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New to Market

6 May 2025
Public sector, Creative/Digital/Media

NEW TO THE MARKET: 5-9 MAY 2025

• Heidrick & Struggles has launched a new Government & Defense Tech Practice, aimed at serving the growing demand for technology leadership within public sector organisations. With governments estimated to account for 10% of global technology and IT services spending, the firm sees this as a significant market opportunity. The practice consolidates the company’s experience from over 200 engagements to provide leadership solutions for organisations delivering technology to national, state and local governments worldwide.

The new practice will support clients by offering leadership search, development and organisational effectiveness services. It brings together more than 30 experienced partners across sectors such as IT services, aerospace and defence, energy and private equity, operating globally across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. The initiative addresses the increasing reliance of governments on advanced technologies like AI, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity and robotics.

• Workforce management solutions firm Matrix has supported more than 10,000 individuals across the UK into employment between March 2024 and April 2025 through its Social Value team. The efforts focused on a wide range of community initiatives, including employability workshops, career guidance and volunteering opportunities. These programmes were designed to help students, jobseekers and public sector employees gain essential skills and access new career pathways.

• UK start-up Project Brains has launched ProdigyPB, an AI-powered platform designed to revolutionise job description creation and recruitment. Tailored for SMEs, growing businesses, and HR teams, ProdigyPB helps define precise hiring needs by aligning job roles with specific business challenges. The tool generates clear, bias-free job descriptions in seconds and enables users to engage with vetted fractional specialists from Project Brains’ talent pool, according to a company statement. ProdigyPB is currently available in Beta across the UK.

28 April 2025
Life sciences, Engineering

NEW TO THE MARKET: 28 APRIL-2 MAY 2025

• Jobmatch Sweden, a leader in occupational psychological testing, is expanding in Norway through a new partnership with consulting firm Sund Raad. Sund Raad, which focuses on enhancing employee engagement for small and medium-sized businesses, will integrate Jobmatch’s DNV-certified Talent test into its services. This marks Jobmatch’s second partnership in Norway, following its 2022 collaboration with Hapro Jobb og Karriere. Jobmatch Talent is a scientifically validated tool used for recruitment and employee development, according to the company press release.

• STEM recruitment specialist Matchtech has launched STEM Futures, a free, on-demand employability platform aimed at helping young people break into engineering and technology careers. The programme includes expert-led sessions on job search strategies, CV writing, interviews and personal development, and is part of Matchtech’s broader initiative to address the STEM skills gap and support emerging talent.

In addition, Matchtech has awarded the first two grants from its Materna Fund, a £2.5k bursary created to support engineering students facing financial hardship. The inaugural recipients, Sergio Carreno Vargas and David Sarembock from the University of Portsmouth, are using the funds to focus on their studies and development without the added pressure of financial strain.

• Meet Life Sciences has launched Synergy, a new standalone service designed to tackle people capability challenges in the life sciences sector that go beyond recruitment. As part of Meet’s evolution into a full-service talent solutions partner, Synergy offers tailored support in areas like workforce planning, leadership development, skills mapping, culture embedding and organisational design. Led by vice-president Kirsty Wilson, the service is built specifically for the life sciences industry and is focused on delivering measurable, outcome-driven solutions. Unlike traditional consulting, Synergy provides hands-on support from design through to implementation, helping clients build the capability needed to grow, adapt and lead in a competitive global market.

• Right Management, part of ManpowerGroup, has launched a refreshed brand strategy called ‘The Right Way’. It’s a human-centred, data-backed framework that aligns workforce development with business strategy. The new identity centres on ‘The Right Way loop’, a distinctive visual element with modern colours and typography that will be used across all brand touchpoints.

25 April 2025
Construction & property, Graduates/Apprentices/School leavers

National student lettings agency launches apprenticeship scheme

In a bid to support young people and grow skilled and knowledgeable individuals for the student lettings sector, loc8me recently launched its 18-month programme, which is open to anyone aged 16-18. The scheme will offer hands-on experience, mentorship and the opportunity to engage in paid work.

Raffaele Russo, founder of loc8me, said: “We’re thrilled to launch this apprenticeship programme, giving young professionals a real chance to learn, grow and begin building a career in an exciting industry.

“Now more than ever, young people are seeking opportunities, guidance and goals to pursue. With this programme, we’re investing in their future – and in the future of the lettings sector.”

