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New to Market

12 June 2025
Creative/Digital/Media, IT/Telecoms

NEW TO THE MARKET: 9-13 JUNE 2025

• Lattice has announced its next generation of AI agent functionalities aimed at streamlining HR operations and improving workplace productivity. Key updates include voice input for hands-free interaction, automated 1:1 meeting summaries, and a dashboard delivering proactive management insights. A new ‘Coach’ feature offers real-time guidance to managers and employees, while expanded integrations bring the AI Agent into tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams. Overlaying these new functions, Lattice’s new AI Agent Platform allows companies to build their own agents. Employees will be able to create their own AI agents that can be customised to their data, roles and systems.

• IT blog makethehire.com has launched to explore and share insights on how tech is shaping the recruitment world – from applicant tracking systems and AI tools to sourcing automation and candidate experience platforms.

4 June 2025
Oil & gas/Energy, Life sciences

Green energy firm aims to bring skilled jobs to Kent

Hydrogen TE (UK) is seeking planning permission from Kent County Council to build the UK’s first waste-to-hydrogen base at a 10-acre site in Manston, near Ramsgate. The project aims to convert household and commercial waste into clean hydrogen, significantly cutting landfill and carbon emissions.

According to a report from news site BDaily, bosses say the jobs would include skilled and graduate roles, alongside a training centre to foster local talent. The hydrogen produced will supply commercial heavy vehicle fleets and waste management operations, helping meet UK net-zero targets.

Michael Engsted, Hydrogen TE managing director, says: “This area of Kent has seen a huge depletion in jobs over the past few decades, which has forced many skilled workers and graduates to relocate.

“We are determined to help revitalise the local community by giving talented individuals a reason for staying here. We are committed to prioritising local recruitment for positions including finance, engineering and science.”

According to BDaily, the company also has plans to expand with a second plant near Newport, Wales. Joint MD Jeremy Parkin adds: “We are keen to establish the standard for plants like this, which will one day become a familiar sight across the UK.”

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27 May 2025
Creative/Digital/Media, Industrial/Manufacturing

NEW TO THE MARKET: 27-30 MAY 2025

• Aston University has announced a new initiative, guaranteeing all full-time master’s students a professional internship as part of their studies. Launching in September 2025, the Postgraduate Guaranteed Internship Scheme will be available to students enrolled in MSc, MA and MBA programmes at both the Birmingham and London campuses.

This scheme is designed to enhance employability by providing high-quality industry placements lasting between one and six months. These internships may be conducted in-person, remotely, or in a hybrid format, and will be facilitated through Aston’s global network of employers. The initiative is available to both UK and international students.

• Worcestershire-based Four Squared Recruitment has launched its new Recruitment Academy, a strategic initiative aimed at developing early careers and entry-level talent. The Academy supports new entrants with structured training, mentorship, and hands-on experience to prepare them for the demands of a competitive job market. Three new team members have also joined Four Squared as a result of the programme. The initiative helps close the gap between emerging candidates and evolving industry needs.

• Gi Group UK, part of global company Gi Group Holding, is strengthening its position in the recruitment and HR sector by delivering forklift and material handling equipment (MHE) training. With warehouse operative roles in high demand across the UK, the company provides essential upskilling opportunities to meet the growing needs of the logistics sector. The MHE training programme supports up to three candidates daily and is RTITB-approved, ensuring high standards of safety, compliance and operational efficiency.

• 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.

13 December 2017
Construction & property

Start-up of the Month: Source

According to Hartley, the agency has been launched with the mission of effecting “dramatic” change in the diversity profile at all levels and disciplines within the built environment sector. 

“We collaborate with organisations dedicated to removing barriers to employment for traditionally excluded groups including women, BAME, ex-offenders and ex-service personnel. We provide recruitment services and also directly employ people for placement into projects and organisations. This is across a broad range of roles, skills and levels of experience. 

“Our motivation is to tackle unethical practices and unfair employment conditions. We partner with clients, contractors, labour providers and social enterprises to provide pathways to employment, and training for diverse and local people. We also offer consultancy and advisory services for clients looking for social sustainability requirements, and to contractors and suppliers looking to meet those requirements and perform well.”

