilities and freeing them to focus on what matters most: building relationships and driving results. “AI isn’t about replacing people; it’s about giving them better tools to thrive,” he said.
Managing transformation: Overcoming resistance and rapid deployment
In the panel discussion, Dan Taylor, Managing Director at Morgan Hunt, shared how their recent implementation of Bullhorn for Salesforce became a catalyst for significant change within the organisation. Rolling out the new system meant adjusting deeply rooted practices across the company, but Taylor highlighted that aligning the team early on through consistent communication and leadership visibility was essential to ensuring success.
“This isn’t just a tech upgrade; it’s a battering ram for future-proofing our business.”
Taylor explained that Morgan Hunt took a focused approach to streamline implementation and maximise efficiency without disrupting daily operations. By involving key stakeholders from the beginning, they were able to navigate potential challenges, enabling a smooth transition that positioned the company to embrace further digital advancements.
At The Best Connection (TBC), Roxi Sweeney, Head of Marketing and Digital, discussed how embracing change was vital to the company’s future growth. For years, TBC had built a reputation as a safe haven for those uncomfortable with technology. However, Sweeney acknowledged that this long-standing reluctance to change was becoming a liability:
“Our resistance to change has been a comfort zone; breaking out of it is our biggest opportunity.”
To address this, TBC adopted a bold approach, introducing digital transformation initiatives across multiple parts of the business simultaneously. “It’s not evolution — it’s revolution,” Sweeney said, echoing Ed Thompson’s sentiment. This rapid shift is not without challenges, however: “We stay people-centred, technology-supported. Tasks may disappear, but our focus on people won’t.” Sweeney emphasised the importance of supporting employees through these changes, ensuring that technology complements their work rather than replaces it.
The SR Group’s success with scale and speed
Anthony Davies, Partner at The SR Group, reflected on the success of their recent migration, which saw close to 500 users go live across multiple countries in just over three months. Effective communication and a touch of humour were key to driving adoption. Aware that rumours about the migration were already circulating, the team leaned into the buzz with a playful announcement: “We made it a global presentation, with the title ‘The SR Group’s worst-kept secret.’” This lighthearted approach not only built excitement but also fostered alignment across the organisation, helping teams embrace the transition with enthusiasm.
The results were immediate. Just four days after going live, the new system had already generated seven figures in net fees, demonstrating the power of seamless adoption.
Davies emphasised that technology adoption must be tied to performance metrics to ensure lasting success: Good recruiters will sidestep systems unless the comp structure makes quality data non-negotiable.” He also shared how humour and humanity eased the transition:
“A little humour goes a long way — showing humanity makes change easier to embrace.”
Closing thoughts: Building a community of innovation
In his closing remarks, Shaun Weise, Vice President of Global Sales, emphasised Bullhorn’s commitment to fostering a sense of community among recruitment leaders.
“This is more than just an event — it’s about building a network of forward-thinking leaders who can learn from one another and grow together,” Weise explained.
Bullhorn’s Tech at the Tower London is now in its second year, and the momentum continues to grow. The conversations sparked at this event are just the beginning, with Bullhorn committed to hosting another Tech at the Tower event in 2025.
“As the industry evolves, these discussions will be more important than ever,” Weise added. “Together, we can shape the future of recruitment.”
Explore Bullhorn for Salesforce
Bullhorn for Salesforce offers a powerful, AI-infused solution that helps recruitment agencies manage every stage of the recruitment cycle — from lead generation to workforce management. Built on the world’s leading enterprise cloud platform, it enables agencies to reduce time-to-fill, improve candidate and client communications, and empower recruiters to focus on high-value interactions.
With enhanced visibility and streamlined operations, agencies are better equipped to achieve market leadership and drive success in a competitive landscape. For more information, visit bullhorn.com or contact us to learn how Bullhorn for Salesforce can support your business transformation.
