A UK startup has launched a new digital platform aimed at transforming how IT consultancies manage and share talent, amid mounting concerns over wasted skills and rising recruitment costs.
BenchBee, unveiled in London on Tuesday, positions itself as the first “talent-sharing economy” for IT consultancies. The platform allows firms to monetise idle consultants, reduce dependence on traditional recruitment agencies, and respond more quickly to project needs by subcontracting expertise within a secure, member-led network.
Founder and chief executive Hassen Hattab said the platform was created to address long-standing inefficiencies in the sector. “This isn’t just another job board – it’s an entirely new category of talent sharing,” he said. “We’ve built a member-driven ecosystem where consultancies can match available talent to project needs in real time and access hidden pools of expertise that recruitment firms can’t reach.”
The launch comes as the global technology sector grapples with an escalating skills crisis. Research by IDC predicts that by 2026, 90% of organisations will face IT skills shortages, costing the global economy an estimated $5.5 trillion (£4.18 trillion).
In the UK, consultants spend an average of 15–20% of their time “on the bench” – employed but not generating revenue. For a consultancy of 500 staff, that represents around £15.3 million in lost revenue annually, with industry-wide losses reaching £3.06 billion, according to BenchBee.
Traditional recruitment methods are adding further strain. Agencies typically charge 15–20% placement fees, often on inflated salaries, while struggling to provide the specialist skills companies need at short notice. Many firms are left with a difficult choice: pay high fees, rely on unvetted freelancers, or leave critical projects under-resourced while skilled staff sit idle elsewhere.
BenchBee’s platform offers a subscription-based alternative. Consultancies pay a flat membership fee to gain access to a pool of vetted, industry-experienced professionals from fellow member firms. By enabling subcontracting within a trusted network, the company argues it can help consultancies boost margins, fill skills gaps quickly, and eliminate inefficiencies caused by traditional recruitment models.
Hattab, who has more than a decade of experience in IT consulting, said the inspiration for BenchBee came from repeatedly seeing opportunities lost on both sides of the industry. “One organisation has brilliant people sitting on the bench, while another is turning down work because it lacks the right skills,” he said. “BenchBee directly connects those dots.”
With consultancies under pressure from hiring freezes, budget cuts, and accelerating demand for digital skills, the startup hopes its approach will redefine how firms collaborate.
“This isn’t better recruitment – it’s a completely different model,” Hattab said. “It’s a smarter way to share expertise, uncover underused talent, and deliver projects faster in a sector that desperately needs new solutions.”
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