Latest news with #RhysHughes
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The new rules for startup hiring
Hiring's a lot like dating. It starts with two people sitting down and having a conversation. Just maybe, it leads to another conversation. There has to be mutual interest for it to work, but there's often a pursuer and a pursued. Eventually, if all goes well, both parties make a decision that affects their daily lives. Obviously, there are differences (last I checked, most people have more jobs than they have life partners), but in essence—these are highly competitive and deeply interpersonal markets. And in startups right now, particularly for go-to-market and engineering talent, competition has gotten wild. 'It's a hiring free-for-all,' said Rhys Hughes, GV executive talent partner. 'There's, of course, the [AI] bonus hilariousness out there, the great talent auction, and all the things making it competitive. Right now, with our portfolio companies, I'm spending a ton of time with them on this proactive approach. If a founder says to me, 'I'm open to a rec,' I say: 'You're already late. You should already know three to four people.'' I spoke to six founders and VC firm talent leaders, and there was agreement—we're in a new era of hiring for startups. Once, it was a 'growth at all costs' game, characterized by soaring headcounts. Those days are over, replaced by a push for companies to run leaner teams of exceptional people—who are often already established in their careers. 'The biggest thing I've noticed is that people care a lot more about talent density than about headcount growth now,' said Atli Thorkelsson, VP of talent network at Redpoint. 'I think what's feeding into it is this: There's more you can automate now, especially within engineering and all kinds of other functions. You can automate a lot of junior-level work, so what you're really looking for is higher-level thinking. There's a culture, or ethos, right now—whether it's true or not—that building the next really cool AI product may be harder than building the great SaaS products of the past.' Thorkelsson and Redpoint released a report this year that showed that while demand for mid-level and senior talent is high, demand for entry-level talent is declining rapidly across startups. This is naturally linked to AI—as the technology develops and changes quickly, track records and adaptability matter more than traditional credentials. 'For a while, I was really focused on: Have you done it before?' said Garrett Lord, cofounder and CEO of Handshake. 'Now, after hiring hundreds and hundreds of people, I've really learned it's more about learning agility, judgement, and work ethic than about you spending four years at Meta.' Lord has chased potential hires across the globe—even recently meeting a prospective executive in Dubai. He says the competition for AI talent is as intense as conventional wisdom right now suggests. 'If you're remotely connected to or have worked at one of the AI companies, there are seed funds that will just write you a check on the spot,' said Lord. 'You could own your own company. You could go to a big company, and cash in on public [restricted stock units]. Not Meta-style, but significantly more money than many folks have ever seen.' So, if you find a great candidate, don't hold back. 'My advice to founders is that when you find a candidate you like and that first meeting goes well, lean into them,' said Paula Judge, VP of talent at Accel. 'Start texting them immediately, and build the relationship. Let them know how you're going to work with them. Act like you're working together. Show them what it's going to be. That's really the dance. That's how people and companies differentiate. People do say 'I took this job for less money because I really liked the people.' Candidates are looking to do their best work.' To compete, you have to start early, said Eléonore Crespo, cofounder and co-CEO of Pigment. 'I think of it like what sports teams do to find the future stars,' she told Fortune via email. 'They look at 16-year-olds that show promise, and they keep tabs until the moment is right. I try to do the same every day.' It's an essential point, said GV's Hughes—as in sports recruiting, the long game matters. 'The best founders are building relationships with talent long before they need them,' he said. 'So when they do give them that call, that person will take that phone call, because you've invested the time. That's going to be the currency that matters most for our companies as they hire and scale.' And, of course, as in dating, hiring is only the beginning: Once someone's in, it's tougher and more important than ever that they stay, said Jen Holmstrom, Notable Capital partner. 'Once you get them in the door, how do you ensure that particular talent is going to stay invested?' said Holmstrom. 'Do they feel they have autonomy, that they have room to run, that they're trusted? You have to create an environment where you retain them, keeping them with you on the journey. And that responsibility sits with the founder. It sits with the leadership team. And it's not easy to do. It's not to be underestimated.' See you Monday, Allie GarfinkleX: @agarfinksEmail: a deal for the Term Sheet newsletter here. Joey Abrams curated the deals section of today's newsletter. Subscribe here. This story was originally featured on Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Powys County Times
06-08-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
All the midweek football action from across mid Wales
BUILTH Wells battled to a 1-0 derby win at home to Llandrindod Wells in the Ardal North East League on Tuesday night. A solitary own own from Shaun Nicholls handed the points to the Bulls. Rhys Hughes struck twice and Taylor Watts completed Bow Street's scoring in a 3-0 win at Dolgellau AA. Josh Astley's injury-time penalty saw Llanfair United edge a 2-1 win at Kerry after Neil Mitchell had earlier cancelled out Astley's opener with Nyasha Mwamuka also netting for Llanfair. Action from Knighton Town's clash with Radnor Valley. (Image: Stuart Townsend.) Llanrhaeadr crashed to a 4-1 defeat at Penycae with Josh Bowen's goal a consolation as Zac Davies struck twice and efforts from Harry Bowen and Josh Mazzarella completed the scoring. Radnor Valley and Knighton Town proved inseparable in a 2-2 draw.
