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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.”

• 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.

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.

7 August 2017
Oil & gas/Energy, Social care, Transport & logistics, Life sciences, Creative/Digital/Media, Construction & property, Legal, HR, Hospitality/Leisure

NEW TO THE MARKET: 7-11 AUGUST 2017

• Travel staffing specialist C&M Travel Recruitment has launched a technology recruitment division. Led by travel technology consultant Simon Woods, the division will recruit solely for technology positions based at companies within the travel sector.

• Manchester-based recruiter Employment Solutions has launched a new website. The site, developed by recruitment website developer Volcanic, features a search bar enabling candidates to search by job title, by location and an advanced search to filter by specific sectors and locations.

• Leeds-based online recruitment specialist Flat Fee Recruiter has launched IT system the Flat Fee Applicant Tracking System.

FFATS plugs directly into the employer’s website. Applicants fill in applications online and book interview times, which are tracked and managed by the system throughout the recruitment process. All jobs advertised using FFATS are automatically posted onto social media sites, such as Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook, and other recruitment platforms as selected.

• Recruitment platform iContract has launched. The platform connects contractors with recruiters – contractors can be matched to contracts tailored to their profile and preferences based on specific criteria they set.

It also enables recruiters to connect with recommended contractors who are matched to the contracts they are posting, helping fast track their candidate search process.

• Contractor accounting specialist Intouch has launched Freeflex, an accounting and umbrella service for contractors.

• Recruitment and employment law advisers Lawspeed has launched a new service provider accreditation to anyone wishing to use a service provider or umbrella company as its payment provider.

Lawspeed now offers an independent check of the service provider’s operation through on site audit and provides compliant operators with accreditation evidenced by use of the SPA logo. To ensure transparency, a brief description of the service provider’s audited operations and organisation will also be available.

• NonStop Recruitment, a Europe-wide staffing specialist in the pharma, medical devices, chemical, care, digital and technical markets, has launched an app – available on both Apple and Android platforms – to complement its recently launched new-look website.

The app enables candidates to search and apply for opportunities, manage their NonStop profiles and job alerts, and contact NonStop’s teams on the move.

• PMP Recruitment, part of Cordant Group, has launched a national recruitment and data centre in Media City, Salford Quays.

The centre, home to more than 100 candidate experience agents, focuses on analysing client operational needs and matching those requirements with the right candidates, enabling PMP’s team to better forecast headcounts and place candidates in roles that best suits their situation, including part-time or flexible contracts, and location- and work-based learning opportunities. It will also enable PMP’s team to measure aspects such as demographics, conversion, absence and attrition, bringing increased business efficiencies through the centralisation of all recruitment campaigns.

• Contractor tax adviser Qdos Contractors and recruitment giant Hays have joined forces to develop an IR35 solution aimed at helping public sector organisations work out whether off-payroll workers are inside IR35 rules.

The solution enables public sector engagers to comply with new IR35 reforms, which came into force earlier this year affecting contractors working through personal services companies in the public sector.

• Directors Liane Hartley and Sharron Clow have launched Source – an agency and social sustainability consultancy operating across construction and infrastructure sectors.

• Automated candidate-referencing company Xref has launched ‘sentiment engine’ technology.

The engine uses an algorithm that examines reference responses and rates feedback as positive, negative or neutral, with the aim of at interpreting the referee’s ‘tone of voice’ for the employer. The technology aims to save recruitment professionals up to 16 minutes per reference by using artificial intelligence and machine learning to scan references, creating a report that can be sent back to the employer. 

3 August 2017
Creative/Digital/Media, IT/Telecoms

Ex-Cititec founder Grant launches Spotter & Hunter with Leslie

Robert Grant (above left), who left Cititec and technology recruiter Excelian following its sale to New York Stock Exchange-listed Luxoft back in 2015, has joined forces with Nick Leslie (above right), previously managing director at London-based recruiter JLM Search, to launch Spotter & Hunter.

While operating from its base in London’s tech hub of Old Street, the agency has plans of growing internationally through attracting a global client base.

“After a couple of years out of the industry, seeing out my non-competes, I was determined to return to the right opportunity – this is it,” Grant said.

“My passion is for building professional service businesses that have substance and truly understand and deliver against their USP and what their market needs. This particular space has so much potential...”

• Want to comment on this story? Email us at [email protected] or tweet us below to tell us your thoughts. We will run comments online in a round-up at the end of the week.

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31 July 2017
IT/Telecoms, HR, Graduates/Apprentices/School leavers

NEW TO THE MARKET: 31 JULY-4 AUGUST 2017

• Specialist recruiter 2B Interface is opening an office in Munich, Germany. The move follows recent international office openings in Poland and Singapore by the company within the last two months.

• Recruitment software provider Bond International Software has launched the latest update to software system AdaptUX.

Improvements see AdaptUX 2.5 give customers enhanced recruitment and staffing cycle management features, including instant data synchronisation between AdaptUX and contingent workforce software TempBuddy, while client, candidate and contact records are replicated across both software solutions.

The update also aims to provide greater functionality for users for RSM InTime integration, CV importing, candidate ownership, field search and filter capabilities, and AWR management.

