Global leader in transportation systems, CAF, has appointed Morson Edge, as exclusive recruitment supplier for two of its UK businesses, CAF Rolling Stock UK and CAF Rail UK. Morson will provide permanent and temporary talent, as well as access to executive recruitment, across an initial three-year term.
Following a multi-stage competitive tender, Morson came on board in June and transitioned 70 contractors over to a new system in just six weeks with zero attrition. Morson drew on its extensive experience, accessible technology and wraparound support for both contractors and CAF to make the switch seamless.
CAF UK appointed a new recruitment partner robust enough to support all its recruitment requirements, from engineering and technical specialists to support functions such as finance, HR, quality, planning and procurement. This focus on recruitment comes as CAF works towards ambitious growth targets, driven by several significant contract wins in recent years, including a contract worth more than €500m to build and maintain the UK’s first tri-mode intercity fleet for LNER.
The business also recently opened a £10m overhaul facility in Manchester, where headcount is expected to double as work ramps up.
“From the outset it was clear that Morson is the right partner for our next phase of growth,” said Iain Taylor, Head of HR and Support at CAF Rail UK. “Not only is it robust and experienced as a business, but we’re aligned on the importance of social value.”
Jenny Buck, Head of HR & Support Services at CAF Rolling Stock UK, added: “Morson has already proven its value in the first months of our relationship. Implementation has been well guided by their dedicated team and the addition of its extensive range of inclusive technologies provides significant benefit to CAF’s EDI objectives.
“Beyond that, we’ve already completed our first social value initiative together, which we know will be one of many.”
Social value was a key consideration in CAF’s selection of its new recruitment partner, with the business looking for a supplier that could demonstrate a genuine commitment to creating positive impact beyond recruitment. As part of the three-year partnership, Morson has committed to providing almost £2m in social value support, with activity focused on creating benefits for communities and people alongside supporting CAF’s growth.
The partnership has already moved from commitment to action, with CAF and Morson employees coming together for a volunteering day at Rail World Wildlife Haven, supporting the conservation charity and contributing time and skills to its work. Further initiatives are planned throughout the partnership.
Gary Smithson, Managing Director at Morson Edge, said: “CAF is a specialist in the sector and has an incredible reputation in the industry. The team’s growth ambition and social value commitments align with our own, and we’re excited to partner with them on this next phase of growth.
“This partnership solidifies our place in the rolling stock talent ecosystem and gives us a deeper understanding of how to support and source rolling stock talent. From day one CAF’s internal stakeholders have been engaged and easy to work with, allowing us to move at speed,” he said.
