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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.

28 March 2023
Oil & gas/Energy, Transport & logistics, Creative/Digital/Media, Engineering, Commercial & office support, IT/Telecoms, HR, Graduates/Apprentices/School leavers, Accounting/Finance

NEW TO THE MARKET: 27-31 MARCH 2023

• Commercial recruitment agency Employal has launched in Leicester. With over 15 years in recruitment, Employal’s founder, Jennifer Keane, has progressed from an apprentice to commercial director. The firm’s focus is on commercial recruitment with specialist recruiters in sales, finance, marketing, customer service and office jobs.

• Fountain, an applicant tracking system (ATS) for high volume hiring, has launched Fountain AI to its suite of hiring solutions. Fountain AI is a conversational artificial intelligence feature that accelerates the hiring funnel and helps hiring managers get candidates to their first day of work faster. Fountain AI enables recruiters to screen and qualify applicants more efficiently and automates processes that hiring managers typically perform manually.

Fountain AI simplifies the hiring process for both applicants and recruiters by guiding job candidates through an application with real-time responses, 24/7. With automated data collection and WhatsApp/SMS capabilities, applicants can now have richer digital, AI-powered conversations with recruiting teams by answering simple application questions and scheduling interviews without having to leave the chat.

• Global identity verification provider ID-Pal has announced a partnership with Keystone Talent Bank to deliver real-time digital right to work (RTW) checks. ID-Pal is now integrated within Talent Bank to allow users to conduct checks in line with the UK Digital Identity & Attributes Trust Framework (UKDIATF).

Keystone Talent Bank is an online suite of tools for the sourcing, hiring, managing, compliance and payment of employees, contractors and contingent workers. The platform streamlines the recruitment and payroll process for universities, while also providing a digital employability hub for students and graduates.

As a government-certified digital identity service provider (IDSP), ID-Pal enables Keystone Talent Bank to comply with Home Office guidelines, while securely performing RTW checks. ID-Pal will allow efficient onboarding of all student, temporary and payrolled workers via a branded user-facing app, as well as enable easy remediation and updating of documentation in line with current legislation.

• LinkedIn has announced it is testing new AI-powered job descriptions to help recruiters find qualified candidates faster. Hirers can provide starter information like job title, company name and location – and a draft job description will be created for the poster to review and edit.

Hirers can enhance the description by choosing someone in their network who has similar skills to what they are looking for and incorporate these skills into the job description with one click. This new experience is being tested in English language to a limited number of job posters in the UK, US, India, Canada and Australia with plans to roll it out globally later this year.

LinkedIn is also making over 100 LinkedIn Learning courses dedicated to AI available for free until 15 June, including specific courses for business leaders and HR pros.

• Recruiter Oil Consultants has changed its name to Visuna and moved to larger offices at Wynn House, on the Hertburn Estate in Washington, Tyne and Wear. The energy recruitment firm employs more than 50 people in the North-East of England and will add the renewables sector to its remit under the Visuna brand.

• Recruiting CRM has launched its recruiting management platform to enable recruiters to streamline their workflows and reduce the time spent on repetitive and manual processes. The platform is integrated with the TalentRoom recruiting marketplace, which allows recruiters to showcase their candidates anonymously. Other recruiters and companies can therefore discover enrolled candidates, but without the ability to contact them directly.

• Employment agency Reed has moved into the Business Innovation Centre, Binley, which is part of the University of Warwick Science Park. The branch covers the Coventry and Warwickshire region and beyond. It specialises in sourcing professionals at all levels across a number of sectors, including business support, accountancy and finance, engineering, and procurement and supply chain.

• UMATR, a technology recruitment firm, has opened its first international office in Dubai within two years of launching, marking a significant milestone in its growth and expansion plans. The new office in Dubai will enable it to have access to a large talent pool of highly skilled professionals from all over the world, as well as supporting its strategy with building its technology platform.

15 March 2023
Marketing & Sales, Oil & gas/Energy, Life sciences, Engineering, IT/Telecoms, Healthcare/Medical, Apprentices/Grads/School leavers

NEW TO THE MARKET: 13-17 MARCH 2023

• AI recruitment content generator Hally AI has launched. It aims to generate recruitment content ranging from sales, admin and marketing material in minutes. It is capable of generating personalised job descriptions, vacancy announcements and other recruitment content that is tailored to specific job roles and organisational culture.