• North-West based multi-sector recruiter Cummins Mellor Group is relocating to new larger offices in the cathedral quarter of Blackburn. The relocation comes after completing the sale of its current premises on Whalley Road, Accrington.

• Software developer DevScore has launched an acquisition feature aimed at providing a complete candidate matching, acquisition, assessing and digital screening service for recruiters.

The feature enables customers to make targeted developer searches based on actual coding experience and also filter results by skills, experience and geographical location easily. This will enable them to pick the exact software development talent needed for their business’s individual requirements.

• UK technology career site Dice has launched a retro gaming microsite.

The site will include five classic games, live leaderboards, retro-inspired content and competitions to win retro-themed prizes.  

• Student resource RateMyPlacement has integrated with its software solution RMP Connect.

Student users on RateMyPlacement can ‘opt in’ to share their data with companies they are interested in hearing more about, giving permission for their data to be passed directly into an employer’s RMP Connect Talent Pool, while employers can target students directly in their talent pool based upon their preferences and characteristics.

Additionally, at the end of a campaign, employers can also track how many of these students, and other students in their talent pool, go on to apply and be hired using RMP Connect’s reporting suite.

• The Recruitment Industry Disability Initiative has released an online tool aimed at helping HR leaders calculate how many disabled people they should be employing to succeed in creating a truly representational workforce.

RIDI’s Disability Inclusion Calculator works by computing an individual organisation’s ‘disability employment gap’ based on the number of existing employees who have disclosed a disability coupled with overall headcount, and then advises how many more disabled people would need to be employed for the workforce to be representative of wider society.

24 July 2017
Transport & logistics, Engineering, Industrial/Manufacturing, HR, Hospitality/Leisure, Apprentices/Grads/School leavers, Accounting/Finance

NEW TO THE MARKET: 24-28 JULY 2017

• A former director of Kellan group’s finance staffing specialist RK Accountancy and RK Finance has struck out on his own. Director John Smith has launched Derbyshire-based Accountancy Recruitment Group, which places qualified and part-qualified accountants.

• South West-based employment business Backline Logistic Support Services has relocated to larger Winchester premises at Unit 2, Scylla Industrial Estate, from Moorside Road.

• Newport-based Celtic Manor Resort has launched two-year hotel and hospitality apprentice programme offering a number of modules designed to cover all aspects of the hotel and hospitality sector.

Included are models covering food and beverage, conference and banqueting, front of house, housekeeping and kitchens, as well as a stint combining all these areas at the resort’s Coldra Court Hotel.

Apprentices also benefit from a range of learning and development courses with subject matter including personal development, teamwork, guest relations, presentation and interview skills.

• Engineering recruiter Consilium Recruit has launched a salary guide for the aerospace sector. The survey covers a cross-section of regions in which employers involved in the manufacture and supply of aerospace components, systems, and/or services are based.

• Cardiff-based tech start-up Credas has launched. Credas uses real-time facial recognition technology to help companies speed up and simplify the process of ID verification, employee and client onboarding, and comply with Right to Work legislation.

By texting or emailing a link to the Credas app, clients or employees can verify themselves on the move and at any time and keeps a record of the verification on its secure cloud-based platform.

The site will include five classic games, live leaderboards, retro-inspired content and competitions to win retro-themed prizes.

• Graduate rec-to-rec firm ESG has launched the GradJobs Series, a guide for graduates wanting to break into the recruitment industry. Areas the series will cover range from writing a killer CV, to the day-to-day life of a recruitment consultant, and will be published weekly on the ESG blog.

• PMP Recruitment, part of Cordant Group, has launched Fundamentals – an onboarding programme for new starters aimed at improving learning, wellbeing and staff retention figures, while further increasing the quality of service each employee provides when working within a client’s facility.

Devised by senior and operational project groups, together with the agency’s learning and development department, Fundamentals is an eight-week long programme that is now available to new managers, site consultants and in-branch staff, covering areas including compliance, health & safety, policy and procedure, and personal development. 

The scheme is supported by an online portal that hosts a range of resources, including PMP’s Learning Heroes programme, workbooks, guides and other e-learning tools. New employees can access Fundamentals via a microsite, enabling them to complete designated modules when required. Additionally, the participant has learning reviews with their line manager to ensure they are benefitting from the training.

• European pallet freight network Palletways has launched a recruitment platform through Vidu Recruitment. Vidu is a new browser-based platform links employers and candidates face-to-face in real time across the globe through video and social media.

• Singapore government’s WSG Careers Connect has launched the R3 programme, aimed at matching people with jobs closer to their homes. The programme focuses on three stages of recruiting, reskilling and retaining.

The recruitment stage sees employers receive a list of potential jobseekers curated by career coaches from Careers Connect. The reskilling stage sees Careers Connect career coaches help employers identify skill gaps and relevant training for potential and hired candidates to equip them with the necessary skills.

Finally, the retain stage is where career coaches provide post-placement support to both the jobseeker and hiring supervisor to help address performance, competency or assimilation challenges, to ensure talent is retained.

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