We’re thrilled to announce that our Recruitment and Onboarding team has been shortlisted for the In-House Recruitment Awards 2025 - and not just in one, but three prestigious categories:

· Onboarding Strategy

· Candidate Assessment

· Newcomer Team Award

This well-deserved recognition reflects the incredible strides the team has made in transforming the way IC24 recruits and welcomes new colleagues across the organisation.

At the heart of this success is a unique blend of smart technology and genuine human connection. While our newly implemented Applicant Tracking System (ATS) takes care of repetitive admin tasks and allows candidates to complete documentation quickly and easily from their phones, it’s our people who really make the difference. Every candidate is supported through each stage of the process by our Recruitment Partners, who liaise closely with hiring managers and ensure no detail is missed. It’s a seamless, efficient, and truly personalised experience, something our new joiners consistently tell us they value. In our most recent survey, 85% of new starters rated their experience 8 or above, with comments like:

“Honestly, Chloe L, Chloe A and Bekki were fantastic in facilitating the whole recruitment and onboarding process. I have felt very looked after throughout. Thank you!” “There is nothing I would change, the communication was consistent and timely, the online application and booking forms were very easy and onboarding smooth! Great process.”

Over the past 18 months, the team has grown into a strong and capable seven-person unit, managing over 500 vacancies a year across 52 operational sites. The ATS has been a game changer, replacing time-consuming paperwork with a fully digital, mobile-friendly system that’s linked directly to the application process. Onboarding time has dropped from 36 days to just 13, a 64% improvement and time-to-hire has reduced by 48%, allowing new starters to hit the ground running much sooner.

But the transformation hasn’t stopped at speed and efficiency. The team has also worked hard to ensure every new joiner feels informed, supported, and part of something bigger from the outset. A new candidate benefits booklet was created to give incoming colleagues a clear picture of life at IC24, our values, our culture, our colleague networks, and the support available to them from day one. It’s all part of a more connected, engaging, and inclusive approach to onboarding that reflects who we are as an organisation.

Speaking about the achievement, Suzanne Stevens, Head of Recruitment at IC24, said:

“This is a huge recognition of the hard work, dedication, and innovation that has gone into shaping recruitment and onboarding over the last 18 months. I’m incredibly proud of what the team has achieved so far, but we’re not stopping here! There’s still so much more we want to do, and this is only the beginning.”

We’re proud to see our Recruitment and Onboarding team celebrated on a national stage and look forward to the awards night with excitement. Whatever the outcome, this recognition is already a huge win.