Recruitment Real Estate and Real Growth by Paul Smith
Paul Smith is the founder of Innov8 Agency, a forward-thinking recruitment company connecting great talent with the right opportunities across the UK and the Middle East. Specialising in, among others, commercial insurance, IT, real estate and professional services. With over 12 years of experience in permanent placements, Paul takes a people-first approach, focusing on what really matters to both clients and candidates to make sure every placement feels like the perfect fit, not just on paper but culturally too. Starting out in temporary recruitment gave him a fast-paced, high-volume experience, but he soon realised that taking his time to build real relationships was what made all the difference.
Paul’s journey has taken him beyond the UK, opening doors in places like Dubai and Saudi Arabia. He shared how a spontaneous trip to Dubai three years ago changed everything. “I just really fell in love with the energy there, the collaboration, the positivity, the fact that they loved to help people who were looking to move into the market,” he said. Networking and making genuine connections helped him build friendships and business opportunities that still grow today.
But growing the business internationally hasn’t been without its challenges. Paul admits that in the beginning, juggling all the different roles himself was tough. “Even though we had been going for four years, the challenge was how to keep things going while doing everything myself,” he said. A leadership training program at Keele University gave him a chance to take a step back and rethink how he was working. That’s when he started looking into automation, building a tech platform to help with things like interviewing, candidate profiling, and even transcribing video interviews. The whole idea was to free up more of his time so he could focus on growing the business instead of getting caught up in everyday tasks.
Paul says, “Time is the biggest resource we have. Learning how to manage it and getting the right people and tools to help are key.” Having a great team, including some awesome graduate students who joined the journey, has really helped him keep moving forward and get ready for what’s next.
He also knows there’s a personal side to recruitment. “In service industries, people are buying into you, into me, as part of what they’re paying for. Everyone wants your time, but you can’t just split your day into equal chunks,” he laughs. That’s why it’s so important to build trust in the process and create a brand that’s bigger than just one person. “Once clients and candidates trusted the process, they knew I was just a phone call away. That trust meant everything,” he adds.
“When I started the business, I wanted to be more than just a businessman. I wanted to be someone who runs an ethical business,” he says. That mindset comes from his family and his background in church and Christianity, and it still guides him today. It’s really about leaving people feeling good and spreading positivity. This way of thinking goes beyond business, too. Paul also runs a community interest company (PPE 4 Community CIC) that helps young people get into entrepreneurship and feel empowered.
He knows that recruitment doesn’t always have the best reputation, so he makes a point of breaking down those barriers by being easy to approach, responsible, and trustworthy. “People want to feel heard, not just sold to,” he explained. That’s why he really focuses on listening and sharing real stories and insights. “At the end of the day, people remember how you made them feel, not just who sold the most,” he says.
When it comes to juggling business and looking after yourself, Paul talks a lot about reputation. “Your reputation takes time to build, but one mistake can ruin it.” Carrying his family’s name and legacy means a lot to him, so he always tries to give his best in every relationship. “It’s about giving others the confidence and space to say what they need, then finding the right solution based on that, not just what you think they need.”
Looking back, Paul said he wished he’d started sooner. “I was always comfortable in my jobs, but I wanted more,” he said. “Working for someone else often comes with a ceiling, and you stop asking what else is possible.” It wasn’t until he was made redundant that he took the leap. “The ideas were there, but I didn’t have the opportunity, until I had no choice,” he explained. A marketing course he took early on helped him realise how valuable communication was in recruitment. After moving from temp to permanent roles, things started falling into place. “If I’d started earlier, I think I’d have enjoyed the freedom and creativity of running my own business a lot sooner,” he said. “Now I get to build my own culture and bring ideas to life, the same ones others once said no to. But I do believe everything happens for a reason.”
Looking ahead, Paul’s got big plans. From launching his recruitment tech platform, Autom8 Rec, to opening offices in Manchester and Abu Dhabi. He’s shifting towards a retained recruitment model too, aiming to work more closely with clients and build something long-term. For him, it’s not just about growth, but about creating a business with a strong culture that can stand on its own. “One day I’d love to step back and know the business is in good hands, that it doesn’t need me in it every day to keep going,” he said.
A passion for empowering UK businesses to trade in the UAE has enabled Paul to offer business advisory services with his network in the UAE and the Dubai Chamber.
Paul is co-hosting a Dubai real estate investment event in Manchester on 30th July, in collaboration with Annalisa Mora from Sinfonia Language Services. The event will showcase the new Laguna Residency and DO Hotel & Residences developments, offering numerous networking opportunities. Check it here.
You can find out more about Innov8 through their LinkedIn and social media.
