Case study: Powering a scalable and socially responsible workforce for Amey

Hays partnered with Amey to deliver a scalable managed service programme, enabling the recruitment and management of a complex, nationwide contingent workforce while improving efficiency, reducing costs and delivering measurable social value.
 

Overview 

Amey, a leading UK infrastructure and engineering provider, operates from over 150 locations and employs approximately 11,000 people, delivering vital services across highways, rail, facilities management, justice and defence.  

Since 2014, Hays has served as Amey’s managed service provider (MSP), supporting the recruitment and management of a diverse, nationwide contingent workforce at scale.

Challenge 

Amey required a scalable, high-performing MSP model that could manage complex hiring demands across multiple sectors and regions, while maintaining consistent quality, compliance and cost control. Workforce demand fluctuated significantly across projects, creating pressure on hiring managers to fill both high volume and niche roles quickly and reliably.
 

Key challenges included:

• Workforce scale:
  Managing more than 1,000 active contingent workers at any one time across 150+ UK locations and multiple disciplines
   
• Operational efficiency:
  Reducing time to hire and administrative burden while improving candidate experience and supplier performance
   
• Data visibility:
  Gaining real time insight into workforce activity, spend and supply chain performance to support informed decision‑making
   
• Strategic alignment:
  Embedding social value into recruitment activity alongside improving workforce stability and cost efficiency

Solution

Hays implemented a comprehensive MSP solution tailored to Amey’s operational and strategic requirements. Powered by Hays’ proprietary 3SS technology and bespoke Power BI dashboards, the solution delivered full transparency across workforce data, supplier performance and spend, enabling more proactive and informed workforce planning.

Recruitment activity was coordinated across more than 150 UK locations, supported by a robust supply chain of 34 specialist suppliers and dedicated Hays teams covering engineering, facilities, IT and professional services.
 

Beyond core recruitment delivery, the MSP model incorporated:

• Compliance assurance and governance
• Strategic workforce planning
• Continuous process optimisation to improve speed, quality and consistency

To support Amey’s wider business priorities, Hays also introduced a Social Value Fund and partnerships with voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations. This ensured recruitment activity delivered measurable community impact alongside operational performance, reflecting the evolution of the partnership beyond a traditional MSP model.

Outcome 

Hays now manages a large‑scale contingent workforce for Amey, delivering operational excellence, improved visibility and long‑term workforce stability.

The partnership has achieved:

• Management of 1,000+ active workers at any one time
• Around 660 starters per month, supporting fluctuating project demand
• A 50% reduction in time to hire
• Improved fill rates of 85%
• £600,000 in annual cost savings through improved processes, supplier management and workforce visibility
• Successful expansion of the MSP into Amey’s Transport Infrastructure Division, including the migration of approximately 500 additional workers

Beyond operational outcomes, the Social Value Fund invested £40,000 into four VCSE organisations, creating employment opportunities for disadvantaged groups and generating a £3.47 return for every £1 invested.

As Amey’s requirements have evolved, Hays has continued to deliver workforce solutions at scale, combining operational performance with strategic insight to support long‑term workforce planning and social value objectives.

Looking to optimise and scale your contingent workforce?

Speak to our workforce solutions specialists to deliver operational efficiency, workforce visibility and social value through a tailored MSP model.
 

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