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New to Market

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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

5 October 2023
Retail, Industrial/Manufacturing, Hospitality/Leisure

Dutch freelancer start-up expands UK operations to Manchester

The start-up was founded by Pim Graafmans in Holland in 2017 as an offshoot of YoungCapital recruitment agency.

According to the company, the platform turbocharges how businesses connect with quality freelancers to meet both long-term and last-minute workforce needs. Since its launch, YoungOnes has seen almost 350 UK businesses sign up to the platform to find quality freelancers since 2021. 

The platform already assists an array of big names with their staffing needs, including Nando’s, HelloFresh, IKEA and H&M. In London, YoungOnes currently provides gigs at luxury hotels and A-List celeb haunts including Shangri La at The Shard and the exclusive Berkeley Hotel.

The platform not only meets short-term business needs, with responses to gig posts as fast as five minutes, but is also able to connect staff from a quality talent pool with companies’ long-term needs, replacing the need for agencies.

YoungOnes set its sights on the hospitality and industrial hotspot of the North, to help the city’s fast-moving businesses meet their ever-changing staffing needs. The platform is already working with some renowned Manchester favourites such as Masons Bar and Restaurant, connecting them with quality freelancers.

YoungOnes city launcher Joe Loughlin has said: “YoungOnes’ fantastic success in the Netherlands has continued since its launch in the UK and, as we reach nearly 7 million hours of work provided to our freelancers, we’re delighted to expand to the Northern powerhouse of Manchester.”

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