Is Ephram now a rec2rec?
The career rebirth of Ephram Stephenson continues unabated.
The subscribers to The Ephram Stephenson podcast, “..the unfiltered podcast diving into the raw realities of business growth across industries – from explosive success to brutal pitfalls,” are still waiting for episode 2, exactly three months after the debut episode dropped (average 1.9 star rating out of 5, from 7 ratings).
Stephenson’s attempted anonymous return to the recruitment industry with Leo Jackson didn’t stay anonymous for long as he’s now acknowledging it’s his business by linking his profile to the company’s LinkedIn page as the only employee (although mentions of the Stephenson remain absent from the company website).
However, he’s not intending to be the only employee for much longer as yesterday he advertised the internal role of Operations Manager in a company LinkedIn page update. The role “…will take full ownership of the operational heartbeat of the business – finance, accounts, systems, processes, implementation and day-to-day operational leadership.”
Let’s hope that includes making sure BAS and superannuation payments are made when due.
Yesterday was a busy day for announcements at Leo Jackson as another LinkedIn update proclaimed a new division of the company – Field, which “…will support Western Australia with skilled operational and site-based talent.”
Meanwhile, Stephenson’s consulting business, Ephrams, is offering free mentoring and what appears to be rec2rec services.
“We’re working with several of Australia’s fastest-growing specialist recruitment firms – businesses built for high performers who want real autonomy, real progression, and real earning potential, ” the post states.
It promises, “This is recruitment at the highest level – modern, strategic, tech-enabled, and built for those who want to build something meaningful.
They’re hiring across: Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane | Perth”
It seems improbable that any recruitment agency owner or CEO would engage Ephram Stephenson to recruit employees on their behalf, less than a year after Stephenson’s leadership led Collar Group into oblivion, owing $28 million.
The Collar Group administrators noted in the sixth report to creditors (published 28 May 2025) that “….the company may have traded while insolvent from December 2022”, with a potential claim of circa $22 million.
No matter the past creditors stung, former employees’ livelihoods upended or wrecked, Ephram Stephenson keeps moving forward as if the past were an inconvenient bad dream, rather than a reality he should confront.
Related blogs
Ephram Stephenson starts another recruitment business
Collar had $28k in the bank and debts of $28 million when it went under
Stephenson tries, and fails, to take full responsibility for Collar’s demise
Stephenson publicly re-emerges from the ashes of Collar Group’s collapse
Stephenson retakes control of Collar but history is not on his side
All the spin, buzz words, management speak or willingness to deploy the latest tech will not change anything for Ephram. In my view, he does not have the fundamental skills or ethics required from a recruiter or a leader to produce anything meaningful.
His style of operating seems far more suited to transactional sales, like street charity collecting or door-to-door selling of home energy efficiency upgrades.
From the vibe of the Op’s Mgr position outline, could the ‘roach of recruitment be looking at a directors ban? Lets hope so.