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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.

4 November 2022
Sales, Transport & logistics, Creative/Digital/Media, Charity & not-for-profit, Executive search, IT/Telecoms, Apprentices/Grads/School leavers

NEW TO THE MARKET: 31 OCTOBER-4 NOVEMBER 2022

• Professional services provider FDM Group has announced its partnership with CRM provider Salesforce to help boost the availability and capability of CRM specialists across the Salesforce ecosystem. As a Salesforce Authorised Training Provider (SATP), FDM will train consultants using Trailhead Academy, which consists of expert-led learning content to develop niche skills in Salesforce, before placing and integrating them in selected job roles in industry-leading businesses across the country.

• Digital talent solutions specialist Lorien and MAMA, a coding school for kids, held a free ‘eco-hackathon’ at Lorien’s global HQ in London. Twenty-four children aged five to 11 attended the ‘Green the World’ hackathon on 26 October, where they were challenged in teams to find solutions for change. The students were joined by business leaders and mentors from Lorien and MAMA.codes to inspire and to help them see the real-world applications and potential for their ideas.

Three-quarters of the children attending the day were part of the long-term outreach programme that MAMA.codes set up in 2018 to support families from the community affected by the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy, in partnership with local charity Nova New Opportunities.

• London-based executive search firm Norman Broadbent Group has launched its first Scottish offices in Edinburgh and Aberdeen. The Edinburgh team will be led by managing director Michael Diamond who will focus on targeting the board, C-suite and leadership market of Scotland’s largest brands and businesses. In Aberdeen, chief operating officer Sean Buchan will be based out of the firm’s new office on Rubislaw Terrace within the city’s West End office district.

• VIQU has moved to a larger office space in Edgbaston, increasing its Birmingham team’s capacity from 18 to 32. The IT recruitment firm was established in Birmingham in 2014, and opened a smaller second office in 2018 in Southampton. VIQU says this office is designed with collaboration and cross-departmental teamwork in mind and plans to fill the space to capacity within 18 months.

• Logistics firm Whistl has announced its Whistl Apprenticeship Fund has funded 251 apprenticeships in 76 different organisations. The company invited small businesses in the areas where it has sites to apply for funding for their own Level 2 to 5 apprenticeship schemes with a focus on early years learning, digital and engineering focused apprenticeships.

18 October 2022
Creative/Digital/Media, IT/Telecoms, Graduates/Apprentices/School leavers, Apprentices/Grads/School leavers

NEW TO THE MARKET: 17-21 OCTOBER 2022

• Experis, a global IT professional resourcing and project services firm (part of ManpowerGroup), will work together to train and re-upskill people around the world with in-demand IT skills and help them use those new skills to secure employment.

The collaboration between Experis and the Cisco Networking Academy is currently live in the US and Mexico, with plans to expand to additional markets in future phases. It will focus on learning paths where the demand for skilled workers is far outpacing supply including IT pathways, cybersecurity, networking, programming and data. It aims to place more than 1,000 people in new IT roles in the first year.

14 October 2022
Creative/Digital/Media, Engineering, Construction & property, Executive search, IT/Telecoms, HR, Accounting/Finance

Three recruitment entrepreneurs launch £125m Aristotle Partnerships

Nick Cragg, Craig Buckingham and Roger Frost have announced the formation of an entirely new specialist recruitment and staffing solutions company called Aristotle Partnerships, according to the firm.

The new enlarged group will comprise Nicholas Associates Group (NAG), Red Rock Partnership (RRP) and Syntax Consultancy (Syntax), with all brands continuing to operate under their trading names and maintain their existing brand identity.

Aristotle Partnerships brands will now be able to offer apprentice and graduate placement and recruitment, blue and white collar flexible, temporary and permanent recruitment, engineering, IT, finance & HR, executive search, IT consultancy, digital learning and development consultancy, and HR management software solutions.

Nick Cragg founded Nicholas Associates Group in 1977, initially supplying site engineers to the construction industry. Through diversification, organic growth and acquisitions NAG now offers apprentice to boardroom talent management solutions.

Craig Buckingham is chairman and founder of RRP, which he established in 2007, and also a member of The Leaders Council of Great Britain & Northern Ireland. Roger Frost is managing director of Syntax and has more than 35 years of success in creating great partnerships with clients in the IT sector. In 2005 he enacted an MBI to buy out the previous management team of Syntax.

• 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 October 2022
Marketing, Oil & gas/Energy, Transport & logistics, Creative/Digital/Media, Engineering, Construction & property, IT/Telecoms, HR

NEW TO THE MARKET: 10-14 OCTOBER 2022

• Recruitment firm Acorn has announced it is launching a new division named Acorn Building Services. It will combine the UK recruiter’s construction, mechanical, engineering and housing divisions into one, to help increase the availability of sustainable job opportunities for under-represented groups in all sectors.

