Inclusive hiring isn’t just something we talk about at Sanderson, it’s a core part of how we work every day.

It shapes how we support our clients, engage with candidates and deliver consistently high-quality recruitment.

That’s why, in early 2026 we took part in the Talent Spaces Inclusive Hiring Certification, an independent assessment designed to evaluate how well inclusive hiring is embedded across an organisation.

We’re really pleased to share that we achieved a ‘Confident’ certification level.

What is the Inclusive Hiring Certification?

The Talent Spaces certification brings together academic research, regulatory guidance and industry best practice into a clear framework for inclusive hiring. It assesses organisations across six stages of the recruitment lifecycle, awarding one of three levels: Committed, Confident or Leader.

At its heart, inclusive hiring is about intentionally designing recruitment processes that reduce bias, widen access to opportunities and support fair, evidence-based decision making.

Our assessment included leadership surveys, consultant interviews across our service lines, as well as a detailed review of our policies, advertising, learning materials and processes which were then benchmarked against other recruitment organisations.

Why we did it

For us, inclusive hiring is fundamental to responsible recruitment. It helps open more diverse talent pools, improves candidate experience and ensures fairer outcomes throughout the recruitment lifecycle.

We undertook the certification to:

• Strengthen our ability to advise clients on inclusive hiring
• Make sure our practices stay consistent as we grow
• Create a clear framework for continuous improvement

What we were recognised for

We’re really proud to have achieved our ‘Confident’ level certification, reflecting the strength of our approach across the business.

In particular this assessment called out our:

• Strong, inclusive and skills-first culture
• Highly capable and professional consultants
• Particularly strong performance in talent attraction, candidate experience and accessibility

Importantly, it confirmed that inclusive hiring at Sanderson is embedded in what we do and not treated as a tick-box exercise.

What we’re doing well at

A few areas really stood out:

Consultant capability

Our teams show a strong awareness of bias and a consistent focus on skills-first, fair and merit-based hiring.

Candidate experience

We’re proud of our relationship-led approach, with a real emphasis on communication, preparation and respect throughout the process.

Inclusive attraction and accessibility

Inclusive advertising and thoughtful conversations around accessibility are already well established across the business.

Strong foundations

Our Inclusion & Diversity policy and learning programmes give us a solid platform for consistent, inclusive recruitment.

What’s next?

Achieving ‘Confident’ certification is a fantastic milestone and is a valuable independent validation of the work happening across Sanderson.

But while we’re proud of this achievement, we also see it as a stepping stone.

As we continue to grow our business in all locations across the world, we’re focused on:

• Building more consistency across systems and processes
• Strengthening governance, measurement and accountability
• Continuing to develop our inclusive advisory capability for clients
• Continuing to provide fairer access to opportunities for our candidates

If you’d like to learn more about our inclusive hiring approach, feel free to get in touch with our Responsible Business Lead at [email protected]

Sanderson is pleased to announce that our CEO Jon Ball has been listed in the Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) 2026 Staffing 100 Europe List.

This industry leading publication is now in its 13th year and recognises recruitment organisation leaders across Europe who are building the staffing and workforce solutions of the future.

This is a fantastic achievement for Sanderson as it recognises the continued success Sanderson has had in delivering recruitment solutions such as first-generation MSPs and RPOs over the last 12 months, particularly in what has been an incredibly challenging market.

The leaders named in this year’s SIA Staffing 100 Europe List, including Sanderson, have been called out for how they are leading with resilience, innovation and a clear vision for growth.

Ranking is a real testament to Sanderson’s ‘One Team’ ethos, and we’re delighted that our work delivering bespoke talent solutions to help our clients solve complex workforce challenges and create long term value in the market is recognised across our industry. This is particularly important to us this year since the sad passing of our founder Keith Dawe as we remain dedicated to continuing his legacy and ensuring partnership, bravery and passion for excellence remain at the core of everything Sanderson does.

If you’d like to find out more about the SIA 2026 Staffing 100 Europe List, as well as seeing a full list of honourees, please click here.

