Our Business

Our business

Bringing skilled people together to build the future through our global house of specialist recruitment brands

Multi-brand global network

Specialist Staffing Group is the STEM-specialist talent partner. We connect dynamic organizations with communities of sought-after specialists in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Our global house of specialist recruitment brands brings expertise in specific sought-after skills. We know how to achieve the goals of STEM professionals seeking both permanent and contract work and understand the organizations who need them.

Founded in London in 1986 as a small business, over the past 36 years the group has expanded into a multi-brand organization, giving our customers access to a global network of dedicated STEM specialists through 44 offices in 12 countries.  

Engineer controls robotic arms by augmented reality industry technology

Hard to find skills - faster

The future of work is changing. And the opportunities are endless. We use our deep knowledge and global network to understand the needs of the best STEM professionals and match them with the organizations that need them, in both permanent and contract roles. 

Scientist With A Pipette

Supercharging potential

We don’t just advance careers – we unbox them. We help highly skilled people do the work they aspire to do, with a community of other specialists for inspiration and support. By understanding people’s personal goals and niche skills, we find roles that push their boundaries, so they can reach even greater levels of achievement.

Our specialties

Focus on STEM

We’re the global STEM-specialist talent partner, with recruitment experts across the world. By bringing skilled people together, placing them in both contract roles and permanent jobs, we elevate expertise and energize progress for everyone. That’s how we build the future.

Science

By introducing talented candidates to organizations within the scientific sector we help them maintain their research operations into treatments, today and into the future.

During the pandemic we are proud to have supported the people behind the world’s response to the health crisis, building teams through our specialist brand Real Staffing.

Technology

Technology is rapidly evolving. Organizations need the expertise to keep up with the pace of change.

We place professionals with leading tech companies in the US and globally through our specialist recruitment businesses Computer Futures, and Huxley.

Engineering

Engineers are in high demand as the world races to meet new challenges providing renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure and cleaner transportation.

Use our contacts and networks at Progressive to connect with dynamic organizations.

Mathematics

Streamlining, cleansing and effectively managing data requires specialist skills.

We connect talented people with dynamic organizations across North America that are striving to compete in an increasingly data-driven world, through our specialist recruitment brands Madison Black and JP Gray.

Global house of specialist recruitment brands

Our global house of specialist brands gives a unique combination of expert recruitment knowledge and worldwide reach. Each brand brings expertise in specific sought-after skills within science, technology, engineering and mathematics. We understand them and know how to achieve the goals of STEM professionals and the organizations that need them across many sectors – for both permanent and contract work.

Computer Futures logo in grey and blue

Computer Futures

Computer Futures is one of the most dynamic and highly regarded specialist IT recruitment providers in the world, placing specialists in both permanent and contract roles for over 30 years.

We attract and nurture communities of tech talent within niche markets and technologies. Using our global network and local expertise, we partner outstanding people with companies driving change across the world.

Progressive Recruitment logo in grey and light blue

Progressive

Progressive is immersed in the world of start-ups and blue-chip multinationals, providing sought-after specialists in natural gas and electric utilities, renewable energy, oil and gas, and manufacturing.

Our enthusiastic experts across 15 global offices provide a specialist service relevant to your industry needs, covering mid-level jobs to executive and c-suite roles.

Real Staffing logo in purple

Real Staffing

Real Staffing is a global leader in recruitment for the pharmaceuticals, medical devices and biotechnology sectors, with specialist services within IT and the public sector.

By delivering customized solutions for companies of all shapes and sizes, we manage change and deliver cost efficiency improvements through technology, information, and people for influential partners.

Huxley logo in dark grey

Huxley

Huxley is a global leader in contract and permanent recruitment services for banking and finance, engineering, IT and supply chain industries.

By understanding the movement and motivations of skilled professionals, we develop partnerships with world-renowned companies, matching them with experienced workers within niche markets and skill sets.

Global Enterprise Partners Logo in grey and orange

Global Enterprise Partners

Global Enterprise Partners is an enterprise technology agency based in the US and the Netherlands, placing specialist contractors across North America and Europe in SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics and Salesforce projects.

Finding the right people can be a challenge. Our committed consultants use an agile approach to provide market-specific advice, placing specialist contractors wherever, and whenever, they are needed.

JP Gray logo in purple and dark blue

JP Gray

JP Gray is based in the Netherlands and focuses on cutting-edge organizations across Europe in need of talented candidates in finance, IT, customer services, logistics and supply chains, support and technical sectors.

With our three core values of service, quality and speed at the heart of everything we do, we deliver best-in-class recruitment driven by the specialist skills of candidates and unique needs of our clients.

Madison Black logo in black, dark grey and blue

Madison Black

At Madison Black our mission is simple. We connect the best creative talent in the United States with industry disruptors in need of design, marketing, communications, advertising and public relations roles.

Throughout our extensive network of quality candidates, our dedicated contractor team provides a personal service, finding and placing creative flair that our competitors struggle to find.

