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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 October 2024
Engineering, Construction & property, Executive search

MRG Group opens Riyadh office in Saudi Arabia

The Middle East region, and particularly Saudi Arabia, has emerged as an influential player in real estate and construction. The region’s robust economic growth is being driven in Saudi Arabia by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 to diversify the economy, with ambitious giga-projects to become a global centre of entertainment, sports and the arts. 

Matthew Evans, director responsible for international growth at MRG Global, said: “MRG Global is well positioned to support UK talent’s access to the Middle East market. Due to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which has already seen a huge transformation in the country, we see the nation’s commitment to embracing innovation and transforming a nation.”

Matthew Evans

MRG Global specialises in senior appointments across real estate, construction and facilities management, working with real estate clients such as JLL, Lendlease and Savills. 

MRG Global’s new Riyadh office will allow the business to support talent looking to contribute to the rapid growth plans coming from the Middle East.

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15 October 2024
Retail, Marketing, Creative/Digital/Media, Construction & property, IT/Telecoms, HR, Healthcare/Medical, Accounting/Finance

NEW TO THE MARKET: 14-18 OCTOBER 2024

• A bootcamp for career returners in the marketing, media and comms industry has launched today [18 October 2024] for 2025. Back2Business Career Accelerator Programme, a free-to-attend six-day reorientation bootcamp for professionals who have taken three or more years out of their careers for caring reasons, is now open for applications. 

Back2Business is aimed at successful professionals at mid-senior level with an expertise in marketing and comms before their time out of the workplace. Co-founded by f1 recruitment CEO Amanda Fone and consultant Liz Nottingham, it’s been delivered by f1 recruitment since 2013. Havas Media Network UK has been announced as headline partner for the 2025 programme.

As part of the programme, participants are offered the opportunities to apply for current vacancies with Havas Media Network UK and the wider Havas Group in the UK and other partners, including SSE energy company, Rail Delivery Group and the Ad Association. Candidates can apply here by 7 February 2025.

• Personio, a European HR software company, has introduced AI-powered features aimed at enhancing recruitment processes for small and mid-sized businesses. The new Proactive Insights tool allows HR teams to identify key trends, such as high sick leave in certain departments, enabling smarter, data-driven decisions.

A forthcoming AI assistant will further streamline recruitment by answering queries instantly, such as the number of open roles in a company, breaking them down by location, and visualising the data for stakeholders. Personio’s Smart Automations detect repetitive tasks, such as processing vacation requests, and suggest workflows that save time, freeing HR teams to focus on higher-priority tasks like recruitment.

• Sapphire, a UK-based contracting and accounting firm, has announced its expansion into the German market with the launch of AUG (Arbeitnehmerüberlassung), a licensed payroll solution. This move is designed to support recruitment agencies and businesses as they navigate the complexities of engaging temporary workers in Germany’s highly regulated employment environment.

In Germany, where compliance with employment laws is particularly stringent, Sapphire’s solution enables recruitment agencies and end clients to legally and confidently hire temporary workers without the risk of penalties for worker misclassification or illegal engagement. Sapphire’s AUG payroll solution streamlines the process of placing temporary workers, handling employment tasks such as tax deductions, social security and employee benefits. By reducing the administrative burden, the service allows recruitment businesses to focus on growth while ensuring full compliance with German law.

• Superdrug has launched a recruitment drive across its stores nationwide. The accessible beauty and health retailer is looking for an additional 1,000 sales assistants to support stores over the festive period, as it prepares for busy shopping periods and high footfall during Black Friday, Advent and Christmas. While these roles are temporary, Superdrug always aims to move talented team members into permanent roles where possible.

Earlier this year Superdrug announced plans to open 25 new stores across the UK, with remaining new stores collectively creating a further 350 jobs, in locations such as Bedford Interchange, Metro Centre Gateshead, Rotherham and Chelmsford. The business also continues to recruit managers, as well as health and beauty team members.

3 October 2024
Public sector, Social care, Transport & logistics, Industrial/Manufacturing

NEW TO THE MARKET: 1-4 OCTOBER 2024

• QS Recruitment is offering its staff a stake in the company. The firm has issued shares in the company to its long-standing staff to reward their historical success and is offering new hires the chance to earn a similar stake in the firm. The firm specialises in driver, warehouse, manufacturing and social care recruitment. The company has also announced plans to increase headcount by 80% over the next three years across its regional hubs following a management buyout of the business earlier this year.

2 October 2024
Retail, Transport & logistics, Industrial/Manufacturing

Gi Group reopens Milton Keynes branch

Picking up where it left off, the recruiter said the team will bring their regional expertise to local businesses and candidates alike. 

The Milton Keynes branch closed at the end of 2023 to consolidate Gi Group’s branch network after a key contract ended.

First established in the UK in 1998, Gi Group UK employs 500 people and provides temporary and permanent jobs to the industrial, manufacturing, food production, warehousing, driving and distribution sectors. The Chesterfield-headquartered recruiter serves around 1,500 clients across its 90 locations throughout the UK and Ireland. 

The Milton Keynes branch is located in the city centre at Exchange House, 448 Midsummer Blvd and headed up by area manager Martin Knowles (pictured second from right), a recruiter with more than 20 years’ experience in the industry. 

Ed Vigars (pictured far right), operations director at Gi Group UK, said: “With a strong career in recruitment and vast industry experience, Martin is the perfect person to secure strong regional connections and drive success for local businesses and candidates. 

“With a local history, our team will be picking up where we left off and accelerating at pace. […] We’re delighted to be expanding into Milton Keynes again and look forward to growing our customer and candidate base from our new home.”

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Image: L-R Stuart Bentley, Julita Cyrta, Sandy Newell, Giedre Stalmokaite, Martin Knowles, Ed Vigars ©Gi Group

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