// Recruitment Leaders
Top Recruitment Leaders in Europe for February 2026 | Atlas – Hoxo Elite 100
10/02/2026
6 MIN
As 2026 gets underway, recruiters across Europe are setting the tone for a year filled with opportunity, learning, and growth. Social platforms have become a key space for recruitment leaders to share market insights, challenge outdated thinking, and offer practical advice based on real agency experience.
In this February edition of the Atlas – Hoxo Elite 100, we highlight standout recruitment leaders in Europe who are consistently adding value through their content, conversations, and perspectives, making them well worth following as the year unfolds. As always, make sure to check out Hoxo if you’re looking for ways to maximise your social media presence.
Let’s dive into our inaugural 2026 recruitment leaders ranking:
Looking for the Top 100 in other territories? Make sure to check out our list for:
Top Recruitment Leaders in North America for February 2026
How the Atlas x Hoxo Elite 100 Rankings Work
The Atlas x Hoxo Elite 100 is designed to recognise recruiters who show up consistently and create conversations that matter. It is not about one viral post or a short spike in activity. It is about the recruiters who keep sharing useful ideas, experiences, and perspectives that others genuinely engage with.
Each ranking is shaped by a combination of signals that reflect both visibility and influence. We look at things like the size of your LinkedIn audience, how regularly you post, how people interact with your content, and how often you join the conversation by replying and engaging with others. We also take past performance into account, so steady progress is rewarded over time rather than sudden bursts of activity.
Introducing Leagues to our Ranking Lists
New for 2026, the Elite 100 is split into four leagues, with 25 recruiters in each. Every league has its own 1–25 ranking, while still contributing to the overall Elite 100 list. This league format allows us to recognise more recruitment leaders across Europe, while still keeping the competition meaningful and the rankings easy to follow.
At its core, this list is about more than metrics. It highlights recruitment leaders who are shaping discussions, sharing real-world insight, and helping raise the standard of recruitment content across the industry.
What Europe’s Top Recruiters Are Talking About in February 2026
Lesley Reminds Us That Teams Grow Through Belief, Not Just Numbers
Lesley shares a real-life example of how different team members can be, and how one person’s belief in you can completely change your behaviour.
Some team members are outspoken and naturally inspire others, often stepping into leadership roles. Others are quieter, working behind the scenes, but just as present and valuable.
Lesley talks about a quiet team member who was always shy, but everything changed when someone truly noticed them and gave them the space to be heard. That single moment of attention made a difference.
Sometimes, it only takes one person to believe in someone for them to grow and step forward. We all need that person who sees our potential and gives us the confidence to stand up.
Yvonne Exposes the Silent Reality of AI Use in the Workplace
Yvonne raises the issue of the fear many employees feel about AI in their day-to-day work. More specifically, she explains that many employees are afraid of the consequences of AI, especially the risk of losing their jobs.
As a result, many choose to hide the fact that they are using AI, or conceal how they use it, in order to feel safe. From her experience, Yvonne wants to reassure people that AI won’t steal jobs; it will help make work easier for employees.
Knowing how to use AI to complete tasks more efficiently is a skill in itself. The goal is to be transparent about how we use technology, while also combining it with our own judgment, critical thinking, and human insight.
Sophie Emphasizes the Power of Self-Presentation in Interviews
We all know that many candidates have the skills and technical knowledge, yet sometimes struggle to present themselves or their work with confidence. In her post, Sophie highlights the importance of presenting yourself confidently while staying humble and avoiding overdoing it.
She also shares practical tips on how candidates can present themselves more effectively. Beyond confidence, she emphasises the importance of body language such as eye contact, a relaxed posture, and a genuine smile, which can add significant value to an interview.
Another key point is showing enthusiasm for the role and passion for the company you’re interviewing with.
Last but not least, preparation is essential. Before joining the interview, candidates should research the company, understand what it does, prepare thoughtful questions, and show genuine engagement.
Harriet Highlights Why Great Technical Hires Stall for Reasons Beyond the Market
Many times, when a role is created, especially in specialist sectors, there are multiple internal stakeholders who need to align on the job description, interview process, and role requirements. Often, these elements change along the way. This is exactly the point Harriet is making.
She explains that misalignment between stakeholders, shifting timelines, and changing or unmet expectations can slow down even a great technical hire. To build momentum and achieve a successful outcome, a shared understanding of the role is essential, along with realistic timelines from the start and fast, considered feedback.
This combination allows recruiters to move quickly and ultimately meet the client’s needs.
Shaping the Conversation Across European Recruitment
As February comes to a close, this edition of the Atlas x Hoxo Elite 100 reflects the depth and diversity of conversations happening across Europe’s recruitment industry. The leaders featured are not focused on noise or quick wins, but on sharing perspectives that encourage better thinking, stronger teams, and more informed decisions.
From belief-driven leadership and honest conversations about AI to candidate confidence, interview preparation, and smoother hiring processes, these recruiters are addressing challenges that agencies and candidates face every day.
As 2026 progresses, their content continues to raise the bar for what meaningful recruitment dialogue looks like. By staying consistent, thoughtful, and engaged, they are helping shape a more transparent, effective, and people-focused recruitment landscape across Europe.
The Platform Behind Better Hiring Decisions
Atlas supports the same mission. By removing the admin that slows recruiters down, Atlas – the Recruitment Platform gives you more time to focus on what drives better hiring outcomes: stronger candidate conversations, smoother processes, and more thoughtful decision-making across your desk.
Be sure to revisit our previous Top 100 ranking list for more insights. Stay consistent, keep adding value, and keep showing up, because the year ahead is wide open, and your name could be on the 2026 list.
Related news
// Recruitment Leaders
Atlas – Hoxo Elite 100: The Top Recruitment Leaders of 2025
Meet the top recruitment leaders of 2025 in the Atlas – Hoxo Elite 100. Learn who is defining industry standards and bringing clarity to the market.
12/11/2025
8 MIN
// Recruitment Leaders
The Atlas30 for 2025: Recruitment Influencers You Should be Following
Discover the Atlas30 for 2025 - A list of the most influential recruitment voices shaping hiring, talent strategy, and the future of work.
01/15/2026
9 MIN
// Recruitment Leaders
The Recruitment Leaders Defining Fall 2025 | Atlas – Hoxo Elite 100
Looking for recruiter content that leads with insight and influence? Our Fall 2025 Elite 100 features the recruitment leaders making real impact this season.
10/09/2025
5 MIN
