Our Story

We’re proud of our journey to date, and how our Group has evolved since our first scope of work in 1983. It’s a story of innovation, that’s allowed us to grow alongside our clients.

1983

NRL is founded by Andrew Redmayne, providing specialist Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) radiography services at Sellafield

1985

NRL’s Recruitment business is established following a request from a client to mobilise a team on the Fulmar Alpha rig construction project

1990

Recruitment expertise is extended to the North East to meet demand for services

1991

NRL opens its first Recruitment branch in Scotland, and the NRL Group is formed

1993

NRL Group turnover exceeds £10 million

1997

Further business growth with North West nuclear and power generation clients sees NRL open a new branch in Wigan

1999

NRL secures a contract with British Nuclear Fuels Ltd (BNFL) to deliver nuclear expertise

2001

Identifying an opportunity to support clients with contracting and maintenance services, NRL launches their Rail business

2006

NRL’s Recruitment expertise is recognised with their first entry into the prestigious Recruiter Hot 100 listing

2008

NRL becomes one of the first recruitment companies to gain ECIA membership, as a major provider of NAECI compliant labour services

2011

The company proves its commitment to providing exceptional recruitment services by being welcomed as a member of the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo)

2013

NRL acquires niche Oil & Gas recruitment specialist Petrolic, and the International division is formalised

2013

NRL Group turnover exceeds £100 million

2015

NRL’s Group growth is recognised as they enter The Sunday Times Top Track 250 for the first time

2015

The Recruitment business is awarded Recruitment Company of the Year (>£50m) at the APSCo Awards for Excellence

2015

The Rail division opens a new custom built training facility in Barnsley

2016

Recognising that something was missing from the managed service workforce models, the Group launches the Linx business – to drive performance and value from contingent labour supply chains

2018

NRL acquires Heysham based energy and power recruitment business Intec (UK), with specialist strategic purchasing expertise

2019

The NRL Group awarded Best Outsourced Contractor Organisation for their Linx business and Best Contractor Recruitment Agency – Engineering for their Recruitment business at The Contracting Awards

2020

NRL’s NDT business launches new Ultrasonic qualification and inspection services in Bristol

2020

NRL’s Recruitment business launches in the Republic of Ireland

2020

The Rail division is awarded a prestigious Network Rail Principal Contractor Licence

2020

NRL Group enter the The Sunday Times PwC Top Track 250 report again as a leading mid-market private company

2020

Almost a decade on from first entering the list, the NRL Group continue to be recognised as a Top500 company by North West Business Insider

2020

Strategic growth sees NRL’s Recruitment expertise launch in Teesside

2021

The NRL Group achieves carbon neutral status across all businesses with One Carbon World

2022

The NRL Group acquires Newcastle based CD Group, including Contract Design (Northern) and translation and interpreting experts Eldon (now NRL Language Solutions)

2022

The organisation voluntarily becomes a Living Wage Employer to ensure a fair and real living wage for every colleague

2022

The NRL Group sign the Armed Forces Covenant and achieve an Employer Recognition Scheme bronze award

2022

The NRL Group sign the Social Mobility Pledge to reinforce their support for young adults from disadvantaged backgrounds

2022

Keen to support financial, emotional and physical wellbeing in construction, the NRL Group become a company supporter of the Lighthouse construction industry charity

2022

Colleagues complete training to secure the company wide Inclusive+ Recruiter certification from the Association of Professional Staffing Companies

2023

The NRL Group celebrate 40 years in businesses. With 146 colleagues situated in three countries, our engineering expertise now spans NDT, Recruitment, Workforce Solutions, Rail, Languages and Design services.