Showing posts with label jobs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jobs. Show all posts

Friday, 9 September 2016

Market Update: Where are we Post-Brexit?



The results of Markit’s recent PMI (the Purchasing Managers Index) survey has the put the minds of the British public at ease (for now) as the unexpected rebound of the service sector adds to a string of positive market news on exports, jobs and houses.

Markit recorded the biggest month on month increase in the survey’s history and shows figures increasing from 47.4 in July to 52.9, far exceeding the 50 mark needed for growth.The service sector makes up a staggering 80% of the UK economy

 
From these results it is now clear that Britain will avoid the expected recession many thought would follow after the June's historic vote.
"The services PMI completes a triple-whammy of good economic data for the UK in the last three trading sessions and indicates that businesses are returning to normal after the initial shock of the vote rocked confidence," said Neil Wilson, a financial market analyst at ETX Capital.

 
Britain’s economic situation is looking brighter with the value of the pound going up on a seven week high against the value of the dollar - $1.3375, and the value of the pound beginning to steady.
Credit Suisse and Morgan Stanley have both 'rowed back' on their predictions after the better than expected results. Bank of England Governor, Mark Carney, has described himself as feeling 'absolutely serene' with the banks preparations and actions which he says allowed Britain's economy to 'sail through' the shock impact following the referendum.
 
The City of London, however, is not sitting on its hands and has already stepped up lobbying efforts with the new Chancellor Philip Hammond to ensure that processes are not rushed and to stress the importance of access to the single market. The Financial Services industry accounts for more than 12% of the UK's exports, contributing £60 billion in tax and employing 1 million people.

How are the Big Four after the Brexit vote?

Deloitte

Deloitte’s UK revenues have grown at the fastest rate in a decade, according the latest figures.The company experienced a “landmark” year in Scotland, strengthened its Transaction Services practice in the North of England and Group revenue for Deloitte has increased by 11.2 per cent for the year to May 2016 to £3.1bn.

Managing Partner, David Sproul, has suggested that the government should not reduce hiring skilled migrants: “The government must recognise that further restricting skilled migrants could be detrimental to the UK’s ability to attract global investment and the diverse pool of international talent that has supported our country’s growth”.
 
KPMG
 
KPMG continues to be the preferred UK's auditor for stock market clients, having created six new contracts in the last quarter. The Head of KPMG's deal advisory practice in the Midlands has stated that there is still a healthy appetite for deals in the region describing the environment as conducive.  
 
PWC
 
PWC remains in second place behind KPMG with 369 total clients and has come out confidently stating that London's dynamism means that it would remain agile and resilient to any potential fallout from Brexit and that the City had managed to  'pull away' from other global rivals this year.
 
EY
 
 EY has noted the opportunities for businesses that will come as a result of any renogiations and has stated that due to UK's strong performance in the past year it has retained it's spot as the number one place in Europe for foreign investment.

 
The future is looking a lot brighter than many experts initially thought, we now await to see how the new government intends to take Britain forward.
 
If you'd like to hear more about our market updates then register for our newsletter by emailing pmcloughlin@thinkgr.com.


Friday, 3 April 2015

A NIGHT AT S1 JOBS RECRUITMENT AWARDS – APRIL 2015

Last night I attended S1 Jobs Recruitment Awards at the Crown Plaza in Glasgow.  It had the makings of an interesting night, where many recruitment people from all over Scotland congregated together.  I was delighted to have been invited as a guest on Bull Horn’s table and would also like to thank Martin Kay or Route 2 who also offered me a place on his table.   There is only one of me, so I went with the first invite and enjoyed the good company of the lovely people from Bull Horn, James Fleming from Jimmy Red, Hazel from Gillespie People Solutions, Tori Long from Head Resourcing IT Recruitment, Niel Rafferty of NSK Recruitment, Graham Cross from Mazars and Michael Young of MBN Recruitment Solutions/ Chairman of APSCO amongst others.  The evening started at The Grand Central Champaign Bar at Central Station, courtesy of Bull Horn.  At 7pm we jumped in taxis to the Crown Plaza.

I was slightly disappointed to hear that the dress code was ‘casual smart’.  I am a believer that if you are giving out awards, it should be an auspicious occasion to honour the winners which merits a black tie event.  However, it seems I wasn't the only one and many of the attendees had ignored the dress code and made the effort.  Mostly, everyone looked great all glammed up.

