An exciting time in A&S Recruitment’s development – Kelly Freeman has joined the company to head up its new IT and technical division. In a Porttalk exclusive, Kelly shares details of her new role, her experience and how the division will further A&S’s position as the region’s leading recruitment agency.
A&S Recruitment is a logistics-focused recruitment firm. What opportunities do you see for the company’s new IT and technical division?
The new IT & Technical division at A&S Recruitment opens the door for us to move beyond logistics and into one of the fastest-growing areas of recruitment.
As demand for tech talent continues to boom, the global IT recruitment market is projected to grow by more than 7% annually, with AI, cloud, and cybersecurity roles among the most in-demand worldwide. In the UK alone, AI job openings are rising nearly four times faster than average, and 7 in 10 businesses report shortages in technical skills.
Having previously built a global desk in telecommunications software, covering roles from sales, Customer success managers, Directors, through to more technical positions like solutions architects and implementation managers, the new division benefits from this experience gained, as well as the reach and reputation of A&S. This combination provides a strong platform to grow the division quickly and smartly.
Kick-starting the division with a two-year contract already signed with a global client, we’re excited to divest a key element of the A&S offering.
What experiences from your career so far do you think will be most valuable in building this new IT and technical division from the ground up?
I bring over 15 years of experience as a 360 recruiter, building desks from scratch, developing clients, mapping markets, and growing candidate networks. In my previous role, when we lost a major client, I quickly pivoted to rebuild revenue streams, which honed my skills in business development, resilience, and scaling teams from the ground up. These experiences, combined with my experience in commercial and technical roles globally, make me well prepared to launch and grow this new division.
With technology already deeply integrated into logistics, where do you see the next wave of innovation? And how will your division help companies stay ahead of it?
Technology has already transformed logistics through automation, real-time tracking, and digital platforms, but the next wave goes further with AI forecasting, warehouse robotics, IoT fleet management, and blockchain. Sustainability is also driving tech adoption as the industry endeavours to cut emissions and boost efficiency. Our IT & Technical division will help companies navigate this shift by connecting them with experts in AI, data analytics, cloud, cybersecurity, and systems implementation. We build the teams that let clients adopt and scale these innovations, keeping them ahead in the next generation of logistics technology.
What types of IT and technical talent are logistics companies currently seeking, and why?
Telecommunications, CCaaS, software, SaaS, cyber, and logistics companies, especially startups or those scaling up, are hungry for IT and tech talent to drive growth. Currently, the top demand is for CCaaS, CX, SaaS, and cybersecurity specialists, plus experts who can implement and integrate these technologies to boost efficiency, scalability, and security.
AI is already reshaping many aspects of logistics, from predictive maintenance to route optimisation. Where do you see its biggest impact in the coming years?
Boosting efficiency in logistics currently, AI’s real impact is yet to come and will be in the form of end-to-end supply chain intelligence. This will include forecasting demand, managing inventory, optimising routes, cutting costs, and improving both sustainability and customer experience. To make this a reality, companies will need the right technical talent – whether that’s data scientists, AI engineers, or implementation specialists. This is where our IT & Technical division comes in – seamlessly connecting businesses with the experts who turn AI innovation into tangible and measurable company growth.
Recruitment is all about relationships. How will you approach building a network in a sector that combines tech, logistics and supply chains?
Connections and relationships are vital in any form of recruitment, but even more so when you’re dealing with tech, logistics, and supply chain sectors. I focus on building trust by understanding client and candidate challenges, staying on top of trends, attending events, and talking with professionals to see what really matters. What excites me most is learning from Amanda, whose 30-year-plus reputation in the sector offers invaluable insight into growing strong, lasting relationships.
If you could fast-forward three years, what would success look like for your IT and technical division?
In three years, success would mean our IT & Technical division is a trusted partner with a strong network of clients and candidates, all of whom consider A&S Recruitment their first port of call. Having secured a reputation for high-quality placements, we would also be known for our growing and collaborative team, all of whom share knowledge and stay ahead of industry trends.
Amanda Harrold, A&S Recruitment’s founder, says: “The logistics sector is evolving rapidly, with digital transformation and automation driving new demands for IT and technical expertise. Now is the perfect time to expand into this space, ensuring we can support our clients with the talent that underpins innovation. By welcoming Kelly to the company and establishing a dedicated division, we’re aligning recruitment with the future of logistics.”
Originally posted on Porttalk (https://porttalk.co.uk/as-recruitment-launches-it-technical-division-to-meet-growing-demand-for-tech-talent/)