1. News
  2. New to Market

New to Market

27 May 2025
Creative/Digital/Media, IT/Telecoms

NEW TO THE MARKET: 27-30 MAY 2025

• Technology recruitment provider itris has launched itris X, a cloud-based CRM and applicant tracking system (ATS) built specifically for recruitment agencies and staffing professionals. The new platform is designed to streamline the entire talent acquisition process with a focus on automation, scalability, and ease of use. itris X addresses core operational challenges in recruitment by offering AI-powered automation to reduce repetitive tasks, advanced reporting tools for performance insights, and personalised candidate communication features. The system is accessible across devices and integrates with a wide range of recruitment tools and platforms. Key features include lead and marketing management, user-friendly design and comprehensive customer support. itris X is scalable for use by both small agencies and large global firms, maintaining performance and usability regardless of company size.

• ManpowerGroup has launched the Work Intelligence Lab, a new global initiative designed to help employers and workers understand and adapt to the impact of AI on jobs and skills. With over half of employers (53%) already using AI in hiring and onboarding, the Lab provides real-time insights into how automation is transforming the labour market. The Lab leverages Manpower Group’s workforce data, drawn from millions of placements over 70 countries, and integrates real-time hiring trends, employer demand and worker sentiment. It aims to give organisations clearer visibility into emerging skill requirements, role changes and workforce dynamics.

27 May 2025
Oil & gas/Energy, Engineering

Energy recruitment firm launches in Aberdeen

Founded by Alan Golightly (pictured), an experienced recruitment professional with more than 27 years in the industry, the company targets small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) requiring tailored support for complex hiring needs. 

The firm provides permanent recruitment solutions for technical and engineering roles, as well as short-term internal recruitment assistance to help businesses manage hiring fluctuations without increasing fixed costs. Agilient also offers custom recruitment strategies that align with clients’ specific values and growth plans.

Golightly previously worked for, among other oil & gas recruiters, NES Fircroft, and launches Agilient from global energy recruiter Simpson Booth.

• Comment below on this story. Or let us know what you think by emailing us at [email protected] or tweet us to tell us your thoughts or share this story with a friend.

20 May 2025
Oil & gas/Energy, Transport & logistics

International manufacturer invests £170m in North Wales facility

The UK and Welsh governments have welcomed the investment into a new facility from the international manufacturer.

The announcement comes as the UK and EU hold a summit to discuss future opportunities to boost economic growth.

The landmark development will produce more than 100,000 tonnes of non-combustible rock mineral wool insulation per year and create around 140 direct jobs, with more in local supply chains.

The announcement coincides with the UK-EU Summit that took place on Monday [19 May 2025].

Secretary of state for Wales Jo Stevens said: “This £170m investment by Knauf Insulation is fantastic news for North Wales and our UK government mission to drive economic growth.”

Using UK-First Submerged Arc Furnace technology, the new factory will produce non-combustible, low embodied carbon, recyclable rock mineral wool insulation to support the need for safer, more energy efficient and sustainable buildings.

The UK and Welsh government-backed North Wales Growth Deal and the Flintshire and Wrexham Investment Zone collectively support the decision by Knauf Insulation to lo-cate a second plant in the area.

As leaders in the production of sustainable building materials, Knauf Insulation’s expansion further supports the growing advanced manufacturing cluster in North Wales.

• Comment below on this story. Or let us know what you think by emailing us at [email protected] or tweet us to tell us your thoughts or share this story with a friend.

20 May 2025
Creative/Digital/Media, IT/Telecoms

Human skills as important as ‘oven-ready’ tech skills

So says the CEO of the CIPD, the UK’s professional body for HR, learning & development, Peter Cheese.

Speaking last Friday [16 May 2025] at the Houses of Parliament launch of the UK Hiring Taskforce, Cheese told the 200 attendees that at the same time, however, instead of filling skills gaps, employers are also looking for potential in applicants through characteristics such as “attitude, aptitude to learn human skills like collaboration and communication, and critical thinking. The more we debate the future of work, the more we debate about AI impacting jobs and skills in the future, the more we are coming back to these core skills”.

Humanities knowledge is part of building such capabilities into organisations, Cheese said: “People talk now about the half-life of job skills is somewhere between three and four years. In other words, every three or four years, we’re going to have to retrain half of our workforce.”

Access to and retention of talent are a top issue for business leaders around the world, with “almost every organisation saying they can’t find all the skills. But then you question them on that, they say yes, we’ve been getting too focused on hiring what I’ve often described as ‘oven-ready employees’ and they don’t exist – partly because we are changing the nature of jobs at an ever-increasing rate”, Cheese said. “So, the reality of how we approach recruiting has got to be expanded from the point of view of the employers as well.”

