North West – Regional Labour Market Trends, March 2026
North West hiring holds firm as demand becomes more selective
Key findings include:
- North West vacancies rose by 7.7% in 2025, reinforcing its position as the leading labour market in the North
- Early 2026 remains stable, though hiring continues to reflect economic caution
- Sales roles are expanding rapidly, with demand rising by 50.3% at the start of the year
- Consumer, industrial and marketing functions are now contracting, with declines reaching up to 40.2%
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Stable demand masks a more cautious hiring environment
The North West enters 2026 from a position of relative strength, following a 7.7% increase in vacancies in 2025. However, that growth was far from smooth. Hiring peaked in March, rising 19.2% month-on-month, before falling 16.0% by August. Despite these swings, overall demand remained resilient, with the region accounting for 55.1% of all northern vacancies.
The start of 2026 has been more stable, with 3,000 vacancies recorded in January. Employers remain active, but high borrowing costs continue to limit expansion, reinforcing a more selective approach to hiring.
Hiring shifts towards revenue and operational roles
Demand is increasingly focused on roles that support revenue generation and operational performance. IT vacancies rose by 10.7% in 2025 and have continued to grow, with demand increasing by 9.8% at the start of 2026.
Sales roles are expanding more rapidly, with hiring up by 27.5% last year and rising by 50.3% in early 2026, reflecting a clear focus on commercial performance. Construction and HR have also grown steadily, increasing by 12.0% and 10.7% respectively.
In contrast, marketing roles have declined by 21.1% at the start of 2026, while real estate has fallen by 14.6%, highlighting a pullback in more cyclical functions.
Sector growth becomes more uneven
Sector trends point to a market that is adjusting rather than expanding evenly. Technology, Media and Telecoms remains the largest sector, with hiring rising by 39.7% in early 2026, despite only modest growth of 2.4% in 2025.
Financial Services is also strengthening, with vacancies increasing by 17.0% last year and by a further 19.3% at the start of 2026, supported by a 27.1% rise in banking demand.
Elsewhere, the picture is weaker. Industrials, which grew by 19.6% in 2025, have declined by 16.5% in early 2026, while Consumer Goods and Services have fallen sharply by 40.2%, reflecting pressure on demand and costs.
Company hiring reflects targeted expansion
Hiring patterns at the company level reflect this shift towards more selective growth. Radius recorded the strongest expansion, with vacancies rising by 106.3% in 2025 and remaining elevated into 2026, supported by investment in digital infrastructure.
Financial institutions are also expanding, with Barclays increasing hiring by 38.5% and Lloyds by 42.7%, with demand continuing into the new year. RSK Group has grown by 40.7%, reflecting sustained demand for infrastructure and sustainability.
In contrast, AstraZeneca reduced hiring by 43.3%, highlighting ongoing restructuring in the life sciences. Across the top employers, growth remains present but clearly targeted.
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