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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

• 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.

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.

3 November 2023
Creative/Digital/Media, Commercial & office support, Industrial/Manufacturing, IT/Telecoms, HR, Accounting/Finance

NEW TO THE MARKET: 30 OCTOBER-3 NOVEMBER 2023

• Portsmouth-based technical recruitment specialists Astute has announced its expansion into North America. The company, which was founded by Terry Buckel in 2006, will base its US operations in Charlotte, North Carolina.

• HR tech platform RAMP Global has integrated with SmartRecruiters, the enterprise hiring platform, to transform the way employers source, manage and pay recruitment agencies across the globe. The integration means RAMP Global can provide SmartRecruiters customers with a fully integrated agency management solution within the SmartRecruiters platform, allowing enterprises such as Visa, LinkedIn and Bosch to manage all agency activity in one place. This new functionality will enable customers to source, procure, engage and pay agencies anywhere in the world, ensuring the best terms, complete visibility, and control through a truly streamlined process.

• Chester-based invoice finance and back office support provider Zodeq has launched a campaign that addresses tech recruitment agencies and their cashflow. Working directly with tech recruiters to identify their needs and goals, the invoice finance service provided by Zodeq is bespoke to provide clients with their most appropriate and flexible solution. Benefits include cross-border credit protection, multi-currency facilities, international credit control and up to 100% funding or prepayment. Zodeq can also provide working capital to support agency growth.

31 October 2023
Hospitality/Leisure

Hospitality duo join forces to find hospitality talent

Hospitality Talent UK (HTUK) was launched by Ed Grimes (above, right), formerly of Pret, EAT. and Greggs, and Ed Godwin (above, left), ex Monsoon, EAT. and Carluccio’s. The two worked together on the board of EAT. between 2007 and 2017, as director of operations and people director respectively.

The new business draws upon a network of recruitment partners across seven countries, with more partners and countries to be added, a company statement said. “Any role that qualifies for the Skilled Worker visa can be recruited through HTUK, including all levels of management, chefs, bakers, patisserie chefs and other specialists.”

HTUK supports employers in obtaining a Skilled Worker Sponsorship Licence and candidates with obtaining a visa through their partnership with London law firm Quastels, making the whole process of recruiting globally, simple and accessible to businesses of any size. Employers play a flat fee per role, which does not increase with salary.

An early user of the business is London healthy-eating chain Tossed, which has begun recruiting store managers through HTUK. 

Supported by AI, prospective candidates are fully vetted and matched against each role, and behavioural specialists Poppyfish have been brought in to provide candidate profiling. HTUK does not charge candidates any fees. Once a role has been accepted, candidates are given access to specialist and reputable property providers, who advise on location and rents. HTUK has also set up a support network among candidates and maintains contact with recruits throughout the lifetime of their employment.

“With a network of specialist recruitment partners across the globe, HTUK is providing an end-to-end solution allowing hospitality businesses to bring skilled talent from around the world to the UK,” the company statement said. 

• 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.

10 October 2023
Engineering, Construction & property, Commercial & office support, Industrial/Manufacturing, IT/Telecoms, HR

NEW TO THE MARKET: 9-13 OCTOBER 2023

• Construction and built environment recruitment agency Daniel Owen has refreshed its brand image. The firm has announced the move as it repositions its place in the market and expands further into the engineering and facilities management sectors. The recruiter currently has 12 offices across the UK, with plans to open at least two further hubs in the near future.

• HireVue, the global rec-tech pioneer in human potential intelligence, has announced a new category for hiring, which assesses candidates based on their skills and potential. The Find My Fit application bridges the gap between candidates and opportunities, empowering jobseekers to discover roles based on their skills, interests and human potential. Find My Fit ensures that candidates are not directed to open positions, but to roles that are aligned with their skills and potential. HireVue says this approach broadens candidates’ horizons and elevates their overall jobseeking experience. The Find My Fit application encourages diversity by guiding individuals to consider positions they might not have explored.

• US-based NEXTAFF has opened a new commercial staffing agency in Laredo, Texas. The Laredo staffing office is owned and operated by Veronica Villarreal and serves Laredo and the surrounding areas. The office will focus primarily on staffing and recruiting for manufacturing and commercial companies and is located at 9114 McPherson Rd, Suite 2504, Laredo, TX 78045.

• Global employment platform Oyster has launched Oyster Talent Network, a partner-powered talent acquisition and recruiting solution to help businesses source remote candidates around the world.

6 October 2023
IT/Telecoms, HR

NEW TO THE MARKET: 2-6 OCTOBER 2023

• Brellis Recruitment has opened a new office in Oxford, adding to its current branches in the West Midlands. The recruitment agency says Oxford was an “excellent place to provide exceptional service to both candidates and clients”. The new office is situated in John Smith Drive Business Park.

• Namecoach, which aims to solve the common problem of name mispronunciation and gender pronoun communication, has announced its latest product update is now available. Its features capitalise on AI technologies to provide novel and engaging pronunciation experiences that empower users to communicate more thoughtfully, accurately, and inclusively.

• Workforce solutions provider Suna Solutions has announced that it is set to “redefine” the way businesses manage their human capital programs. Suna's Workforce Management (SWM) Vendor Management System (VMS) will streamline operations, enhance efficiency and provide insights for staffing service providers and their clients.

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