Values and culture

Portrait, girl lighted with colorful code

Helping solve complex global challenges

We’re bringing skilled people together to build the future. The talented people we place are solving some of the most complex challenges the world faces today, including tackling climate change, developing vaccines and providing the technology used to educate the next generation.

employee waving bye to team on virtual meeting

A diverse, welcoming culture

Specialist Staffing Group is a people business. We’re an inclusive team with an open, diverse and welcoming culture in a flexible working environment. Our business is full of bright, pro-active, forward-looking people who bring energy and fun to the workplace. They care about each other - collaboration is key to everything we do.

Factory workers discussing manufacturing plan while looking at a computer

Accelerated career development

We’re experts in a market that’s always evolving. As the role of the recruiter changes, we attract digital savvy individuals with a collaborative approach to working. Most of all we look for people skills, those who can connect and understand others’ needs with the ability to build powerful talent networks.

Our leadership

Executive Committee

Our senior leaders support our Chief Executive in the implementation of strategy, operational plans, policies, procedures, and budgets, managing regional and group operations for our global house of specialist recruitment brands and group functions. 

Meet the Board

Our diverse board has a complementary mix of skills and expertise. They are responsible for the overall management of our business and set our strategy, policies, and operational framework, ensuring resources are in place to meet our objectives.

Awards and accolades

Support Services category winner - UK 2021 , Britain's Most Admired Companies

Top Employer - Mittelstand Germany 2022, Top Employer Institute

Sustainable Recruitment Agency of the Year 2020, Recruiter Awards

Think, Act, Report, Gender Equality at Work

Global footprint

Our offices cover 44 locations in 12 countries.

Read our latest insights

Engineering skills aren’t really changing but job titles are
16 August 2023

Engineering skills aren’t really changing but job titles are

Yves Urban asks whether changing traditional job titles could attract more people to the engineering industry.

Summary of findings

Summary of findings

Dive into the attitudes and expectations of STEM professionals as they try and make sense of our rapidly changing working environment.

Why hourly rates for tech contractors are still rising 
29 June 2023

Why hourly rates for tech contractors are still rising 

Long-established sectors like banking and energy are snapping up IT professionals as digital transformation accelerates

How companies can capitalize on the global megatrends
27 April 2023

How companies can capitalize on the global megatrends

Three key areas of focus that can make firms attracting more STEM talent these days

Five global megatrends fueling STEM recruitment
25 April 2023

Five global megatrends fueling STEM recruitment

Demand for STEM talent is on the rise, but what is driving the increase?

What will developers do with 40% more time?
20 April 2023

What will developers do with 40% more time?

Developers are set to get a lot of time back when AI writes the boring and repetitive code

Breaking the Glass (BTG) program helps to address gender disparity in STEM
01 March 2023

Breaking the Glass (BTG) program helps to address gender disparity in STEM

Empowering women to access roles and promotions in STEM through our Breaking the Glass community program.

Will the rise of contracting continue?
07 February 2023

Will the rise of contracting continue?

Our research shows that contracting continues to grow in popularity, but will temporary roles soon outnumber permanent ones? Explore what...

Flexible staffing solutions for challenging times
26 January 2023

Flexible staffing solutions for challenging times

Companies increasingly want to staff projects with on-demand and agile STEM skills, during tough times employers want flexible options. F...

Useful links

Working with Specialist Staffing Group

Candidate Center

People and planet

Client Center

Our Brands

Our brands

Our global house of specialist brands gives a unique combination of expert recruitment knowledge and worldwide reach.

Explore our brands

Latest news from Specialist Staffing Group

15 November 2022

Specialist Staffing Group's Sunny Ackerman and Karima Green Named on SIA’s Global Power 150 Women in Staffing List

The award highlights women who have made significant contributions to their companies and the staffing ecosystem.

20 October 2022

Timo Lehne, CEO, has been named on SIA’s Staffing 100 Europe list

Timo Lehne, CEO, has been named on SIA’s Staffing 100 Europe list

07 October 2022

Specialist Staffing Group’s ‘STEM Equity Coalition’ wins American Staffing Association Elevate award

Specialist Staffing Group's ESG team have won the American Staffing Association (ASA) Elevate award for their 'STEM Equity Coalition' p...

28 April 2022

Timo Lehne appointed CEO

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Timo Lehne as permanent Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect.

07 March 2022

Sunny Ackerman is named one of North America's 100 most influential leaders in staffing

President of Specialist Staffing Group has been recognised on the Staffing Industry Analysts’ (SIA) Staffing 100 North America list for 2...

01 March 2022

2021 Annual Report: Discover how the Group is delivering STEM talent

Read how the Group is connecting sought-after STEM specialists with pioneering global companies in our 2021 Annual Report and TCFD statem...

31 January 2022

Group appoints new Chief Technology and Information Officer

Nick Folkes takes on role of Chief Technology and Information Officer, having been in the role as an interim since October 2021.

31 January 2022

Group posts record profits with performance up 111% year-on-year

Full-year results for the year ended 30 November 2021 show profit before tax of £60m.

28 January 2022

Group ranks top in Support Services sector in Britain’s Most Admired Companies 2021

Study published by Management Today puts Group first in eight of the 13 key criteria.