The strong demand for talent continues….

Despite some of the current macro issues surrounding Brexit and the associated political uncertainty, the strong demand for talent continues. We are witnessing increased recruitment pressures for employers across all sectors.  According to the latest quarterly Labour Market Outlook from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), talent supply is failing to keep pace with demand. The report also suggests that with significantly fewer EU nationals considering coming to the UK, pre-Brexit is feeding an already tightening labour market and increasing recruitment pressures for employers across the UK. The survey data took views from over a thousand employers and highlighted that companies are being hit by a new wave of shortages.

Recent data also published by the Office of National Statistics showed that the UK unemployment rate is now at 3.9%, the lowest in 43 years. Perhaps it is unsurprising, therefore, that staff retention has also become an increasing challenge for a higher share of employers, according to the CBI. This pressure on finding and holding talent is driving increased remuneration and benefits packages in response. It should come as no real surprise to employers who want to successfully appoint the required talent to drive growth and further expand, that they will need to be pro-active and imaginative in their future recruitment campaigns.  They will also need to have strong, transparent and candid relationships with recruiter partners, dialled into the unique challenges of each market.

Berwick Partners can add invaluable expertise and access to a variety of networks, to ensure we find and secure an organisation the very best talent. We support organisations in making key appointments which have a critical impact upon their business’ future and success.

Simon Walton is a Partner and Head of the Consumer Practice at Berwick Partners.