On arrival to the Crown Plaza we were handed a lovely glass of champagne, courtesy of Fire Fish (the glass even had a fish on it).   We were quickly called to take a seat at our tables.   The first thing you saw on everyone’s table was a stress bull, these bulls quickly had pictures taken in various poses which were tweeted out for the world to have a giggle.  What great publicity for Bull Horn!

The evening was compared by a comedian, a little too obvious for my taste of humour, but many of the crowd found him funny, in particular those that must have had a few more pre dinner drinks than I had.  S1 Jobs got on the stage and started well by speaking about how recruitment companies Improve Lives, but then the speech went down hill by becoming a very long sales pitch for a) a tool that could be a competitor to the recruitment consultancies b) a tool that is a direct competitor to their main sponsor for the evening and c) well I have not idea because I had switched of by that part.  The speaker had not read the audience at all and carried on to finish his entire speech regardless to the fact 90% of the audience had started chatting amongst themselves.  What a shame!
Steven from Bull Horn with Myself (Abigail)

It seems that because Mr S1 Jobs hogged so much of the time, the 18 awards were rushed through quickly.  I would have loved to have seen the 3 shortlisted web sites, recruitment videos etc.  Hopefully they will publish links for us. 

Despite a few grumbles, I would like to thank S1 Jobs, where their speech was terribly boring, they did a great job of laying on a good evening with Music, a band, good food and wine.  I had an amazing night and will definitely be back for next year!
Graham Cross from Mazars with Myself (Abigail)


And the winners were………

Firstly, a huge well done to James Fleming, MD of Jimmy Red, who I am proud to say was on our table and had already impressed me with his story of building his niche recruitment company from 1 to 14 people in on year.  Jimmy Red won Best Small Recruitment Agency.  
James Fleming being 'cool' when they announced Jimmy Red won!

Also a huge well done to one of our favourite clients, EY, who swept up 2 awards - Best Graduate Recruitment Strategy and Best Graduate Recruitment Campaign. 
Gordon Smith, EY with Award


Best Large Recruitment Agency

  • Reed - Winner

  • First People Solutions
  • FPSG
  • Office Angels
  • 9-20 Recruitment

Best Small Recruitment Agency

  • Jimmy Red Recruitment - Winner

  • Titan Global
  • Total Recruitment Group
  • Cathcart Associates
  • Enigma People Solutions

Best Recruitment Consultant of the Year

  • Alison Miller - Reed - Winner

  • Alan McVey - Reed
  • Kirsty Lloyd - FPSG
  • Yvonne Kelly - Total Recruitment Group
  • Carol Duncan - Office Angels

Best Employer Brand

  • Clydesdale Bank - Winner

  • NHS Scotland
  • Sky
  • Skyscanner
  • Scottish Canals
  • John Lewis
  • Google

Best Recruitment Campaign

  • MSL Group - EY - Winner

  • TMP - Coventry City Council - Commendation
  • Tonic Agency - BNP Paribas

Apprenticeship Award

  • GAP Group Hire Solutions - Winner

  • West Dunbartonshire Council Employability Service - Commendation

Best Employer Training & Development

  • Mediacom Edinburgh - Winner

  • Renfrewshire Council - Commendation
  • Thistle Healthcare Ltd - Commendation

Best Recruitment Website

  • CA3 - Avis Budget Group - Winner

  • Chatter - First Group
  • Havas People - Tesco
  • TMP - Rental Cars

Best Recruitment Innovation

  • Tonic Agency - Shell - Winner

  • Havas People - Ab Inbev
  • Sensée Ltd
  • TMP Worldwide - Virgin Money

Best In House Team (under 1000)

  • Peninsula Business Services - Winner

  • Golden Charter - Commendation
  • NHS Orkney - Commendation
  • Sodexo Prestige Venues and Events

Best In House Team (over 1000)

  • Calgary Communications - Doosan - Winner

  • GAP Group Hire Solutions
  • MSL Group - EY
  • National Oilwell Varco

Best Graduate Recruitment Strategy

  • MSL Group - EY - Winner

  • Chivas Brothers
  • Havas People - Deloitte

Best Recruitment Campaign Government/Public Sector

  • TMP - Coventry City Council - Winner

  • Scottish Canals

Best Use of Social Media as part of a Recruitment Campaign

  • Andsome - Boots - Winner

  • Havas People - Deloitte
  • Solutions Driven

Most Effective Brand Development

  • Andsome - The Original Bowling Company - Winner

  • Casual Films - AB Communications
  • Casual Films - Rolls Royce
  • MSL Group - EY