With an initial focus on South-Wales and Bristol, its Acorn Building Services division will now help drive forward new projects and initiatives to further support its clients in contributing socially as well as economically to areas they work in too.

Lawrence Beach, client development director for Acorn, will be responsible for developing these initiatives, focusing on social value, people pathways, tenders and more. Operations director Osian John will also head up the new division in an operational capacity and drive the day to day running of the team involved.

• Scottish recruitment firm Be Personnel is opening a new office in Dunfermline, Fife. The firm recruits in the food processing, commercial, industrial and driving sectors, as well as recruiting for senior/management level positions. It will open its second Scottish office at the Flexspace Dunfermline business centre in October, staffed by an initial team of four working across recruitment and business development functions.

• Global payroll, compliance and hiring firm Deel has launched Deel Equipment in partnership with equipment workplace specialist Hofy to enable businesses to send remote team members equipment internationally it says in seconds, saving hours on manual tasks. Equipment rental on Deel operates on a subscription basis and pay a flat fee per piece of equipment, with pricing varying based on equipment item, location, and contract length. It is available for new and existing full-time employee contracts.

• Linear Recruitment has announced its current owners have completed a deal to move the ownership of into an Employee Ownership Trust. This means its staff become owners of the company they work for. The recruitment agency specialises in the construction, power, infrastructure and rail industries across the UK, with offices in Newcastle, Manchester, Shirebrook, and its head office in Sheffield.

• Recruitment technology provider Matrix SCM, has launched a revamped brand identity and a new website. Matrix SCM will be named as Matrix. The new site includes features that aim to simplify the site’s navigation and bring it up to date as a valuable resource of information for agencies and clients alike.

Solution sections on the website is the provision for specialist areas such as:

  • Matrix Workforce - A fully managed neutral vendor service which delivers employers recruitment supply chains and systems for hiring and managing contingent workers.
  • Matrix Milestone - Where organisations can buy and manage statement of work, consultancy and professional services projects.
  • Matrix Talent Pool - Helping organisations build a pool of pre-screened, prospective workers who have indicated a desire to work with them.
  • Matrix Cr.net - Our leading propriety platform which automates and manages every step of the temporary worker hiring process.
  • Matrix Umbrella – Provides fully compliant employment contracts and payments for contractors.
  • Matrix Payroll – Provides payment and compliance services for organisations who hire contingent workers.

• Recruitment and staffing solutions company Nicholas Associates has announced plans to open a new office in Leeds following the appointment of Michael Alderson as business manager. The new office will be on Park Row in the city’s business district and will specialise in temporary and permanent recruitment solutions for the built environment. The company is part of the wider Nicholas Associates Group, whose head office is based in Rotherham.

The group recently announced the formation of an entirely new specialist recruitment and staffing solutions company called Aristotle Partnerships.

• The Rightcheck platform has launched ‘My Rightcheck’, fulfilling the capability of the established regtech platform to address all key stakeholders needs. This new candidate-centric app is the third integrated component of this industry for addressing recruitment compliance.

• Learning and Skills platform THRIVE has launched Marketing Studio, a new service that combines consultancy and design to elevate the effectiveness and engagement of learning campaigns. The design side of the service will provide platform teaser videos, campaign banners and other branded resources, supporting L&D teams to deliver sleek, on-brand learning content and campaigns.

Marketing Studio’s consultancy offering means companies can extend their skills with workshops and apply a marketing approach to their learning strategies, helping them meet their business objectives and drive better results from their learning campaigns.

• uComply has been accredited as an Identity Service Provider (IDSP) by a UKAS approved certification body to offer products to help perform ID checks. The audit is carried out against the UK digital identity trust framework and companies that pass receive the relevant kitemarks. It has launched a digital ID service uIDentify, which will:

  • send prospective employees an invitation to upload their own ID documents
  • on receipt of the documents ID authentication checks are performed using biometric data, liveliness and facial recognition
  • A pass/fail notification will be sent within 2 minutes.

• Recruitment technology platform Willo has created a new system that it says will “seamlessly” integrate digital right-to-work checks for UK, Irish and EU workers into the hiring process. The firm has built the tech as a result of a major change to Home Office regulations from 1 October, meaning employers will no longer be able to check workers’ right-to-work documents over video call or email. Willo’s authentication system is built-in as a step of the asynchronous hiring process, meaning applicants can complete identity checks without the need to rely on an external IDSP – creating a simplified process that also offers significant efficiencies for employers.

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