New to Market

6 May 2025

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

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

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

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.

27 February 2020

NEW TO THE MARKET: 24-28 FEBRUARY 2020

• Nationwide recruiter Acorn Group has launched new specialist division VORSOR Facilities Services. The division has been created as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Acorn following continued expansion in the delivery of facility services and management contracts to a range of blue-chip clients.

• Global talent mobility specialist Topia has launched the Global Talent Mobility Assessment framework. The framework, which evaluates enterprise readiness to deploy and manage talent around the world, scores organisations in four key areas – operational efficiency, data maturity, compliance management and employee experience – providing insight on their current state and recommendations on how to drive improvements in strategy and process.

26 February 2020

Pilot programme aims to get over-50 jobseekers back to work

This is due to the Greater Manchester Employment Support for Over-50s pilot scheme. Jointly launched by The Centre for Ageing Better, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Department of Work & Pensions, the programme is aimed at improving support models for older people.

Research by the Centre for Ageing Better last year found that older jobseekers would benefit from personalised support that could be flexible around caring commitments and health needs.

The pilot will focus on providing employment support that works for older jobseekers, trialling a range of approaches with the aim of finding a successful model that can inform national government policy.

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17 February 2020

NEW TO THE MARKET: 17-21 FEBRUARY 2020

• Sustainability and safety recruitment and talent development specialist Acre has opened an office in Amsterdam. Harco Leertouwer joins the company as managing director for Benelux.

• Back-office to boardroom recruitment specialist Camino Partners has launched an interim recruitment division. The division will be led by experienced senior interim finance recruitment consultant Jack Stuart.

• Global strategic resourcing consultancy Hortor has expanded its office in San José, Costa Rica. Spanish-speaking business development manager Florencia Prato has recently been appointed to lead a team of resourcing experts in the capital city. “With an educated workforce and growing economy, we believe scaling up Hortor’s consultative approach [in Coast Rica] will deliver greater results for companies in this relatively untapped marketplace,” Prato said.

Stanton House has opened a new office in Singapore, its second in the Asia-Pacific region. Laura Taylor has joined the recruiter to build and lead the technology and transformation team in Singapore.

• Staffordshire recruiter Vantage Consulting has rebranded. The rebrand involves the launch of the agency’s four brands, each providing recruitment services across technology, engineering, engineering technology and executive search, as part of the Vantage Group.

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is funding a pilot scheme to help the region’s screen industry discover new talent, or to encourage people from other careers to switch to the television industry.

It is working in partnership with Create Central – the new industry-led body set up to turbo-charge the region’s film, TV and games industries. Solihull College & University Centre and Screen Central will provide the skills training.
 

13 February 2020

Start-up of the Month: J&J Recruitment

Davies says the agency plans to stand out in the market by providing a “risk-free” recruitment process.

This includes a ‘free replacement service’, which means if a placement does not work out for whatever reason within the first six months, the agency will find the client a replacement free of charge.

“We also adopt the attitude that ‘one size does not fit all’. Therefore, all our packages are tailored to each individual client with a full understanding of their requirements. Our aim is to provide recruitment support that allows our clients to remain in full control of the process without the typical recruitment issues, allowing them to save time and money. We believe our process eliminates all the stresses many companies experience when recruiting. We do the leg work, so you don’t have to.”

While the future is unknown as a new start-up, looking ahead Davies adds: “Our aim over the next 12 months is to remain consistent in what we do to ensure our long-term goals prosper.”

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