2022 sponsors

We wouldn't be able to put on much of a show without our sponsors. They all have a real passion for exceptional graduate recruitment. Read their stories here.

Founding sponsor

Teach First

Teach First is a charity working to end educational inequality. We believe inspirational teaching and leadership is key to helping every child succeed, regardless of their background. Since 2002 over 7,000 graduates have joined the Teach First Leadership Development Programme (LDP) in schools across England and Wales and have helped change the lives of thousands of young people in low-income communities.

The LDP is a personalised programme that encompasses high-quality training, supportive coaching, work experience and a PGCE qualification. The skills and experience gained can be taken forward into any career. That’s why many businesses recognise our programme’s ability to effect change and develop leaders for the future. Put simply, they know that graduates who can engage, stimulate and inspire in the classroom can handle pretty much any situation in any organisation.

As founding sponsors, we are delighted to have the opportunity to share our theory of change and celebrate best practice with our colleagues in the graduate recruitment industry.

Research partner

Cibyl

Cibyl is a leading student market research team in UK and Ireland. We provide employers, universities, professional bodies and researchers with unparalleled insights into students’ career thinking. Supporting attraction, equality, diversity, brand, virtual engagement, talent management and career service planning.

This year, 100,000 school students, undergraduates and recent graduates have taken part.

We’ve captured a broad range of opinion from them on the early careers market, including awareness and attractiveness of employers, relocation and mobility information, how and why students are making choices about careers, key demographic intel including: social profile, gender, year and subject of study, ethnicity, nationality and data on sexuality and disability.

Our team of MRS accredited researchers and analysts cut this data to get bespoke findings unique to individual employers. We consult with you on your competitive position, attractiveness amongst target group students, methods of engagement, help you to develop a school and campus strategy, help you to recruit a more diverse profile and get you to understand where and why you are missing out on relevant and ‘right fit’ talented young people.

Our methods can include quantitative, qualitative and focus group research, we offer year round data support, we have our own survey platform and can execute bespoke surveys or snap polls getting you the answer to a single issue of strategic importance or help you solve a problem. We are adept at reviewing a range of data sources as well as our own, offering you practical and actionable advice to help you build an informative picture and develop an early careers strategy that really works.

Cibyl's data is the source of the sector awards at the TARGETjobs National Graduate Recruitment Awards.

The Cibyl UK Graduate Research survey also sits behind The UK 300 rankings, distributed to the UK’s top universities every year.

To get a demo of our data and to find out more go to trendence.co.uk or call Eimear McNabb, UK Business Lead, on +44 (0)20 7654 7234

Premium partner

SHL

Delivering talent innovations and proven results for over 40 years

We help companies transform productivity through deeper people insight. Powering the future of business, our data and tools are proven to drive stronger, more sustainable business outcomes.

We are people experts

We understand, and measure, the things that make people successful at work. Most importantly, we show you if individuals will be a good fit for a particular role and whether they’ll flourish in your organisation.

With this sort of insight – derived from our complex people science, data analytics and deep expertise – you’ll be empowered to make confident, timely decisions about hiring, managing and developing people.

Unlocking productivity

It starts with your people. Leaders face tremendous pressure to achieve organisational goals and make their businesses more efficient. Having the right people is key to improving productivity for today, and the future.

How do you know if you have the right people? What skills and capabilities are needed to succeed in your firm? Are you giving the right people career growth? We can provide you with the resources to identify and develop your employees' potential.

University of Leicester

Sponsoring the best social mobility strategy award

At the heart of the UK, Leicester is a leading university committed to international excellence, world-changing research and high-quality, inspirational teaching. We are re-defining the impact a university can have in the 21st century and are proud to be one of the most socially inclusive of the UK’s leading universities.

We consistently attract high numbers of students from under-represented groups, but our commitment to an inclusive and accessible culture goes much further than providing a first-class education. We work with employers and graduate developers to help the brightest talent – regardless of their background – understand, work towards and access, the most sought-after graduate roles.

We firmly believe that the greatest impact on social mobility comes through employment. By sponsoring this award we want to celebrate employers that not only share in this vision but, like the University of Leicester, are leading the way to make this happen.

For more information visit www.le.ac.uk/employers.

NFU Mutual

Sponsoring the most popular graduate recruiter in banking, insurance and financial services award

NFU Mutual offers a wide range of products, including general insurance, pensions and investments. These products and services are delivered through the agency network, as well as through a direct sales and service centre.

With over 300 offices located in rural towns and villages throughout the UK, NFU Mutual has become part of the fabric of rural life and remains committed to serving the needs of people who visit, live or work in the countryside.

We welcome graduates into our organisation every year across all areas of the business, from customer services, marketing and HR, through to potentially becoming one of our sales agents of the future.

We are really proud to sponsor the award for the most popular graduate recruiter in banking, insurance and financial services 2022.

