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This article was originally featured in the January 2026 edition of WorkLife Business News which you can view here!
Written by: Marcie Foxcroft, Group Head of Talent Acquisition and Engagement at Rightmove.
When people talk about Rightmove, they talk about the brand. The household name. The company that changed how the nation finds homes. But inside the organisation, there’s another story being written – one about people, culture and the way the business attracts, develops and celebrates talent. It’s a story shared by Marcie Foxcroft, Head of Talent Acquisition and Employee Engagement, who sits at the unique intersection where attracting brilliant people meets keeping them inspired.
Rightmove has always cared deeply about its people, but in recent years, the company has taken a decisive step forward: it has elevated talent acquisition and engagement to become true strategic drivers and is becoming the foundation of its competitive advantage. According to Marcie, the responsibility is clear: “We don’t just sell a dream during recruitment. We have to make sure the experience we promise is the one people actually live.” That simple principle – aligning the external promise with the internal reality – has reshaped the way Rightmove approaches talent.
Being one of the UK’s most loved consumer brands comes with a certain weight. When someone sees the Rightmove logo, they expect innovation. That expectation carries through into the recruitment experience too. For Rightmove, hiring isn’t just a transactional process; it’s a continuation of the brand journey.
From the very first touchpoint – whether a social media post, job advert or outreach message – Rightmove treats candidates like consumers. Language is inclusive, stories are real, and accessibility is built into every stage. There is no shiny façade; the employer brand is about being true and authentic. And this approach works. Candidates feel respected. They know where they stand. And even when the answer is no, the experience still feels positive.
Rightmove’s talent acquisition evolution is quietly impressive. Agency usage has dropped as the business has become more confident in attracting talent directly. Hiring managers reported a perfect satisfaction score in the most recent quarter. And feedback from candidates who weren’t successful remains remarkably positive.
But even with strong foundations, the business is not standing still. The 2026 talent acquisition strategy is designed to push even further. Rather than focusing purely on volume or speed, Rightmove is investing in smarter, more inclusive hiring practices, deeper collaboration with hiring managers, and intelligent use of AI and automation to remove friction and bias. The goal is clear: to be recognised not just as a great brand, but as a truly outstanding employer in the technology space.
At many organisations, talent acquisition and employee engagement sit in different corners of the business, rarely collaborating. At Rightmove, they are deliberately connected, because hiring great people is pointless if the culture doesn’t help them thrive. “Our ambition,” says Marcie, “is to be the place where people do the best work of their lives.” And, most importantly, it’s built on listening.
Rightmove has built a listening strategy powered by Culture Amp that gathers insight at key moments that matter during the employee journey. These touchpoints span onboarding, engagement, exit, real-time feedback and even Glassdoor reviews. They allow the business to hear the voice of its people at precisely the right moments. Rather than viewing feedback as a risk, Marcie sees it as a gift. To support this, the company has launched Feedback Bootcamps – safe, practical workshops that help people develop the confidence and skills to give and receive feedback in a constructive, human way. It’s about growth, trust and psychological safety.
Rightmove’s engagement survey, aptly named Have Your Say, reflects the organisation’s commitment to transparency. Participation in the most recent survey hit a record-breaking 84%. People didn’t just complete it – they leaned in, offering detailed insight on what was working and what needed to improve. Importantly, the results were shared openly across the business.
If listening is the foundation, recognition is the celebration. At Rightmove, appreciation isn’t reserved for only standout achievements – it’s woven into daily life. The company believes that small acknowledgements compound into a powerful culture of pride, gratitude and connection. One standout initiative is the Recognition Roof-Raiser, an uplifting initiative where employees share stories of colleagues who’ve gone above and beyond. It creates a genuine ripple effect of positivity and inspiration. Another favourite is Yay Day, a moment dedicated to giving kudos across the business. It’s fun, energetic and inclusive – because recognition at Rightmove isn’t hierarchical. Everyone deserves to be seen. And then there’s the Golden Gnomes – Rightmove’s playful twist on the Golden Globes – where employees from across the business are celebrated with actual golden gnome trophies. It’s a joyful, memorable way to spotlight excellence and build pride across teams.
At Rightmove, engagement isn’t just a metric- it’s a meaningful part of how the business grows and evolves. When people feel connected to a purpose, supported by leaders and empowered to develop, they’re more likely to stay, contribute and help shape the future of the organisation. That’s why the company continues to invest in tech-enabled engagement tools, purpose-led recruitment strategies and human-centred design across the employee experience. The aim isn’t to claim perfection, it’s to create an environment where people genuinely feel they belong and can do their best work.
Rightmove’s goal is not modest. The company wants to be known for its inclusive culture, exceptional candidate experience and status as an employer of choice in tech. As Marcie puts it: “Recruitment is about more than jobs. Engagement is about more than surveys. This is about making every moment one we can learn from and continue to improve. In an industry where talent is everything, Rightmove has uncovered a powerful secret: when you connect the promise of recruitment to the reality of culture – and when you make people the centre of both – you don’t just build a great workplace. You create an environment where people thrive.
And that might just be the ultimate competitive advantage.
This article was originally featured in the January 2026 edition of WorkLife Business News which you can view here!
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