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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.

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8 February 2022
Marketing & Sales, Rec-to-rec, Oil & gas/Energy, Creative/Digital/Media, Education, Engineering, Banking/Financial services, IT/Telecoms, Apprentices/Grads/School leavers

NEW TO THE MARKET: 7-11 FEBRUARY 2022

• Recruitment Entrepreneur, an investor in recruitment businesses founded by entrepreneur James Caan CBE, has launched Billers Rec2Rec in partnership with Erika Foster. Foster hopes to build an internationally recognised boutique brand under the REflex support model. Billers Rec2Rec will focus on all levels of placement, from researchers to senior executive candidates in industries such as IT, banking and oil & gas, from the Middle East, UK and Europe.

• Bullhorn has launched Bullhorn Ventures, a corporate venture capital resource that will invest in and partner with high-potential, early-stage companies. It will focus on helping staffing and recruiting firms improve operational efficiency and boost growth. Bullhorn Ventures will build relationships with early-stage companies via investment, expertise and insights through its partnership programmes.

• Coventry Building Society has pledged £100k for organisations to support their apprenticeship training and assessments. The Society has run its own apprenticeship programmes since 2018 in areas including IT, change, mortgages and finance. Businesses can visit the gov.uk website to search and apply for a share of the apprenticeship funding, which is available across the UK.

• American food chain Fridays has announced that it is hiring apprentices at its 85 UK stores and its support centre within the next two years. It has launched its Leading the Way apprenticeship scheme for people of all ages, jobs roles and levels of seniority. The apprenticeship programmes last 12-16 months and are all ‘earn while you learn’. All apprentices will have access to an online learning platform and when apprentices complete the scheme they will receive a nationally recognised apprenticeship standard from the Institute of Apprenticeships.

• Future Work, a new recruitment agency launched for the marketing and digital sectors, is offering a new initiative for employees. FUW club will offer free weekly webinars hosted by the virtual agency network Pimento, exploring different aspects of marketing and running virtual open days where employers can showcase their businesses. Members will also get discounts on travel through the online booking site Ultimate Travel Club.

• Thames Water has launched its apprenticeship scheme to recruit more than 100 apprentices by the end of this year. The company is working with its recruitment partner Pertemps to offer a variety of intermediate, advanced, higher and degree level apprenticeships. Apprenticeships on offer from February include laboratory scientist, quantity surveyor, mechanical, electrical and civil engineering, customer service and project management. Candidates will have the opportunity to work towards professional qualifications on a permanent basis with a competitive salary.

31 January 2022
Recruitment Process Outsourcing, Marketing, Oil & gas/Energy, Creative/Digital/Media, Engineering, Banking/Financial services, Industrial/Manufacturing, IT/Telecoms, Apprentices/Grads/School leavers

NEW TO THE MARKET: 31 JANUARY-4 FEBRUARY 2022

• Total workforce solutions firm AMS has opened two new offices in Barcelona and Budapest, while also increasing its office space in Berlin. The talent advisory provider says the move will see its headcount increase 25% in Berlin in the second half of this year. The company will also be recruiting additional resources at its new offices in Barcelona and Budapest, with plans to double the team by the end of 2022.

• Bank DF Capital has launched an 18-month apprenticeship scheme offering school leavers the opportunity to secure experience in a business environment. The initiative currently has several roles across DF Capital’s sales and operations teams. Recruits will gain new skills such as growing technical ability and soft skills development. They will work towards a Business Admin Level 3 qualification and a permanent post within the organisation.

• Professional services provider FDM Group has launched its apprenticeship programme offering new joiners the opportunity to gain degree-level qualifications as part of its training course. Candidates will be given full vocational training in key IT roles alongside to study as part of the government-approved level 6 (Bachelor of Science degree) Digital and Technology Professional apprenticeship. After the initial training phase is complete, employees will then be able to specialise in key areas such as IT consultancy, software engineering, cyber security and data science.

• Resume Foundation, a charity that helps employers find candidates, has launched four digital bootcamps in the West Midlands in partnership with Coventry University and West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). These are cyber security, data science, digital marketing, and user experience (UX) and design research. Its free technical training programme aims to equip West Midlands residents with digital skills over the course of a flexible 16-week programme, which includes eight weeks of technical training delivered by Coventry University. The cyber security skills programme launches first, with data science following in February and the remaining two programmes in the spring.

• Energy provider UK Power Networks has opened applications for 20 new apprenticeships this year. The apprentices will be trained in skills that maintain, repair and build electricity networks. All the trainees will spend their time specialising as electrical linespeople, fitters or jointers learning how to safely repair, maintain and connect overhead lines, substations or underground cables. The closing date for applications is 20 February.

26 January 2022
Retail, Transport & logistics, Industrial/Manufacturing, IT/Telecoms, HR, Accounting/Finance

MET Recruitment invests £300k into new hub in Dudley

Commercial director Nella Share (left) will head up the new operation alongside Stella Wakeham (right) and Sarah Nicholson (centre), bringing with them over 30 years’ experience in placing commercial and skilled/technical staff. A company statement said the trio are set to be joined soon by three new members of staff.

Together, the team will look to increase the number of people it places in permanent roles, with a specialist focus to be placed initially on finance, HR and IT.

MET Recruitment was originally set up to supply staff to the mechanical and electrical trades. The business has gone from three people in a small office on the Pensnett Trading Estate to a 20-strong agency operating from a dedicated head office on Wolverhampton Street in Dudley. 

The company’s growth has been led by managing director Robin Tong and assisted by Share and Matthew Hunter. 

One of MET’s most significant successes stories in recent months has been to find 50 staff for bed retailer Dreams’ distribution and manufacturing facilities in the Black Country.

• 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.

25 January 2022
Recruitment Process Outsourcing, Life sciences, Construction & property, Industrial/Manufacturing, IT/Telecoms, HR, Healthcare/Medical

NEW TO THE MARKET: 24-28 JANUARY 2022

• Life sciences, medical and industrial recruitment firm Charlton Morris is doubling its office space at 34 Boar Lane in Leeds. The recruiter will now occupy the whole of the building’s fourth floor, as well as the third floor, having relocated from Park Row two years ago. The move follows the company’s expansion plans of creating 100 new jobs in the near future.

• HR management platform HiBob has launched a partnership with Deel, a payroll and compliance system. The integration of the two software platforms will enable companies to streamline and better serve their growing workforces, which consist of full-time employees and contract or freelance workers to domestic and international workers.

• Leap29, a global recruitment and professional employer organisation (PEO) partner, has opened its seventh international office in Istanbul, Turkey. The firm has been providing services in Turkey for several years and says its new office will support workforce management and recruitment services for a large oil project.

• ValueStaff, a construction industry recruitment specialist, has undergone a relaunch, which it says will “more effectively communicate how the company and its expert staff can support both workers and clients in the construction industry”. The investment in the new brand will see ValueStaff launch a new website, create a refreshed office environment, release new sales collateral and updated social media channels.

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