At APositive, we’re all about helping recruitment and labour hire businesses take control of their cash flow, and Paul Barker is a key part of making that happen. As a Workforce Finance Consultant, Paul works with business owners across VIC, SA and TAS, helping them navigate invoice finance and payroll management so they can focus on growing their business.
We caught up with Paul to chat about his role, what he enjoys most about working with recruiters, and life outside of APositive.
You’ve been with APositive for six months now. How’s it been so far?
It’s been a great journey so far! The team here is super supportive and always happy to help, which has made settling in really easy. It’s also been amazing getting to know our clients and seeing firsthand how we help them scale.
Every business has its own challenges, and learning how we play a role in solving them has been really interesting. Plus, with the team continuing to grow, it’s exciting to see the impact we’re making.
Tell us more about your role as a Workforce Finance Consultant.
I work with recruitment and labour hire businesses in VIC, SA and TAS, helping them manage cash flow, payroll, and invoice finance. A big part of my job is understanding each client’s unique needs and figuring out how we can support their growth.
Day to day, I’m speaking with business owners who are either already dealing with cash flow challenges or want to get ahead of them before they become a problem. Whether it’s payroll complexities, slow client payments, or offering flexible payment options, I help them find the right financial solutions.
What do you enjoy most about working with recruitment and labour hire businesses?
Definitely the people. Most of the business owners I work with are incredibly driven and passionate about what they do. Many have taken the leap to start their own agency and are relying on their industry experience and networks to grow.
Hearing their stories, understanding their journey, and seeing their vision come to life is really inspiring.
Outside of work, who is Paul Barker? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I’m a dad of two young kids, so most of my free time is spent keeping them entertained! When I do get some downtime, I’m usually watching football (soccer), UFC, or F1.
I’m also a big fan of Melbourne’s food scene, especially Asian fusion, steakhouses, and dumplings. If you’ve got any recommendations, let me know!
If you could take a dream vacation anywhere, where would you go?
South America is high on my list. I keep hearing incredible things from people who have traveled there, so hopefully, I’ll get to tick that off one day.
What’s one piece of financial advice you’d give to recruitment or labour hire business owners?
I feel like this is a shameless plug BUT… speak to me! 📞 0499 405 113 or 📧 paul.barker@apositive.com.au.
Seriously though, stay ahead of cash flow—be proactive, not reactive. When your client payment terms don’t line up with your payroll obligations, things can get tricky fast. Having the right finance solutions in place early makes a huge difference.
Lastly, what’s something you’re looking forward to achieving at APositive?
I’m aiming to climb to the top of the team Fantasy Premier League this year (currently sitting in 3rd!), but beyond that, I’m excited to keep working with more businesses and showcasing the growing integrations we offer to make their processes even smoother.
If you’re looking for smarter ways to manage your cash flow, payroll, or invoice finance, feel free to reach out!
