Recruitment marketplace Hiring Hub to unlock growth with £1.4m investment

Hiring Hub, an online marketplace set up to help businesses identify trusted recruitment agencies, has secured a seven-figure investment.

The Manchester-based company raised £1.4m in a round led by Maven Capital Partners, on behalf of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF).

The boost will allow Hiring Hub to further develop its digital platform, boost marketing activity and strengthen its leadership team.

Hiring Hub’s aim is to connect companies with a community of independent recruitment agencies.

Employers can post vacancies for free, setting a fee they would be prepared to pay an agency that found them a suitable candidate to hire.

The platform has already attracted around 400 employers, among them BASF, the world’s biggest chemicals company, and retail giant B&M.

Hiring Hub CEO Simon Swan said: “At Hiring Hub, we’re using technology to enable better relationships between employers and agencies, and address many of the industry’s core issues.

“This Maven understood, and with the market shifting towards smaller, independent agencies – who now represent over 80% of the supply chain – Hiring Hub is well-positioned to challenge the bigger brands while helping companies find the talent they need faster, and at a lower cost through specialist suppliers, rather than a large, traditional recruitment agency that deliver a slow, expensive, and commoditised service.”

Maven investment manager Gavin Bell commented: “We are delighted to invest in Simon and Hiring Hub’s innovative technology platform.

“With a strong board and entrepreneurial team, we believe that the business is well-positioned for rapid expansion as it disrupts this growing market. NPIF investments continue to support innovative businesses like Hiring Hub to fulfil their potential, and we look forward to working with the team.”

The NPIF is operated from the Sheffield HQ of the British Business Bank.

Grant Peggie, director at the government-owned bank, said of the deal: “Maven has already supported a number of businesses in the North West, and we are pleased to be making a real difference to economies across the Northern Powerhouse region.

“This latest deal in the Greater Manchester area will provide vital jobs to the city and fuel the growth of an innovative company.”

Hiring Hub was advised on the investment by Sam Mabon, partner at law firm Brabners, and Sam Davies, director of advisors Knight Corporate Finance.