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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.

22 January 2018
Rec-to-rec, Construction & property, Executive search, Industrial/Manufacturing, IT/Telecoms, HR, Hospitality/Leisure, Accounting/Finance

NEW TO THE MARKET: 22-26 JANUARY 2018

• AlgoMe, a London-based start-up using intelligent technology for career development and job placement, has announced the release of its free mobile app for Android and iOS available through Google Play and iTunes.

• Recruitment membership organisation Elite Leaders has relaunched its service offering. Changes include:

  • The introduction of five new principals/directors alongside chairman John O’Sullivan. These are: Tara Ricks (ex-Randstad), Mel Forbes (ex-Guidant), Sue Cooper (ex-Morgan Hunt), Midge Bennett (ex-Rethink Group) and Steve Carter (ex-Morgan McKinley).
  • The introduction of subject matter experts, including Poonam Mawani (finance), Francis West (IT), Robert Woodford (marketing), Katrina Hagan (talent), Ann Bryce (delivery) and Natalie Le Fleur (compliance).
  • Consultancy provided within the membership fee from one of these principals or experts and new meeting formats.

• The Freelancer and Contractor Services Association (FCSA) is restructuring its membership status from 30 September. From that date, all members of the UK’s independent trade association for professional employment services must be fully accredited members.

The FCSA currently has two types of membership – accredited and associate. Accredited membership is awarded to those professional support companies that have been able to demonstrate certain compliance standards and have been independently audited to confirm that they adhere to FCSA’s rigorous code of practice.

By contrast, FCSA’s associate members have agreed to adhere to the FCSA Charter and have self-certified that their business is run by fit and proper persons.

The decision has been made by the trade body to provide clarity for the industry so that recruiters and others in the supply chain are assured that all FCSA members operate to the same compliance standard.

Julia Kermode, FCSA CEO, said: “The decision to only represent fully accredited members and discontinue associate membership has not been made lightly and has largely come about due to the confusion within the sector regarding our two membership types.

“FCSA membership is perceived by the industry as a mark of excellence that all members have met the FCSA’s high standard of compliance via accreditation, so we have a duty of care to ensure that this is the case. Our decision to introduce one type of membership should provide clarity for everyone.”

• Alex Arnot is making his live and on-demand online recruitment training – Recruiter Club – free. Recruiters simply need to enter their name, company and email address at MyNonExec.com to receive live and on-demand training for free.

The next free live event ‘Preparing your business today to maximise future exit value and the 10 critical questions you need to be asking’ is this Friday, 26 January. Twelve on-demand sessions are currently available.

• IT, finance, business change, corporate services and government staffing specialist Sanderson Recruitment has opened a new office in Leeds. The new office in the Platform Building on New Station Street will be led by Shane Marriott under the supervision of Alistair Collier, Sanderson’s North England regional manager.

• Search Consultancy has opened an office in Ealing, West London. The multi-sector recruiter says the office will meet growing demand for trades and labour staff on construction projects in the City. Six new consultant positions will be created at the new site at Saunders House, 50-53 The Mall.

• Global executive search and consulting boutique SRi’s Asia operations are to expand with the launch of a Shanghai office and new appointments to its Greater China team. Led by Beijing-based partner Ting Zhang, the Greater China team office also welcomes consultant Joshua Liu, who joins SRi from recruitment giant Randstad, where he specialised in the luxury and retail industries.

• Start-up SureCert firm has received a £400k investment to develop and launch an online recruitment platform requiring a high level of verification.

The platform ensures all candidate (candidates opt in to the system and adjust their privacy settings) data visible to employers is pre-verified. This includes proof of qualifications already verified by the universities and awarding bodies, tackling the issue of ‘fake degrees’ and references, which have already been verified by previous employers.

17 January 2018
Engineering, Executive search, HR

Nicoll Curtin backs talent-changing District4 recruitment solution

Heading up District4 is co-founder Kyle John Probert (pictured), who tells Recruiter the new business will focus on running a variety of events, open to both clients and candidates, to “build real communities with real people” specialising in DevOps (development and operations) for technology companies. Guests will be asked to bring along another person with them.

The approach is based on Probert’s view that people will secure their next job “by talking to people” instead of relying on traditional “cloak and dagger” recruitment methods. “Transparency is our big offer,” Probert says.

The idea of bringing along another person is not to generate leads, he added, but as part of community building. “We’re facilitating; we’re in the middle,” Probert says. 

Another facet of District4’s transparency will be the early-on sharing with candidates of all of the information the company has about a client. “We send them everything we have,” Probert says.

