When Lord Malcolm founded Betrworkr, the goal was simple: connect world-class talent with opportunities. But he soon realised the gap was bigger than recruitment.
“We started as a recruitment startup, and we were good at it. We placed tech-focused talent across the world and worked with global venture capital firms and their portfolio companies. But after every hire, we would get asked: ‘Do you handle payroll?’ At the time, we didn’t. We referred clients to partners, but six months later, they weren’t happy. That’s when it became clear that we needed to build an HR ecosystem, not just a recruitment agency.”
That ecosystem became Betrworkr, a strategic partner to startups, scale-ups, and global enterprises. The company now provides services spanning recruitment, cross-border payroll, compliance, employee of record solutions, benefits administration, and even work visa processing.
“Our value proposition is simple. We help companies cut through red tape, stay compliant, and grow fast with the right people, systems, and support.”
Why Betrworkr Stands Out
The difference between Betrworkr and traditional recruitment firms lies in their end-to-end approach.
“Most recruitment firms are niche. They recruit and hand off. The employer is left to figure out payroll, onboarding, or even how to ship a laptop. What sets us apart is that we’re a one-stop shop. We help you screen, test, vet, and hire, but we also help you pay, onboard, and manage compliance. Clients really value that post-hire support.”
In a fragmented HR landscape, Betrworkr is positioning itself as one of the first Africa-built platforms designed for Africa, the diaspora, and the wider MENA region.
An Open and Human Approach
Beyond building systems, Lord Malcolm is known for his openness and willingness to connect. His philosophy is rooted in treating people as people first.
“I think people like to relate with people who are human. One of my closest friends is someone I met at a conference. We were friends for three years before any business happened. Today, I’m his de facto chief of people and culture across 11 African countries. If I had dismissed that relationship because it wasn’t immediately profitable, I would have missed out.”
This approach, he believes, is what builds trust with talent, clients, and investors alike.
The Funding Dilemma
Though Betrworkr once considered raising external investment, Lord Malcolm revealed that the company remains proudly bootstrapped.
“We started the process of looking at investors. But then we had a period of good fortune, clients were calling, deals were closing, and the business was growing. Fundraising is a full-time grind, and I’ve seen friends lose their direction chasing it. Right now, the bootstrap model is working. Would I take a cheque if it didn’t distract us? Yes. But the bigger question is: do we really need it?”
Creating Pathways for the Diaspora
A central part of Betrworkr’s mission is empowering professionals in the diaspora to engage with opportunities in Africa and emerging markets. Lord Malcolm sees education as a key tool.
“I always say my people perish for lack of knowledge. We use LinkedIn, panels, and forums to show professionals how they can live in Africa while earning on a global scale. The opportunities are there; it just depends on the career path.”
When asked about in-demand skills, Lord Malcolm pointed to three areas:
“AI is the hot buzzword right now. But cybersecurity is also growing, because the bad guys will always try, and the good guys will always need to stop them. And then there’s data and analytics. Those three fields are where I see real opportunity.”
Final Thoughts
For Lord Malcolm, Betrworkr is an infrastructure for the future of work.
“The HR landscape is fragmented. Some firms focus on recruitment, others on payroll, others on employee of record. We’re building the first one-stop shop from Africa for Africa and the MENA region. For diaspora professionals, investors, and founders, that means peace of mind. Their people and culture processes are taken care of, and they can focus on growth. We have traction, we are growing, and we welcome every opportunity that comes our way.”