Sanderson is delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted as a finalist for two TALiNT Partners TIARA Staffing & Talent Solutions Awards for 2026.

Sanderson are finalists in:

• The Long-Term Partnership Award which recognises genuine partnership over a period of at least five years, looking at both sustained success and continuous improvement.
• The Jove Contingent Workforce Solutions Provider of the Year Award which recognises providers of contingent workforce solutions demonstrating the greatest innovation in contingent workforce sourcing and management, and the highest level of client service and supply chain engagement.​

To be a finalist for both these awards is a fantastic achievement for Sanderson as the TIARA Awards are one of the recruitment industry’s most prestigious awards programmes, recognising excellence, innovation, growth and leadership across staffing, recruitment, RPO, MSP and talent solutions organisations. They celebrate businesses that are shaping the future of talent acquisition while setting high standards for client service, candidate experience, technology, diversity and business performance – all of which are integral to Sanderson’s operations and our vision for the future.

We look forward to the next steps in the process and attending the Awards Ceremony in London later this year.

If you would like to find out more about the TIARA Staffing & Talent Solutions Awards and see a full list of the 2026 finalists, please click here.

Sanderson is delighted to announce that we’ve been shortlisted for two awards in the 2026 South West Business of the Year Awards.

We’ve been shortlisted for both Large Business of the Year and Social Impact.

These awards celebrate the South West’s most innovative and successful companies, so being recognised is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the dedication, passion and hard work of all the Sanderson team. It reflects not only our growth and continued success as a market leader in recruitment solutions, but also our commitment to making a positive difference in the communities where we live and work.

We would like to thank our all our clients, candidates and colleagues who continue to join us on our journey and help us create meaningful impact.

Congratulations to all the other finalists, and we look forward to the next stages!

If you’d like to find out more about the South West Business of the Year Awards, you can see a list of this year’s finalists here: https://businessoftheyearawards.co.uk/#southwest

Sanderson is delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted as a finalist for MSP of the Year in the APSCo OutSource Awards for Excellence.

This is a fantastic achievement for Sanderson as these awards celebrate the very best in outsourced recruitment and workforce solutions across the UK, with all finalist organisations having undergone a rigorous assessment by an independent panel of industry experts.

We’re extremely proud to be recognised in one of the Award’s most prestigious categories, Managed Service Provider (MSP) of the Year which recognises MSPs that go beyond traditional delivery models, showcasing excellence through strong supplier engagement, effective use of technology and a proven ability to optimise and future-proof contingent workforce programmes for clients.

We take outstanding service delivery seriously when it comes to MSPs, and so being shortlisted for this Award is a true testament to our commitment to our clients.

If you would like to learn more about the awards, please click here.

We look forward to continuing the process with APSCo and attending the awards ceremony in London in September.

A global Insurance company recently came to Sanderson needing to address their change management delivery and capability.

They were looking to build a permanent Enterprise Change team in a short space of time, so the Sanderson team quickly stepped in to help source, screen and deliver multiple roles in this space. Working as a strategic partner, our team delivered at pace and in a way that would set this client up for the future, and the project saw success highlights such as:

• Over 5500 candidates approached
• Creation of a bespoke cognitive assessment process
• 196hrs of hiring manager time saved
• 100% offer acceptance rates

Read on to discover how.   

The Challenge

The client had recently appointed a new Head of Enterprise Change, and they made some key observations such as the need for the company to bring in more experienced staff to support their change capabilities and delivery.

A proposal was then put together for a more effective change delivery framework which would reduce contractor cost and build a permanent internal change team. This structure came under four pillars: Portfolio Management, Change Management, Project Management and Business Analysis.

With only a handful of permanent Business Analysis and Project Managers and no Change Managers within Enterprise Change, the client needed to resource the team with the right disciplines in a short space of time.

