MSP Workforce Solution for Utilities Leader Northumbrian Water

CASE STUDYBy Rullion on 19 August 2025

In late 2024, Rullion implemented a compliant, high-performing MSP workforce solution for utilities leader Northumbrian Water Group (NWG).

NWG delivers essential water and wastewater services across Northeast UK, Essex, and Suffolk. As the organisation prepared for its next regulatory period (AMP8), digital transformation took centre stage and with it, the urgent need for specialist talent in Information Services (IS), data, cybersecurity, and change management to support this transition. NWG partnered with Rullion to act as a strategic partner in delivering its people strategy during a pivotal transformation window.

NWG’s Challenge

NWG required a scalable workforce solution tailored to the challenges of the UK utilities sector. Like many regulated industries, NWG faced a set of complex challenges that were heightened by:

  • A 4-week mobilisation deadline (falling over the Christmas period)
  • Minimal legacy data
  • The transfer of 51 critical IS contractors with no service interruption
  • A parallel implementation of SAP Fieldglass
  • A need for full compliance and audit readiness from day one

A Sustainable MSP Workforce Solution for Utilities 

We deployed a fully managed MSP workforce solution built specifically for NWG’s priorities and digital transformation in utilities. Rullion became a trusted extension of the NWG team, working hand-in-hand with internal stakeholders, aligning to their delivery culture, and embedding collaborative governance to ensure shared accountability throughout the MSP’s rollout and beyond. 

Our programme ensured both short-term continuity and alignment with NWG’s wider AMP8 strategy, directly contributing to the water network’s commitment to sustainability, social value, and long-term infrastructure investment.

Mobilised in Four Weeks

Despite the condensed timeline, we transitioned 100% of in-scope workers on time, with no disruption to services. This was achieved through:

  • Joint governance and daily check-ins
  • 24/7 support over the festive period
  • Dedicated resource teams covering onboarding, compliance, and communications 

Future-Ready Infrastructure

In parallel with operational delivery, we project-managed the successful rollout of SAP Fieldglass and implemented data-led insights to support long-term workforce planning. This allowed NWG to gain:

  • More time back to focus on their roles
  • Real-time visibility of workforce spend
  • Automated approval and compliance routing
  • Data-led insights on performance and fulfilment

Direct Fulfilment with Niche Flexibility

Rullion fulfilled 100% of roles directly, improving accountability and speed. For specialist roles, we activated pre-vetted, values-aligned suppliers. All of whom signed up to our Supplier Code of Conduct and were held to performance scorecards. 

A Personalised Contractor Experience

We brought our Contractor Care programme to life from the outset, providing personalised support to every worker, while also aligning with NWG’s broader values through ED&I initiatives, social value projects, and community partnerships:

“I think both Zoe and Sinead have been helpful and informative and, throughout all of our interactions, a credit to Rullion. No suggestions here just praise and thanks for a recruitment consultancy that values the people it serves.”

- Senior Business Analyst

 

What We Achieved Together

The NWG MSP has driven strong results across workforce delivery, cost, compliance, and experience. With a strong foundation in place, the MSP is designed for long-term scalability. As NWG continues to evolve throughout AMP8, the programme supports agile workforce planning, improved demand forecasting, and continuous improvement through joint governance and insights-led optimisation.

Seamless Implementation

  • 100% of contractors transitioned on time, despite a condensed four-week window and minimal legacy data.
  • Effective contingent workforce management with zero disruption to services, preserving business continuity across mission-critical information systems projects during a peak period for infrastructure planning.

Faster, More Efficient Hiring

  • 65 hires made within the first phase, with over 50 still active in post.
  • 6.3-day time-to-offer (nearly half the 12-day industry benchmark) giving NWG a competitive edge in securing in-demand talent.
  • 20.3-day time-to-hire, (vs. 25-day sector average).
  • 100% fulfilment of all live roles through our direct delivery model and agile supplier support for niche needs.

Cost Savings and Control

  • £15,000+ saved in the first month alone, through improved fulfilment routes and transparent rate control.
  • SAP Fieldglass implementation enabled real-time cost visibility, audit-ready reporting, and smarter workforce planning.

Exceptional Experience for Contractors

  • +73.3 ‘World Leading’ Net Promoter Score (NPS) from contractors. Highlighting high satisfaction levels with onboarding, support, and communication.
  • CV-to-interview ratio of 2.3:1 and interview-to-offer of 2:1, showing strong candidate quality, shortlist accuracy, and hiring manager satisfaction.

Aligned to NWG’s Broader Values

  • Support for the Innovation Festival 2025, contributing to NWG’s culture of creativity and collaboration.
  • Inclusive hiring roadmap developed and embedded, with active ED&I tracking and inclusive recruitment training for all delivery teams and suppliers.

“Rullion took a true partnership approach, supported us throughout, and went above and beyond to ensure a successful launch. As a result, a great outcome was achieved for the business.”

— Vendor Manager at NWG

 

A Recognised Model of Best Practice

This programme has since become a benchmark within our wider MSP portfolio, recognised externally as a leading example of contingent workforce management and shortlisted for two GEM Award categories for our partnership-led success and ability to innovate to achieve great results.