Apprentices will have the chance to study the theoretical and practical elements of the lettings industry, and on starting, they will be given a mentor from the loc8me team to support their development via regular meetings throughout the course.

loc8me now operates in 13 major university cities across the UK, including Loughborough, Durham, Nottingham, Manchester, Leeds, Cardiff, Newcastle, Birmingham, Liverpool, Leicester, Hull, Bath and Bristol.

Freya Watson-Russo, academy co-ordinator, said: "At loc8me, we’re committed to nurturing the next generation of letting agents. … We’re giving young people the chance to build a future, gain confidence and carve their own path.”

Founded in 2008 by Russo, loc8me manages more than 2,500 properties and employs more than 75 staff members.

(L-r) Apprentice Ollie Coe, loc8me's marketing assistant and academy co-ordinator Freya Watson-Russo and apprentice Isabel Tebbutt ©loc8me

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14 April 2025
Creative/Digital/Media, Engineering

NEW TO THE MARKET: 14-18 APRIL 2025

• Manufacturing and engineering specialist Busy Bee Recruitment has relaunched its website. The refreshed online platform has a modern design and enhanced user functionality, offering an intuitive browsing experience that makes it easier than ever to explore current vacancies, submit CVs quickly and securely, access expert recruitment advice via a blog and submit vacancies directly online.

• Deel, a global payroll and HR provider, has launched a suite of AI-driven products to help companies hire, manage, and pay international teams. Deel will offer an all-in-one global workforce platform integrating payroll, HR, and IT, designed to support compliant operations across borders. Key updates include: Real-Time Payroll in over 53 markets (expanding to 130+ by 2027), offering instant calculations and faster processing; Deel PEO for offering top-tier benefits without enterprise-level costs; Benefits Admin for simplified, compliant benefits management across countries; Deel Talent for streamlined recruitment via trusted agency networks; Workforce Planning, Compensation, and Engage tools – powered by AI – for smarter headcount strategy, global pay management, and employee development; IT Lifecycle Management features like MDM, IAM, and EPP, supporting global device and security control.

15 July 2019
Legal, IT/Telecoms, HR, Accounting/Finance

NEW TO THE MARKET: 15-19 JULY 2019

• Cheltenham-based employment law and HR specialist Eight Legal has launched HR Mate, an app that aims to enable HR freelancers to secure new business at the touch of a button. The app is free to download and is available from the App Store for iOS devices and Google play for Android.

• Global IT recruiter Frank Recruitment Group has opened a new US office in Park Tower, on the border of Irvine and Costa Mesa in Orange County. The office is headed up by business manager Taylor Jones.

• Business and financial adviser Grant Thornton UK has launched a new ‘Off-Payroll Workers’ (OPW) client solution aimed at helping firms prepare for the extension of off-payroll rules into the private sector. The assessment solution uses artificial intelligence, enabled by the firm’s technical knowledge and experience, to carry out IR35 status assessments of workers.

• Personality assessment solutions specialist Hogan Assessments has launched General Employability in Europe. This is a new streamlined assessment tool that aims to help companies recruit the right people by identifying the personality characteristics that predict employability across a range of jobs.

15 July 2019
Executive search

Start-up of the Month: Elite Talent Resourcing

De-Lara, who has worked as an internal recruiter, talent acquisition executive and headhunter, told Recruiter the decision to set up her own business followed on from her realisation that in previous roles she built up a loyal client following which had bought into her personally.

“The companies I worked for have given me a safety net that I felt I needed, with a guaranteed income each month, but I know that I can make this work alone and, hopefully, reap the rewards too,” she said.

In terms of standing out in the market, the headhunter revealed 90% of her roles are filled by passive candidates, who are not actively looking for a role. She added she prides herself on being a consultative and honest recruiter, who is straight with clients if they have unrealistic expectations of candidates or if they are paying below market rate, and equally straight with candidates who are asking for remuneration that is not in line with their skills.

De-Lara, who has two children, added that while most of her recent roles have offered some flexibility to do school runs, she wants to be able to be at home in the holidays or when her children are poorly. She added that as the business grows and expands, she wants to offer that flexibility to new staff.

“We have got off to a great start so far, making our first placement in our first month of trading. I need to keep up the momentum.”

10 July 2019
Retail, Oil & gas/Energy, Transport & logistics, Creative/Digital/Media, Engineering, Industrial/Manufacturing, IT/Telecoms, HR, Hospitality/Leisure, Accounting/Finance

NEW TO THE MARKET: 8-12 JULY 2019

• Applied, a recruitment platform that centres around the prospect of blind hiring, has launched. The platform, launched by founders Kate Glazebrook and Rich Marr, can be linked with applicant tracking systems and HR systems for hiring management and enables recruiters and companies to draw on its questions library. 

