The market numbers for January were a setback some would have felt, with 2025 getting off to a slow start. The 21% reduction vs the same month in 2024 looks like a sharp decline. Both periods are represented by subdued numbers, giving the deceptive appearance of a sharper decline than is fair. Clearly, a lack of confidence remains, although most will have noted an increase in activity in February that should be shown next month.
A drop in hiring in the Retail sector was notable – there are no doubt those who will link this to the government’s rise in Employer NICs. More positively, Technology showed an improvement. This would be a very welcome return if the sector reappears as a primary market.
From a functional perspective, the spread is more balanced than in recent months. The buoyancy of the OD market has plateaued to a more typical level of market share. However, the most eye-catching stats for the month were the increases shown across TA, Talent, and Learning. These areas have a way to go to recover from the negative market position endured for so long. This change of direction will be some welcome reading, and hopefully the start of a more positive outlook for these communities.
Chris Williams is Director of Interim at Strategic Dimensions. If you have any questions on the market trends, or are interested in support with interim recruitment for your team, contact .