CK Group
CK Group (now Talentmark) is a UK-based specialist recruitment agency placing candidates in permanent and contract roles across the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemicals, and medtech sectors in the UK, Europe, and the USA.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1970
- HeadquartersStevenage, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What CK Group does
CK Group, now operating under the Talentmark brand following its 2026 acquisition by Talentmark Group, is a specialist recruitment agency serving the life sciences and chemical sectors. Founded around 1970 and headquartered in Chesterfield, United Kingdom, the company places candidates in permanent and contract roles across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemicals, and medtech verticals, with operational reach spanning the UK, Europe, and the United States. It operates as a trading name of CK Associates Ltd, a private limited company registered in England and Wales, and now sits as a subsidiary within the Talentmark Global Network.
The firm's core service is specialist talent placement, with no proprietary technology platform described in the data; its infrastructure consists of a website-based job board, a contractor timesheet portal, and direct enterprise sales engagement. Candidate acquisition is driven by LinkedIn and Instagram organic social, content marketing (Q1 2026 hiring reports, salary benchmarks, career advice), and industry event participation such as ON Helix 2026. Distribution is direct: enterprise sales for employer clients and a self-serve job board for candidates, with a refer-a-friend program. Revenue is generated through professional-services recruitment fees on successful permanent and contract placements, with a managed service provider (MSP) engagement model now demonstrated via the Eli Lilly partnership.
The customer base comprises major industry leaders across pharma and chemicals (BASF, GSK, Pfizer, Roche, Johnson & Johnson, Boehringer Ingelheim, Sun Pharma, Eli Lilly, UCB, Croda, Johnson Matthey, INEOS, LeadXpro, and others), giving the firm a diversified enterprise book. Its stated differentiator is over 55 years of specialist recruitment heritage in life sciences, which functions as the primary credibility and brand asset. The 2026 acquisition and rebrand position the firm to leverage Talentmark's international brand while retaining its local specialist expertise.
CK Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CK Group
- Legal name
- CK Associates Ltd
- Website
- https://ckgroup.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1970
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- CK Group (now Talentmark) is a UK-based specialist recruitment agency placing candidates in permanent and contract roles across the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemicals, and medtech sectors in the UK, Europe, and the USA.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CK Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Life Sciences Recruitment Services
- NAICS
- Employment Placement Agencies (561311)
- SIC
- Services-Employment Agencies (7361)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Professional & Technical Direct Hire (IT, Engineering, Finance, Healthcare) (BPACAFAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Clinical Operations & Monitoring FSP (CRA/CTM/Start-up) (HLAGAOAA), Commercial, Sales & Field Medical (MSL) Staffing FSP (HLAGAOAO), Medical Affairs, Scientific Communications & HEOR FSP (HLAGAOAG), CMC, Process Development & Tech Transfer Staffing FSP (HLAGAOAK), Manufacturing, MSAT & Operations Staffing (API/Biologics/Cell & Gene) (HLAGAOAL)
Keywords
Where CK Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Stevenage
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
CK Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Recruitment Services: CK Group operates as a specialist life science recruitment agency, placing candidates in permanent and contract roles across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemicals, and medtech sectors. Revenue is generated through recruitment fees typically charged to employer clients for successful placements.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
CK Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CK Group (operating as Talentmark) is a specialist recruitment agency placing permanent and contract candidates in scientific, clinical, and commercial roles within the life sciences and chemical sectors. The company serves biotechnology, pharmaceutical, chemicals, and medtech employers across the UK, Europe, and the USA through direct recruiter engagement and an online job board, generating revenue from placement fees charged to employer clients. It also delivers Managed Service Provider (MSP) partnerships for onsite recruitment, retention, and team engagement at client sites such as Eli Lilly.
Product overview
CK Group, now rebranded as Talentmark, operates as a specialist life science and chemical sector recruitment agency. Talentmark is a trading name of CK Associates Ltd and offers specialist talent solutions connecting candidates with career opportunities in the life sciences and chemical industries. The company's primary service is recruitment and staffing across four core sectors: Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, and Medtech.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Permanent Recruitment Services Specialist permanent placement recruitment service for scientific, clinical, and commercial roles across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemicals, and medtech employers in the UK, Europe, and USA. Aimed at enterprise clients seeking full-time specialist talent to drive scientific, clinical, and commercial outcomes.
- Contract Recruitment Services Contract and temporary staffing service placing candidates into project-based or interim scientific, clinical, and commercial roles in life sciences and chemical sectors. Includes a contractor timesheet submission system. Designed for clients needing flexible workforce scaling such as rapid contract sales force build-outs.
- Managed Service Provider (MSP) Partnerships Managed Service Provider offering for onsite recruitment process management, retention programs, and team engagement at client locations. Designed for enterprise life sciences employers seeking embedded recruitment support, as demonstrated by the Eli Lilly partnership case study.
- Candidate Job Board and Career Portal Self-serve online job board and candidate portal allowing job seekers to search and apply for live life sciences and chemical sector roles. Includes career advice content and job profile information for candidates seeking roles in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and medtech.
Companies that use CK Group
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
CK Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
CK Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Talentmark Global NetworkcoreCK Group operates as part of the Talentmark Global Network, an internationally recognized brand across Europe and the US. Following the acquisition by Talentmark Group, CK Group rebranded to Talentmark, enabling global reach while maintaining local expertise.
