1. News
  2. New to Market

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.

26 March 2025
Transport & logistics, Creative/Digital/Media, Executive search, Interim recruitment, IT/Telecoms

NEW TO THE MARKET: 24-28 MARCH 2025

• Ennis & Co Group has introduced an enhanced interim talent service to address the growing demand from automotive and mobility brands for senior-level, short-term placements. To support this expansion, the automotive executive search specialist has built a larger database of senior interim candidates, complementing its well-established network of freelance associates. This offering provides clients with agile, high-level talent solutions to navigate an increasingly dynamic and challenging market.

• IC Resources, a deep-tech recruitment agency headquartered in Reading, Berks, has opened an office in Austin, Texas. The company’s fifth office, located in Four Points in West Austin, will serve as the hub for semiconductor and software recruitment in the North America and CALA (Central America and Latin America) markets, providing staffing solutions to US clients and candidates. As part of this expansion, the firm has hired Tom Chapman as president and Zach Ward as vice-president of sales. The pair bring nearly 40 years of recruitment experience between them and have significant local knowledge and networks, according to the company statement.

21 March 2025
Charity & not-for-profit, Legal, Apprentices/Grads/School leavers

Recruiters can help Key4Life in finding employment for ex-offenders

‘Unlocking Futures’ took place in collaboration with crime prevention charity Key4Life and brought together top London businesses and ex-offenders to highlight the difficulties around hiring ex-offenders, as well as the opportunities and solutions.
https://key4life.org.uk/

With 12m people in the UK carrying a criminal conviction – and with only 17% of prison leavers securing jobs – the panel discussion explored how businesses can tap into this hugely overlooked pool of talent.

Eva Hamilton MBE, CEO of Key4Life, who set up the charity to reduce offending in response to the 2011 London Riots, said: “Our experience of transforming ex-offenders’ lives – including many from broken homes and who’ve suffered terrible starts in life – has consistently shown us that getting a job is what keeps these men away crime. 

“Sadly, studies show that over 50% of Britain’s businesses would not employ an ex-offender, and together with many of our partner companies – including Harbottle & Lewis, KPMG UK and NBC Universal, all here tonight – we’ve been working hard to lift the stigma around employing ex-offenders and to create opportunities for their employment.”

While the odds of rehabilitation are stacked against ex-offenders, Key4Life – whose innovative 7-Step rehabilitation programme includes equine therapy (horses), football and music, in addition to employability training – has achieved extraordinary results: 

• Just 7% have gone on to reoffend, versus a government rate of 64% 
• 60% have found employment or training opportunities, compared to a government rate of only 15%. 

Alexa Collis, partner at Harbottle & Lewis who hosted the evening, said: “It felt important to us to celebrate our two-year partnership with Key4Life by shining a spotlight on this crucial issue. We invite more companies in Britain to join this vital movement for corporate social change and unlock bright futures for former offenders.”

Advising recruitment agencies and recruiters within companies to help Key4Life help place ex-offenders into meaningful work, Hamilton told Recruiter: “Recruiters are now in a unique position to recruit from this pool of untapped talent represented by so many ex-offenders. What we recommend as the simplest way to give these men a chance to prove themselves is two-three day work tasters with a view to longer-term employment.”

• 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 March 2025
Creative/Digital/Media, Engineering, Construction & property, Executive search, IT/Telecoms, HR, Apprentices/Grads/School leavers

NEW TO THE MARKET: 10-14 MARCH 2025

• Cisco has expanded its Networking Academy to equip young people in the EU with digital skills. By 2030, the company aims to provide basic digital education to 1.5m individuals, focusing on digital literacy, cybersecurity, AI and data science. This initiative supports the European Commission’s 2030 Digital Decade targets. In addition to training learners, Cisco will prepare 5,000 instructors over the next five years to teach AI, cybersecurity, and networking skills. The company will also introduce an Industrial Networking curriculum to address digital transformation in industries like manufacturing and automotive.

• Glasgow recruitment business Clarkson Owens is launching its specialist recruitment arm Retainer Recruitment in response to increased demand from clients to support international and senior appointments. The firm specialises in recruiting for the construction and civil engineering sectors.

• Remote has introduced Recruit, a new hiring platform designed to simplify and accelerate global talent acquisition. Recruit gives companies access to the largest talent intelligence dataset, a global search engine for sourcing top candidates, and a one-click compliant hiring process. Remote has also partnered with Apriora to offer AI-powered video interviews at scale, providing recruiters with a pool of talent. Key features of Recruit include smart sourcing, allowing searches across 800m global candidate profiles with advanced filtering, and talent insights, which provide real-time data on salary trends and market conditions. Recruit integrates directly with Remote’s HR platform, enabling one-click hiring with automatic compliance management for local labour laws.

• Schneider Electric has announced plans to double its recruitment of veterans to help tackle the UK’s skills shortage. The digital transformation for energy management and automation business’s Veterans Talent Programme provides former military personnel with the industry knowledge and technical expertise needed for critical operational and senior management roles in the energy and electrical sectors. Applications are now open for early registration. The 12-18-month programme, which offers a full salary, combines specialist classroom-based learning with hands-on training, making it accessible to veterans from all backgrounds. Candidates are selected based on their motivation and interests rather than existing skillsets. Powered by Redeployable, an AI-driven career transition platform, the programme is designed to unlock the full potential of veteran talent. 

13 March 2025
HR

nGAGE unveils first Social Value Report to highlight contributions to society

“This milestone reflects our ongoing commitment to placing social value at the heart of everything we do,” says an nGAGE statement.

Over the past year, nGAGE’s initiatives have enabled nearly £24m in social and local economic value across the UK. This stems from the recruiter’s focus on:

  • Local employment and breaking down barriers to employment.
  • Community volunteering and career support that supports local communities.
  • Employee wellbeing programmes that prioritise health and resilience within its workforce.

From hiring and retaining 570 staff locally to support disadvantaged communities, “our focus on local employment and community engagement is making a lasting impact across the UK”, continues the statement.

According to the company, the Social Value Report highlights the transformative effect of nGAGE’s activities on people, communities and wider society.

“Social value is at the core of our mission,” says Claudia Dommett-Noehren, group head of ESG at nGAGE. “We’re proud to contribute meaningfully to the local communities in which we operate, and this report showcases the tangible outcomes of that effort.”

The nGAGE Group, also known as nGAGE Talent, offers tailored recruitment services across sectors, including the built environment, STEM, health & social care, and professional and financial services UK-wide and globally. 

The Social Value Report is available online here.

• 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.

Recruiter Magazine

SUBSCRIBE TO PRINT
VIEW PAST ISSUES
Top