Jeanette Barrowcliffe: Balancing Growth and Risk: The Mindset of a Recruitment FD

In this episode of Growth Bites, Jo is joined by Jeanette Barrowcliffe, Finance Director and co-owner of Meridian Business Support - one of the UK’s largest independent multi-sector recruitment agencies.

With nearly three decades in recruitment and two MBOs under her belt, Jeanette brings a sharp, no-nonsense perspective to what it really takes to scale sustainably. From navigating economic uncertainty to making smart tech investments, this episode is packed with insight for recruitment leaders who want to grow, without losing control of the numbers.

She shares how Meridian has weathered tough market conditions, why cash flow is still king, and the metrics that matter when making high-stakes business decisions. Jeanette also talks about the evolving role of finance in recruitment businesses and what founders need to understand before diving into M&A.