On 26th March a select group of Manchester’s recruitment elite stepped away from the daily grind and into the focused, high-energy environment of the RecConnect Lunch Club, held at Ivy Spinningfields. In an industry often characterised by relentless competition, this invite-only gathering proved that collective wisdom is, indeed, a recruiter's ultimate superpower.
The atmosphere was, as always with these things, buzzing - not with the sound of cold calls, but with the clinking of welcome drinks and the heavy-hitting shop talk of agency owners who understand that 2026 is a "pivot or perish" year.
While the lunch was excellent, the breakthrough thinking promised in the promotion was the real main course. Two key themes dominated the afternoon:
- Agentic AI: The End of Simple Automation The room was captivated by the shift from basic AI to Agentic AI. We didn’t just talk about ChatGPT writing job ads; we discussed autonomous agents that manage entire workflows - independently sourcing, screening, and scheduling. The consensus? This isn't about replacing recruiters; it’s about freeing them to handle the high-touch, empathetic side of the business while the "agents" handle the heavy lifting.
- M&A and the "Buy-and-Build" Surge With 2026 shaping up to be a landmark year for mergers and acquisitions, the conversation turned to strategic consolidation. Owners shared candid insights on how to prepare for a sale versus how to identify "bolt-on" acquisitions to scale rapidly in a tightening market.
By the time the final drinks were served at 3:30 PM, the mental space we promised had clearly been achieved. Leaders left the table not just with full stomachs, but with actionable strategies and a renewed sense of clarity on how to navigate the current market volatility.
In an industry that can feel isolating at the top, the Lunch Club provided a rare chance to peer over the horizon with people who are navigating the same storms. Simon Lewis, Founder, RecConnect
