Jobs, B2B & outsourcing
When you hire a firm to fill roles or run part of your business, you want clear terms, reliable delivery and no surprises on the invoice.
Jobs, B2B & outsourcing companies
126 companies
About Jobs, B2B & outsourcing
Jobs, B2B & outsourcing covers businesses that sell services to other businesses, from recruitment and staffing agencies to firms that take over payroll, customer support, IT operations and back-office administration. Contracts in this area range from one-off placements to multi-year managed service arrangements, with the scope of work set out in detailed service agreements. Providers reach clients through direct sales teams, referral networks, online marketplaces and sector-specific tenders.
The market is made up of large multinational outsourcing groups alongside a substantial number of regional recruiters and specialist boutique providers. Many firms specialise in particular sectors such as healthcare, engineering, finance or technology, while others offer generalist temporary and permanent staffing. Client relationships are built around service level commitments, account management and pricing models agreed in advance.
Recruitment businesses in the United Kingdom are represented by the Recruitment & Employment Confederation, the principal industry body, and must comply with the Conduct Regulations 2003 governing the supply of workers. Employment rights for agency workers are set out in the Agency Workers Regulations 2010. Outsourcing providers operate under general commercial and data protection law, enforced by the Information Commissioner's Office, and many belong to trade associations that publish voluntary codes of practice.
Questions about Jobs, B2B & outsourcing
How do I choose a recruitment agency in the UK?
Check that the agency specialises in your sector and has consultants who understand the roles you want. Ask which fees apply, whether the employer or the candidate pays them, and what guarantee period covers placements. Confirm the agency is a member of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation, which sets a code of practice for its members.
What should I compare when looking at outsourcing providers?
Compare the service levels offered, including response times, uptime commitments and how service credits apply if targets are missed. Look at the contract length, the notice period needed to exit, and the charges for changes to scope. Check where the provider stores and processes data, since this affects obligations under UK GDPR.
Do I have a cooling-off period if I sign up to a business service online?
The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 give a 14-day cancellation right for distance contracts, but these rules protect consumers buying for personal use rather than businesses buying for their company. Business contracts set out their own cancellation position, so read the notice period, minimum term and early termination fees before you sign. Keep a copy of the signed terms and any correspondence about the contract.
How do I cancel a contract with a B2B supplier?
Find the cancellation clause in your contract and follow the method it specifies, which is written notice to a named address. Calculate the date by which your notice must arrive, taking the required notice period into account. Send the notice in writing, keep proof of delivery and ask the supplier to confirm receipt.
What rights do I have if a service provider performs badly?
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, services supplied to consumers must be performed with reasonable care and skill, and a consumer can ask for repeat performance or a price reduction if they are not. Where you are a business, the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 implies a term of reasonable care and skill into the contract unless it is validly excluded. Put your complaint in writing, state what went wrong and what remedy you want, and give the supplier a fair opportunity to fix it.
Who regulates recruitment and employment agencies in the UK?
The Employment Agencies Act 1973 and the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 set the legal framework. Enforcement sits with the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate, part of the Department for Business and Trade, which can take action against agencies that breach these rules. The Recruitment & Employment Confederation runs a voluntary code of practice and complaints procedure for its members.
Who handles complaints about business-to-business suppliers?
Start with the supplier's own complaints procedure, which should be set out in the contract or on its website. If the matter is not resolved, escalate in writing and seek advice from the Citizens Advice Business Helpline or a solicitor. For claims within the relevant limit, the Small Claims Track of the County Court can decide the dispute, and ombudsman schemes can consider unresolved complaints where the supplier is a member.
Does the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act apply to outsourcing contracts?
The Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 gives businesses a statutory right to charge interest and fixed compensation on late payments between businesses. It applies to most commercial contracts for services, including outsourcing, unless the contract excludes it in a way that meets the legal requirements. Check your payment terms, as the statutory rate is the Bank of England base rate plus eight percentage points unless the contract sets a different rate.
What should I look for in reviews of recruitment agencies?
Look for reviews that describe specific experiences, such as how the consultant handled the brief and how the agency communicated during the placement. Reviews from both candidates and employers give a fuller picture of how an agency works. Pay attention to how the company responds to negative reviews and whether the same problems recur across different reviewers.
How do I check whether a business services company is trustworthy?
Check the company's registration at Companies House, confirm its registered address and see whether its accounts are filed on time. Look at the directors and whether any have been disqualified, which is also recorded publicly. Ask for references from existing clients in your sector and check them independently.
What data protection rules apply when I share personal data with an outsourcing provider?
The UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 require a written contract between the controller and the processor that sets out the subject matter, duration, nature and purpose of the processing. The Information Commissioner's Office enforces these rules and can impose fines on organisations that breach them. Ask the provider to confirm its security measures, its approach to sub-processors and how it will notify you of a personal data breach.
Can I get a refund if a service I bought from a business does not meet the agreed standard?
Where you are a business, your remedies depend on the contract and on the implied terms of the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982, which allow you to claim damages for breach of the reasonable care and skill term. You may also be able to terminate the contract where the breach is serious and the supplier has failed to remedy it. Consumers buying services for personal use have stronger statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, including a right to a repeat service or a price reduction.