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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.

20 August 2024
Engineering, Construction & property, Graduates/Apprentices/School leavers

NEW TO THE MARKET: 19-23 AUGUST 2024

• Home builder Hayfield has launched its 2024 Graduate Development Programme. Established in 2022, the scheme provides graduates a career path in the housebuilding sector. The programme offers financial investment, on-the-job training, and supports professional qualifications and NVQs. The programme is customised to each graduate, equipping them with the necessary knowledge, skills and experience. Interested graduates should contact Hayfield’s HR director Sara Hope at [email protected]

8 August 2024
Life sciences, Construction & property, Banking/Financial services, Executive search, Interim recruitment, Healthcare/Medical, Accounting/Finance

NEW TO THE MARKET: 5-9 AUGUST 2024

• Bluestones Investment Group has announced a joint venture and launched a new life sciences agency – SEDA Talent. Based in Central Belfast, the new business will be recruiting for biotech, foodtech, medtech and pharmaceutical professionals throughout the UK and Ireland. Initially permanent-focused, according to a statement, the business will evolve to also provide contract and temporary recruitment services, as founders Darrach Teague and Seamus Moore grow the business. SEDA Talent is a new business within the Bluestones Equity Partners division (formerly known as Bluestones’ investment division), and joins Clayton, ENS, Green Carbon Talent and EC&I Partners.

• Môrwell Talent Solutions, a specialist accounting and finance sector recruitment agency, has launched in Cardiff. The start-up has been created by joint directors Sarah Jones and Ceri Leath, who bring a combined experience of 35 years in recruitment, to provide permanent and interim talent for businesses looking for accounting and financial talent in Cardiff and South Wales.

• Scotland’s construction trade association SELECT has launched a new online employment resource to help companies source key personnel. The body is introducing a free jobs board to allow its 1,240 member firms to advertise vacancies directly on the front page of the SELECT website. Adverts include the full job description and details of how to contact the company to find out more.

• The Barton Partnership has opened its first office in Sydney, Australia. James Roberts leads the APAC business and the firm’s private equity and financial services practice across the region. The executive recruitment firm also has offices in London, New York, Paris, Singapore and Hong Kong.

30 July 2024
Rec-to-rec, Transport & logistics, Industrial/Manufacturing, IT/Telecoms, HR, Apprentices/Grads/School leavers

NEW TO THE MARKET: 29 JULY-2 AUGUST 2024

• Freelance platform Fiverr has announced it has shifted from a services marketplace to a hiring platform. It is aimed at addressing the major changes in the workplace including a heightened focus on skills and upskilling, diverse new roles and the integration of new technologies. Fiverr provides businesses of all sizes with expanded options to recruit skilled talent. The platform now allows hiring managers to better recruit talent by showcasing freelancers’ complete skill sets and offering flexible hourly work options. Its new professions catalogue enables customers to search for freelancers based on their professions and skills, offering rich information about a freelancer’s background and experience.

• FTW Recruitment has launched a no-fee hiring service for the warehousing sector. FTW Recruitment, based in Liverpool, is a newly formed part of training provider FTW Training, which specialises in giving unemployed individuals with the skills, expertise and certifications needed to excel in the warehousing industry. The recruitment service also has wider benefits for employers, as partnering with the initiative enhances a company’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) credentials.

• Hunted, an online platform connecting rec-to-rec firms, recruiters and suppliers to the recruitment industry, is relaunching tomorrow (1 August 2024). Acquired in November 2023 by Elliott Manning, CEO of Kayman Recruitment, Hunted has undergone significant redevelopment, according to the company. The platform allows recruitment companies to showcase themselves and advertise roles, while recruiters can discover and apply to companies globally. Additionally, Hunted features a supplier directory for industry-related services such as CRMs, PEOs, lawyers and accountants. Future updates will include training tools and a recruitment podcast page.

• Mercury, a software company specialising in recruitment and staffing, has announced a strategic, multi-year alliance with Microsoft. This partnership grants Mercury and its agency clients access to Microsoft’s Cloud and AI technologies, significantly enhancing their ability to search, match and hire top talent. According to a company statement, the partnership will leverage AI-powered tools to substantially increase consultant capacity, enhance business development and improve fill rates with fewer candidate submissions. Mercury’s platform, built on Microsoft’s Power Platform, already integrates with vital recruitment tools like LinkedIn and Microsoft Teams.

• European HR software company Personio has announced its integration with online accounting software provider Xero to offer new payroll processes for its UK customers. Personio’s integration with Xero will enable customers to tap into accurate and up-to-date data stored in Personio, while the interface ensures streamlined and secure transition of data to the Xero platform for the payroll run itself. Payroll managers can now sync employee data, fixed salaries, one-time and recurring payments and custom pay periods across Personio and Xero, with absences coming soon.

• India-based executive search firm The Taplow Group has announced strategic investments to expand its philanthropy and not-for-profit practice across Asia and Africa regions. Over the past 10 years, the firm has delivered C-Suite searches and non-executive board positions for organisations in the social impact sector including philanthropic foundations, international non-profit organisations, impact funds, social enterprises and CSR both in India and the larger Asia and Africa regions.

Taplow India recently expanded its reach into the manufacturing, consumer and retail and education sectors. It operates in sectors including industrial, life sciences, professional services, energy and aviation.

23 July 2024
Public sector, Oil & gas/Energy, Education, Engineering, Executive search, IT/Telecoms, Healthcare/Medical, Accounting/Finance

Tech-focused Levin exits Europe to concentrate on US market

The plan follows a comprehensive review by the recruitment organisation’s board, a Levin statement said. Levin described its decision as streamlining operations to focus on high-potential markets. This “aligns with the company’s vision to build the leading technology recruitment company in the world”, the company said.

With offices across London and New York, Levin is the parent company to Storm2, Storm3, Storm4 and Storm6, servicing FinTech, HealthTech, GreenTech and EdTech sectors in the US, specialising in senior and specialist talent.

James Brown, CEO of Levin, commented: “We have evaluated how best to align our physical presence to where most technology investment occurs globally, which happens predominantly in the US. We have chosen to exit the European market and increase investment into accelerating our US footprint. Despite having an exceptional team in mainland Europe, the region has received significantly lower tech investment than expected in recent years. We are deeply thankful to the European teams who contributed significantly to our journey.”

Brown continued: “This decision was not made lightly. We are immensely proud of Europe’s contribution to the company’s DNA and brand presence. Our focus now is on leveraging the outstanding performance of our UK and US offices, which have shown remarkable growth in productivity and performance over the past 12 months.”

Levin’s London and New York teams will concentrate exclusively on the US market, where recent performances have been strong. This strategic shift allows the company to capitalise on its opportunity in “the most dynamic and high-growth tech sector”, the Levin statement said. 

As part of the strategic change in focus, Levin’s UK and US businesses have undergone a corporate restructuring supported by its lead investor Puffin Point.

Jamie Willoughby of Puffin Point commented: “While market conditions have necessitated a re-evaluation of our plans, we are excited about the future. The recent decisions will ensure sustainable growth. We have full confidence in Levin’s leadership and continue to support the company’s forward momentum.”

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