12 HR & Recruitment


17TH SEPTEMBER 2026


THE LONDON BUSINESS GUIDE AN ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE DISTRIBUTED WITH Hiring without degrees


Skills-first recruitment is on the rise, but it’s still a struggle for employers. Words: Priya Raj


considerable amount of effort during the hiring process. Entrepreneur and Te Diary Of


A CEO podcast host Steven Bartlett has spoken openly about using a ‘culture test’ to assess candidates’ judgement and values, rather than relying solely on CVs. Screening tests like these can quickly filter out unsuitable candidates and also mitigate lengthy interview rounds, though they also risk excluding those people who simply don’t perform well in formal testing environments. Portfolios and work samples or in-person group interviews are most likely to be the way forward, according to Abi.


HIRING/PEXELS


A university degree is no longer an automatic passport to a good job. Recent data from organisational consulting firm Korn Ferry revealed that 30% of job postings now omit degree requirements. Increasingly, employers are prioritising what candidates can do over the qualifications listed on their CVs. As AI takes on more routine work, recruiters say soft skills such as communication, adaptability and judgement are becoming more valuable than ever. “I believe there are clear benefits


to skills-first hiring, but there are also challenges,” explains Abi Hill, founder and CEO of Just Starting Out, a UK platform designed to help and


support new business owners. For some industries, a candidate with the right soft skills is worth their weight in gold. Olivia Coughtrie, co- founder at Oriel Partners, a PA and administrative recruitment agency, explains: “Soft skills are absolutely key when hiring PAs and executive assistants.” And it makes sense, too. A PA with little interpersonal skills but a business degree mightn’t fare as well as someone with few qualifications but ample social wherewithal. Olivia’s consensus is simple: qualifications rarely tell the full story. Abi, however, feels candidates need both eduction and empathy: “Tere are many sectors where qualifications are essential


and should never be overlooked. I don’t think it should be viewed as qualifications versus soft skills. Te best candidates often possess both.”


The deciding factor Te proof is in the numbers. Just Starting Out conducted a 2026 survey from of more than 1,700 entrepreneurs in the UK, which found that 67% of respondents said degrees and qualifications weren’t among the most important factors they considered when choosing who to hire. What did come out as a vital factor was proof that someone can do the job. Proving the responsibilities of a role can be satisfied, however, takes a


Time is money What are the challenges here? Well, they’re nothing short of plentiful. Time is money, and when it comes to making considered hires, every second counts. Abi explains that


this can mean investing more time in each candidate, which not only increases costs, but also lengthens the hiring process. Olivia says there’s still a “tremendous value in meeting candidates face to face”. So, while it might be easy to block out an afternoon for back-to-back screening calls, in-person interactions can be more revealing. Ten, there’s the potential for


unconscious bias to creep in. Standardised assessments can help reduce inconsistency by giving every candidate the same tasks and questions. Skills-first hiring may widen access to talent and create opportunities for candidates without traditional qualifications, but it also demands more time, investment and judgement from employers. Finding the right balance between fairness, efficiency and identifying genuine potential remains one of recruitment’s biggest challenges.


ONLINE INTERVIEWS/PEXELS


Lead well. Live well. Perform well


Rob Cross helps leaders turn pressure into clearer decisions, stronger performance and a more fulfilling way to live


Too often, leaders look successful from the outside while privately feeling stretched, distracted or like they’re an imposter waiting to be found out. Results may be strong, diaries may be full and life may be busy, yet achievement doesn’t always bring the life they hoped for. Rob Cross believes leaders


shouldn’t have to choose between performance and fulfilment. As an executive coach and business advisor, he helps founders, executives and senior teams step back from relentless demands, understand what


shapes their behaviour and


act with greater clarity, purpose and confidence. And with this focus, the results are practical: better decisions, more accountable teams and sustainable high performance. Tey’re also personal: a stronger sense of identity, meaning and success on their own terms. Drawing on more than two


decades of advising and developing leaders across some of the UK and world’s most well-known companies, Rob combines commercial understanding with a thoughtful, human approach.


Trough individual coaching,


he creates space to challenge assumptions and change unhelpful patterns. His advisory work helps leadership teams align around what matters and turn intention into action. And through keynotes and facilitated conversations, Rob sparks wider reflection and practical change. At the heart of his approach are three


simple questions: Who am I? Why am I here? How will I live? Tey encourage leaders to look beyond the next target and consider the person they see in the mirror. When identity, purpose and daily practice are aligned, people can lead more authentically, use their time and energy deliberately and create the conditions for themselves and others to thrive. Tese ideas form the basis of Rob’s


new book, Ask 3 Questions: How to Live Well in a Distracted World. Due for release on 24 September, it draws on leadership experience, coaching conversations and a deeply personal journey to offer a practical framework for moving beyond busyness and living more intentionally. For professionals navigating growth, change or a demanding transition, Rob offers a simple invitation: pause long enough to ask better questions, because success is measured not only by what you achieve, but by who you become and how you live along the way.


Ask 3 Questions: How to Live Well in a Distracted World — available on Amazon. Take the next step. Book a call with Rob Cross by visiting robcross.com or scanning the QR code.


ROB CROSS, EXECUTIVE COACH, BUSINESS ADVISOR, SPEAKER AND AUTHOR


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20