The head of training at a recruitment business believes talking on the phone is becoming a lost art.

Victoria Bari, from Berry Recruitment Group, says those entering the industry often prefer emails and messaging, which are less effective than talking to people.

She is urging the newer consultants, in branches covering Herts, Beds and Bucks, to pick up phones and talk to clients because they are more likely to be successful.

Ms Bari said: "There is certainly a generational divide and for younger, more inexperienced consultants, emails and messaging are the first route of communication.

"But talking to people remains the most effective method of building relationships, which is a fundamental building block of sales."