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New to Market

28 April 2025
Life sciences, Engineering

NEW TO THE MARKET: 28 APRIL-2 MAY 2025

• 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 £2,500 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.

• 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.

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.

11 April 2025
Creative/Digital/Media, IT/Telecoms

Spotted Zebra merges Interview Intelligence and Assessment in one platform

This is technology that transcribes, analyses and evaluates conversations through an AI-powered lens. The merger connects assessment results with interview data, addressing the growing challenge enterprise talent leaders face: making confident, objective hiring decisions when candidate information can be fragmented across multiple tools.

In a statement, Spotted Zebra says that enterprise talent acquisition teams are facing twin pressures from AI-generated candidate applications and deepening skills shortages. 

The launch responds to a critical market challenge, the statement continues; while more than three in four businesses report widening skills gaps, employers are inundated with applications with around half of all jobseekers using AI tools to apply for roles. Current solutions force companies to choose between expensive, disconnected systems or compromise on either assessment breadth and depth, or a scalable interview process and structure.

“We’ve integrated Interview Intelligence with Assessment because our enterprise customers are facing unprecedented challenges in talent acquisition,” said Ian Monk, co-founder and CEO of Spotted Zebra. “By unifying these previously siloed technologies, we’re enabling talent teams to make data-informed decisions based on a complete picture of each candidate’s capabilities.”

Unlike standard Interview Intelligence tools that primarily transcribe conversations, Spotted Zebra’s implementation establishes a data framework that truly connects skill measurements across different evaluation methods:

  • Real-time skill evidence mapping: Comprehensive role skills profiles are automatically created thanks to AI-powered intake meetings between recruiters and hiring managers. 
  • AI-assisted interview questioning technology: The AI-powered Interview Guides automatically generate targeted question paths for specific role skills profiles and each candidate.
  • Consolidated hiring evidence dashboard: The Decision Kit combines summarised skill data from both assessment scores and interview evidence, weighting each source appropriately based on predictive validity for specific skill types. 

According to the company statement, AI in Spotted Zebra enhances human decision-making, ensuring the final call on a candidate’s suitability for a role is objective, data-backed and always in the hands of the hiring team.

Headquartered in the UK, Spotted Zebra was launched in 2020 by Monk and co-founder and chief commercial officer Nick Shaw.

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22 July 2024
Executive search, Interim recruitment, Accounting/Finance

Ex-PSD Group MD Cooke launches financial consultancy Sowena Group

Perran Cooke has launched Sowena Group, focusing on recruiting for senior finance posts in high-growth and private equity and venture capital-backed businesses in the North-West and London regions. These include chief financial officers, finance directors, financial controllers and heads of finance for permanent, interim and portfolio roles across all sectors.

Cooke has more than 11 years’ experience of senior and executive recruitment in finance. He was previously PSD Group’s regional MD for the North, and before that was a director and shareholder at Axon Moore and a senior consultant at Frazer John Recruitment.

A statement from his company said Cooke is already working on several retained assignments and is in discussions with potential investors to support his growth plans for Sowena (which means ‘success’ in Cornish).

Cooke hails from Cornwall and moved to the North West in 2011. Sowena is based in Prestwich, Manchester.

He said his goals are to help senior finance professionals find their next career move and to assist founders and CEOs looking to hire the best talent to power expansion for their businesses, as well as supporting private equity investors with appointments in their portfolio companies.

“My plans involve developing the business organically and evolving the brand over the coming years to help more high-growth companies by recruiting for operations, technology, sales and marketing roles, in addition to finance,” Cooke said.

Cooke was on Plymouth Argyle FC’s books as a teenager, and worked as a finance broker before moving into recruitment. In addition to Sowena, he owns mortgage company Cooke Mortgages with his wife Michelle.

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22 July 2024
Public sector, Marketing, Creative/Digital/Media

Met Police campaign targets recruits to become the change

Under the New Met for London plan, the campaign is intended to transform the Met, with Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley putting change at the centre of his vision for the future.

The campaign, which has change as its theme, is being designed and run by creative agency Pablo and recruitment marketing agency UNLIMITED.

“The work is truthful in recognising that change isn’t for everyone. The Metropolitan Police Service needs people who want to change things for the better; society, London and themselves,” said a statement from the creative and marketing team. To date, research from UNLIMITED’s Human Understanding Lab has determined that a large pool of Londoners exists “with the energy and desire to make a positive difference”, the creative and marketing team said.

“We found that by shining a light on the rich and varied skills and strengths it takes to be a police officer, those Londoners were more likely to see themselves in the role; empathy, respect, resilience, courage are all values that tally with a fundamental desire to change things for the better.”

The campaign, ‘Change Needs You’, aims to highlight the importance and impact of Met Police Constables, while acknowledging “it’s anything but an easy job”. 

Inspired by and featuring real Police Constable stories and experiences, the multi-channel campaign speaks to the special skills The Met values in its officers. “It shines on real life frontline officers who described the creative as both highly realistic and making them proud to be Police Constables,” the creative and marketing team said.

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22 July 2024
IT/Telecoms, HR, Graduates/Apprentices/School leavers

NEW TO THE MARKET: 22-26 JULY 2024

• Careers platform Springpod and UCAS have launched new virtual work experience courses. The free courses are open to school, sixth form/college and university students nationwide, offering work experience with organisations including the Met Office, Barclays, Vodafone and the UK Parliament. Designed to spark interest in diverse careers and build confidence in young people, these programmes provide every student with access to meaningful work experience, develop essential skills, and offer the evidence needed to impress employers and universities.

• Invoice finance and back office support specialist Zodeq has concluded a seven-figure facility to support large-scale IT recruitment company Senovo IT. Zodeq has provided Senovo with a new streamlined reporting process. The improved facility will allow Senovo to manage its invoice finance more efficiently and support in the company’s continuous global growth.
 

15 July 2024

Ex-Eximius CEO launches PE firm Recruitment Portfolio model

RP said the model will help founders scale their recruitment businesses and realise value from their shareholdings.

RP’s approach targets established recruitment firms with strong growth potential. In its launch announcement, RP said a typical firm might generate £500k+ EBIT and £3m+ net fee income. RP’s model offers shareholders an immediate transaction paying them for the value in their shares, the company said.

RP’s team of recruitment entrepreneurs will then help these companies achieve increased scale and offer a second “bite at the cherry”, the company said, via a second sale of the RP group in seven-to-10 years’ time.

RP's team consists of founder ex-Eximius CEO Nick Stevens (pictured below), and experienced recruitment experts Annil Chandel and Tony Davies. 

RP is a London-based investment firm helping recruitment businesses scale. With a focus on operational excellence, strategic growth and value creation, RP partners with founders to transform promising recruitment firms into market leaders.

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