Funded by Innovate UK
Turn tech talent into growth.
Meet assessed AI, data and cybersecurity talent. Four paid weeks to see the fit. No recruitment fee; placement wages apply. For mid-sized businesses in London and the East of England.
Delivered by
Backed by Innovate UK.
Unlock your next opportunity.
Faster reporting. Less admin. Better-protected data. Tick what’s holding your business back.
Recognise a challenge? Let’s talk about what would move your business forward.
Book a 15-minute callMore confidence. No recruitment fee.
Invest in the work. Innovate UK funds recruitment, assessment, matching and programme support. You fund placement wages unless Jobcentre Plus support applies, then the salary if you hire.
Skills you can see
Meet candidates with assessed skills in artificial intelligence (AI), data and business analysis, or cybersecurity. See the evidence before the interview.
Know the numbers
Build the business case with your own numbers. CloudFO helps estimate what a hire could cost and return. Access is included for the funded period.
See talent in action
See how someone tackles your work over four paid weeks, with reviews halfway through and at the end. Then decide together whether to continue.
Support beyond the match
Keep the placement moving with structured check-ins, an AI workplace companion for your candidate and specialist advice for your business.
Example passport · scroll or select to open
Proof behind the potential.
Make your hiring decision with evidence in hand. Each Work Passport brings together verified assessment results, placement work, reviews and outcomes. You see the contribution. Candidates take the proof forward.
Find the skills your business needs, with assessment, matching and placement employment arrangements handled by PeopleXYZ.
Weigh the cost against the opportunity. Model wages, role costs and potential benefits before you hire.
Funded by Innovate UK, the UK government's innovation agency, through its TechLocal competition, with support from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
How it works
From your first conversation to a more confident hiring decision. Start with 15 minutes.
- 01
Define the opportunity
Tell us what you want to improve. We’ll explore the role, programme fit and likely costs.
- 02
Check the business case
Use CloudFO to weigh the potential value of a hire against your budget.
- 03
Find your match
Explore assessed candidates matched to the work you need done.
- 04
Meet your shortlist
Get to know your candidates through our Interview Centre or your own process.
- 05
Four-week placement
Agree the costs, task and supervisor before day one. See the work take shape, with reviews halfway through and at the end.
The trial - 06
Choose your next hire
A good fit for both sides? Offer at least six months, with a minimum of 25 hours a week at or above the Living Wage.
Ready to grow your team?
Bring the ambition and a real opportunity. We work with mid-sized businesses and professional firms in London and the East of England ready to consider an AI, data or cybersecurity hire.
What you bring
- Real work for someone to do
- Someone who can supervise them
- Budget for the placement and a potential hire
What you don't need
- A technical team already in place
- A recruitment budget
Small project. Real progress.
Start with a weekly report to automate, an AI tool to test or system access to review. Give your candidate a clear goal and a supervisor. Track progress over four weeks—and use the results to shape your next hire.
Explore a placementYour questions, answered.
What does it cost?
No recruitment fee or commission. Innovate UK funds assessment, matching, interviews and placement support, plus programme platform access during the funded period.
You fund the four-week placement unless Jobcentre Plus support applies. If you hire afterwards, you pay the salary: at least 25 hours a week at or above the Living Wage.
Can placement costs be supported?
Some placements qualify for Jobcentre Plus support. Eligibility is shared after matching to keep selection focused on skills.
Budget to fund the placement yourself. Confirm any support, total costs and payment arrangements with the team before you agree to start.
What do I need to provide?
Meaningful work, a supervisor and regular feedback. Come ready to consider a job offer if the fit is right. We also ask for feedback and outcome data to report programme results to Innovate UK.
Do I have to hire?
No. Use the placement to decide together. Your agreed placement costs and responsibilities still apply, but a job offer is your choice.
How long is the commitment?
Start with a four-week paid placement. There is no obligation to hire afterwards.
If you both continue, the job must last at least six months, with at least 25 hours a week at or above the Living Wage.
Agree the role, goals and employment terms before the job starts.
Is other funding available?
Possibly. Ask us what could apply to your hire. Each scheme has its own rules, so only budget for extra funding once it is confirmed.
How long is CloudFO included?
For the funded programme period. Before signing up, confirm the end date, any cost to continue and how to stop with CloudFO.
Who's behind this?
CloudFO and PeopleXYZ, funded by Innovate UK under the TechLocal competition (project 10196626), supported by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Make your next hire count.
Have a project in mind? Give CloudFO 15 minutes to explore the right skills, the costs and your next step.
Looking for your next role?
Put your skills in front of employers. Explore paid placements in AI, data and cybersecurity.