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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.”

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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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19 January 2022
Oil & gas/Energy, Executive search, IT/Telecoms

NEW TO THE MARKET: 17-21 JANUARY 2022

• Executive recruitment firm BIE Executive has opened a new office in Spinningfields, Manchester. The firm says the new office will “further strengthen” its service capabilities to deliver recruitment services to clients and will establish closer ties with its network of candidates in the region. Its Manchester team consists of director Luke Moriarty and consultant John Warrior.

• Global recruitment organisation TechStream Group has rebranded as Xcede Group. It has launched three new websites with refreshed logos, sales propositions and visual communications. Its two specialist recruitment brands are now Xcede and EarthStream. Its AutoStream, CloudStream and CyberStream brands have moved to operate as part of Xcede, while EarthStream will remain as an energy specialist within the group.

17 January 2022

Equality Fund launches to make businesses more inclusive in Scotland

The Scottish Government-funded initiative, with £800k available in its first year, aims to address longstanding barriers in the labour market so that everyone – irrespective of gender, age, race, or disability – can fulfil their potential and improve Scotland’s economic performance as a result. 

Applications for the 2022-24 Workplace Equality Fund are now open, and for the first time will be administered by Advice Direct Scotland, the country’s national advice service. 

Charities, third sector organisations, public sector organisations and private sector businesses can apply for up to £75k in each year of the fund to carry out activities that will help to improve diversity in the workplace. 

The funding is used for projects focused on one or more priority groups from the following list: women; minority ethnic workers; disabled workers; older workers (those aged over 50); people who experience gender-based violence; workers who are experiencing social isolation and/or loneliness; workers experiencing symptoms of the menopause; and veterans and spouses of veterans. 

Projects can take place within any sector, industry or geographic area provided that they demonstrate the impact on priority groups through addressing systemic inequalities in the workplace. 

The Workplace Equality Fund was first launched by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in 2018. 

Last year, funds offered immediate support during the pandemic to ensure that efforts to promote and embed workplace equality could continue so that equality groups were not further disadvantaged by the economic impact of Covid-19. 

Organisations and businesses that wish to apply for funding should visit www.equalityadvice.scot.

Applications are open until 11 April, 2022. 

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17 January 2022
Public sector, Oil & gas/Energy, Life sciences, Engineering, Industrial/Manufacturing, IT/Telecoms

Leeds becomes g2 Recruitment’s latest home

The company, specialists in technical recruitment, is basing its Leeds operation in the city’s financial district, not far from the Leeds rail station. Senior consultant Jay Ryder will be in charge of the new office, the company’s ninth.

Established in 2004, g2 Recruitment covers technology, engineering, energy, life sciences and the public sector.

In 2021, g2 added new offices in Nottingham and Swansea, respectively. With its head office in London, the company said it plans to open a new European office and more in the UK during 2022. 

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17 January 2022
Engineering, Industrial/Manufacturing

Encore Personnel launches specialist maintenance engineering division

Factors such as an increase in British production and manufacturing across a range of sectors, as well as the national surge in online retail during the pandemic and beyond, were among the factors that led to the division’s creation, the company said.

The company is headquartered in Leicester, with 10 branches throughout the Midlands.

“The emerging demand for more maintenance engineers has not developed only to keep sites such as warehouses and other large logistics facilities running smoothly but also to fill more roles arising due to a growth in types and numbers of products being made in the UK, from start-ups to big name brands,” the company said in a statement.

Experienced specialist recruiter Mikey Phillips, who joined Encore in the midst of the pandemic in 2020, heads up the business’s newest division. He said: “It was clear, as the previous year unfolded, that there was an emerging revenue stream for our business – a core focus on maintenance engineering roles… So, we’re starting 2022 with a bang and launching straight away.”

The aim was to develop of team of three or four specialists by the end of 2022, the company said, adding a new team member roughly every quarter as demand increases. Louise Bragg, Encore’s operations director, will oversee the new division.

Encore specialises in engineering, manufacturing, driving, warehousing and logistics recruitment. 

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