How hiring decisions are really made
What happens in the room after the interview, how leaders weigh gut feel against evidence, who gets a veto, and why the strongest CV often loses.
A podcast by ACS Staffing Solutions · Northampton, UK
Unboxing how businesses really hire.
Talent Unboxed is a UK hiring and leadership podcast produced by ACS Staffing Solutions, a recruitment agency based in Northampton, England. Hosted by Chris Wright, each 45–60 minute episode puts one senior talent, HR or operations leader on record about how hiring decisions are actually made what happens in the room after the interview, what leaders look for beyond a CV, and how culture and onboarding really work. 19 episodes are published across Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Amazon Music, with full written transcripts on this site.
19 episodes · Season 1
45–60 minutes each
Host Chris Wright
Recorded in Northampton
About the show
What is Talent Unboxed?
Talent Unboxed is a thought-leadership podcast about hiring, culture and leadership, produced by the UK recruitment agency ACS Staffing Solutions and hosted by its Managing Director, Chris Wright. It launched in 2026 and is recorded in Northampton, England.
Every episode is an unscripted conversation with a senior talent leader, founder or people director. The show exists to answer the questions candidates and hiring managers rarely get straight answers to: how shortlists are really drawn up, what makes a leader say yes, and why good people get passed over.
It is made for HR directors, talent acquisition leads, operations managers, founders and job seekers in the UK, particularly across logistics, manufacturing, engineering and professional services, the sectors ACS Staffing Solutions recruits for.
Topics
The four questions the show keeps returning to
What leaders look for beyond the CV
Skills, attitude and culture fit, from the people making the call. Includes what inclusive hiring changes in practice, and where qualification filters cost you good candidates.
How culture and onboarding actually work
From day one to year one, what the companies with low early attrition do differently, and which onboarding rituals are theatre.
What high-performing teams do differently
The habits, structures and leadership behaviours that separate strong teams from average ones, from leaders who have built both.
Episodes
Season 1 — all 19 episodes
The Fear of Failure That's Holding You Back (And How to Beat It)
Jack Fleckney — Managing Director at Legend Expeditions
Running a Depot at 23: What Most Young Leaders Get Wrong
Gary Mckelvey — VP at AIT Home Delivery
Warehouse Operative to COO. Carving A Career In Logistics
Darren Twiselton — COO at kernTerminal
Running A Recruitment Business... With My Spouse
Chris & Hellie Wright — Owners of ACS Staffing Solution
The Personal Brand Myth Everyone Believes
Chloe Blades — Lecturer and Business Mentor
Schools Aren't Preparing Kids For Real Life (Here's the real reason)
Ben Thomas — Managing Director at GIANT
How to Scale a Business & Build a Winning Team
Dan Harding — Chief Operating Officer
You don't need to tick every box to get hired
Ben Eveson — HR Business Partner
The truth about a career in Logistics
David Cormack — Head of School
Insights and hiring expertise from a seasoned recruiter
Gabriella Saunders — Managing Consultant
Conquering imposter syndrome
Holly Philip — Operations Manager Delivery
The best version of your team is already there
Danny Roberts — Managing Partner
How strengths can transform the way you work
Nicola Jackson — Founder
Inside a family-run company that scales
Paul Wagstaff — Operations Director
Decoding personality profiles
Aimee Dewick — Director
Is your business safe?
James MacPherson — Managing Director
How curiosity creates leaders
Holly Steenson — Managing Director & Co-Owner
People strategy at scale
Charlotte Craddock — Chief People Officer
Founder story, the journey and the dream
Josh Harvey — Founder
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is Talent Unboxed?
Talent Unboxed is a UK podcast about hiring, culture and leadership, produced by the recruitment agency ACS Staffing Solutions in Northampton. Each episode is an unscripted 45–60 minute conversation with a senior talent leader, founder or people director about how hiring decisions are really made.
Who hosts Talent Unboxed?
The show is hosted by Chris Wright, Managing Director of ACS Staffing Solutions, a recruitment and workforce solutions agency based in Northampton, England.
Where can I listen to Talent Unboxed?
Episodes are published on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Amazon Music, with full written transcripts on the Talent Unboxed website. Clips and quotes are shared on LinkedIn.
Who is Talent Unboxed for?
It is made for HR directors, talent acquisition leads, operations and warehouse managers, founders and job seekers, particularly in UK logistics, manufacturing, engineering and professional services.
What topics does Talent Unboxed cover?
Four recurring themes: how hiring decisions are really made, what leaders look for beyond a CV, how culture and onboarding actually work, and what high-performing teams do differently.
How long is each episode?
Each episode runs 45 to 60 minutes and is recorded as both audio and video.
How do I apply to be a guest on Talent Unboxed?
Complete the guest application form on the Talent Unboxed website, or email Chris Wright at chrisw@acsstaffingsolutions.co.uk. Guests are typically senior talent leaders, HR directors, founders and operations leaders. Preparation is light, a short pre-call to agree themes, no scripted questions.
Who produces Talent Unboxed?
Talent Unboxed is produced by ACS Staffing Solutions Ltd, a recruitment agency established in Northampton with over 15 years in UK workforce solutions.
Apply as a guest
Ready to unbox your story?
We record senior talent leaders, founders, HR directors and operations leaders who have something real to say about hiring. Light prep, 45–60 minutes, no selling.
Guest application
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