Citrus in the Press: A Month of Challenging the Status Quo and Giving Back

March has been one of those months where we’ve had to take a step back and just say, wow.

At Citrus Connect, we have always believed in doing things a little differently. Whether that means challenging outdated hiring practices or ensuring our commercial success translates into real-world good, our mission goes far beyond simply matching CVs to job specs.

This month, both sides of that mission caught the attention of the national and local press. From sparking a nationwide debate on the value of university degrees to celebrating a massive charitable milestone, here is a look at what we’ve been up to in the media this month.

1. Sparking a National Debate: The “Overqualified Nation”

If you tuned into BOB FM recently, or read the latest features in SME Today and Checkpoint Learning, you might have seen our name attached to some pretty startling research.

We recently released our proprietary study, The Overqualified Nation, and it has struck a massive chord across the UK labour market. We dug into the data and found a broken system: despite being the most educated generation in British history, millions of workers are trapped in roles that neither require nor reward their academic achievements.

A few of the hard truths the press picked up on:

• The “Credential Disappointment”: Over half of UK adults aged 25-29 now hold a degree (up from 28% twenty years ago). Degrees are no longer a differentiator; they are a baseline expectation.
• The Stop-Gap Trap: While 87.6% of graduates are in work, nearly a third (32.1%) are stuck in non-graduate roles, with median real-terms salaries plateauing at £26,500.
• The Northern Divide: This underemployment is hitting our own backyard the hardest. The North East (41.6%) and Yorkshire & Humber (38.8%) have the highest rates of overqualification in the country.

As our Founder, Leena Parmar, told the press: “The UK is now an overqualified nation… Many of these workers are held back not by a lack of talent, but by self-doubt, financial risk, and limited access to structured career support.”

The solution? We need to stop obsessing over academic papers and start valuing “human-centric” skills—problem-solving, adaptability, and resilience. At Citrus, we are championing the “Employee-preneur” – individuals who take ownership of their work and bring an entrepreneurial drive to their roles.

2. Purpose Beyond Profit: Reaching £20,000 for the King’s Ransom Foundation

While we are incredibly proud of our research making headlines, the news that landed in the Yorkshire Evening Post this month is the milestone that is closest to our hearts.

Since we began our partnership with the King’s Ransom Foundation (KRF), a charity dedicated to serving orphans, widows, and vulnerable communities worldwide, we have officially surpassed £20,146 in total donations.

As a business, we have a long-term goal to raise £100,000 for KRF. But this isn’t just about a number on a giant cheque. Because 100% of KRF’s donations go directly to frontline aid, this money translates into tangible, life-saving support.

Our contributions are helping to build orphanages and fund rescue and feeding programmes in India, Kenya, Belize, Nicaragua, and the Congo. It means children like Luc in Goma—who lost both parents and arrived at a partner orphanage vulnerable and malnourished—now have consistent meals, schooling, and a safe place to thrive.

As Andrew Williams, Financial Administrator at KRF, so kindly noted in the press: “Citrus Connect’s partnership with King’s Ransom Foundation is a powerful example of what happens when business growth and lasting impact move together.”

For us, it’s simple. Commercial success doesn’t mean much if you aren’t using it to make a meaningful difference. We have embedded social responsibility directly into our growth model because we want every single placement we make to have an impact far beyond the boardroom.

Looking Ahead to Q2

Between launching nationwide research and hitting our charity milestones, it has been an incredibly fast-paced, humbling, and rewarding start to the year.

We want to say a massive thank you to our clients, our candidates, and our internal team. It is your trust and hard work that allow us to challenge the industry and give back to the communities that need it most.

Here is to a fresh start this spring, and an even bigger Q2.