Introducing Sanderson as a Resourcing Partner

Upon realising they needed to scale at pace, the client needed the help of a talent resourcing partner and so invited three recruitment companies to present a solution that would:

• Take responsibility for the end-to-end hiring process
• Elevate the client as an employer of choice
• Provide access to specialist talent in the insurance sector
• Save hiring managers time

During this process, it was clear for the client who would be their recruitment partner of choice.

“Sanderson was our first choice, we were drawn to their ways of working and instinctively knew it was the right path. It wasn’t just a good communication discussion, they stood out because they offered a sense of partnership but also a sense of transparency, agility and flexibility. Right from the get-go, it was their partnership approach that won the show.”

An Agile and Flexible Solution

The solution wasn’t just a “one-size-fits-all”. Led by Sanderson Insurance Practice Lead Denise Morris, we took the time to listen and work in partnership with the client. Here’s some of the key factors that stood out for them during the process:

Commitment

“They did all the heavy lifting for us”.

Sanderson hit the ground running with weekly meetings and created a dedicated reporting cycle in an interactive approach to screening, interviewing and shortlisting candidates in a short space of time.

“What worked was that we iterated our way to getting the best candidates, and that happened so fast, for the first round of screening they were coming to us with recommendations. It didn’t feel like a numbers game, Sanderson presented individuals who were quality candidates”.

With confidence in the top candidates, Sanderson offered advice and consultation in the final stages and presented the strongest CVs. This was then supported by a bespoke cognitive assessment process that was specific and unique for these types of change and transformation hires.

Flexibility

The client’s team really felt like they had a voice throughout and were heard when things needed to change. Sanderson were quick to respond to the evolving needs of the programme.

“As the recruitment process progressed, we had a much clearer vision and criteria for the type of candidates we wanted to interview. We knew what we needed, as did Sanderson, they helped to fine tune that process, they came on that journey with us.

While the scope of our requirements had evolved, our new recruits have surpassed expectations. They quality of candidates has been commented on by people outside of our team in their first 1-2 months of working here”.

A Strategic Partnership

The client reflected on the partnership and how Sanderson took their time to understand not just their strategic goals, but also their culture:

“I think one of the biggest things was the effort the team put into understanding us, what we were looking for and what we were building out. They understood the nature of the projects that we would be likely to drive and equally the projects we weren’t going to drive.

It was great to see the camaraderie being built by the new cohort of recruits. As they joined at the same time, there was a real sense of being in it together and we have worked to cement this attitude by organising workshops with the existing teams. The Sanderson team played a strategic role in helping us to construct our team charter”.

An Extension of the Team, Enabling BAU for Talent Acquisition

The client’s Talent Acquisition Lead expressed how Talent Acquisition worked seamlessly with both the Enterprise Change team, the team at Sanderson and together they delivered the work “as a triad”. Everyone had their role to play, and it freed up time for the TA team to work on the day-to-day support for the rest of the business.

“It was the effectiveness of Sanderson and the way they worked to ensure that I could carry on with my BAU job for the other parts of the business I support. I pretty much handed it over to Sanderson and trusted them to expedite this. And that’s exactly what happened. I was only really needed for facilitating admin or interviews. There was no disruption to the rest of Talent Acquisition, it was all in hand.”

Summary and reflections

A Project RPO Success

The solution we delivered here is called a Project RPO. This is a flexible recruitment solution that offers many of the benefits of outsourcing recruitment to a resourcing partner, but without the long-term commitment. You can find out more about Project RPO here.

Here’s what we delivered in numbers: 

Find out more about our RPO solution and get in touch with the team here if you’d like to have a conversation.

Manchester is a city that thrives on innovation, ambition, and transformation. It’s no surprise that businesses here demand recruitment partners who understand the pace, complexity, and potential of the region.

That’s where Sanderson, now strengthened by the acquisition of Outsource, comes in.

