Thought Leadership
See our latest news, market reports, executive comment and recent newsletters — and discover which media outlets use Vacancysoft thought leadership and data to enhance their stories
We partner with leading recruitment firms to produce thought leadership reports highlighting key labour market trends.
North – UK Regional Labour Market Trends, October 2025
This report analyses professional hiring trends across Northern England as the regional market enters a recovery phase, with vacancies up 6.9% year on year. It highlights how construction, retail, and digital transformation are driving renewed growth in the North East, North West, and Yorkshire, while banking remains under pressure amid sector consolidation.
Clinical – UK Life Sciences Labour Market Trends, October 2025
This report examines Europe’s clinical research labour market as it stabilises following a turbulent 2024, with overall hiring projected to rise modestly by 0.4%. It explores how CROs and biotech firms are driving recovery, supported by regulatory clarity and renewed investor confidence, while pharmaceutical companies adopt a more selective, efficiency-focused hiring approach.
C&I – UK Legal Labour Market Trends, October 2025
This report explores the revival of Britain’s Commerce and Industry labour market, with finance vacancies forecast to rise 9.2% in 2025 — the strongest expansion in three years. It highlights how easing inflation, regional investment, and rising demand for tech and tax expertise are reshaping hiring across the UK’s key business hubs.
Quick insights on hiring trends, industry shifts, and key sector developments to keep you informed in today’s dynamic job market.
Procurement Snapshot
Stay informed with the latest insights on labour market shifts, hiring patterns, and industry-specific analytics. Our Snapshots highlight key developments across multiple sectors, helping you navigate the evolving recruitment landscape.
Birmingham Snapshot
Stay informed with the latest insights on labour market shifts, hiring patterns, and industry-specific analytics. Our Snapshots highlight key developments across multiple sectors, helping you navigate the evolving recruitment landscape.
Tax Snapshot
Stay informed with the latest insights on labour market shifts, hiring patterns, and industry-specific analytics. Our Snapshots highlight key developments across multiple sectors, helping you navigate the evolving recruitment landscape.
LondonlovesBusiness: Accountancy and Fintech thrive, banking falters: UK finance jobs report 2025
The accountancy sector saw a strong rebound in 2024, with vacancies rising 29% to their highest level in five years, accounting for 54% of all openings.
Finextra: UK fintech jobs market booms
Fintech vacancies surged to 12,519 in 2024, up from 8,672 the previous year, driven by increased venture capital funding, AI adoption, and industry fragmentation, according to a report by Morgan McKinley and Vacancysoft.
The Fintech Times: Capital Funding and AI Adoption Drive Fintech Hiring Growth, as Banks Vacancy Numbers Fall
Nearly two-thirds (63%) of UK financial institutions now invest in AI, up from 32% in 2023, according to a new market trends report by Morgan McKinley and Vacancysoft
Our CEO, James Chaplin, provides insight into business, operations and thought leadership at Vacancysoft.
Vacancysoft Launch the IS-8 Vacancy Index
The UK’s new Industrial Strategy (IS-8), launched in June 2025, commits over £86 billion to boost productivity, innovation and competitiveness across eight key sectors — from Clean Energy to Life Sciences. Early indicators show rising investment and job creation, particularly in AI, Energy and Defence, as the government accelerates efforts to drive industrial growth.
Could the war in Ukraine end this winter?
Ukraine’s defence sector is rapidly transforming amid ongoing conflict, with homegrown technologies like the long-range “Flamingo” missile boosting military autonomy and shifting the strategic balance. As Russia’s economy weakens under falling energy revenues and rising costs, pressure is mounting for a ceasefire — especially if the rouble again breaches 100 to the dollar, a threshold that could make continued war unsustainable.
Private Sector Pulls Ahead While Public Sector Lags
UK pay growth is diverging, with public sector wages up 6.0% versus 4.4% in the private sector, while productivity continues to lag. Economists warn this imbalance risks fuelling inflation as firms turn to AI and automation to offset rising labour costs
Our partners in the recruitment industry share their thought leadership insights, advice, and best practices.
A Guide to Onboarding New Starters in the Recruitment Industry: Manager Responsibilities and Timelines
Effective onboarding is key to setting up new starters for success in the competitive recruitment industry. As managers, it is crucial to provide comprehensive training and support to ensure that new recruits are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their roles.
From Liability to Advantage: Mastering IR35 Compliance for Recruitment
For recruitment agencies supplying limited company contractors, it’s vital to have a good understanding of IR35 legislation and processes in place to reduce and mitigate risk. Whilst the IR35 legislation has been in place for over 20 years, the Off-Payroll reforms created a tax exposure for recruitment agencies that did not previously exist.
Embrace Technology for Sustained Success
In today’s fast-paced world, technology continues to advance at an astonishing rate, revolutionising various industries and reshaping the way we work. For the UK labour market, this high-tech revolution has brought about significant transformations, particularly for agency recruitment owners. However, these shifts should be viewed as opportunities rather than challenges.
At Vacancysoft we cherish the vibrant tapestry of connections woven through our diverse team, spanning across London, Warsaw, and Lviv. Our curated events serve as a cornerstone for fostering meaningful relationships with our employees, clients, and suppliers. By championing thought leadership and innovation, we cultivate a dynamic environment for networking and collaboration. These gatherings are not just events, but a testament to our commitment to building a community that thrives on diversity, knowledge sharing, and mutual growth.
Webinar: IT Job Watch – December
Join our upcoming webinar on December 10 at 12 PM as James Chaplin and Matt Gallivan dive into the latest IT job market trends—with a special focus on gaming! We’ll cover IT hiring trends, macroeconomic impacts, and the skills driving change. Don’t miss out!
Webinar: IT Job Watch – November
Hear from James Chaplin, CEO of Vacancysoft, as he unveils critical insights into the shifting landscape of IT recruitment. Dive into emerging trends in IT job openings, regional shifts, the surge in SME hiring, and today’s skills in demand. Access actionable data on industry trends, venture capital flows, and economic factors shaping the IT sector. Secure your spot – register now!
Finance Forum
The Finance Forum is a monthly breakfast event, for business owners and senior executives who are interested in the latest economic trends, in terms of what it means for the London labour market, specifically within Finance.
Spaces are limited – register now!
Read the latest news on the recruitment and staffing industry through stories powered by Vacancysoft’s labour market data, analysis and our thought leadership pieces.
Daily Mail: Brits finally get back to their desks
Less than two in five workers are now spending some of the week at home compared to 43% who are in the office full-time James Chaplin, Vacancysoft CEO, is featured in the Daily Mail talking about hybrid working in the UK: Since the summer, many companies have returned...
2023 Review: London hits record year for corporate governance vacancies with Barclays at the forefront — New report with Morgan McKinley
2023 Review: London hits record year for corporate governance vacancies with Barclays at the forefront Corporate governance vacancies peaked in London in 2022 as the rest of England and Wales experienced largest rise year-on-year, up 30.5% Outside the capital,...
UK 2023 Review: Vacancies for medical affairs in 2022 fall across England and Wales as the South hit record levels —new report with Cpl Life Sciences
UK 2023 Review: Vacancies for medical affairs in 2022 fall across England and Wales as the South hit record level Our latest report in partnership with CPL Life Sciences Hiring volumes in medical affairs outside London saw the largest fall, down 26.9% year-on-year...
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