Looking ahead, Hartley says the agency is seeking to extend its business model to other sectors including hospitality, care and transport. “We see huge potential for developing a recruitment and employment mechanism that focuses specifically on social sustainability and ethics as this is a new frontier of working.”

13 December 2017

New fund hits target for Parsons

James Parsons, CEO and founder of global workforce solutions provider Arrows Group Global, is launching a capital investment fund for the recruitment sector, which he told Recruiter “he would have bitten your hand off for” had it been around when he started in recruitment.

Parsons said the aim of the new fund, Arrows Group Ventures – to be launched formally in January – is to support “the next generation of innovative businesses in our sector”. 

Tapping into the growing trend for recruitment to be automated, Parsons said the fund focused on “the sweet spot of the tech enablement space within HR and staffing”. 

He said the fund will look to invest in two types of businesses: those providing technology to the recruitment market, such as AI-based talent management platforms providers, and niche recruitment businesses “that are leveraging technology”. 

The fund into which Parsons is putting £500k of his money will provide seed capital, advice and infrastructure support. Parsons said he will be looking for a minority stake in the businesses in which the fund invests, with a view to growing the business and exiting “at some stage”. He said it was likely he would take up an advisory board role in each of the companies. Parsons said two or three other people are interested in investing alongside him. 

“The fund will lend itself to start-ups and incubator type businesses,” said Parsons. “I want to attract the sharpest young recruiters who have something worth investing in.”

Parsons co-founded Arrows Group with Adrian Treacy in 2003, going on to co-found ICG Medical with Treacy as well in 2006. Parsons exited from ICG Medical in May 2017. 

13 December 2017

Monroe office opening brings new targets in sight

The opening of a new office in Fort Mill, South Carolina in the US will position Staffing 360 Solutions subsidiary Monroe Staffing Solutions within reach of more than 300 target clients in retail and manufacturing, according to Monroe president and CEO Matt Briand.

Speaking exclusively to Recruiter, Briand said that the newly-launched office in one of South Carolina’s fastest growing cities will also provide access to a large candidate pool. 

Monroe previously was represented in the Southern US with offices in Concord, Salisbury and Winston-Salem, all in North Carolina, north of Charlotte. The Fort Mill office sets the stage to expand Monroe and Staffing 360’s Southern presence, down the Interstate 85 corridor through South Carolina toward Atlanta, Georgia, where Staffing 360 recently acquired another recruitment business. 

Other potential South Carolina locations for Monroe include Greenville, home to Michelin’s North American headquarters and next-door city to a full BMW production facility, and state capital Columbia. Briand says Greenville, for example, would provide significant opportunities in the professional services market.  

“We’re really excited,” Briand said. Downtown Atlanta is a current location for Monroe sister company, firstPRO Georgia. Staffing 360 acquired the accounting, finance and IT specialist in September, as part of its global buy-and-build strategy.

Monroe also has offices in the US states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. 
Staffing 360 executive chairman Brendan Flood told Recruiter there also could be “quite a tie-up” between its UK acquired recruitment business, engineering recruiter CBSbutler, and its US businesses down the line. 

In the UK, Staffing 360 also owns IT recruiter JM Group and finance & accountancy and law recruiter Longbridge 360. 

5 December 2017
Charity & not-for-profit, IT/Telecoms

NEW TO THE MARKET: 4-8 DECEMBER 2017

• Networking, systems infrastructure and security recruiter Franklin Fitch has launched a new UK contract team. The team is led by contract practice manager Simon Nicholls and supported by new graduate recruitment consultants Chris Mckenzie and Mahsam Khan.

• Nottingham social enterprise Infused Learning has launched a pilot scheme, funded by the National Lottery, offering free courses to help unemployed local residents access qualifications to get them back into work. The organisation is offering free qualifications for Bulwell residents.

Infused Learning co-founder Natalie Sharpe explains: “In Bulwell [North-West of Nottingham], 37.4% of residents have no formal qualifications – this is against a backdrop of 22% across England. In one of the area’s main academies, 107 out of 166 learners at the end of key stage four were deemed disadvantaged.”

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