Best OnBoarding Strategy

  • CA3 - RBS - Winner

  • Maxwell Bruce

Best Recruitment Video

  • Casual Films - Sainsbury - Winner

  • Casual Films - DAH University
  • Casual Films - Rolls Royce
  • QA Apprenticeships

Best HR Team of the Year

  • Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa - Winner

  • Scottish Canals - Commendation
  • GAP Group Limited

Chairman's Award

  • Jim McColl OBE

Friday, 16 May 2014

Moving Abroad for Work: UAE and the Finance Industry, contributed by Emma Lathom



According to the Quality of Life Report conducted[i] by the Centre for Future Studies for Natwest, nearly 150,000 Britons are emigrating from the United Kingdom each year. Encouraged by the ease of contact with family and friends abroad via personal technology and mobile devices, many British workers are looking for work abroad, particularly in popular business locations such as the Australia and the UAE.

Popular destinations
The Quality of Life Report found that Australia and Canada[ii] were the top two destinations for British expats, with Australia coming out on top for Britons. Around 40,000 people move to Australia from the UK each year and the country now has up to 1.2 million British expats. Despite the potentially high cost of living, the sunny climate and high quality of life makes it a popular destination amongst those seeking a fresh start.

According to the report, the UAE beat the US and Hong Kong[iii], coming third on the list, with 75% of those surveyed suggesting that one of their main reasons for moving there would be career opportunities. Dave Isley, head of Natwest International Personal Banking[iv], suggests that this shift in views is one of the most notable in many years, with a large number of Britons stating that they’re willing to adjust their lifestyles in order to enjoy the stronger economy and better job opportunities available in the UAE.

The benefits of UAE
The UAE has quickly become one of the go-to destinations for British expats working within many industries. In general, the lack of tax is beneficial for any expats looking to earn a good money while avoiding outgoings. However, job growth is also causing Britons to flock to the country. According to the Monster Employment Index for the Middle East, banking, financial services and insurance[vi] sectors registered the maximum number of online job opportunities in the UAE, with a 9% grow year-on-year. This growth is only expected to increase after the UAE unveiled a new law[vii] that will aid job creation across the emirates.

The new law, which is currently being finalised, is aimed at boosting entrepreneurship using incentives as a means of creating jobs for a growing population. UAE Finance Minister Sultan bin Saeed Al-Mansouri says he believes that the law, which allocates 10% of the development bank capital to go towards helping the businesses, will come into effect within the second quarter of 2014, helping national and international workers within the financial sector to create a business of their own.
Of course, those wishing to enter the UAEs financial and accountancy sector via an already established company[viii] will also benefit from the country’s recent boost in attention[ix] from across the globe. According to Olivier Meier, senior mobility consultant at Mercer, an increasing number of foreign workers are being sent to the UAE for both short and long-term assignments due to the country’s new position as a key global economic hub.

Why Dubai?
Within the Emirates, Dubai is rapidly becoming one of the most popular expat destinations for finance and accountancy workers. The main draw for expatriates to Dubai is the zero rate of income tax, but financial workers are also attracted to the country to take advantage of its rapidly growing financial sector and the increasing job opportunities appearing as the industry booms.

This boom is partly down to the emirate’s recently unveiled plan to become the Islamic economic hub[x]. In December 2013 the Dubai government set up a new body for the financial sector, the Dubai Islamic Economy Development Center. As part of Dubai’s goal, the center will provide legal and other services to companies within the Islamic banking industry, boosting growth and encouraging the emirate’s transformation into an economic hub. However, this growth is leaving a shortage of qualified workers in the sector, and so has prompted a search for talented financial professionals. 

In order to bridge this gap, many institutions and companies within the banking industry are developing strong intern programmes to provide hands-on training for younger bankers looking to gain practical experience in Dubai. Muneer Khan, a partner at law firm Simmons and Simmons Middle East[xi], has highlighted the role that international workers should play in the development of Dubai’s finance sector, suggesting that expatriate bankers are required to help globalise the Islamic economic sector.

However, Mr Khan also stresses that many Dubai banks are unwilling to hire international staff without the right experience. Managing director of the Dubai International Academic City[xii], a free zone for international university campuses in Dubai, has highlighted the importance of training and education within the Islamic economy, and argues that the emirate is working hard to help international workers enter the industry. He suggested that industry experts, government officials and leading academics are already working together to identify the skills gaps within Dubai’s finance industry and help national and international workers develop the required skills to meet the sector’s needs.