Lidl

Sponsoring the rising star award

Lidl GB is delighted to be part of the 2022 targetjobs National Graduate Recruitment Awards and, in particular, to be associated with the rising star award.

We’re famous for being ‘Big on Quality, Lidl On Price’. Offering the highest quality products at the lowest possible prices has definitely helped us become the success we are today, but that’s only part of the story, because it’s our people that bring Lidl to life. Our business is built on their dedication, and our success is their success.

We’ve taken a proactive approach to championing, promoting and supporting talent wherever we find it – meaning you’ll find rising stars at every level in our organisation. With many of our senior leaders having joined Lidl as graduates, we really do recognise, reward and encourage the value and potential of our graduates.

We are passionate about developing grassroots talent through every stage of their careers, from educational achievement through to professional ambition. It’s what has shaped our diverse and committed workforce, and what will ensure we continue to be an agile, quality-driven business.

GTI Recruiting Solutions

Extending Customer Success, if you need additional support or resource, we offer a range of services as either one-off projects, platform implementations or ongoing support.

Our experience of graduate and apprenticeship strategies and hiring comes from our work as recruiting outsource partner for many leading organisations.

Platforms

Applicant Tracking System. ATS platform.
Virtual programme management platform. targetconnect for Employers.
Video interview and assessment platform.

Services

Candidate experience strategy
Virtual event facilitation
Recruitment delivery
Candidate experience management
Analytics
Social media management

HSBC

Sponsoring the best virtual attraction activity or campaign award

HSBC is the world's leading international bank.

Headquartered in London, HSBC is one of the largest banking and financial services organisations in the world. HSBC's international network comprises around 6,300 offices in 75 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa.

The HSBC Group's values describe how the Group interacts with each other internally, with customers and with the wider community. All employees are expected to have and reflect the Group's values.

The following three statements summarise the Group's values. HSBC's culture is among its signature strengths: It has been and is key to the Group's past and continued success.

Open to different ideas and cultures
Connected with our customers, community and each other
Dependable and doing the right thing

The HSBC Group is committed to the following business principles:

Outstanding customer services
Effective and efficient operations
Strong capital and liquidity
Prudent lending policy
Strict expense discipline

In the UK, HSBC provides over 300 graduate jobs each year in commercial, global banking and markets, group private banking and retail banking and wealth management. We also offer over 190 internship placements to undergraduates. HSBC is committed to developing people so they can perform to their potential.

TJX Europe

Sponsoring the most popular graduate recruiter in consumer goods – manufacturing and marketing award

You might not have heard of TJX Europe, but you’ve probably heard of our brands – TK Maxx and Homesense. We’re part of the world’s leading off-price apparel and home fashions retailer – TJX Companies Inc.

Our story began in the United States in 1977 with the opening of two TK Maxx stores in Massachusetts. Now, 40 years later, we have over 4,000 stores in nine countries across three continents (plus three e-commerce sites) – all staffed by more than 249,000 associates. Combined with our unconventional off-price business model, we are a truly global retail force.

We have an annual global turnover of over $35bn and our business just keeps on growing.

While our story begins in the United States, TJX Europe now has over 600 stores across Europe as well as a successful online retail business. We’re growing at a fantastic pace globally, which makes TJX Europe the perfect place to launch your career.

We’re an international business, so there are openings for your career in a range of different countries across Europe, and maybe even further afield. With our support, you’ll be perfectly placed to launch a truly international career.

L'Oréal

Sponsoring the best student marketing campaign award

With 32 world-famous brands selling in 130 countries, it’s easy to see why L’Oréal is the world’s number one cosmetics group. Even our brands are household names in their own right. From Ralph Lauren to Diesel; Maybelline to The Body Shop, if there’s a name you love in cosmetics, there’s a good chance it’s ours. That’s because we have the best talent in the business, constantly working to invent and revolutionise the industry.

We believe every day is a new day to explore, start new adventures and lead the change, and that’s reflected in the talent we recruit for our management trainee schemes, industrial placements, summer internships and spring insights. You’ll be inventive and passionate; driven and talented. And we’ll help you do great things with that talent, challenging you to push yourself and hone your skills. Wherever you are and whatever you do, you’ll work on real projects for global brands and make a palpable impact on our international success story.

Rolls-Royce

Sponsoring the best work experience programme award

Rolls-Royce is one of the world’s leading industrial technology companies, pioneering cutting-edge technologies that deliver clean, safe and competitive solutions to our planet’s vital power needs.

We have always championed innovation and quality and we owe this to the spirit, passion and expertise of our people. Throughout our history, they have helped us to break new ground, establish new standards and shape the world we live in. This has taken us from our founding expertise in internal combustion engines to the world’s most powerful and efficient aero-engines.

Today, our core businesses are Civil Aerospace, Defence and Power Systems.

