In May 2006, Exclaim IT was established with a clear view of how recruitment should be done. Not just placing people, but building something steady, trusted, and built to last.
Twenty years on, that thinking still underpins the business.
To mark the milestone, we sat down with Directors Paul and Glenn to reflect on where it started, what shaped it, and what comes next.
The Beginning
What inspired you to start Exclaim IT 20 years ago?
Glenn:
Paul and I met in the early 2000s, and pretty quickly realised we looked at recruitment in a similar way. At the time, a lot of the market felt driven by short-term outcomes. Quick placements, quick wins, and not always a lot of depth behind it.
That never really sat right with us.
We felt there was space to build something more considered. A business that took the time to understand people properly and focused on building relationships that actually lasted. That was the thinking behind Exclaim IT from day one.
What did you want to do differently in the tech recruitment space at the time?
Paul:
There was plenty of activity in the market, but not always a lot of discipline in how things were being done. Roles were being filled, but not always in a way that set clients or candidates up for the long term.
We were clear on taking a more structured approach. Spend more time upfront, get the brief right, and be deliberate in how we went to market. That sounds simple, but it wasn’t always common.
From my side, having built businesses before, I knew the importance of getting the foundations right early. Exclaim IT wasn’t something we fell into. It was a conscious decision, and we backed ourselves to build it the right way.
The Early Years
What were some of the biggest challenges in the early stages of building the business?
Paul:
In the beginning, everything sits with you. You’re responsible for bringing work in, delivering on it, and running the business at the same time.
There’s no room to hide in that phase. It forces a level of focus and accountability pretty quickly.
There were long days and some tough calls along the way, but that’s also where the standards get set. The way you operate early on tends to carry through as the business grows, so it mattered that we got that right.
Glenn:
For me, it was about credibility. At that stage, you don’t have a brand or a track record to lean on. Every conversation counts.
We were very conscious of following through on what we said we’d do. If we committed to something, we delivered on it. That’s how trust starts to build, one interaction at a time.
Is there a defining moment that shaped the direction of Exclaim IT?
Glenn:
There wasn’t a single turning point, but there were a few decisions that had a lasting impact.
Around 2015, we’d reached a point where the business was stable. We had a solid team and a good reputation in the market. Bringing Andrew Johnson into the business and leaning further into Government recruitment was one of those decisions.
It was a considered move rather than a reactive one, and it’s played a big part in shaping where the business is today.
The Tech Market
How has the technology recruitment landscape changed over the past 20 years?
Paul:
The pace of change has been significant. Technology itself has moved quickly, which has driven demand for new skills and new roles across the market.
At the same time, some fundamentals haven’t changed. Finding the right people is still difficult, and success still comes down to understanding both sides of the process.
The tools have improved, but the core of the job has stayed much the same.
Glenn:
There’s also been a noticeable move towards flexibility. Contracting has become a bigger part of the market, and candidates are more deliberate about how they manage their careers.
A lot of that has been shaped by what the market’s been through. Over 20 years, we have seen global recessions, the pandemic, periods of rapid growth, and then slowdowns again. Each one shifts how people think about work.
People want more control now. More flexibility, more balance, and more from the roles they take on.
Clients have shifted as well. They’re not just looking for someone to fill a role, they want people who understand their environment and can add value quickly.
That’s where experience makes a difference. Having seen those cycles play out, you approach things with a bit more perspective.
What key shifts have had the biggest impact on clients and candidates?
Paul:
Expectations have shifted quite a bit over time. If you look back across the different market cycles we’ve been through, global recessions, the pandemic, periods where hiring has been tight, each one has changed how people think about work.
It’s not just about salary anymore. People are looking at flexibility, balance, the environment they’re going into, and what the role gives them beyond the day-to-day.
From a client side, expectations have lifted as well. There’s more focus on how things are delivered. Communication, transparency, and a more considered approach to hiring.
Overall, it’s pushed the market in a better direction. The standard is higher now than it used to be.
The People Behind the Business
How has the team contributed to shaping Exclaim IT’s culture and success?
Paul:
Exclaim IT has always been about our people. We’ve had people with us for 10, 15 years, which says a lot. That kind of longevity doesn’t happen unless people feel they can build something here over time.
From our side, it’s about backing people and giving them the space to do their job well. Supporting them through different market conditions and giving them the opportunity to grow.
When you look at where Exclaim IT is today, a lot of that has been shaped by the people who have come through the business and stayed with us.
What qualities do you believe define the Exclaim IT approach today?
Glenn:
Culture hasn’t been something we’ve tried to define on paper and leave there. It’s been shaped over time through how we work and how people treat each other day to day.
If you asked the team, I think they’d describe it as open, straightforward, and supportive. That consistency has helped people settle in and focus on their work, which has played a big part in how Exclaim IT has grown over the years.
The Business Today
What has remained consistent about Exclaim IT over the years?
Paul:
Our values have been consistent from the start. How we treat people, how we approach our work, and the standards we set for ourselves day to day , that’s all stayed the same. We’ve adapted as the market has changed, but the way we operate hasn’t really shifted.
Glenn:
If you look at what we set out to do early on, it still holds.
Connecting people, partnerships, and technology, with relationships at the centre of it. That’s still how we see our role in the market, and it’s how we’ve built Exclaim IT over time.
What do you think sets Exclaim IT apart in today’s market?
Glenn:
It comes back to the relationships we’ve built over the years. We don’t see it as just filling a role and moving on. We spend time understanding the businesses we work with, how they operate, and what they actually need.
That leads to stronger, longer-term partnerships rather than one-off interactions.
Over the last 12 to 18 months, that approach has shown through in our results. We’ve had some of our strongest periods on record, which reinforces that it’s working.
Looking Ahead
What makes you most proud when you reflect on the past 20 years?
Paul:
It’s the people, without question. We’ve been through a lot over the years at Exclaim IT. The global financial crisis, the pandemic, different hiring cycles and market shifts. It hasn’t always been straightforward, but we’ve stayed steady through it.
That comes back to the team.
Seeing people build long careers with us and play a part in shaping Exclaim IT over time, that’s what stands out.
Glenn:
It’s seeing how people have grown over that time.
Careers developing, long-term relationships being built with clients and candidates, and people contributing to something that’s been built over 20 years.
When you step back, that’s what you remember.
What excites you most about the future of Exclaim IT and the industry?
Glenn:
The industry keeps moving, and that creates opportunity.
Technology isn’t slowing down, and the way people work continues to evolve. There’s always something to learn from that and ways to improve how we operate.
That’s what keeps it interesting.
Paul:
And continuing to build on what we’ve already created.
Strengthening the relationships we’ve built, developing the team further, and staying consistent in how we approach things.
If the last 20 years have shown us anything, it’s that taking a long-term view and staying consistent is what carries you through.
Here’s to the Next Chapter
Twenty years is a significant milestone, but for Exclaim IT, it’s just part of the journey.
The focus remains the same. Build strong relationships, take a considered approach, and stay consistent over time.
For organisations building their teams, or individuals considering their next move, it starts with a conversation and a clear understanding of what matters on both sides.
