Freelance staffing platform YoungOnes is expanding its UK operations to Manchester, its second city launch in the UK, after first landing in London in 2021.
The Dutch start-up was founded by Pim Graafmans, in Holland in 2017 as an offshoot of YoungCapital recruitment agency and recently hit the milestone of having provided seven million hours of support to businesses.
The platform “turbocharges how businesses connect with quality freelancers” for both long-term and last-minute workforce needs. ]
Since its launch – it has helped connect countless businesses across a range of industries, with 350 UK businesses signing up to the platform to find quality freelancers since 2021.
The platform assists an array of big names with their staffing needs including Nando’s, HelloFresh, IKEA and H&M.
In London, YoungOnes currently provides gigs at luxury hotels and A-List celeb haunts including Shangri La at The Shard and the exclusive Berkeley Hotel.
The platform not only meets short-term business needs – with responses to gig posts as fast as five minutes – but is also able to connect staff from a quality talent pool with companies’ long-term needs, replacing the need for agencies.
Ian Brown, Head of Operations at Manchester-based sales samples company, Showcase, said: “YoungOnes have been an invaluable support. While running pop-up luxury sample events in Manchester, finding staff on the platform has been easy.
“It is especially great to be able to see freelancers’ star ratings and know you will be getting quality people to join the team. We couldn’t have done it without them.”
YoungOnes set its sights on the hospitality and industrial hotspot of the North, to help the city’s fast-moving businesses meet their ever-changing staffing needs.
To launch its Manchester expansion, YoungOnes connected Manchester City Council’s Neighbourhood team with a squad of litter pickers, and the platform is already working with some renowned Manchester favourites such as Masons Bar and Restaurant, connecting them with quality freelancers.
YoungOnes City Launcher, Joe Loughlin, has said: “YoungOnes’ fantastic success in the Netherlands has continued since its launch in the UK and we’re delighted to expand to the Northern powerhouse of Manchester.
“Since its launch, YoungOnes has connected countless businesses with quality freelancers, and we look forward to helping Manchester businesses do the same, across its thriving hospitality, retail and logistics sectors.”
