A fast growing recruitment company is set to create almost 400 jobs in the North East as it continues to see soaring local, national and global demand for its specialist services.
Bosses at Jackson Hogg, which has its head office at the Cobalt Business Exchange in North Tyneside, said they are looking to build a specialist team of around 500 people over the next five years, having grown consistently since its launch in 2012. The business – which works across Europe, the US and Canada – now employs over 110 people across bases on Tyneside, Teesside and Leeds, with teams supporting clients across the world working in the science, technology, engineering and manufacturing industries.
The latest office has been established in Leeds to expand its UK footprint and to take advantage of the strong talent pool in the area. As well as the expansion into Leeds, Jackson Hogg will keep focus on growing its site in North Tyneside, as well as on the Belasis Business Park in Billingham, where it has just moved to a bigger site to accommodate further expansion.
To support its growth plans, the business has secured a significant, undisclosed investment from NPIF-FW Capital Debt Finance, which is managed by FW Capital and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, to help make its ambitions a reality.
Helen Broadhead, finance director on the board alongside CEO Richard Hogg and COO Anthony Broadhead, said: “Taking aside the financial result in 2020, owing to the global pandemic we’ve seen constant growth since 2012. The STEM sectors will always be our core focus, but we have developed along the way to add more to our offering and give even more to our clients. Our recruitment offering has strengthened year on year as we continually look to support clients with finding new talent solutions.
“From our initial focus on the North East market, we have now expanded internationally providing permanent and contract placements. Our contract offering has evolved extensively, most recently having launched our Industrial temporary worker solution. As part of this we are one of the few agencies in the North East to hold a Gangmasters license allowing us to supply workers into the food industry.
“This has been very well received by our clients and we look forward to seeing further growth in 2024. While our plans are ambitious, I look back at what we’ve achieved so far and as a result I am very confident we can achieve our vision.”
While Jackson Hogg works with clients internationally, it is committed to delivering jobs and investment within its native North East of England and Yorkshire.
Ms Broadhead said: “We have the expertise and talent here in the region, and of course Yorkshire, to be able to work globally, and the growth we’re seeing shows the quality of the team we have. The fact we have clients who have been with us since almost day one says a lot about the way we work and the relationships we build, and our purpose – ‘because everyone deserves to love what they do’, by this we mean our colleagues, clients and our candidates.
Jackson Hogg was supported in securing investment by WilliamsAli Corporate Finance, and FW Capital provided the funding from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund. Abu Ali, managing director of WilliamsAli, and executive Tristan Woolcock, supported Jackson Hogg.
Mr Woolcock said: “This is a business truly making waves around the world from its bases in the North East, and their long-term commitment to the region is evident through its ongoing investment and job creation here. Their track record of diversifying to meet the changing needs of clients shows exactly why Jackson Hogg has seen the growth it has, and with this investment, they are able to look to the next phase of global development with confidence.”
Alexandra Gent, senior investment executive at FW Capital, added: “Jackson Hogg have an excellent reputation in the North East There is huge potential there, and in Leeds, for strong progress. The ethos of the business is central to its success, and the positive and committed culture runs from top to bottom. We’re very pleased to have been able to support Jackson Hogg and to help unlock its next phase of growth.”