The AI tool generates content that is inclusive and unbiased and ensures that job descriptions and job adverts are free of gender, race, and other biases, enabling businesses to attract diverse candidates.

• In a scheme launched by the pilot Digital Skills Training Academy, jobseekers from disadvantaged and low-income communities will be offered the chance to learn skills to help fill London’s critical shortage of IT specialists. The scheme aims to offer employers upskilled and work-ready candidates.

The scheme is a joint enterprise between human services provider Ingeus and CodeVerse, which offers trained and diverse candidates to companies seeking to fill IT vacancies across the UK. The initiative will see Ingeus hold open days at its 14 London centres for participants on the government-funded Restart Scheme interested in an IT career. After a pre-assessment they will be offered a free place on a two-week digital skills boot camp.

• Levin Group specialist tech firms Storm3 and Storm4 have opened new offices in New York. The Storm3 office will be led by Lauren Ellis, heading a team of 16 expert consultants who are all specialists in health technology hiring. Storm3 covers a range of spaces within the HealthTech industry, including clinical trials tech, digital therapeutics, digital health insurance, genomics and more.

GreenTech leader Storm4 was founded in 2020 by Kayleigh Bottomley to help scale businesses at the cutting edge of clean innovations to curb the defining crisis of climate change. Ross Byrne will lead a team of 16 consultants in the New York office, all specialists in GreenTech technology recruitment.

• Life sciences, renewable energy and IT specialist Quanta, part of QCS Staffing, has opened a new office in the US in North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park. This is Quanta’s fifth international office, joining its UK headquarters in Berkhamsted and further offices in Dublin, Rotterdam and Boston. The Research Triangle Park sits at the heart of the East Coast life sciences’ scene.

• Independent tech and service business for the careers industry Venn has opened a new HQ in Alderley Park, Cheshire, to facilitate its growing client base. The new tech hub at The Nest offers flexible working space with double the capacity of the previous office.

10 March 2023

SSQ co-founder Sharpe launches new consultancy

He will work with organisations to assist senior leaders including CEOs, main board directors and other key executives “unlock their potential”, a press statement said.

From his base in Monte Carlo, Monaco, Sharpe works as a therapist and executive/leadership coach servicing individuals, couples and corporates. He has his own monthly wellbeing radio show in the French Riviera.

Sharpe co-founded SSQ with Nick Shilton in 2003, then sold his shares back to the company in 2012. He joined the board of Dartmouth Partners and worked with them for eight years helping them transition to their first capital raising event. He also ran a sales training business specialising in recruitment.

• 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.

9 March 2023
Sales, Creative/Digital/Media, Charity & not-for-profit, Executive search, IT/Telecoms, HR

NEW TO THE MARKET: 6-10 MARCH 2023

• Digital technology recruitment specialists Energize Group has opened an office in Dallas, Texas, adding to its Los Angeles office, which opened in 2018. The office is located in the 22-story St Paul Place office tower and will initially accommodate up to 12 new employees with the ability to expand further. It will be led by Victoria Burns, who joins the team as director. The Dallas team will provide businesses with digital technology recruitment expertise, with a particular emphasis on providing staffing solutions in cloud technologies, focusing primarily within Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure platforms.

• New Leaf Initiative, a Birmingham social enterprise, has secured £100k of social investment from Sumerian Foundation to launch a new ethical recruitment agency and refurbish its training academy. The firm, based in Allcock Street in Digbeth, has supported nearly 1,300 people with convictions. It now plans to place 100 clients into work in the first year by supporting companies wishing to increase their social value to find and appoint motivated, local, work-ready people emerging from diverse and often disadvantaged backgrounds.
This latest move will provide a commercial boost for the CIC, as well as creating a clear pathway into employment for the individuals it has been supporting since 2014.

• Talent operations platform Screenloop has launched its Quality of Hire guide. The guide offers actionable insights for recruiters, HR professionals and executive leaders, including best practices for identifying and validating top talent and making more consistent, strategic and successful hiring and onboarding decisions. It is available for free download on Screenloop's website.

• Strive Sales, a UK-based recruitment agency focused within the software sales industry, has launched its first international office in Tampa, Florida. The team in Tampa will provide a dedicated service to the SaaS sales market, building go-to-market teams for some of the most disruptive, venture capital backed, software companies across the US.

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