Devan Amin

💷 National Minimum Wage Increase – What’s the Impact? The UK’s minimum wage rise affects non-permanent workforce costs and talent retention. Businesses must rethink their strategies to stay competitive. 📽️ Watch belowfor insights. 📧 Get in touch! - Dan.craddock@hays.com

25

6 Comments

Contract Recruitment Surges: Are You Ready to Adapt? According to the latest APSCo report, UK contract recruitment rose by 11% year-on-year in August, while permanent hiring saw a sharp decline. This shift reflects a growing reliance on flexible staffing as businesses navigate economic uncertainty, digital transformation, and upcoming legislative changes.  Employers are clearly prioritising agility, and project-based contracts are becoming the go-to solution for accessing high-level skills without long-term commitments.  If you're looking to stay competitive, this is your moment to rethink your workforce strategy: ✅Are you utilising contract talent to achieve your short-term objectives? ✅Do you have the right partners to help you scale quickly and compliantly? ✅Is your recruitment model built for flexibility? If you're ready to embrace this shift or need guidance on how to do so, let’s talk. I’m here to help you build a resilient, future-ready workforce.

11

The consultants providing the best candidate/client experience and that have the best skills in the UK have fill rates of 56%+, well above industry average. If you are not measuring and improving all 3 of these key elements you are simply focused on the wrong things. Data from Recruiter Insider

6

8 Comments

Encouraging to see signs of recovery in the UK staffing market, with March figures showing a 12% rise in permanent placements and an 11% uplift in contract roles, according to APSCo and Bullhorn. After a slow start to the year, this kind of movement is welcome. It suggests a degree of renewed employer confidence, perhaps a push to lock in talent ahead of the National Insurance Contribution increase. But it’s impossible to view this in isolation. With talk of a global recession gaining traction and US tariffs back in focus, there’s no doubt macroeconomic pressures are looming large. These external factors could easily influence hiring appetite in the months ahead. That said, we’ve seen before that resilient sectors and adaptable staffing models can still find growth in uncertain times. The data feels cautiously optimistic, and for now, it’s a step in the right direction. https://lnkd.in/eyZrxd4D

9

According to The HR Director, over 50% of UK recruitment agencies expect revenue growth next year, with nearly nine in ten confident the industry will continue to expand. Even as clients face tighter budgets and rising employment costs, recruitment remains one of the most adaptable sectors — and temporary staffing continues to be a key driver of that resilience. What's driving the optimism? ✅ Ongoing demand for skilled talent across multiple sectors ✅ Rising investment in AI and tech to speed up hiring and improve delivery ✅ A growing shift toward specialist and flexible workforce solutions For those of us in the industry, it's a reminder that success isn't just about filling roles — it's about evolving with the market, adding value beyond placements, and building long-term partnerships with clients and candidates alike. 2026 is shaping up to be a big year for recruitment — and agility, technology, and trust will lead the way.

8

1 Comment

It's happening......... The RPO market is experiencing significant growth. Projections estimate 10% annual growth in the coming years. If you have a customer who would book a meeting to hear more about: 🌟Reducing the cost per hire by +30% 🌟Accessing expertise and tech 🌟The ability to turn hiring on and off 🌟How to enhance the employer brand 🌟How to build a true talent pool for them Then you should probably innovate and build talent solutions. If you dont, your competetitors will.

18

1 Comment

The UK recruitment market is challenging right now. Economic uncertainty, budget constraints, and cautious hiring decisions are the reality for many businesses in 2025. However, working with a wide network of clients within a multitude of industries across the UK gives you perspective, and what we’re seeing is a clear split: some are hunkering down and waiting it out, while others are making moves that'll pay off when things pick up again. What sets them apart? ✅ They're being strategic, not reactive. Instead of blanket hiring freezes, they're identifying critical roles that will drive growth and focusing their energy there. They understand that talent acquisition is investment, not just cost. ✅ They've streamlined their processes. The best-performing clients have cut their time-to-hire in half by making decisive decisions quickly. They know that in a competitive market for top talent, speed wins. ✅ They're investing in employer brand. While others are going quiet, successful companies are doubling down on showcasing their culture, values, and growth opportunities. They're the ones candidates actually want to work for. ✅ They're thinking beyond immediate needs. These clients are building talent pipelines for when the market turns. They're nurturing relationships with candidates who might not be available today but could be perfect in six months. ✅ They're flexible on working arrangements. The companies thriving right now have embraced hybrid working as a competitive advantage, not a reluctant concession. The market will recover – it always does. But the companies positioning themselves now with smart hiring strategies will be the ones who emerge strongest. What are you seeing in your sector? Are you playing defense or offense with your talent strategy? #recruitment #talentacquisition #leadership #hiringstrategy #recruitmentleaders #ukjobmarket #ukjobs #businessleaders

10

Big news from The Access Group! Access Group Reaches Agreement to Acquire EPLOY They’ve announced an agreement to acquire Eploy (subject to regulatory approval), expanding their Access People portfolio with a full end-to-end applicant tracking system. This move further strengthens their HR and payroll offering - from workforce management and employee engagement to talent acquisition and beyond. Find out all the details here 👉 https://lnkd.in/erkrKpMd #HRTech #MergersAndAcquisitions #TalentAcquisition #ApplicantTracking #TheAccessGroup #Eploy #PayrollSolutions #UKRecruiter Louise Triance ⭐️

8

"We use a PSL" 🥱 Many companies rely on a Preferred Supplier List (PSL) for hiring, this can seriously hurt your chances of securing top talent in niche areas! Here’s why: 🔍 Niche roles require specialist knowledge. Generalist recruiters on your PSL may not have access to the right network—or even fully understand the role. 💡 Speed matters. The best candidates in specialised markets don’t stay on the market long. By the time your PSL catches up, top talent is gone. 📉 You limit innovation. New, agile, and highly-specialised agencies aren’t on your PSL—but they often have the most relevant connections. 🤝 True partnerships > compliance. Hiring managers need flexibility to engage with recruiters who truly get the market, not just the ones on an approved list. Bottom line: If you're hiring for niche or hard-to-fill roles, it might be time to rethink the PSL-first approach. The cost of missing the right hire can far outweigh the comfort of sticking to the list. #Hiring #Recruitment #TalentAcquisition #NicheRoles #PSL #HiringStrategy #FutureOfWork

16

4 Comments

HR Market Update This edition opens with a market review from Amy Morris, Managing Director - UK & Europe, reflecting consistent mid-market hiring activity and a clear uptick in senior appointments. Demand remains strong across core HR delivery and future-focused functions such as analytics and technology. We also share details of our upcoming events, giving you the chance to connect with HR Professionals and hear fresh perspectives from across the HR landscape. Finally, explore the full capabilities of the Oakleaf Group, from executive search to specialist recruitment and supporting clients and candidates across the UK, Europe, US and the Middle East 🔗 Read the update here: https://lnkd.in/eS6SFifw #HRHiring #HRMarketUpdate #OakleafExecutive #HRCareers #HRInsights

10