The network for recruitment agency founders.
NXT Level is a free peer community for owners of small-to-mid recruitment agencies. Real events, honest webinars, and a room full of founders who share what's actually working. Hosted by Bristow & Hardy.
Built for founders, not candidates.
Running a recruitment agency can be lonely at the top. NXT Level puts you in a friendly, no-nonsense group of peers running agencies of 1 to 15 people, facing the same calls on clients, margins, hiring and marketing. Learn from people a step ahead, share your wins, and find partners for splits and referrals.
Peer-to-peer, always
Real numbers and real lessons from founders who have been there. No theory, and never a sales pitch.
Connections that pay
An agency directory and split-fee database will help members find each other for splits, referrals and partnerships. Both are coming soon.
Genuinely useful
Every event and webinar has to earn its place by being worth a busy founder's time. Quality over volume.
Four ways we bring founders together.
We keep the calendar small on purpose. Enough to stay close to the community, never so much that it turns into noise.
Live events
In-person flagship days with multiple speakers and proper networking. Rotating Manchester, London & Birmingham.
Webinars
Free, online, 45 to 60 minutes. One clear topic and a strong guest you can learn from and use the same week.
Supplier events
Partner-led sessions where a trusted supplier shows the strategy and the tool behind a real result.
Round tables
Invite-only, 6 to 12 founders, closed-door, no slides. Our most trusted format, for honest conversations.
What's on this year.
Twelve events from April 2026 to March 2027. Members get first access, reminders and replays through the WhatsApp group and newsletter.
2026Online
Claude Training for Recruiters
Paid session on putting AI to work inside a recruitment business.
2026In person
The Retention Effect, with Lysha Holmes
Flagship on client & talent retention, run with Lysha Holmes and her podcast.
2026Teams or LinkedIn · 3-4pm
Built to Scale: an honest story of growth
Chris O'Connell (ex-SThree top biller, founder and coach) with Sam Hardy on winning better clients. Register on Teams or join on LinkedIn.
2026Online
What's Working: Smarter Sourcing & Outreach
Partner-led. The strategy and the tool behind a real sourcing win. Value first, with a member-only offer.
2026Manchester
Land & Expand: the flagship growth day
Winning new clients and growing the ones you already have. Marketing, sales, retention and upselling, all in one day.
2026Invite-only
Round Table: Margins, Pricing & Profit
Closed-door, Chatham House rules, no slides. Just honest founder talk about the real numbers.
2026Location TBC
AI Systems & Implementation
How agencies actually put AI to work. Systems, workflows and real returns, with tech partners demoing live.
2026Location TBC
NXT Level Live: Year in Review + Awards
The year-end flagship. Celebrating member wins and sharing the 2027 plan.
2026Invite-only
Founders' Christmas Dinner
An intimate, relationship-first close to the year for top members and guests.
2027Online
New Year Strategy / 2027 Outlook
Strategy for SMB recruitment agencies, plus the year-ahead view to plan against.
2027Online
What's Working: AI Tools Earning Their Keep
Partner-led: the AI and tech actually delivering ROI for agencies right now.
2027Online
State of Recruitment Marketing 2027
A year-end view that sets up the next fiscal year for your agency.
Dates and venues for later events are being finalised. Join the WhatsApp group to get each one confirmed first.
Free to join. Made to be worth it.
It is free to join today, and it is about access: to the people, the events and the practical extras that help your agency grow. Heads up, membership goes paid in 2027, so it pays to join now while it is free.
What you get
Free membership · founder community
- ✓ Private WhatsApp community of recruitment founders
- ✓ First access to all events, webinars and round tables
- ✓ The NXT Level newsletter, with one useful idea per send
- ✓ An agency directory listing, so you get found for splits and referrals (coming soon)
- ✓ Split-fee database to share and find live opportunities (coming soon)
- ✓ Partner discounts on tech, payroll and services (coming soon)
- ✓ A place to share your wins and learn from peers
Who it's for
NXT Level is a fit if you're…
- ✓ A founder or owner of a recruitment agency
- ✓ Running a team of roughly 1 to 15 people
- ✓ Wanting honest peer input, not another sales list
- ✓ Happy to give as well as take
- ✓ Based in the UK (events rotate Manchester, London & Birmingham)
Not a fit for candidates, in-house hiring managers or recruiters looking to sell to our members.
Get in front of agency decision-makers.
NXT Level members are founders and owners, the people who actually buy. If you serve the recruitment industry with tech, payroll, finance or services, partnering with NXT Level puts you in the room as a helpful contributor, not an advertiser.
Event sponsorship
Headline or supporting sponsor of a flagship event, with brand presence, a speaking slot and warm introductions to members.
Lead a supplier webinar
Host a "What's Working" session. Show the strategy and tool behind a real result, then offer members a deal.
Host a round table
Help us put together an invite-only table of founders. The best way to build real relationships with serious buyers.
Directory placement
Feature in the member partner directory as a recommended supplier to the network.
Newsletter slots
A clear placement in the NXT Level newsletter, reaching engaged founders straight in their inbox.
Member discounts
Offer a real member discount. The network pays for itself for members, and you get warm, qualified leads.
Join NXT Level free.
Get into the founders' WhatsApp group, the newsletter and first access to every event. No fee, no spam, just the room. It is free for now, but membership goes paid in 2027, so join today.
Join the free WhatsApp groupPrefer email? Message hello@nxtlevelnetwork.co.uk
Good questions.
Who is NXT Level for?
Founders and owners of small and mid-sized recruitment agencies, roughly 1 to 15 people. It is a peer community, not for candidates or in-house hiring managers.
How much does it cost to join?
It is free to join right now. The community runs through a free WhatsApp group, the newsletter and our events. We are moving to paid membership in 2027, so the best time to join is now while it is still free.
What do I actually get as a member?
In-person events, free webinars, invite-only round tables and a private community of founders to learn from. An agency directory, split-fee database and partner discounts are coming soon.
Where are the events held?
In-person flagships rotate between Manchester, London and Birmingham. Webinars and supplier sessions are online, so you can join from anywhere in the UK.
Can my company sponsor or partner with NXT Level?
Yes. Suppliers and partners can sponsor events, lead a supplier webinar, host a round table, feature in the directory or offer a member discount. book a call and we'll share packages.
Who runs NXT Level?
NXT Level is hosted by Bristow & Hardy, a recruitment marketing, branding and website agency. The network is free and community-first. B&H runs it to stay close to the industry it serves.