Adam Razzell has worked in rail recruitment for over 12 years, specialising in signalling & telecoms. With a vast network and a deep understanding of the industry, he has partnered with countless clients on many large projects.
At the beginning of January, Adam announced that he has joined Ceto Talent as co-founder of its new Transportation and Infrastructure Sector division. RailStaff sat down with Adam to learn more about this new venture and the current status of recruitment in the rail sector.
To begin, could you give us some background on your new venture with Ceto Talent?
Ceto Talent has been servicing the maritime transportation industry internationally for 18 months, led by co-founder Jenna Coles who has 17 years’ experience in this space. Over the years, Jenna and I have collaborated to run recruitment teams together. This partnership has worked well, so when presented with an opportunity to work together again, both of us were keen on exploring this and making Ceto Talent a fully-fledged Transportation and Infrastructure recruitment business, working in the key areas of Maritime and Rail.
What makes Ceto Talent stand out from other recruiters?
Our recruitment team is made up of experienced professionals who are genuinely invested in the success of our clients. We work as an extension of our clients’ HR team, providing support and guidance at every stage of the hiring process. Our team has a deep knowledge of the industry, and our specialisms allow us to connect clients with candidates who have the right skills and a strong understanding of the industry’s unique demands.
We take a personalised, tailored approach to recruitment. Instead of a one-size-fits-all strategy, we focus on understanding the specific needs and culture of each client, ensuring we match candidates not just based on skills, but also on cultural fit. Unlike many other agencies that focus on high-volume placements, we prioritise quality over quantity. We are selective and ensure that every candidate we present is a strong fit for an organisation’s needs.
What values drive the company and how does this improve the experience of your clients?
Diversity and inclusion are core values of ours and we actively seek to present candidates from diverse backgrounds, ensuring clients have access to a variety of perspectives that will enrich their team. Over the years we’ve built an extensive, diverse network of highly qualified candidates which allows us to present clients with the best talent quickly and efficiently, even for hard-to-fill roles.
Transparent and honest communication are also vitally important to us. Our clients appreciate honest feedback, clear communication, and a proactive approach throughout the hiring process.
As well as all of this, we offer incredible flexibility. Our response time and agility mean we can adapt to changing business needs and help clients secure top talent in tight timeframes – whether that’s permanent, temporary, or contract staff.
What practical steps are you taking to provide the best possible outcomes for clients and candidates?
We see every recruitment assignment as the beginning of a long-term partnership. Our goal is to understand an organisation’s culture, vision, and goals to provide ongoing recruitment support as their business evolves. We have a proven track record of placing candidates who thrive in their roles and contribute to the success of our clients, and our long-term partnerships with companies are a testament to the quality of our work.
To achieve this, we use cutting-edge technology and data analytics to streamline the recruitment process, assess candidates, and make better-informed decisions. This ensures clients get the best possible candidates and reduces time and costs.
Our relationship doesn’t end when a candidate is hired. After placement, we offer ongoing support, following up to ensure candidates are settling in and meeting expectations. We are always there to assist if any issues arise.
What skills are most in demand in the UK rail industry right now?
The industry is always on the lookout for high-quality talent, but at present the most sought-after staff include:
- IT specialists and software engineers. With a focus on smart transportation, digital ticketing, and data analysis for performance and safety, IT professionals with expertise in rail systems will be in high demand.
- Cybersecurity experts. As the rail industry adopts more technology, the need for cybersecurity professionals to protect rail networks from cyber threats is also increasing.
- Railway signalling engineers. These engineers are vital as signalling systems continue to modernise with new technologies like digital signalling.
That said, civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering skills, as well as digital and technological skills are always sought after.
Finally, what are the challenges currently facing rail recruitment and what is your outlook for 2025 and beyond?
Skills shortages remain a challenge for the industry, specifically for technical and specialist skills. There is a significant demand for highly specialised individuals in areas such as signalling, electrification, railway engineering, and digital technologies. The UK rail industry has traditionally struggled to find qualified professionals with the technical expertise needed to meet the evolving demands of modern rail infrastructure.
Linked to this, there is the industry’s aging workforce to consider. With a large portion of the existing rail industry workforce nearing retirement there is a pressing need for younger workers to fill positions quickly, particularly in engineering and operational roles.
People are nervous about changing roles right now and the state of the economy plays a part in this. We ‘ve seen a perfect storm of problems since 2019, from Brexit, to Covid, to high interest rates – the list goes on. All of this creates uncertainty in the economy and has an effect not only on people looking to hire but on candidates who are worried about leaving a secure position.
It’s our role role to help our clients and candidates, reassuring individuals about the projects in place and ensuring we take a consultative approach to all parties.
In terms of outlook, I now believe we are in the calm before the storm. The industry has multiple projects about to start under CP7, and HS2 has awarded £3 billion in contracts to deliver the systems that will power nearly 140 miles of tunnels, bridges, and earthworks.
In the years ahead, work on track systems, overhead catenary systems, telecoms & security, and signalling & traffic management will transform and enhance the existing UK rail network.
Image credits: Ceto Talent