BBC News
07-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
TNS boss Harrison wins Cymru Premier award
The New Saints boss Craig Harrison has been named the Cymru Premier manager of the guided Saints to a domestic Welsh treble, winning the JD Cymru Premier for a 17th time, the JD Welsh Cup and Nathaniel MG also guided the club to the the Europa Conference League group stages, the first domestic Welsh club to do Quay Nomads forward Rhys Hughes was player of the season Caernarfon Town forward Louis Lloyd was named young player of the Ferry Llansawel's Rhys James was named Adran Premier manager of the seasonShannon Evans was player of the season with Cardiff City team mate Fiona Barry named the young player of the season. Former referee Cheryl Foster, the first female to officiate in the Cymru Premier in 2018, was presented with a special recognition called time on her refereeing career earlier this year having officiated at the Women's Euro 2022, the 2023 Women's World Cup and Women's Champions League enjoyed an equally successful playing career, during which she won three league titles with Liverpool and 63 Wales caps. National League Award 2025 winners JD Cymru PremierManager of the Season - Craig Harrison (The New Saints)Player of the Season - Rhys Hughes (Connah's Quay Nomads)Young Player of the Season – Louis Lloyd (Caernarfon)Golden Boot – James Crole (Penybont)Golden Glove – Zac Jones (Haverfordwest County)Goal of the Season - James Crole (Penybont)JD Cymru NorthManager of the Season - Mike Wilde (Colwyn Bay)Player of the Season - Sam Hart (Colwyn Bay)Young Player of the Season – Kaiden Cooke (Airbus UK)Golden Boot – Danny Warren (Airbus UK)Golden Glove – Rhys Williams (Colwyn Bay)JD Cymru SouthManager of the Season - Mark Dunford (Trethomas Bluebirds)Player of the Season - Liam Eason (Llanelli Town)Young Player of the Season – Ethan Edwards (Trethomas Bluebirds)Golden Boot – Liam Eason (Llanelli Town)Golden Glove – Harry Irving (Trethomas Bluebirds)Genero Adran PremierManager of the Season - Rhys James (Briton Ferry Llansawel)Player of the Season - Shannon Evans (Cardiff City)Young Player of the Season – Fiona Barry (Cardiff City)Golden Boot – Ffion Price (Cardiff City)Golden Glove – Charlotte Haynes (Swansea City)/Molly Arnesen (Barry Town United)/Molly Arnesen (Briton Ferry Llansawel)Genero Adran NorthManager of the Season - Jordan Parry (Connah's Quay Nomads)Player of the Season - Polly Wild-McGregor (Connah's Quay Nomads)Young Player of the Season – Polly Wild-McGregor (Connah's Quay Nomads)Golden Boot - Polly Wild-McGregor (Connah's Quay Nomads)Golden Glove – Molly France (Connah's Quay Nomads)Genero Adran SouthManager of the Season - Claire O'Sullivan (Pontypridd United)Player of the Season - Erin Parry (Cascade)Young Player of the Season – Nicole Fenton (Pontypridd United)Golden Boot - Nicole Fenton (Pontypridd United)Golden Glove - Georgia Tarullo (Swansea University)Special Recognition AwardCheryl Foster
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Welsh Cup: Connah's Quay beat Llanelli to reach final
Holders Connah's Quay Nomads came from behind to book their place in the Welsh Cup final with a 2-1 victory over Llanelli Town in Aberystwyth. Connah's Quay's Rhys Hughes hit the crossbar from a free-kick early on. Following Kris Owens' foul on Taylor Jones, Liam Eason notched up his eighth goal in all competitions since joining Town in January to put Llanelli ahead from the penalty spot in the 26th minute at Park Avenue. But the Nomads levelled proceedings 47 seconds after the restart as Callum Bratley threaded through to Max Woodcock, who coolly slotted into the net. And they completed the turnaround four minutes later as Bratley lashed into the net from 10 yards after Cymru South leaders Llanelli failed to clear from a cross. Scott Coughlin produced a fine save to deny Nomads captain John Disney from close range before George Ratcliffe kept out Bradley Gibbings' effort at the other end. And the Cymru Premier side held on for victory to keep their hopes of retaining the trophy alive as they seek to win the tournament for a third time. The Nomads will face the winner of Sunday's semi-final between newly crowned 2024-25 Cymru Premier champions The New Saints and Cymru South side Cambrian United. The final will be held at Newport's Rodney Parade on Sunday, 4 May.
BBC News
15-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Welsh Cup: Connah's Quay beat Llanelli to reach final
Holders Connah's Quay Nomads came from behind to book their place in the Welsh Cup final with a 2-1 victory over Llanelli Town in Quay's Rhys Hughes hit the crossbar from a free-kick early Kris Owens' foul on Taylor Jones, Liam Eason notched up his eighth goal in all competitions since joining Town in January to put Llanelli ahead from the penalty spot in the 26th minute at Park the Nomads levelled proceedings 47 seconds after the restart as Callum Bratley threaded through to Max Woodcock, who coolly slotted into the they completed the turnaround four minutes later as Bratley lashed into the net from 10 yards after Cymru South leaders Llanelli failed to clear from a Coughlin produced a fine save to deny Nomads captain John Disney from close range before George Ratcliffe kept out Bradley Gibbings' effort at the other the Cymru Premier side held on for victory to keep their hopes of retaining the trophy alive as they seek to win the tournament for a third Nomads will face the winner of Sunday's semi-final between newly crowned 2024-25 Cymru Premier champions The New Saints and Cymru South side Cambrian final will be held at Newport's Rodney Parade on Sunday, 4 May.
