Is This the Future of Hire? What Everyone Was Talking About at the HAE

Last weekend saw Sequel return to the Hire Awards of Excellence—and what a brilliant evening it was.

This year, our Managing Director Pip Duma had the honour of stepping on stage to present the Young Apprentice of the Year Award, joined by our Client Success and Operations Manager, Megan Flory. We were absolutely thrilled to hand the award to Finlay Allan of Sunbelt Rentals—a huge congratulations to him on such a well-deserved win! It’s always inspiring to see new talent recognised, especially in an industry we’re so passionate about supporting.

Being back at the Hire Awards felt like coming full circle. It was wonderful to reconnect with businesses we’ve collaborated with over the past year, to finally meet some faces we’d only seen on screens, and to chat with plenty of new contacts too. The atmosphere was buzzing with energy, and it really reinforced just how close-knit and innovative the hire community continues to be.

The event itself was a step up from last year—Stuart Tyrell and the HAE team truly outdid themselves. The staging, the setting, and the sense of occasion were spot on. Hosted by Alex Macqueen, the evening had just the right mix of industry celebration and personal stories—his anecdotes added a fantastic spark to the night.

One of the highlights for us was getting to talk in person with people about Hire HQ, our new customer focussed software for the Hire Industry, which recently launched in beta. We had so many conversations with hire professionals who echoed the same thing: they know they need to be online, they know the future of hire is digital—and they’re ready to embrace it. From improving customer experiences to streamlining internal processes, it was clear that many are looking to stay ahead of the curve and want systems that help them do just that.

These conversations are invaluable as we continue to fine-tune Hire HQ ahead of its official launch next month. The feedback has been insightful, encouraging, and full of brilliant ideas—we’re bubbling with excitement over what’s to come.

Are you a Hire Industry professional looking to improve your customers' online experience? Register your interest below!

Introducing

HIRE HQ

A smarter way to manage your equipment rental business. Designed for the hire industry, Hire HQ simplifies everything with a modern, subscription-based platform that replaces outdated, clunky systems. With easy setup and seamless integration into your existing BMS/ERP, it’s the future of hire management – and the best part? It’s almost ready. Are you?

Register Your Interest

Sequel has grown into a trusted strategic partner for many HAE members over the past couple of years, and this year’s awards really felt like a milestone moment. We’re not just building digital solutions—we’re helping hire businesses thrive, connect more meaningfully with their customers, and embrace the digital transformation on their terms. The response to our approach has been overwhelmingly positive, and it’s a privilege to contribute to such a dedicated industry.

We’ve spent a lot of time immersing ourselves in the hire space, shaping our services to suit the sector’s unique challenges and opportunities. It’s clear that customer service is at the heart of everything the hire industry does—and we’re proud to play a role in supporting that with tech that works smarter, looks better, and drives results.

Here’s to another year of innovation, collaboration, and celebrating the best in the business. If you didn’t manage to catch us at the event but want to chat about Hire HQ or what Sequel can do for your business, we’re always up for a cuppa and a conversation.

Thanks again to the HAE for having us—it’s always a pleasure. Until next year!