February 2026
From Performing on Stage to Performing in Sales, Bobby’s Recruitment Career
Before recruitment, Bobby was building a career in acting across TV, film and musical theatre. After university, he committed fully to that path. When COVID hit, the theatre he was working at made him redundant. The industry shut down overnight.
“I didn’t really have a backup plan.”
A former university contact at LVI Associates reached out during lockdown and asked a simple question, do you want to make some money. Bobby interviewed remotely and joined as part of the first fully remote training group. What began as a practical decision during uncertainty became something long term as his reasons for staying evolved.
Early momentum in AV integration
Bobby started in AV integration in Texas, a high activity market with smaller deal sizes. His first year was built on repetition, consistency and learning to handle pressure. It demanded volume and patience, but it gave him structure and discipline.
He then stepped into management earlier than he should have and struggled.
Over the next nine months, he blanked. In recruitment, that means he did not make a single placement. No completed deals. No tangible outcomes. Just effort without visible progress.
That period tested him.
“I didn’t see the rewards of what was to come.”
He questioned if he should stay. Instead of being sidelined, leadership supported him. He was given the opportunity to return to billing in a new territory and rebuild properly. That reset forced him to decide if recruitment was temporary, or something he would commit to seriously.
Finding the right market
With a background in theatre and production, Bobby gravitated toward the events space. He understood live environments, logistics, lighting, rigging and coordination. He respected the complexity behind every production.
When he transitioned into events recruitment, the market aligned with his personality and interests.
“I started falling in love with it.”
That alignment changed his focus. He was no longer pushing through a market that felt distant. He was building expertise in one that made sense to him.
The three whys behind his career
Bobby’s progression has been driven by three clear whys.
Why one, stability.
At the start, he needed direction and control after the uncertainty of the theatre industry shutting down. Recruitment gave him structure and a clear performance framework.
Why two, responsibility.
When his partner went on maternity leave, responsibility sharpened his standards. His performance was tied to providing stability at home. The role carried weight beyond personal ambition.
“Last year my why was taking care of my family.”
Why three, long term growth.
After rebuilding from his nine month blank, he saw that difficult periods are part of long term success. He committed to mastering his market instead of chasing short term wins.
“Everyone in sales struggles at least once. That’s how you become persistent.”
One of his proudest moments was closing his first deal after that drought, surrounded by a team that had supported him through it. That moment confirmed he could recover and rebuild.
What he looks for
Bobby looks for clarity of purpose.
“I need someone who has a why.”
That reason might be responsibility, progression, or building something meaningful. Without it, setbacks feel final. With it, people stay long enough to develop real expertise.
He believes consultants should treat their desk like a business within a business. LVI provides infrastructure and leadership. The consultant brings commitment and ownership.
Why he stayed
Bobby is clear about why he has remained at LVI Associates. During his hardest period, leaders checked in. When his child was born, they reached out personally. When he rebuilt, the team celebrated.
“For me, it’s the care that goes into leadership.”
From acting to events recruitment, Bobby built a career that still connects to his original interests, but in a commercial setting. His principle remains simple.
- Identify your reason.
- Commit to it fully.
- When you reach it, set the next one.
“I’m now one of the top performers at LVI Associates. I’ve ranked top 10 in the London office for three consecutive years, and top 3 for the past two. Staying focused and committed genuinely changes your life.”