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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.

16 May 2023
Sales, Life sciences, Creative/Digital/Media, Engineering, IT/Telecoms, HR, Hospitality/Leisure, Graduates/Apprentices/School leavers

NEW TO THE MARKET: 15-19 MAY 2023

• Tech recruiter 5Values Consulting Group has opened its new headquarters in Bristol. The expansion will create numerous job opportunities for graduates, experienced consultants and salespeople in Bristol. The recruiter rebranded last year from Paratus People to 5Values Consulting Group.

The group encompasses three sub-brands: 5V Tech, 5V Video and 5V Media. At the core of 5Values Consulting Group lies its commitment to five fundamental values: inclusive, sustainable, authentic, attentive and considerate.

• London-based recruitment consultancy Alexander Lyons Solutions (ALS) has launched its specialist biotechnology team, which will be led by managing consultant Paul Shaw. Shaw is an experienced recruiter with 15 years’ experience in the consolidation of executive leadership teams within the biotechnology industry. The new team will focus on supporting the hiring efforts of clinical development within biotechnology companies and global pharmaceutical companies with a key strategic focus across the EU and Switzerland.

• CandidateX, a UK-based provider of a DEI-centred hiring platform, has launched to tackle recruitment bias in the labour market. Founded by a team of ex-frontline London recruiters, CandidateX reduces unconscious bias in the recruitment process, widens access to career opportunities for under-represented groups and elevates the jobseeker experience.

The CandidateX platform uses AI to anonymise the job application process by removing identifying factors such as gender, ethnicity and even socio-economic background. CandidateX’s platform ensures candidates have the confidence of knowing their talent is doing the talking. The anonymised diversity data generated from the CandidateX community – registered jobseekers within the platform – provides vital insights to employers from their talent pools, enabling them to constantly improve inclusion within their hiring practices and talent attraction strategies.

• Part of the SThree group of companies, Global Enterprise Partners (GEP) has launched its first office in Japan. The launch of the Tokyo office sees GEP, a specialist enterprise technology staffing agency, capitalise on the strong opportunities it has identified across Japan and the Asia Pacific (APAC) region.

• Staffing AI company Globus.ai has launched its ChatGPT-powered staffing feature. The latest addition to its AI-first offerings, the platform is built to streamline the recruitment process for both talent and recruiters. This includes automatically generating compelling campaigns and suggesting the best timing for campaign launch, ensuring they reach candidates at the most opportune moment.

• As the hospitality staffing shortage continues to dominate the news, Manchester-based hospitality recruiter Sixty Eight People has opened a new office in Euston, London. Founder Abi Dunn and managing director Charlotte Kemp are heading up a five-strong team, who are talent managers Matt Powell and Jack Bradfield, and talent consultants Oliver Beetlestone, Katie Thompson and Jack Perry.

Dunn told Recruiter: “Our move to London has been incredible. What a city! We have been inundated with project requests, clearly highlighting the industry’s need for something new. With a new team of five people, we are delighted to finally be able to support existing and new clients in the city and deliver a support network for the sectors incredible talent. Our purpose remains to revolutionise the industry through people, and we have some exciting plans that work towards that over the next 12 months. Watch this space!”

11 May 2023
Creative/Digital/Media, Executive search, IT/Telecoms, Graduates/Apprentices/School leavers

AI-technology recruiter Ocho launches in Belfast

Spearheaded by Phil Gamble, Ryan Quinn and Aaron Somers, who have almost 50 years of combined technology and recruitment experience, Ocho places the latest AI technology at the core of its operations.

Ocho’s AI platform automates the recruitment process and provides personalised journeys, status updates and scheduling tools. The company enters the market having secured a number of partnerships and an international partnership that will be revealed over the coming weeks, a statement from Ocho said.

Ocho’s team includes Naomi Jackson and Kamila Pas, who bring a wealth of technology recruitment experience to the company.

Ocho provides permanent, embedded and contract recruitment solutions for all types of roles in the technology industry, from C-suite level to graduates and intern placements. Ocho is also looking forward to expanding its team of technology recruiters in the coming months.

• 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.