The platform also employs a job description analyser, which encourages the use of gender-neutral language to attract a representative pool of candidates and an analytics platform, which aims to help recruiters and companies assess the diversity of their candidate pool. 

• Global engineering services, workforce management solutions and consulting services provider Fircroft Group has launched Fircroft Oilfield Services.

Located in Houma, Los Angeles in the US, the new division will provide a range of marine services, including rigging crews, transport, lifting, loading and cargo handling services for offshore E&P projects, throughout the Gulf of Mexico and North America. Planned service expansions in the pipeline include HSSE, training and inspection services.

Judd Bamford has been appointed as managing director of the business.

• Data and analytics recruiter Harnham has opened an office in Berlin, led by senior manager Peter Schroeter, under the guidance of Harnham’s director of Europe, Alex Hutchings.

• Holiday Staff, an online jobs board for seasonal staff and holiday job vacancies, has been launched. Devon-based Lucy Baker-Kind designed the online platform, which lists seasonal vacancies across the UK and Europe through which advertisers receive applications direct from interested jobseekers. Users of the platform can also upload their own vacancy details, along with company profile and branding.

• Technology, software and digital staffing consultancy Understanding Recruitment, has opened its first US office in Boston, Massachusetts, led by consultant Matthew Ferdenzi.

• Wren Kitchens is launching an IT academy to attract 50 new employees to support the expansion of its in-house IT function. The 12-week initiative is aimed at graduates with IT degrees or motivated individuals looking to diversify into the industry. 

The first-phase of the quarterly programme will see 12 graduates (six PHP developers and six JavaScript developers) start on 5 August based at The Nest, Wren’s contemporary headquarters. However, Wren is also looking to recruit 10 new senior PHP and JavaScript developers with at least three years’ experience in either field.

2 July 2019
Creative/Digital/Media, Engineering, Construction & property, Commercial & office support, Executive search, Industrial/Manufacturing, IT/Telecoms, HR, Healthcare/Medical, Accounting/Finance

NEW TO THE MARKET: 1-5 JULY 2019

• Paris-based recruitment platform AssessFirst is expanding its services into the UK, with the launch of its first office in London.

• US healthcare recruiter Cross Country Healthcare has merged its permanent search brands – Cejka Physician Search, AP Healthcare, StarMed and Cross Country Staffing’s RPO division – under its new Cross Country Search brand. The brand will be led by newly appointed president David Pantano.

• Engaging Works has launched jobs features for both individuals and organisations on its platform. The new job features allow employers to post and target jobs, and to promote great places to work to a range of people, including experienced individuals looking for new jobs, as well as students and graduates seeking positions within organisations focused on the happiness and engagement of their employees.

Part of a wider roll out of tools to help people find the right job, build skills, knowledge and connections to help them be happier and more successful at work, the new job services include a range of tools to help individuals decide which job, industry and company is the right fit, including the Happiest Companies to Work for Index and Career Tests. The site also has a CV Generator and interview advice on its Global Hub – a place for online discussion about working life.

• Worcester-based duo, Gareth Matts and Mike Pincott, have partnered with The Jarell Group of companies to launch GMP Recruitment. The new recruitment agency will provide both temporary and permanent recruitment services across Worcester to companies in the industrial, technical, commercial and healthcare sectors.

Michael Duffy Partnership and Emms Gilmore Liberson supported the process through retained financial and legal advice respectively.

• Scotland-based recruiter Meraki Talent is launching an accountancy & finance division serving clients across commerce and industry in the central belt of Scotland.

To support this, the group has appointed Neil Woodley as director in its Edinburgh office and Greg McDermott as senior manager in Glasgow. In a separate move, the group has also hired Craig Rumball as an associate director in its London office.

• Employment background screening company Sterling is opening an office in Amsterdam. The firm adds it also has expansion and improvement plans across locations such as Switzerland, Germany, Poland and Romania.

• The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is running a number of roadshows for unemployed people and those wanting to get a better job. The events in Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall will feature staff from colleges, training providers and job advisers, providing information to help people access training, find work or plot a path to a better career and explain what training courses are on offer in the West Midlands as the WMCA takes control of the region’s £126m adult education budget (AEB).

The roadshows will focus on the region’s fastest-growing economies, including digital, construction, advanced manufacturing and engineering, and business and professional services, offering advice on what qualifications are needed to get jobs in these sectors, and how to access the training required.

Recruiter Magazine

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