He asked the audience: “So why do we seem to be reverting back to saying ‘I just want tech skills’? We know the world is not, unfortunately, going to be a better place if all we have are a lot of tech people. Frankly, we need humanity to work alongside that as well.”

Cheese has been appointed to the UK Hiring Taskforce steering committee.

• Comment below on this story. Or let us know what you think by emailing us at [email protected] or tweet us to tell us your thoughts or share this story with a friend.

5 November 2024
Retail, Banking/Financial services, Executive search, Industrial/Manufacturing, Interim recruitment, IT/Telecoms, Accounting/Finance

NEW TO THE MARKET: 4-8 NOVEMBER 2024

• Executive search firm Archer Search Partners has launched in New York in the US, focusing on aligning human capital strategies with the business goals of asset management firms. Co-founded by CEO Alexis DuFresne and Fraser Trimble, the firm specialises in recruiting investment and distribution professionals for alternative asset management clients, including private equity, credit and hedge fund firms. Unlike traditional search models, Archer Search Partners provides tailored recruitment solutions, targeting asset management clients that require dedicated recruitment support, as larger, publicly traded search firms shift towards management consulting.

• Fresh food provider Bakkavor has announced 20 graduate vacancies and 17 undergraduate placements across various roles and locations in the UK. Bakkavor’s undergraduate placements will start in July 2025, with roles including manufacturing, finance, technical, development, commercial and HR. Its graduate programme in September 2025 offers roles in manufacturing, finance, technical, human resources, development and engineering, all within a tailored three-year leadership training programme. 

• Investigo, a specialist permanent and interim recruitment firm, has opened a new office in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The firm says the expansion is driven by a growing demand for highly skilled data analysts, data engineers and data scientists amid a market shortage. The company is aiming for a year-on-year growth rate of 15-20% in revenue that aligns with its strategic focus on sustainable scaling and its increasing influence in the market.

• Jobmatch Sweden has entered into a partnership agreement with the Portuguese recruitment company Get the Job. As part of this agreement, Get the Job gains exclusive rights to offer Jobmatch’s testing tools in Portugal. Jobmatch sees strong market potential in Portugal, where there is a need for reliable and accurate recruitment tools. The agreement aims to support Get the Job in expanding its current offerings and venturing into new market segments.

This partnership marks another step in Jobmatch’s international growth, adding Portugal to its expanding list of markets. With this new collaboration, Jobmatch now has a presence in 10 countries including Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Germany, Malta, Mexico, Luxembourg, Austria and now Portugal.

4 November 2024
Legal, Executive search

Myers heads up MRA Search’s Australia desk

Heading up the Melbourne office is Ben Myers (pictured), who was previously head of MRA Search’s Hong Kong base. Myers has spent the past 12 years in Hong Kong building the firm’s footprint in Asia after joining the executive recruiter in 2010, shortly after the company began. He relocated from London to Hong Kong in 2013 as MRA’s first person on the ground in Asia.

Myers specialises in partner and associate searches for leading US/UK/global law firms across the Asia Pacific region.

The move marks a further intention of global expansion for MRA Search, alongside a recently opened office in New York earlier this year, and the company’s existing offices in London, Hong Kong, Singapore, Milan and Frankfurt.

MRA Search Australia is located at Level 21, 567 Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000.

• Comment below on this story. Or let us know what you think by emailing us at [email protected] or tweet us to tell us your thoughts or share this story with a friend.

22 October 2024
Marketing & Sales, Recruitment Process Outsourcing, Transport & logistics, Legal, Industrial/Manufacturing, HR, Accounting/Finance

NEW TO THE MARKET: 21-25 OCTOBER 2024

• Addison Group, a professional talent solutions and consulting services firm, has released its 2025 Workforce Planning Guide. According to Addison, the comprehensive guide uses the group’s experience and expertise in recruitment and retention to equip employers, hiring managers and candidates with the latest labour market trends, salary data and expert recommendations to prepare for the year ahead.

• LHH, a global business unit of recruitment giant Adecco Group, releases its 2025 Salary Guide, detailing the most sought-after skills in many sectors, including HR. The Salary Guide details the latest salaries and most sought-after skills across the following sectors: finance & accounting, human resources, legal, marketing & communications, supply chain & procurement and sales & business development. 
 

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.

• Comment below on this story. Or let us know what you think by emailing us at [email protected] or tweet us to tell us your thoughts or share this story with a friend.

Recruiter Magazine

SUBSCRIBE TO PRINT
VIEW PAST ISSUES
Top