Executive Comment
Insights on the market from the Vacancysoft CEO, James Chaplin
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Has Reeves tax gambit failed?
The UK economy contracts 0.3% amid job cuts and tax hikes. High earners are leaving, companies are downsizing, and urgent reform is needed to avoid deeper decline.
The rise of AI
Our CEO James Chaplin attended the APSCo IT Forum this week, where the conversation on AI highlighted the sharp contrast between sectors already integrating AI and those still defining their strategy.
Financial Services reform is coming
On July 15, the UK Chancellor will unveil major financial services reforms—including changes to pension fund investment rules, banking ringfencing, and crypto regulation–to boost a sector that makes up 8.8% of the UK economy but has stagnated since Brexit.
Vacancies in Law drop 10% YOY
Legal sector job vacancies in the UK have dropped by 10% in 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, as political instability and rapid technological change drive a more cautious approach to hiring across law firms and legal departments.
Minutes from the Finance Forum
Discover key takeaways from our latest Finance Forum, including how easing market volatility, UK–US trade developments, and shifting economic trends are shaping London’s financial services and labour market.
London Financial Services Update
Fintech hiring is surging in 2025, with job vacancies expected to rise by up to 50% despite a slowdown in venture funding. Growth is driven by expanding commercial teams and increased demand for risk and compliance roles amid stricter FCA regulations.
Could Financial Services be included as part of a new UK/EU deal?
Since Brexit, around 10% of UK banking assets and 40,000 jobs have shifted to EU hubs like Paris, Dublin, and Warsaw, as the EU excluded financial services from the trade deal to maximise economic pressure.
Deciphering Trump’s Trade Strategy
Following the April 2nd “Liberation Day” announcement, financial markets plunged as the S&P 500, NASDAQ, and Brent crude dropped over 10%, while gold prices soared to record highs amid rising volatility and a weakening U.S. dollar.
The AI revolution
AI is the buzzword everywhere, and while more people are becoming familiar with how it can support them, questions remain about its long-term impact on jobs and industry.
Trump, Tariffs and the implications for the UK
Since Bretton Woods in 1944, Western economic policy has favored reducing trade barriers for growth. The world’s largest economy imposing broad tariffs marks a major shift with deep global market implications.
OBR cuts growth Forecast in 2025, set to rise after
Some people blame global forces, for others, the economic slump seen since last summer can only be attributed to the decisions of the current Government. One thing that is clear, is that the economy has slowed down since autumn, and there is set to be an inflationary shock in April, as the impact of the budget takes effect.
Law, AI and the rise of Legal IT
As the tsunami of AI disruption hits the world of white collar work, the legal sector is not immune from its impact. The recent study by Linklaters, where they measured the competency of AI engines to determine whether they were yet able to replicate the functions of a qualified lawyer were noteworthy.
Insights from the Finance Forum
This week we hosted the latest in our quarterly series of events looking at London Financial Services, where a central topic being discussed was the increasing importance of geopolitics on the London economy. Discover the key takeaways from the event with delegates from leading recruitment firms such as Morgan McKinley, REED, and Page.
Insights on the London economy
Last week I had the pleasure of speaking to the London members of the TEAM network, regarding our viewpoint on what we are seeing in the London economy. Following up from the annual summit we organized the week before, this was a chance for TEAM members unable to attend, to get a briefing on what to expect this coming year.
Findings from the Annual Vacancysoft summit
Last week we published the findings of our annual report, analysing the UK Labour Market and were delighted to be joined by industry leaders where we both shared our findings and had a lively panel discussion where we discussed the economic climate, the impact of geopolitical factors and what we think it all means, for this coming year.
Has Putin’s Trump card now been played?
Trump has spoken. Not only to Putin, but in Munich, to the European community also. For European leaders, the notion that a resolution on Ukraine could be negotiated solely between the United States and Russia—without their involvement—is entirely untenable. This is particularly concerning given that the U.S. has explicitly stated it does not perceive itself as a military guarantor post conflict.
Martech and the future of the Marketing profession
Automation through technology is not a new phenomenon. Every generation can cite its own case study of how jobs have been replaced by people. However, historically, the segments of the workforce most likely to be disrupted, have been the blue collar workers, and office based work, has proven resilient against that change.
Is a trade war between the EU and USA now inevitable?
With former President Trump moving to implement his policy agenda, initial measures have already been set in motion. He has declared a state of emergency at the border, leveraging his executive powers to impose tariffs on Canada, China, and Mexico, with the European Union (EU) now in his sights.
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