Be More Ruthless: Debbie Turner on Building Real Recruits From the Ground Up

At Key Selection Investments we partner with more than 40 recruitment agencies across the UK. As part of our in-house initiative to highlight the people behind these businesses with a more open and heart-on-sleeve approach, we sat down with Debbie Turner, Managing Director of Real Recruits. We spoke with her about her background in the recruitment industry, her journey as a business owner and her experience within our Equity Partnership Scheme.

Debbie has been in the recruitment industry for more than two decades. Her first step into the sector was an unexpected one but it set the foundation for a long and successful career. She told us, "22 years, I started as a social care temp for an agency and persuaded me to join the office team." That move into the office became the beginning of a career built on resilience, experience and a commitment to doing things the right way.

Every business has an origin story, but few begin in circumstances as challenging as those surrounding the creation of Real Recruits. When asked about the early days of starting the business, Debbie was very clear about the reality of it. She explained, "It was very hard for me, leaving a senior management role to set this up, I had to go right back to basics and be a consultant again, and whilst some parts are enjoyable, you forget how difficult the role can be, especially trying to sell in a lockdown."

The idea for Real Recruits began at a moment of uncertainty for many people in the industry. Debbie told us, "An old colleague reached out at the start of COVID as we were both looking for work (at the wrong time) and here we are, or I am 5 years later."

At Key Selection Investments we have a lot of respect for anyone who chose to start a recruitment company during Covid. It was a difficult time for the whole industry, so seeing Debbie push on and make something real out of a tough situation says a lot about her drive. It is something we really appreciate and enjoy celebrating.

Despite the timing, what started as a conversation between two people simply looking for their next step soon transformed into the foundations of a new recruitment agency.

In the beginning Debbie launched Real Recruits with a business partner. She recalls, "Having a business partner was great, as it can get lonely and it’s always good to have some daily support and someone to run your ideas through as long as you’re on the same page. I personally find it easier on my own as I’m in full control now."

The business later shifted from a larger consultancy team to a more focused model. Debbie explains what drove that change. "My business partner and I parted ways in 2023. As a result, we closed a branch and a department, and I restructured the business, the benefits are costs, and we are a more focused being a lot smaller than previously." The restructuring allowed Debbie to reset, gain clarity and take back control, and having a smaller, tighter team has made the business feel more focused and resilient.

Even with the challenges of starting a business in lockdown and navigating restructuring, Real Recruits has seen significant success. Debbie shared her biggest highlight so far. "Being one of the top sales turnover businesses in the group more than once." This referring to her performance within the wider Key Selection Group Partners network, where we regularly celebrate and recognise top performers across all our agencies.

But she is quick to point out that the day-to-day reality of running a recruitment agency is far from glamorous. "I’m not sure about the glamorous bit, it’s hard graft, simple as that. You have to be on your game, know your area and have a good, reliable, loyal team that’s half the battle solved."

Her leadership style reflects this hands-on attitude. She told us, "I like to stay hands-on and on top of everything. I believe by leading by example, what better way to develop staff than to show them by example.”

Debbie is open about the challenges of stepping into a Managing Director role for the first time. Her advice to others is honest and practical."It can be a lonely place sometimes, especially in the early days while you are building – reach out to others, this will open other opportunities and also give you some support."

For anyone considering launching their own recruitment business, Debbie’s guidance is simple. "Be prepared to work hard if you want to succeed; nothing comes easy."

When asked what she would tell her younger self at the start of her career, she simply replied, "Be more ruthless."

On her experience working with Key Selection Investments, Debbie shared, "Partnering with Key has been a positive experience, I’ve built some great relationships with some amazing talent, and the support network is great."

Real Recruits has built a strong reputation within a highly competitive market. Debbie attributes this to simple but powerful values."I think we stand out because we deliver what we sell and we care; honesty goes a long way."

We are proud to work with leaders like Debbie who bring authenticity, work ethic and genuine care to the industry. We can always trust Debbie to speak to us honestly and offer genuine feedback, which is something we value highly. Strong partnerships are built on trust, openness and mutual respect, and Debbie shows us nothing but that in every interaction.

At its core, Real Recruits is built on personal relationships, consistency and doing things the right way. Those foundations have supported Debbie throughout her 22-year journey and continue to shape the business as it grows.

It is important to highlight leaders like Debbie who are willing to talk about their journeys in an honest and authentic way. Hearing about the hardships as well as the positives matters, especially when those challenges have shaped the direction of the business. Debbie had to scale down and refocus her model, and it is a reminder that bigger is not always better. The same applies to starting out with a business partner. It can be the right choice at one stage, but sometimes the real turning point comes from having the confidence to take on the responsibility of being a sole Managing Director when circumstances change.

The journey itself, the growth, the difficult decisions and the lessons learned are invaluable. They matter not just for people who hope to start their own agency with us, but also for current Managing Directors navigating their own challenges. Sometimes you simply have to see things through to the other side. Debbie is a brilliant example of exactly that.