Sapphire’s new Chief Sales Officer, Alex Moore
Alex Moore, Sapphire’s new Chief Sales Officer, talks about the milestones that have defined Sapphire’s growth and how the new leadership structure positions the company as a full-service partner for its clients.
After seven years at Sapphire, it’s an honour to step into my new role as Chief Sales Officer. During my time here, Sapphire has matured into a trusted, compliance-first partner in the contracting market, and with our growing accountancy and technology services, we’re increasingly positioned as a full-service partner for recruitment agencies and contractors. My appointment forms part of our refreshed leadership structure, with Mark Connor stepping into his new role as our CEO, at what feels like a pivotal moment in our journey.
Since I joined in 2018, I’ve seen Sapphire go through huge milestones that have shaped the business we are today. Becoming Employee Owned in 2021 was transformational. It not only gave our brilliant team a real stake in the company’s success, but it also built deeper trust with recruitment agencies and contractors, who know they’re working with an umbrella that always puts people first.
That commitment has been brought to life through our Employee Ownership profit-share scheme. In 2024 we shared approximately £350,000, and this year we are paying out around a further £450,000 to eligible contractors – meaning we will have distributed up to £800,000 directly to contractors. No other umbrella company in the market can match that level of commitment.
Looking ahead, we know the contracting industry is entering a time of significant change. With new umbrella legislation and the upcoming Employment Rights Bill on the horizon, agencies and contractors need partners they can rely on for consistent, compliant service. At Sapphire, compliance is built into everything we do – from our FCSA accreditation, to SafeRec real-time auditing and our status as an APSCo Trusted Partner.
That’s why agencies recommend us with confidence: their contractors are paid accurately and on time, every week, and they have the reassurance that their business is protected from risk.
When I first joined Sapphire as Business Development Director, we were a team of just 15. Even then, it was clear this was a business with big ambitions and the potential to make a real impact in the market. Fast forward to today, and we’re set to surpass 100 employees, working with over 500 agencies nationwide – including many of the UK’s biggest names in recruitment.
As I look ahead in my new role, I’m excited to build on this success: ensuring contractors have the best possible experience and helping agencies unlock their full potential in a market that’s becoming more complex every year.
Sapphire’s Next Chapter
Mark Connor, CEO at Sapphire, reflects on the company’s successes to date and discusses its move to a C suite structure.
At Sapphire, we’ve always measured success in more than numbers. For us, growth is about building strong teams, supporting clients, and creating a business that people are proud to be part of.
For over 12 years, we’ve supported thousands of contractors to be paid accurately and on time and grown into the trusted partner for more than 500 agencies, including many of the UK’s top 100 recruiters.
We’ve achieved a lot together in recent years – from the management buyout in 2017, to becoming employee-owned in 2021, and now moving towards £600m turnover this year. These milestones reflect the hard work of our team and the trust placed in us by contractors, agencies, and businesses across the country.
As we move into this next chapter, our leadership team is evolving too. With Alex Moore stepping into the role of Chief Sales Officer, we’re strengthening our focus on growth and client service. Alex has been central to expanding our client base and bringing Quartz into the business – a step that’s already making a big difference for agencies looking to streamline their operations.
The market is changing quickly, with new legislation and greater use of technology. Our job is to stay ahead of those changes and give clients confidence that they’re in safe hands. At the same time, we’ll continue investing in our people, creating opportunities within the business, and keeping employee ownership at the heart of what we do.
Looking ahead, our aim is straightforward: to ensure Sapphire remains the company every client and contractor wants to work with, and the company every employee is proud to be part of.
