The job market has never been tougher — but according to recruiter Emily Aldrich, it’s also never been richer in opportunity for those who know how to stand out.

In this episode of CreatED, artist and educator Rob Pepper talks with Emily Aldrich, founder of Aldrich & Co, a recruitment firm with over 30 years of experience placing people in some of London’s most competitive industries.

Emily didn’t go to university — but she built a thriving business from scratch, and now she’s sharing the truth about what employers really look for.

Together, Rob and Emily unpack the essentials of getting hired in 2025:

How to tell your story (and why most people can’t)

Why communication and confidence matter more than grades

The smart way to use AI in your job hunt — without losing your voice

How creative skills translate into commercial success

And why resilience, curiosity, and kindness are your real career superpowers

This isn’t a conversation about perfect CVs or quick fixes — it’s about understanding yourself, building confidence, and finding your place in a world that’s changing fast.

Whether you’re just starting out, switching paths, or supporting someone who is, this episode is packed with practical advice — and a dose of hope.

Listen to the CreatED podcast here or on all major platforms— streaming now.

Like and subscribe for more insightful interviews on the rapidly changing world of work and how education needs to change to better prepare young people for the future.

What do artists and CEOs have in common? More than you might expect — and if you’re in the business world, you might just learn a thing or two from a sculptor’s mindset.
In this episode of CreatED, artist and Principal of The Art Academy, Rob Pepper, sits down with Matthew Brockman, Managing Partner of Hg Capital, one of Europe’s most successful private equity firms.
Matthew grew up in a family of master bookbinders — a world of precision, care, and deep craft. That creative heritage shaped how he leads today: with clarity, empathy, and long-term systems thinking.
Together, Rob and Matthew explore:
Why artists and CEOs both lead through vision and uncertainty
How creative processes mirror high-level strategic decision-making
What business leaders can learn from the adaptability and inventiveness of creatives
Why imagination is the overlooked leadership skill in both boardrooms and studios
And how embracing multiple career pathways is essential in today’s world
This is a conversation for the artist who wants to scale and the CEO who wants to think differently. A meeting of minds across sectors — with surprising lessons for both.

Christopher Duffy’s path into design blends fine craft with playful illusion — from a life-changing art foundation in Newham to cabinet-making with master artisans, market stalls in Camden, and eventually founding Duffy London. Known for the Swing Table, Shadow Chair and Balloon Table, Chris shares how he builds concept-first pieces to a “99.9% finished” standard, why he kept his studio intentionally small, and how CAD and AI now supercharge visualisation, marketing, and iteration without losing the human hand.
In this episode of CreatED, Chris and Rob discuss:
The leap from sensible furniture to bold, viral statement pieces
How digital tools — from CAD to AI — accelerate prototyping and storytelling
The trade-offs between exclusivity, scale, and creative freedom
What young designers need today: tool fluency, build awareness, and entrepreneurial grit
A candid conversation about resilience, risk, and the future of making — with Rob Pepper and Chris Duffy.