Share
Looking for an MSP workforce solution for utilities or regulated industries?

Whether you’re navigating rapid growth, regulatory complexity, or sector-specific hiring challenges, our MSP model can flex around your goals.

Visit our MSP solution page or book a discovery call to see how we can help you build a high-performing, future-ready workforce. 

More like this

NEWS
Rullion joins Rail Forum to support rail recruitment

Rullion joins Rail Forum to support rail recruitment

Rullion has joined Rail Forum, strengthening its connection with the UK rail industry at a time when workforce demand, skills availability and project delivery pressures continue to shape the sector. The membership supports closer collaboration with industry partners and reflects a shared commitment to developing a skilled and sustainable rail workforce. James Saoulli, CEO at Rullion, said: “Rail has a major role to play in the UK’s long-term economic growth, and there is clear momentum behind the sector. Significant investment, increasingly complex programmes and growing workforce demand mean organisations will need strong delivery partners and access to specialist skills more than ever. Joining Rail Forum reflects our commitment to staying close to the challenges and opportunities shaping the industry and continuing to support rail organisations with the workforce expertise needed to keep critical programmes moving.” Rail Forum’s role in the UK rail sector Rail Forum is a national rail industry body representing organisations across the full supply chain. It brings together operators, suppliers and partners to collaborate on the issues shaping the sector, from skills and workforce development through to delivery and investment. Supporting industry collaboration and workforce development Joining Rail Forum allows Rullion to be part of the wider industry conversations around skills, workforce planning and project delivery. These challenges are becoming more interconnected, particularly as rail programmes rely on a mix of permanent teams, contingent labour and specialist suppliers operating across different stages of delivery. Strong collaboration between rail recruitment agencies, suppliers, and operators will be essential to support delivery and long-term growth. James Couchman, Rail Director at Rullion, said: “We are pleased to be joining the Rail Forum and welcome the enhanced visibility it provides. We look forward to developing valuable partnerships and exploring collaborative opportunities within the sector.” Rullion’s experience in rail recruitment Rullion has extensive experience delivering workforce solutions across the rail sector, including market-leading MSP and RPO solutions, with strength in rolling stock recruitment alongside rail infrastructure and operational support. Over the past two years, Rullion has delivered more than 1,100 placements, supporting clients to access the specialist skills needed to keep projects moving. Rullion’s experience in rolling stock recruitment continues to support some of the UK’s most complex fleet and maintenance programmes. Expanding access to rail talent across key markets Alongside its core rail recruitment solutions, Rullion continues to invest in initiatives that support long-term workforce development. This includes programmes such as Train to Deploy and early careers, which are designed to build new talent pipelines and address skills shortages across the sector. Rullion also supports international recruitment across key European rail markets, including Germany, the Netherlands and Ireland, helping clients access specialist skills where local availability is constrained. Joining Rail Forum reflects Rullion’s continued focus on supporting the rail sector’s evolving workforce needs. As investment and delivery demands increase, collaboration across the rail industry, workforce partners and wider supply chain will play an important role in building a more resilient and sustainable rail workforce.

By Rullion on 11 May 2026

NEWS
Rullion Appointed Stadler Rail RPO Workforce Solutions Partner

Rullion Appointed Stadler Rail RPO Workforce Solutions Partner

Rullion has been appointed as the exclusive RPO hiring partner for Stadler Rail in the UK, deepening a transport and rail recruitment relationship built across one of the sector's most diverse operator portfolios. The partnership now supports hiring across permanent, contract and fixed-term roles as Stadler continues to grow its presence across the UK network. The appointment covers recruitment for a range of skilled technical disciplines across Stadler's UK operations and customer contracts: Systems Technicians Modifications Technicians Warranty Technicians Stadler's UK footprint spans intercity and regional rail, urban metro systems and freight, including Greater Anglia, Wales & Borders, Merseyrail, Tyne & Wear Metro, Glasgow Subway and GB Railfreight's Class 99 fleet. Importantly, Stadler operates as a full-service supplier covering rolling stock manufacture through to in-service transport and rail fleet maintenance, and the RPO partnership is structured to support workforce needs across that entire model. Rullion's recruitment capability spans both mainline rail and urban transport networks. Find out more about our transport recruitment solutions. James Couchman, Rail Director at Rullion, said: "Stadler Rail has a significant and growing presence across the UK rail network, and being chosen as their exclusive RPO partner reflects the trust that leading rail organisations place in us to deliver in complex, safety-critical environments. The focus now is on supporting their long-term success by attracting high-quality transport and rail talent across the disciplines their teams need to maintain fleets and keep vital services running." The move to an exclusive RPO model reflects the confidence Stadler has placed in Rullion's ability to deliver consistently across varied and technically demanding environments. Stadler's spread across intercity, metro and freight means the work demands genuine breadth; each operating environment brings its own technical requirements and candidate profiles. That breadth is what sets Rullion's approach to RPO rail recruitment apart from generalist hiring. Rullion is the UK number one rolling stock recruiter, with more than 1,100 placements made over the last two years. Find out more about our rail recruitment solutions for rolling stock.

By Rullion on 07 May 2026