The company’s name is a nod to the fourth industrial revolution now underway, according to Probert. 

Co-founder James Johnson, CEO of Nicoll Curtin Group, says: “We’re really excited about what recruitment will look like. It’s all part of our strategy to identify the very best recruitment leaders in the industry to drive innovation.”

The other Nicoll Curtin Group brands are Nicoll Curtin Technology, Purple Halo and BeecherMadden.

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16 January 2018
Creative/Digital/Media, IT/Telecoms, Hospitality/Leisure, Healthcare/Medical, Accounting/Finance

NEW TO THE MARKET: 15-19 JANUARY 2018

• Student and graduate careers app Debut has launched a digital advertising campaign aimed at distracting the attention of thousands of fame-seeking hopefuls flocking towards to TV’s Love Island application process.
 
In a bid to divert the attention of 18-25-year-olds, Debut’s new Google advertising campaign is positioned next to the actual Love Island online application story, instead encouraging them to download the Debut app and apply for a ‘real job’ instead.

Debut's quick-win diversion campaign invites 18-25s to a dedicated landing page, where Love Island favourite Marcel invites students to raise a glass to new – work – opportunities.

• Following the recent merger of recruitment technology providers Erecruit and Bond International Software, the firm has revealed it will join together under the name Erecruit, while retaining separate brand identities for its flagship software products.

The combined company aims to serve the entire recruitment lifecycle with Erecruit Front Office, Middle Office, Credentialing and VMS solutions for enterprise staffing firms; Adapt Front and Back Office software for middle market firms; eStaff365 Onboarding; and TempBuddy, a temporary workforce management platform.

• International recruiter ICG Medical has opened an office in Plano, Texas, under its Greenstaff Medical USA brand.

• Business psychologists Psychological Consultancy Ltd (PCL) has launched a new app for HR and recruitment professionals. The Profile:Match2 (PM2) app enables users to manage psychometric assessments through assessing behavioural competencies for recruitment, staff development and 360 deg appraisals on-the-go from people’s mobile phones or tablets.

• Start-up R_Block has launched a blockchain-based decentralised anonymous hiring network and referencing tool. Founded by Luke Shipley, Peter Brooke and Charlotte Hall, R_Block is a decentralised CV/reference network, bringing references and skills into a CV, and enabling workers to own their reference data and monetise it through CV tokens.

According to R_Block, candidate employment history data is a core part of identity verification, while every worker has an employment ‘digital fingerprint’, which can be used to uniquely identify them.

• Accountants Raffingers has launched a free helpline for recruitment agencies. The helpline will offer varied advice ranging from questions on tax returns to looking for funding options or advice on the best IT software.

• Digital recruitment platform Recruit My Job has launched. The platform, launched by CEO James Vercesi, aims to enable clients throughout the UK to find specialist vetted agencies in one place.

• Driving, industrial and healthcare staffing specialist Swanstaff Recruitment has opened two family contact centres in Cardiff. Swanstaff, who took over the contract to run the family Contact Services on behalf of Cardiff Council on 1 May 2016, already runs five other Swan Family Contact services in Bedford, Lambeth, Houghton Regis, Coventry and Greenwich.

The Swan Family services in Cardiff are available to both local authority and private referrals. Services include supervised and supported contact, asylum support, community contact, handover and transport.

12 January 2018
Marketing, Executive search, HR

Start-up of the Month: Inside Out

The consultancy, launched late 2017, is led by (pictured above, l-r) advertising professional Mark Gorman, HR specialist Keith Thompson and the agency’s CEO Nicki Denholm and executive chairman John Denholm.

Commenting on the new consultancy’s mission, a spokesperson for the agency told Recruiter its aim is to bring “to life the magic of organisations by clearly articulating and then marketing the employer brand”.

“We spotted a gap in the market, primarily in Scotland, for a fully integrated employer brand consultancy service that combines three core skills: HR and people strategy, branding and recruitment/search. We believe we’re unique in offering all three disciplines, along with creative implementation, media planning and buying both on and offline.

“Inside Out begins the employer brand journey from the inside helping organisations shape and manage their people strategies before communicating the key (differentiating) message first of all within the organisation, creating strong advocacy, and then outside to prospective candidates.”

Looking ahead, the spokesperson said the consultancy, which principally targets the SME market, is looking to expand beyond Scotland.

“We aim to attract forward looking SMEs in all areas of business practice across Scotland and then beyond,” the firm’s spokesperson added.

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