10 for 10 with Jim Denning
At LHi, we love celebrating the fantastic contributions of our long-standing team members! Our "10 for 10" interview series explores the lives of those who have spent an incredible ten years plus with us. We ask ten fun questions that highlight their LHi journey, favourite moments, and a lot of laughs! Plus, we’ll discover how they plan to use their 'gift of time'—will it be an epic month-long sabbatical or a shiny Rolex watch?
This time, we’re excited to dive into the LHi adventure of our CEO, Jim Denning!
What were your first impressions of LHi?
My initial impression of LHi was that it was a company people genuinely loved working for. There was something in the air—it was clear that LHi was built by talented individuals who had created an incredible atmosphere and a business that truly punches above its weight in terms of size.
Above all, I felt a genuine desire within the business to improve, scale, and leave its mark on the industry.
If you had to pick one LHi moment, what has been your favourite over the past 10 years?
Hosting the 2020 “LHi Experience” in South Africa, just prior to the pandemic, was unforgettable. We had 25 of the best and brightest performers from across the group fly into Cape Town, where we spent time in the Winelands before heading out on a two-day safari. These incentive trips are always incredible experiences, but so many moments stood out during this trip—whether it was the tears of joy from the group witnessing the Big Five (especially the lions) for the first time, hosting the best LHi lunch club ever on a wine estate, or my personal highlight: watching the sunset over Cape Town from the top of Table Mountain with a glass of red in hand and 25 true friends for company. It just doesn’t get much better than this!
What advice would you give to your 'Younger You'?
Imposter syndrome is natural, but the key to overcoming it, is to walk headfirst towards it. Do this as often as you can, and don’t hesitate to ask others for help! Embrace all the challenges that LHi offers, and raise your hand to take on as much as you can.
Take a moment now and then to enjoy the journey and appreciate the people who are with you for the ride. But above all else, join LHi sooner!
What is your favourite thing about LHi?
This is quite a personal sentiment for me, but I believe it captures the essence of the company—what I call the “stardust.” Throughout my time here, and despite the growth we’ve experienced, that essence has remained unchanged. This “stardust” is the feeling you get when you walk into an LHi office (no matter where you are in the world) and how it instantly brings a smile to your face. It’s the stories of people achieving growth, development, and success—sometimes beyond what they realised they were capable of—and then watching everyone celebrate that person with genuine happiness. That’s what will always make LHi special for me.
What are the biggest changes you’ve seen over the past 10+ years at LHi?
Wow, how long do you have? I feel incredibly blessed to work alongside so many individuals in the group who have been at LHi for over five years. The biggest change I’ve witnessed is the growth and transformation of so many people I feel I’ve grown up with here. It’s been an absolute privilege to see individuals from all corners of our group evolve into better people, recruiters, and leaders. This journey has significantly reshaped the company from a scrappy 30-person business to the firm we are today.
Where did you go with your LHi Passport 5 years ago?
I’ve been very fortunate in my career at LHi to have had the opportunity to travel to all of our offices multiple times (except for our newest Miami office). I never got around to using that passport incentive, but perhaps a trip to Miami in 2025 might be on the cards!
What does the future hold for you at LHi?
Opportunity—that’s the overriding feeling I have when I think about LHi’s future and how my future is intertwined with it. I feel very fortunate to be a custodian of LHi and to play a part in shaping its future. That future is built on the premise of ensuring we provide as many people as possible the chance to step out of their comfort zones and embrace opportunities for adventure, development, and growth. Being able to help others and watch them seize these opportunities is truly a privileged position.
Who has been your biggest inspiration at LHi?
It’s very tough to single out one person, but there are three individuals who share a similar inspirational story. Whenever I experience moments of self-doubt or don’t quite feel at my best, thinking of their stories and passion for the business helps me regain my footing. These individuals are Ben Richardson, Mike Bott, and Michael Georgiou. Together, they have a combined 41 years of service at LHi, each starting their recruitment careers as rookies before the company had more than 20 employees.
They have witnessed the ebb and flow of LHi’s growth, from TG’s (Tom Glanfield) flat to a 400-person global recruitment firm. Along the way, they’ve worn many different hats, travelled the world, launched offices and brands, and even broken new ground for LHi on different continents. These three have climbed every rung of the ladder at LHi and now sit at the top of our business as members of the C-Suite, each responsible for driving the company forward and ensuring we continue to improve.
What’s even more incredible is that, despite their 41 years of service, all three show up every day with even more passion and excitement for what they do than they did ten years ago when I first met them.
Tenure is rare in recruitment, and I believe LHi’s success in breaking the recruitment mold sets us apart from many other firms. These three individuals are the inspirational figures who motivate others in our group (including myself) to aim to walk in their shoes one day.
What would you say to anyone thinking about joining LHi?
Make sure to ask lots of questions and understand our ethos and what LHi is all about. Try to hear as many stories (both successful and challenging) from the people you’ll be working with. Then, ask yourself if you are open to committing to being the best version of yourself and consistently pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. As long as your answer to those questions is 'yes', then go for it! It’s a decision you won’t regret today, and your future self will thank you for making it!
For 10 years at the company, you received LHi’s Gift of Time, the question is did you choose a luxury watch or 1-month paid leave?
My wife and I welcomed our second child into the world, and I used the gift of time to spend a little longer with our newborn than usual. It was great to have that time!