[i] Gulf News http://gulfnews.com/business/general/thousands-of-britons-relocate-every-year-outside-their-county-1.1328497
[ii] The Telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/houseprices/10803090/Is-Dubai-the-new-Spain-for-British-expatriates.html
[iii] Al Arabiya News http://english.alarabiya.net/en/life-style/travel-and-tourism/2014/05/05/Fun-in-the-sun-British-expats-prefer-UAE-over-Europe-and-U-S-.html
[iv] Natwest International http://www.natwestinternational.com/nw/personal-banking.ashx
[v] Quotezone http://www.quotezone.co.uk/debt-help.htm
[vi] Emirates 247 http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/looking-for-uae-job-sectors-with-most-opportunities-2014-04-22-1.546572
[vii] Arab News http://www.arabnews.com/news/555126
[viii] United Arab Bank http://www.uab.ae/cms/
[ix] Gulf News http://gulfnews.com/business/general/uae-a-hot-spot-for-overseas-assignments-1.1325425
[x] The International News http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-1-244105-Dubai-seeks-to-become-Islamic-economic-hub
[xi] Simmons & Simmons http://www.simmons-simmons.com/en/Locations/Middle-East
[xii] Dubai International Academy City http://www.diacedu.com


Monday, 17 February 2014

VACANCIES ACROSS THE UK RISE AT THE FASTEST PACE SINCE MAY 1998

KPMG and REC’s Report on Jobs’ for January shows a strong growth in permanent vacancies and increase in shortage of candidates available. December’s report also showed a six year peak in salary growth.

Think Global Recruitment has been assisting firms across the globe recruit accountancy and finance professionals for over 14 years.  In that time Think Global Recruitment has seen the 2000/2001 down turn and now the World Wide Global Recession.   The findings of this survey have not surprised Abigail Stevens, Managing Director.  However, she is delighted that this is a sign that the economy is strengthening.  Abigail herself has over 18 years recruitment experience and commented ‘Banks and Professional services companies often study our industry’s performance to gauge what is happening in the economy.  We were amongst the first to see the recession coming, as companies started to put recruiting new staff on hold and now we are seeing a sharp increase in the number of vacancies available, indicating the economy has to be improving.  We literally watched as it went into recession, country by country and now I am delighted we can see a similar reverse effect in most locations throughout the globe.’
  
Commenting on the latest survey results, which is carried out by Markit, Bernard Brown, Partner and Head of Business Services at KPMG, said:

“Employer confidence continues to grow, with the thirst for new staff hitting a fifteen-and-a- half year high in January. In a week showing improvements to UK construction figures and growth across the Eurozone manufacturing industry, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if other sectors begin to report peaks in performance.

“Yet no one should be fooled into thinking that the road ahead will be easy to travel. Earlier this week markets across the globe fell as investors were rattled by weak data. It’s unlikely to herald a crisis, but should serve to ensure employers remain vigilant to business threats.

“The warning has been noted by employees because, although jobs are being created, January saw another decline in the number of people putting themselves on the jobs market. The preference seems to be for temporary roles, suggesting that employees are adopting a ‘try before you buy’ mentality before committing to long-term roles.”

The main finding for January are:

Further sharp rises in permanent placements and temp billings
Permanent staff placements continued to increase strongly in January, although the pace of expansion eased from the 45-month high recorded in December. Similarly, temp billings
rose at a rate only marginally slower than December’s 15-year peak.


Strongest growth of demand for staff since May 1998

Overall job vacancies rose at a sharp and accelerated rate in January. The pace of expansion was the fastest in over fifteen- and-a-half years.


Permanent salaries continue to increase markedly...

The rate of growth of permanent staff salaries remained elevated at the start of 2014, holding at a pace broadly in line with December’s six-year peak.


...amid declining availability of candidates

Further falls in staff availability were signalled in January. Both permanent and temporary candidate numbers declined at marked rates, albeit the slowest in three months.


Abigail has pointed out the last summary fact is one that we should all be aware of.   It is great news the economy is picking up.  However, this will mean more competition for good quality staff and a smaller pool to choose from.   Abigail said ‘although firm’s have learnt a little from the 2000/2001 down turn and tried hard to not decrease staff numbers, in particular trainee’s, with this recession going on so long, they had no choice.  This means that between 2014 and 2018 I am predicting demand for qualified accountants to get higher and higher and those available to decrease.’  

The good news for those using Think Global Recruitment is that, being one of the longest established international accountancy and finance recruitment consultancies, we have predicted this pattern and therefore put into place a strategy to ensure that we continue to have the best available professionals for our clients requirements.   We are also creative and always happy to talk to organisations regarding ways they can attract those hard to find accountants to join their teams.