A Powerful Partnership for Manchester

In 2024, Outsource officially joined the Sanderson Group, bringing together two highly respected recruitment brands. The result? A seamless, full-service talent solution for clients across the North West.
From one-off hires to fully managed MSPs and RPOs, our Manchester team delivers with precision, speed, and care. We work across industries including Financial Services, Logistics, Retail, and more offering permanent, contract, and enterprise hiring solutions tailored to each client’s needs whether that’s financial services, logistics and supply chain, retail, engineering, media or technology.

Let’s Talk Talent

Whether you’re hiring for a single role or launching a large-scale recruitment programme, Sanderson Manchester is ready to help.

Find out more by downloading the Manchester Office Brochure via the form below.

It is with great sadness to share that Keith Dawe, founder of Sanderson, passed away on New Year’s Eve.

Keith was a visionary entrepreneur who helped to shape the recruitment industry. In the 1970s, he launched Tamar DP, one of the country’s first IT contract recruitment businesses, and in 1982, he founded Sanderson, taking it from a small Bristol based company to the global talent solutions business it is today with over 500 employees in locations across the UK, Ireland, India, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Keith was passionate about creating opportunities for talented individuals, and his values of fairness, compassion, and loyalty remain central to Sanderson’s culture today. Many careers were built thanks to his belief in developing people and sharing knowledge.

“Keith’s influence will continue to guide us,” said Jon Ball (Sanderson CEO) “His principles are embedded in everything we do. As we look to the future, we are committed to honouring his legacy by building on the success he created and continuing to grow Sanderson into the market-leading recruitment and talent solutions company he envisioned.”

Keith is also remembered for his time as Chairman of Bristol City Football Club from 2012 to 2019, overseeing a historic period that included winning the League One title and Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in the 2014/15 season.

Sanderson extends its deepest condolences to Keith’s family, friends and colleagues.

Sanderson is delighted to announce that we have been awarded the Fast Payer Award for 2025 from Good Business Pays CIC.

We are thrilled to be awarded this prestigious award, and even more proud to have earned this for the 4^th year in a row.

The accreditation means that we are in the top 10% of large companies that have consistently paid their suppliers in 27 days or less, demonstrating our commitment to our business values and our communities.

Commenting on this achievement, our CEO Jon Ball said:

“Sanderson is proud to be leading the way as a large UK company helping to ensure our suppliers are paid on time. This not only demonstrates our commitment to our communities, but also to our financial stability in what has been a challenging few years in the market. To be recognised for doing this consistently and year after year is a fantastic achievement.”

On Wednesday 7^th January Sanderson will also be pleased to attend the Good Business Pays Awards Ceremony in London at the House of Lords to receive our award in person.

You can find out more about the awards here: https://goodbusinesspays.com/fast-payer-awards-2025/

Since its launch in 2020, the Strive Internship Programme has opened doors for over 130 young people from underrepresented backgrounds, connecting them with meaningful opportunities across 35+ organisations in the South West. Now under the leadership of Sanderson, Strive is more than just a summer internship — it’s a movement for equity, inclusion, and real-world impact.

Why Strive Matters

Strive isn’t just about work experience. It’s about belonging, mentorship, and representation. It’s about helping young people see their potential — and giving employers the chance to discover untapped talent that can transform their teams and culture.

This year, we’re celebrating the success of Strive 2025 and looking ahead to an even bigger 2026. And we want you to be part of it.

You’re Invited: Strive 2026 Launch Event

📍 Ashton Gate, Bristol
📅Wednesday 21st January 2026
🍸 Drinks, canapés, and inspiring conversations

Join us for an evening of connection and inspiration. Hear from past interns and employers, meet Bristol Bears special guest Gabriel Ibitoye and explore how your organisation can get involved.

Register your interest here

What You’ll Take Away

Our panel will explore powerful questions like:

• What does opportunity really mean?
• How does mentorship unlock potential?
• Why does representation matter in the workplace?
• What barriers still exist — and how can we break them down?

Expect some inspiring stories you can take back to your organisation.

Let’s Build a More Inclusive Future — Together

Strive is your chance to be part of something bigger; to invest in the next generation and to create a workplace where everyone feels they belong.