August market overview: commerce and industry
August was a month of increased HR opportunities
“The number of HR opportunities Frazer Jones worked on was higher than the month of July by 20%.”
August was a slowdown month for most organisations which took its toll on the recruitment market. August is typically known in the recruitment market as a much slower month, so it was a pleasant surprise to see that this year, the number of HR opportunities Frazer Jones worked on was higher than the month of July by 20% – an encouraging month for us all, whether job searching or recruiting.
July was a very slow month in terms of processes, and August did seem to be similar. Due to holidays, many hiring managers or talent acquisition teams found it hard to get time in the diary to interview, so processes seemed to take on average two to three weeks longer from start to finish.
“We have seen consistency in hiring and vacancies this year across manufacturing, telecommunications, consumer goods/FMCG and retail spaces.”
The markets that we recruit across have had a turbulent year, which was reflected in pockets across the HR space. However, August brought confidence back across the board. We have seen consistency in hiring and vacancies this year across manufacturing, telecommunications, consumer goods/fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and retail spaces. Plus, the technology space has started to bounce back. The areas that quietened in August were across the not-for-profit, healthcare, renewables and distribution spaces – yet not enough to be a worrying decline.
The market has HR, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and learning and development hiring on the agenda
“Businesses are demonstrating that the market has HR hiring on the agenda.”
Businesses hiring in August have, interestingly, been in the FTSE and large global spaces – but with an even share of the smaller, growth businesses. This again is good to see – businesses are demonstrating that the market has HR hiring on the agenda.
“DEI and learning and development opportunities are also coming in strong.”
There was a higher than usual number of early careers and graduate recruitment roles, most likely tying in with cyclical intakes within companies. DEI and learning and development opportunities are also coming in strong, again, these are hires that businesses aren’t always as essential – although we know they are! The uptake in hiring across these areas is another positive indicator that the market is becoming more confident.
“This past month, we are now regularly seeing roles over GBP 100,000 and also between the GBP 150,000 – GBP 200,000 base salary.”
Frazer Jones has also witnessed a larger number of hires across the executive HR market. This past month, we were regularly seeing roles over GBP 100,000 and also between the GBP 150,000 – GBP 200, 000 base salary with total compensation exceeding GBP 300, 000 on occasions. This has proven that HR has a strong seat at the table and the expert space we have in the market to provide businesses with this talent across the UK and globally.
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