Skip to content
RecTalk home

From Celtic to Compliance: Chris Fahey’s Journey from Pro Goalkeeper to Payroll Pro

44 minWatch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)

About this episode

Nitin speaks with Chris Fahey, founder of AGPayroll and former professional goalkeeper for Celtic and other Scottish clubs. Chris shares his unconventional journey from football to the payroll industry, discussing his early aspirations to play at Celtic Park, his transition into business through selling advertising at semi-pro clubs, and the intense experiences of Scottish lower-league football culture.

The conversation explores how Chris built a values-driven payroll company that prioritises culture and integrity over flashy sales tactics. Nitin and Chris examine the payroll landscape within recruitment, the dynamics between vendors and clients, and why AGPayroll takes a no-nonsense approach rather than relying on traditional relationship-building methods like sponsoring social events.

Key takeaways

  • Chris built AGPayroll on culture-first principles, rejecting traditional vendor tactics and doughnuts-and-drinks sales approaches.
  • His experience in lower-league Scottish football taught him lessons about intensity, rivalry and integrity that shaped his business values.
  • Recruiters should evaluate payroll partners based on no-BS approach and genuine alignment rather than flashy sales relationships.
  • Transitioning from football to entrepreneurship required applying sports discipline and authenticity to building a sustainable business.
  • The payroll sector benefits when vendors refuse to play games and instead focus on genuine client relationships and service quality.

Keep watching

Related episodes

All episodes

Be a guest

Think you should be on RecTalk?

If you've built, led or changed something in recruitment, we want to hear the unfiltered version.

Apply to be a guestSubscribe on YouTube (opens in a new tab)