Case Study
Powering a reliable long-term MSP for UK Power Networks (UKPN)
How Matchtech became UKPN’s exclusive contingent recruitment partner, delivering 2,000 temporary workers across 52 UK sites over eight years.
Name of Company
UK Power Networks (UKPN)Sector
Energy & Power DistributionLocation
United KingdomConsultant
Graham DayThe Challenge
UKPN were seeking a new solution provider capable of delivering high-performing contingent workers across all disciplines, quickly and compliantly. Their previous providers had struggled to find the quality and volume of workers required, particularly in technical and STEM areas.
UKPN lacked visibility over their entire contingent workforce across numerous suppliers in various budgets. This resulted in compliance risk from misclassified workers and inefficiencies in resource deployment, planning, rate management and payrolling.
As a highly regulated business, UKPN also needed to demonstrate efficiencies across all procurement and operational activities to meet Ofgem requirements around cost control, continuity and customer experience.
No single supplier could meet the volume and quality required across UKPN’s 9 directorates and 52 UK sites, creating a fragmented and hard-to-manage supply chain.
MSP Solution Design
From neutral vendor to master vendor — evolving to meet UKPN’s needs
Following a competitive tender process, Matchtech was appointed as UKPN’s exclusive contingent recruitment partner in 2013. We were responsible for the recruitment of 300–600 temporary workers for UKPN’s 9 directorates each year across 52 UK sites and all skill sets, including power, safety critical, consulting, transportation and professional skills.
We initially implemented a neutral vendor model to deliver supply chain governance and cost control. Upon demonstrating value, we evolved to a master vendor model with high levels of direct fulfilment, leveraging our in-house recruitment brands Matchtech and Barclay Meade to deliver bespoke solutions per directorate.
Workforce Management Technology
Full visibility of spend, workers and compliance across the organisation
We implemented a purpose-built workforce management technology to give UKPN full visibility over their entire contingent workforce, total spend, and contractor payment status — all in one place. This ensured all contractors were paid on time and that a compliant, auditable process was maintained throughout.
An on-site team of solution professionals was also embedded at UKPN’s headquarters to maintain direct presence for hiring managers, drive worker engagement, and support effective workforce planning across all directorates.
Delivering Value
£1.5m in cost savings — and counting
Over the course of our partnership, we delivered spend-based cost savings totalling more than £1.5m to UKPN, including approximately £200k per annum, seasonal furloughing of IT contractors saving over £310k, and a coordinated 5% pay rate reduction for lower-risk workers saving over £185k in a single year.
We also delivered second-tier migration, moving contractors from agency supply to direct fulfilment — saving UKPN £23k in a single quarter and aligning with their ‘Sustainably Cost-Efficient’ vision.
Eight Years of Partnership
2,000 temporary workers placed, and a contract renewed
In 2018, we retained our contract through a highly competitive tender, commencing Phase 2 of our solution. This phase introduced improved technology-enabled processes, intelligent live reporting dashboards, strategic diversity and safety agendas, and enhanced employer brand promotion through a bespoke UKPN microsite.
Across both phases, we provided over 2,000 temporary workers to UKPN, achieved 98% direct in-house delivery, delivered £1.5m in cost savings, and maintained an average hiring manager satisfaction score of 9.5/10 — while achieving a time-to-fill 40% faster than targeted.
“My feedback is very good for Matchtech. Trying to find good high quality designers can be challenging in the market. Matchtech deliver in both the number and high quality of candidates found and put forward.”
Pretitle
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