- BASFminorMajor chemical company client utilizing Talentmark's specialist recruitment services.
- GSKminorGlobal pharmaceutical company client utilizing Talentmark's specialist recruitment services.
- PfizerminorMajor pharmaceutical company client utilizing Talentmark's specialist recruitment services.
- RocheminorMajor pharmaceutical and diagnostics company client utilizing Talentmark's specialist recruitment services.
- Johnson & JohnsonminorMajor healthcare and pharmaceutical company client utilizing Talentmark's specialist recruitment services.
- Boehringer IngelheimminorMajor pharmaceutical company client utilizing Talentmark's specialist recruitment services.
- Sun PharmaminorGlobal pharmaceutical company client with confirmed case study for cross-country delivery supporting ophthalmology product launch.
- Eli LillyminorPharmaceutical company client with MSP partnership enhancing recruitment, retention, and team engagement.
- UCBminorGlobal biopharmaceutical company client utilizing Talentmark's specialist recruitment services.
- CrodaminorSpecialty chemicals company client utilizing Talentmark's specialist recruitment services.
- Johnson MattheyminorSpecialty chemicals and sustainable technologies company client utilizing Talentmark's specialist recruitment services.
- INEOSminorChemicals and pharmaceuticals company client utilizing Talentmark's specialist recruitment services.
- LeadXprominorBiotechnology R&D company client with case study for team scale-up expanding biology team.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
CK Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
Direct peers
- Vivid Resourcing: Vivid Resourcing is a specialist STEM recruiter with strong life sciences and chemical industry verticals in the UK and Europe, offering both contract and permanent placements in scientific and technical roles - directly comparable to Talentmark's offering.
- CPL Life Sciences: CPL Life Sciences is a specialist life sciences recruitment division of CPL, placing scientific, clinical, regulatory, and commercial professionals across pharma, biotech, and medtech in the UK, Europe, and US - directly overlapping Talentmark's value proposition and geographic footprint.
- Planet Pharma: Planet Pharma is a US-headquartered specialist staffing firm focused exclusively on life sciences (clinical, scientific, regulatory, biotech), providing both contract and permanent placements to pharma and biotech clients - a direct competitor in Talentmark's core verticals.
- Barrington James: Barrington James is a specialist life sciences recruitment firm placing professionals in commercial, clinical, medical affairs, and executive roles across pharma and biotech, competing head-to-head with Talentmark for similar enterprise clients.
- Skills Alliance: Skills Alliance is a life sciences-focused recruitment firm specializing in regulatory affairs, quality, clinical, and drug safety placements, serving the same pharma/biotech client base as Talentmark in the UK and European markets.
- Real Staffing: Real Staffing (part of SThree) is a specialist life sciences and healthcare recruiter placing clinical research, biostatistics, regulatory, and medical affairs professionals globally, serving the same enterprise pharma/biotech client base as Talentmark.
- Paramount Recruitment: Paramount Recruitment is a UK-based specialist life sciences recruiter placing candidates in clinical, medical, scientific, and commercial roles across pharma and biotech - a direct boutique competitor to Talentmark in the UK market.
Broad incumbents
- Michael Page Life Sciences: Michael Page is a global professional recruitment firm with a dedicated Life Sciences division placing mid-to-senior professionals in pharma, biotech, and medtech - a broader incumbent that overlaps with Talentmark's mid-market permanent placement business.
- Hays Life Sciences: Hays is a global generalist staffing firm with a dedicated Life Sciences practice covering pharma, biotech, medical device, and clinical hires; much larger scale and broader portfolio than Talentmark but overlapping in target customers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
CK Group social profiles
Digital presenceCK Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CK Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
CK Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CK Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CK Group
What does CK Group do?
CK Group (operating as Talentmark) is a specialist recruitment agency placing permanent and contract candidates in scientific, clinical, and commercial roles within the life sciences and chemical sectors. The company serves biotechnology, pharmaceutical, chemicals, and medtech employers across the UK, Europe, and the USA through direct recruiter engagement and an online job board, generating revenue from placement fees charged to employer clients. It also delivers Managed Service Provider (MSP) partnerships for onsite recruitment, retention, and team engagement at client sites such as Eli Lilly.
Is CK Group a public or private company?
CK Group is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was CK Group founded?
CK Group was founded in 1970. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is CK Group based?
CK Group is headquartered in Stevenage, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does CK Group make money?
One revenue line is on record: recruitment Services.
Who are CK Group's main competitors?
SThree is listed as an others. Direct peers are Vivid Resourcing, CPL Life Sciences, Planet Pharma, Barrington James, Skills Alliance, Real Staffing and Paramount Recruitment. Broad incumbents are Michael Page Life Sciences and Hays Life Sciences.
Does CK Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for CK Group.
What industry is CK Group in?
CK Group's product category is Life Sciences Recruitment Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACAFAC, Professional & Technical Direct Hire (IT, Engineering, Finance, Healthcare), with a secondary code of HLAGAOAA, Clinical Operations & Monitoring FSP (CRA/CTM/Start-up). Its NAICS code is 561311 and its SIC code is 7361.