11 May 2023
Recruitment Process Outsourcing, Creative/Digital/Media, Commercial & office support, IT/Telecoms, HR

NEW TO THE MARKET: 9-12 MAY 2023

• By leveraging its newly-launched Clu’d Up toolkit, employers using skills-based inclusive hiring platform Clu can now also identify weak points around recruitment inclusion and accessibility, and correct them before they impact the selection process. According to a statement from Clu, it has helped almost 7,000 jobseekers from marginalised groups to find work in the UK job market.

• Recruitment agency Connect Appointments has launched a new job search app, helping to streamline the recruitment process and offering a user-friendly experience for jobseekers across Scotland. The app is available on both iOS and Android platforms. Paired with its user-friendly interface, the app also includes interview preparation advice, CV tips and tricks, industry insights and a career advice section to help jobseekers make informed decisions.

• Tech provider of recruitment solutions HireBuddy has launched HireBuddyGPT, an AI integration for its all-in-one recruitment CRM. The technology empowers recruitment agencies to streamline their operations while providing a “superior” experience for both clients and candidates.

• Kura, a customer service outsourcing business, has announced a new partnership with Scottish Friendly, creating new careers in Glasgow. Kura will work with the friendly society to provide call centre outsourcing services to its customers, utilising their expertise in the insurance and financial sector.

• McGregor Boyall has launched its new global recruitment website featuring application technology and integrated AI automation components to support the application process. The website includes Recite Me assistive technology, which removes barriers for those with neurological conditions from engaging with McGregor Boyall’s content online. The website hosts a comprehensive library of supportive documentation and market insights for clients and a contractor hub to support McGregor Boyall’s current and future contractors.

4 May 2023
Public sector, Social care, Creative/Digital/Media, Engineering, Legal, Executive search, IT/Telecoms, HR, Healthcare/Medical

NEW TO THE MARKET: 2-5 MAY 2023

• A new recruitment service has launched to provide services for senior and technical roles in the informatics sector. 32 Stripes has been launched by informatics and information systems specialist Zach Harris, and will support businesses seeking to recruit informatics expertise. 32 Stripes provides expertise in sourcing informatics candidates across all industry sectors. This includes technologies beyond the lab, to source senior level staff to lead enterprise resource planning (ERP) and digital customer relationship management programmes.

• Recruitment firm Extrastaff has launched its future leaders programme to identify and develop internal talent to fill management positions across its 51 locations. The programme will include a mix of classroom-based and practical training to help participants progress their careers within the company.

• Global marine energy solutions provider KPI OceanConnect has launched “get fuelled”, a new two-year global trainee programme to foster and inspire the next generation of marine fuel traders. The programme will provide new hires with an “immersive” learning experience including comprehensive training in marine fuel trading, supply and logistics, and the opportunity to work with industry-leading experts. Trainees will also have the chance to relocate to one of KPI OceanConnect’s 16 offices worldwide, where they can learn about different cultures, establish their own network and work with colleagues from various backgrounds.

• International legal search firm MRA Search has launched a New York practice. Bally Aujla will head up the new legal recruitment practice to assist its growing client base. With more than 13 years’ experience, Aujla has placed associates into top 100 law firms across London, New York, Dubai, Paris and Moscow. Before joining MRA Search, Aujla founded and ran a boutique legal recruitment agency for several years and co-created a social app for the South Asian Community.

• Healthcare agency Ocean Healthcare plans to employ 200 additional nurses and carers over the next 18 months. Ocean provides essential support to private nursing homes, hospices, hospitals and residential homes across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset.

• Warsaw-based technology firm SmartyMeet has announced its UK expansion with ‘Boe’, an inventive AI chatbot hailed as your “best AI buddy”, designed to transform video meetings into productive work sessions. With investment from LT Capital, SmartyMeet provides support by its virtual assistant Boe, both before, during and after the virtual meeting.

• Tengai AB has developed an unbiased human-like screening software that engages candidates, streamlines the screening process, and collects important candidate data. With the new AI recruiting software, talent acquisition professionals can screen multiple candidates at the same time, communicate efficiently and provide personalised feedback while mitigating unconscious bias.

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