prabhu
The Access Group, a Loughborough-based leader in business management software, has strengthened its HR offerings by acquiring Eploy, a specialist talent acquisition platform, on 27 June 2025. This move enhances the company’s ability to deliver comprehensive HR and payroll solutions to businesses across various sizes and sectors. Meanwhile, Leicester’s retail scene is thriving with the opening of Space NK’s first store at Highcross, marking a significant milestone for the city’s growing commercial landscape. These developments highlight the East Midlands’ dynamic business environment, blending technological innovation with retail expansion.
The Access Group’s Strategic Acquisition
Eploy Joins Access People
The Access Group, a major provider of business management software with over 100,000 customers globally, has acquired Eploy, a Kidderminster-based talent acquisition platform founded in 1998. Subject to regulatory approval, Eploy will integrate into Access People, the group’s HR and payroll division, which serves small, growing, and medium-to-large businesses. Eploy’s robust applicant tracking system (ATS) complements Access People’s existing portfolio, which includes payroll, workforce management, employee engagement, learning management, and talent acquisition tools. This acquisition enhances the division’s ability to offer end-to-end HR solutions, from recruitment to retirement.
Eploy’s platform streamlines recruitment processes, offering features like candidate sourcing, interview management, onboarding, compliance tools, advanced analytics, and employee referral programmes. Its collaborative tools enable hiring teams to manage workflows efficiently across industries such as retail, manufacturing, and healthcare. The acquisition aligns with The Access Group’s strategy to bolster its HR technology offerings, following recent acquisitions like HireAra (October 2024), CoreHR (2020), and People HR (2019), which have solidified its leadership in the UK and Ireland HR market.
Leadership Perspectives
Charles Butterworth, managing director of Access People, described Eploy as “an exceptional addition to our ecosystem.” He highlighted the platform’s proven expertise and innovation, noting, “Combined with our existing solutions, Eploy creates opportunities for delivering enhanced hire-to-retire solutions.” Chris Bogh, Eploy’s founder and CEO, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “Joining The Access Group is an exciting new chapter. Their customer-centric approach and dedication to product excellence align with our vision, allowing us to enhance customer experiences and empower businesses through technology.” These sentiments reflect a shared commitment to advancing HR solutions through innovation and integration.
Market Context and Impact
The acquisition strengthens The Access Group’s position in the HR technology sector, which is projected to grow at a 14% compound annual growth rate globally through 2023. Eploy’s ATS capabilities address the evolving needs of modern recruitment, particularly as businesses shift toward skills-based hiring to adapt to workforce changes, including the influx of Millennials and Gen Z candidates. By integrating Eploy into Access PeopleXD, a platform offering dynamic dashboards and data insights, The Access Group enhances its ability to deliver measurable ROI, streamline processes, and improve candidate experiences.
This move comes amidst The Access Group’s aggressive growth strategy, with 78 acquisitions completed by April 2025, including 18 in HR technology. Recent additions like HireAra and Diversely (2023) have bolstered its AI-driven and diversity-focused recruitment tools, positioning the company to meet the demands of a tightening labour market. With over 8,000 employees and a turnover of £618 million in 2022, The Access Group continues to expand its global footprint, supported by investments from Hg and TA Associates.
Space NK’s Leicester Debut
Highcross Welcomes a Beauty Giant
On 26 June 2025, Space NK, a premium beauty retailer founded in Covent Garden in 1991, opened its first Leicester store at Highcross, marking its 77th location in the UK and Ireland. Positioned next to Skechers on the lower mall, the store introduces Leicester’s first dedicated beauty retailer, joining existing health and skincare brands like Lush, Jo Malone, and Clarins. Offering over 100 global beauty brands, including Rare Beauty, Olaplex, and Drunk Elephant, the store has generated significant excitement, with queues forming early on opening day.
Michelle Menezes, centre director at Highcross, described the launch as “a real milestone for Leicester,” noting, “Space NK adds to a dynamic new phase for Highcross, alongside recent openings like Mango and Maki & Ramen, with Rituals soon to follow.” Andy Lightfoot, CEO of Space NK, added, “We’re thrilled to bring our curated beauty offering to Highcross, a location our customers have long demanded.” The store’s arrival reflects Leicester’s growing appeal as a retail destination, driven by consumer demand for premium experiences.
Retail Growth in Leicester
Space NK’s opening is part of a broader wave of retail investment at Highcross, which has welcomed several new brands in 2025. The centre’s strategic additions cater to shoppers seeking diverse experiences, from beauty to dining. Leicester’s retail sector is thriving, with Highcross positioning itself as a hub for both local and national brands. The economic impact extends beyond retail, creating jobs and boosting foot traffic, which supports nearby businesses. Space NK’s curated approach, focusing on high-quality beauty products, aligns with consumer trends toward premium, experiential shopping.
East Midlands: A Hub for Innovation and Commerce
Contrasting Fortunes
While The Access Group’s acquisition of Eploy signals growth in Nottinghamshire’s tech sector, the recent collapse of PLM Global, a Nottingham-based computer hardware supplier, underscores the region’s economic volatility. PLM Global’s closure on 25 June 2025, with all jobs lost due to a decline in orders, highlights challenges in the tech hardware sector. In contrast, The Access Group’s strategic acquisitions and Leicester’s retail expansion demonstrate resilience and opportunity, particularly in software and consumer-facing industries.
Regional Economic Dynamics
The East Midlands is emerging as a hub for technology and retail, supported by initiatives like the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s 20-year partnership with the East Midlands Combined County Authority to develop fusion energy skills at West Burton. This programme, set to create 6,500 jobs by the 2040s, complements The Access Group’s HR focus by equipping workers for high-tech roles. Leicester’s retail growth, driven by Highcross’s new stores, reflects consumer confidence and investment in the region’s commercial infrastructure. Together, these developments position the East Midlands as a dynamic economic centre.
Challenges and Opportunities
The Access Group faces the challenge of integrating Eploy while maintaining its customer-centric focus, especially amidst regulatory approval processes. The HR technology sector’s rapid evolution requires continuous innovation to stay competitive. For Space NK, sustaining consumer excitement in a competitive retail market demands consistent brand excellence and strategic marketing. Both companies benefit from the East Midlands’ connectivity and skilled workforce, but economic pressures, such as rising costs from recent budget changes, could impact profitability.
The Access Group’s acquisition of Eploy strengthens its HR solutions, enhancing its ability to serve businesses globally with cutting-edge recruitment tools. Space NK’s Leicester debut adds vibrancy to Highcross, reinforcing the city’s retail appeal. These developments, set against the backdrop of Nottingham’s tech challenges and emerging opportunities in fusion energy, highlight the East Midlands’ multifaceted economic growth. By leveraging innovation, strategic investments, and consumer demand, the region is poised to thrive as a hub for technology and commerce.
The Access Group’s acquisition of Eploy strengthens its HR solutions, enhancing its ability to serve businesses globally with cutting-edge recruitment tools. Space NK’s Leicester debut adds vibrancy to Highcross, reinforcing the city’s retail appeal. These developments, set against the backdrop of Nottingham’s tech challenges and emerging opportunities in fusion energy, highlight the East Midlands’ multifaceted economic growth. By leveraging innovation, strategic investments, and consumer demand, the region is poised to thrive as a hub for technology and commerce.