Great businesses need great talent and we are committed to attracting and developing people from diverse backgrounds and providing an environment where they can be themselves and be their best. Our early careers programmes provide the opportunity to contribute, develop and excel. We value the insights and fresh perspectives of young talent and recognise them as future leaders.

To find out more, visit: careers.rolls-royce.com

University of Exeter

Sponsoring the most popular graduate recruiter in energy and utilities award

As a leading international and Top 10 university, the employability of our students is a major strategic priority for everyone at Exeter. The huge investment and commitment in embedding career and employability support internal and external to the curriculum continues to impact on the success of our graduates across all sectors of the graduate labour market and related league tables.

These achievements are formally recognised through multiple accolades and national awards including Exeter becoming the first and only University to receive the AGR’s (now ISE) ‘Best of the Best’ Blue Ribbon award.

In the seminal and critically acclaimed paper on the future of higher education “An Avalanche is coming” the authors referred to Exeter’s employability services as “A great example of the future”. Our aim is to build upon this reputation and become the University of choice for employers and career-minded students alike.

If you would like to work with us on developing and recruiting world-class student and graduate talent visit our website to find out more: www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/employers

Meet & Engage

Sponsoring the best on-boarding experience award

Meet & Engage provide a complementary suite of candidate experience technology, giving employers and candidates the best of both worlds- personalisation and automation – delivered by an award-winning team of experts. With our Live Chat Q&A platform you can create branded, moderated live chat events to engage at every stage of the recruitment process. Our Candidate Experience Chatbots enable employers to enhance the relationship with candidates online 24/7 and automates elements of the recruitment process. Candidate Experience Bots can do everything from helping candidates understand more about your roles to managing the screening process.

targetconnect

Helping universities to deliver world-class graduate outcomes

Built in collaboration with world-leading universities, taregtconnect puts the technology in place to boost the efficiency of busy student services to enhance the student experience, maximise career readiness and improve employability outcomes.

For employers, we offer targetconnect Link – the UK’s only national graduate job distribution network. This services lets employers distribute their vacancies directly to over 75 leading university job boards through careers services.

Havas People

Sponsoring the best school leaver programme award

Havas People is a global, full-service agency with a single-minded focus on creating meaningful brands for the changing world of work and study. Our work spans the entire ‘People Agenda’ concerning organisations: from employer branding to talent attraction; from learning & development to employee engagement; from recruitment technology services to digital solutions.

Simply put, through every interface, interaction and encounter along the employee journey – we design communications solutions that enhance the Employee Experience. We captivate early talent with content that is personalised, engaging and thoughtful, and we do it for some of the world’s biggest names, government departments, universities and charities.

Find out more at www.havaspeople.com

AstraZeneca

Sponsoring the best diversity and inclusion strategy award

Experian

Sponsoring the most popular graduate recruiter in technology award

Experian is the world’s leading global information services company.

What motivates us is our “why”: using the power of data and technology to create a better tomorrow for people and organizations everywhere. Whether it’s in finance, healthcare, public service or elsewhere, we use our powerful data intellect and innovation to support people and help them thrive.

During life’s big moments, from buying a home or a car, to sending a child to University, to growing a business by connecting with new customers — by turning data in to something meaningful, we empower consumers and our clients to manage their data with confidence.

We have a workforce of 20,000 people operating across 44 countries. By investing in our people, technology, and innovation, we can help transform businesses, help communities prosper, enable more people to feel included in the financial opportunities that should be available to them, and help people to thrive.

We are always looking for inspired Graduates and Apprentices from a diverse range of backgrounds, who want to make an impact and a difference in the world of technology and create a better tomorrow. We are proud to be sponsoring the ‘Most popular graduate recruiter in technology’ award.

Every day brings new challenges, new opportunities, new ways for us to do what we do best: using our innovative technologies and data to work in new and surprising ways. All brought together in a single thought: ‘Discover the Unexpected’. It’s an approach that leads to a #UniquelyExperian way of working.

To find out more visit: UK&I Early Careers (experian.com)

University of Leicester School of Business

Sponsoring the most popular graduate recruiter in retail award

The Sustainable Recruitment Alliance

Sponsoring the sustainability in early talent recruitment award

TopScore

Sponsoring the most popular graduate recruiter in investment banking and investment award

TopScore provide assessment centre software, for virtual and face-to-face assessment centres & interviews.

The TopScore Digital Assessment Centre Platform streamlines the assessment centre process with a complete paperless approach, allowing for digital efficiency; saving time, money and resources, particularly when used to create an ALL-IN-ONE experience for virtual assessment centres.

Key Features:

Automated scheduling
Customisable scoring and exercise forms
Candidate written exercises and case-studies
Securely kept materials and documents
Feature rich score and feedback dashboards
Completely integrated videoconferencing
Instant chat
Showcase your brand
Embedded “Accessibility Toolbar” for assistance
Go paperless with one platform!

For more info, head to www.topscoretech.com