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In this episode of Recruiting Alchemy, host Andy Simpson sits down with Malvin Kamara, former professional footballer turned founder and CEO of Vallum Associates. From playing in the Premier League and Championship to building one of the fastest-growing recruitment firms in energy and infrastructure, Malvin shares his remarkable journey and the lessons learned along the way.
They discuss what professional sport taught him about resilience, how he transitioned into recruitment, and the realities of scaling a business with no prior experience. From managing VAT shocks and cashflow challenges to building a high-performance culture, Malvin offers a refreshingly honest look at what it takes to succeed in recruitment and leadership.
Whether you’re a recruiter, business owner, or simply someone interested in stories of resilience and entrepreneurship, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical takeaways.
🎙 Key Topics:
🔹 From football pitches to boardrooms – Malvin’s journey into recruitment
🔹 Why resilience and mindset matter more than experience
🔹 Scaling Vallum Associates through setbacks and turning points
🔹 Lessons in leadership, culture, and high-performance environments
🔹 The realities of tax, cashflow, and learning business the hard way
Show Notes & Timestamps
[00:00] Introduction & Early Life
Andy introduces Malvin Kamara and his journey from football to recruitment.
Growing up in Plumstead and discovering a love for football.
[07:00] Professional Football Career
Playing for Port Vale, Huddersfield, and beyond.
How injury and circumstance shaped his next chapter.
[20:00] First Steps After Football
Door-to-door sales in Yorkshire and tough early lessons.
Transition into recruitment and discovering Venquis.
[35:00] Founding Vallum Associates
Why Malvin decided to start his own company.
Struggles with scaling, learning tax and cashflow the hard way.
Building resilience through trial and error.
[45:00] Building Culture & Scaling to Exit
The importance of high-performance environments.
Creating a company culture that attracts and retains talent.
Lessons from private equity and scaling partnerships.
[01:00:00] Final Thoughts
Advice for recruiters and entrepreneurs.
Why setbacks can shape long-term success.
