Tell us about TERN Group, from your point of view
TERN is transforming the way that we recruit staff across health and care systems globally. We have developed an AI powered recruitment platform which is configured for both international and domestic recruitment of health and social care workers. As a result it can greatly reduce agency costs as well as facilitate the ethical and cost effective recruitment of overseas care workers to the UK.
For example, TERN has a particular arrangement with the National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC) of India to facilitate the ethical and cost effective recruitment of Indian health and care workers to the UK. This is part of the India/UK 2030 government roadmap which aims to provide opportunities for 35 000 Indian healthcare professionals.
What do you think makes this company unique?
TERN’s approach is comprehensive, supporting candidates and recruiting organizations throughout the whole process, from the initial application process, through the assessment of candidates, to formal appointment and the pastoral care necessary to ensure that all appointed clinicians enjoy the best start to their time working in the UK.
Wherever possible, we are automating processes, including background checks and pre-arrival training in support of seamless integration. We are already seeing the benefits of our approach, particularly in terms of better retention, higher staff morale and improved quality of care.
What is your advice to aspiring entrepreneurs?
Utility and marketability are essential.
Utility: We must develop services and products that address a real need. In TERN’s case, there was an irresistible need to improve recruitment practices (particularly in terms of international recruitment) and remove the bad actors from the recruitment industry. All too often unscrupulous ‘agents’ are defrauding and abusing international candidates. This has to stop. In addition, we know that health and care systems globally are facing rising levels of demand and reducing clinical capacity, so we have to optimize the ways in which we match the available capacity to demand.
Marketability: We must develop services and products that customers wish to buy. Even though it’s early days for TERN, we are already seeing customers drawn to our offer, as they recognize the significant benefits that they will enjoy. Word of mouth is also spreading fast, as success with our initial clients is encouraging new customers.
What most excites you about TERN Group?
It’s transformative nature. Most sectors and professions have been transformed by digital technology, reducing cost and improving responsiveness. Healthcare is lagging behind (this was called out in Lord Darzi’s recent investigation into the state of the NHS) and consequently there is an enormous productivity opportunity across the sector as a whole and in the field of recruitment as a notable example. What we are doing also transforms the lives of our candidates and the patients they will come to serve. This is our mission.
How has the company evolved over the last couple of months?
Internally, we have continued to optimize the platform, making the user experience as good as it possible can be. Externally, we are seeing a real buzz about our offer as more clients are joining us each and every day, doubling our activity month on month.
What can we hope to see from TERN Group in the future?
Our aim is to become a trusted partner in health and care systems across the globe, ensuring that organizations can recruit all off the staff they need to meet patient demand and ensuring that candidates are fully and ethically supported. Ultimately, we know we will have succeeded when we see a complete transformation in the way that health and social care staff are recruited.
