Recruitment & HRInvestment

A HR tech company which helps organisations design and structure jobs that improve diversity and skills-based hiring has raised £1.75 million in a funding round led by Mercia and including existing backer Qantx and private investors.

The funding will enable Exeter-based RoleMapper to further develop its AI-powered platform and continue to grow its client base in the UK and US.

Designed for large organisations, the RoleMapper platform helps HR leaders redesign and simplify organisational job structures in readiness for new and future ways of working. This includes skills-based hiring – a way to recruit candidates based on their skill set rather than educational background – as well as hybrid and flexible working. 

The process traditionally takes years, but RoleMapper reduces this down to a matter of weeks, enabling global enterprises to stay ahead and react quickly to any market changes.

RoleMapper also designs and automates the creation of inclusive job descriptions. This gives managers the ability to attract candidates from more diverse backgrounds, as well as comply with equality laws or legislative changes.

RoleMapper was set up by Sara Hill, a former management consultant who previously founded Capability Jane Recruitment, which helps companies attract professionals seeking flexible or part-time roles. 

After launching the platform in 2019, she was joined by Gill Stewart, who has 20 years’ experience in senior roles in the recruitment industry and is now COO.

The company raised £950,000 from Qantx and angel investors in 2020. The latest funding round will enable it to add new features to the platform, boost its sales and marketing and expand its 22-strong team with a number of new hires.

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“Large organisations are currently facing significant challenges. Skills shortages mean finding the best talent is proving harder than ever, and this is down to outdated job structures and job descriptions – as well  as the need to improve diversity and offer greater flexibility to maintain a competitive edge,” said Hill. 

“Organisations need a better understanding of the skills each role requires so they can benchmark jobs and pay grades. RoleMapper helps with all of these. The funding will allow us to roll it out to further grow our presence in the UK and the US.”

The investment follows the launch of Mercia’s Bristol office in December last year. Rafael Joseph, Investment Manager with Mercia, added: “We are delighted to be backing another South West company, and one that promotes diversity and inclusion. 

“RoleMapper offers a unique range of services, some of which would previously have been carried out by large consulting firms at substantial cost. It has rapidly gained traction and attracted an impressive blue-chip client list. 

“The investment will help it to establish itself as a ‘must have’ tool to help organisations navigate the future of work.”

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