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 West – Regional Labour Market Trends, March 2026
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.
AI & Data Focus – UK Tech Labour Market Trends, March 2026
The UK’s data and AI labour market reached record levels in 2025, with vacancies rising 18.4% year-on-year as businesses moved beyond pilot programmes and began integrating AI into core workflows at scale. Annualised 2026 figures point to a further 13.2% increase, with January and February already posting year-on-year growth of 20.0% and 31.7% respectively. If current trends continue, one in four jobs in the sector will have been created in the last two years, a pace of growth unmatched by virtually any other part of the UK economy.
Regulatory Affairs – UK Life Sciences Labour Market Trends, March 2026
Regulatory affairs hiring across UK life sciences contracted in 2025 as multinational pharmaceutical firms implemented widespread restructuring. London absorbed the majority of cuts, with vacancies falling by 29.3%, reflecting reductions concentrated at headquarters. Across the rest of the UK, hiring proved more resilient, declining by 7.7% while increasing its share of demand.
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.
AI Transformation Event Insights
AI is the topic that is seemingly all around us, with that, this week we hosted a session with Mercury CRM where we profiled how it is now starting to change the job market.
How could the Gulf Conflict boost the UK economy?
There has been a lot of discussion in the media about the risk of a recession due to the Gulf conflict. The UK economy was already slowing down, and this situation is adding more pressure. In the short term, this is likely to show up in several ways
The global de-dollarization begins now
Trump’s familiar slogan, Make America Great Again, risks taking on a different meaning. It may come to suggest a country that stands increasingly alone. Allies are being unsettled, while rivals appear more confident. Germany is in talks with Washington over the future of American bases on its soil. France, Italy and Spain have restricted access to their airspace for military flights bound for Israel.
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.
Annual Summit Registration Form
This event examines how the UK’s £80bn Industrial Strategy (IS-8) is already reshaping the jobs market, highlighting early impacts across cleantech, digital, telecoms and other strategic sectors, alongside emerging skills and regional growth trends. Set against a shifting geopolitical and fiscal backdrop, it brings together leading industry experts to provide actionable insights into 2025 hiring patterns, investment priorities and the sectors set to outperform.
Finance Forum December 2 – Register Now
With the Budget approaching, concerns are growing over how the Chancellor will address the widening fiscal gap and restore business confidence. Early IS-8 investment figures are strong, with major commitments in AI, defence and automotive, while further measures to revitalise Financial Services are expected. Wednesday’s announcements will be closely watched for their impact on growth, competitiveness and the wider economy.
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!
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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