Welcome to the next instalment of Inside Track – a new unLTD feature from Russell Thompson, Director on Demand, dedicated to uncovering the real stories behind South Yorkshire’s most inspiring business journeys. This month Russell talks to...
PETE SHILLITO
FALLING INTO IT – AND FINDING HIS FEET
It’s the oft-heard refrain of people in recruitment: “I never planned to end up here.” Fresh out of university with a criminology degree and vague aspirations of joining the police, Pete admits he expected job offers to appear on cue. Instead, he was met with silence.
A recruiter saw something in his CV and invited him in for a four-hour interview and a rigorous psychometric test. Somehow, it worked – and his career began.
Those early years weren’t plain sailing. He didn’t love the job at first and nearly walked away more than once. But something changed. “There’s a point where the penny drops,” he says. “You realise you’re good at it, you start earning decent money, and more importantly, you’re helping people into roles that change their lives.” That sense of impact, and the financial incentive, kept him in the game.
OUT OF THE FRYING PAN…
Pete’s most defining experience came in a former business where he spent nearly a decade, becoming managing partner in its final two years. The company eventually ceased trading – but not before he’d had a crash course in everything from negotiating supplier contracts to tackling aged debt and solving new problems on a near-daily basis.
“It was like being a professional firefighter,” he recalls. “Every Monday, something was on fire – sometimes literally, mostly metaphorically.” It was relentless, but it taught him everything he needed to know about running a business.
When the company folded at the end of 2023, he faced a fork in the road: work for someone else, or build something of his own. With a newborn son and a renewed sense of purpose, he chose the latter. “He doesn’t care where the money comes from – he just wants feeding three times a day,” Pete laughs. “But it gave me the push I needed.”
FROM COMPARISON TO CURIOSITY
In such a competitive industry, losing out on a pitch can sting – and Pete’s honest about the occasional flicker of envy. But rather than let it fester, he tries to learn from it.
Every missed opportunity becomes a chance to reassess. What could he have done differently? Could the pitch have been sharper? Could the follow-up have landed better? It’s this reflective mindset that’s helped him stay both competitive and grounded.
His network plays a big part too. While recruitment can be cutthroat, he has built relationships with peers who support rather than compete. “I’m lucky to have people I can ring for advice or refer work to – and they do the same for me.”
EMBRACING CHANGE
Pete believes that resisting change is the quickest way to get stuck. He’s open to learning from others, adapting his approach and even borrowing the best ideas when he sees them. “If something works, I’ll give it a go – doesn’t matter who came up with it.”
This attitude extends to tech too. He’s spoken before about the role AI is beginning to play in recruitment, and while he values the efficiencies it can bring, he remains clear on one thing – no algorithm can replace the intuition and personality that define the best recruiters.
LEADING WITH A LIGHT TOUCH
At the heart of Pete’s leadership style is a belief in autonomy. He builds teams around self-motivated individuals and avoids micromanagement. The office culture is relaxed but focused – an environment where people are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work.
Everyone’s motivated by something different, he explains – family, financial goals, lifestyle. His job is to understand what drives his team and give them the space to chase it.
He’s also a big believer in getting out from behind the desk. “Recruitment is still a relationship business,” he says. “You can’t build trust over email alone.”
AUTHENTICITY WINS
Pete’s approach to personal branding – especially on social media – is all about authenticity. If he posts something, it’s because he has something to say. “I want the person you see online to be the same person you meet in real life.”
Sometimes that means serious insights. Sometimes it means a jar full of AI-generated mini versions of himself for an Easter giveaway. Either way, he leans into it – and lets his personality do the talking.
SHOUTING ABOUT SOUTH YORKSHIRE
As Chair of the South Yorkshire Institute of Directors, Pete is proud to be part of a community that celebrates the region’s success stories. From site visits at firms like McLaren and Forgemasters to roundtable discussions that spark fresh thinking, it’s about connecting people who want to make the region stronger.
He’s keen to see more positive news about South Yorkshire’s business community shared more widely. “There’s so much good happening here – we just need to be louder about it.”
Right now, Pete’s most excited about the future of his new business and the team he’s building. “They’re people I’ve worked with before. I trust them. They trust me. That makes all the difference.” It’s a simple formula, but a powerful one – surround yourself with good people, do the work, and stay open to what comes next.#
To find out more about Russ’s work and how you can join the conversation, visit director-on-demand.co.uk
