Member Article

Interview: Laura Weaving, MD at Duo Global Consulting

North East Editor Jamie Hardesty speaks to Laura Weaving about her startup’s hopes of changing the face of recruitment.

Laura Weaving launched Duo Global Consultancy last summer, a talent consultancy with the purpose of challenging and ultimately bettering the traditional model of recruitment.

At its simplest, in differentiating from the general perception of recruiting, the company helps clients to build an effective ‘talent brand’.

Laura explains: “Duo is all about doing things differently. I’ve been disillusioned with the traditional model of recruitment for a very long time. Recruitment in its current form is a reactive process, I believe it should be proactive. I launched Duo to provide a better way of recruiting.”

She continues: “One of the biggest challenges faced by any organisation is finding the right people. Traditionally, recruitment plugs short term gaps although talent shortages remain. I realised a definite gap in the market for a strategic and long-term effective talent solution.”

Headquartered out of Newcastle upon Tyne, Duo also has an office presence in the United States. The company’s talent solutions are geared towards ultimately helping its clients achieve profit growth, reduce costs and heightened productivity, a service which Laura believe the North East in particular is desperately lacking.

The business works with clients ranging from engineering, manufacturing and construction companies, to technology and creative agencies.

With a wide range of experience within strategic recruitment, change management and people development, Laura is looking to use her knowledge to alert others and raise awareness that her way of recruiting is the future.

She reveals: “This really is a personal passion of mine. It’s all about helping to put in place tools for growth without having to constantly outsource. I’m sure that this is the way everyone will be approaching recruitment in the future.

Laura adds: “We help businesses create better environments themselves through our three key services which are branding, strategy and talent development.”

And it seems this model is already proving effective for the business which should double its turnover this year and has maintained a profit since its second month in operation.

Now, Duo is looking to double again as Laura hopes to bring another two consultants and a new intern on board.

“I’m very passionate about the North East, there are amazing businesses here which I want to help. I’m looking forward to growing the business here and this next year is really going to be another exciting one for us,” she adds.