Business leaders are taking a cautious outlook in recruitment - London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
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Business leaders are taking a cautious outlook in recruitment - London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
"According to the 2025 iteration of the Index, almost a quarter (29%) of recruiters feel positive or very positive about the global economic outlook for the recruitment sector, while just 19% have a negative opinion. Sentiment toward the UK market remains more subdued, with just 25% expressing optimism, and 43% still feeling pessimistic. However, this is a step forward from the 2022 Index, when only 16% were optimistic and 50% held negative views."
"In response to the domestic uncertainty that has prevailed throughout 2025, 37% of recruitment businesses are planning to expand into the US market in the coming year, reflecting a strategic shift toward more stable and growth-oriented regions. The analysis also suggests that UK staffing companies are exploring the potential of artificial intelligence to future-proof their firm, though few have yet to see tangible benefits."
"The latest Recruitment Index highlights a sector that is cautiously optimistic yet acutely aware of the challenges ahead. While sentiment toward the UK market remains mixed, it's encouraging to see an upward shift in confidence compared to previous years. The global outlook, however, looks far more promising which we hope is a precursor to more optimism in the domestic market in the near future."
Almost a quarter (29%) of recruiters feel positive or very positive about the global economic outlook, while 19% hold negative views. UK market sentiment is more subdued, with 25% optimistic and 43% pessimistic, an improvement from 2022 when only 16% were optimistic and 50% were negative. In response to domestic uncertainty, 37% of recruitment businesses plan to expand into the US. UK staffing firms are experimenting with AI: 34% running business initiatives to trial tools, 32% actively integrating AI, 26% experimenting on a smaller scale, yet only 6% report tangible benefits so far.
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