Guy Walker, CEO and Founder of Dovetail & Slate, has shared the story behind one of the UK's fastest-growing education recruitment businesses in a new episode of the Founders Stories podcast.
In the episode, Guy reflects on the journey from launching the business from a spare bedroom to leading a nationally recognised recruitment organisation serving the further education, skills and training sectors across the UK.
The conversation offers an honest insight into the realities of entrepreneurship, exploring the challenges, setbacks and lessons learned throughout the company's growth. Guy discusses his transition from recruiter to business owner, the pressures that come with scaling a company and the importance of building a strong team culture from the outset.
The episode follows a landmark year for Dovetail & Slate, with the business earning recognition in the Sunday Times 100 Fastest Growing Companies 2025, highlighting its sustained growth and impact within the education recruitment sector.
Speaking during the podcast, Guy emphasised that the company's success has never been about individual achievement, but rather the collective efforts of the people who have helped shape the business over the years.
"When people look at growth stories, they often see the end result rather than everything that happened behind the scenes. Building Dovetail & Slate has been a journey of learning, resilience and partnership. The people around me have played a huge role in getting us to where we are today."
Since its inception, Dovetail & Slate has established itself as a leading specialist recruiter for further education, skills, training providers and public sector organisations. The business has become known for its people-first approach, sector expertise and commitment to supporting both employers and candidates across the education landscape.
The Founders Stories episode provides listeners with a behind-the-scenes look at the realities of growing a modern recruitment business, offering valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs, business leaders and recruitment professionals alike.
Commenting on the episode, Guy added:
"I wanted to share the genuine story behind the business – not just the successes, but the challenges too. Founding and growing a company is never a straight line and I hope some of the experiences discussed in the podcast resonate with others who are building something of their own."
The episode is now available to watch and listen online.
Watch the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E93XxQL-Gdg