Looking Ahead to 2021 – A Message From Our CEO, John Hoskin

A Message From Our CEO, John Hoskin

2020 has been a year like no other. With ongoing Brexit discussions, the postponement of IR35, and the Coronavirus pandemic, everyone has had to adapt and evolve through very uncertain times.

Although the year has been hugely challenging, not least in the recruitment sector, where many sectors were particularly hard-hit by Coronavirus and associated lockdowns, economic limitations and Government interventions, we were pleased to have successfully deployed our robust business continuity, allowing us to provide high levels of sustained, ongoing support to contractors and recruitment agencies, at a time when they needed it most. We are particularly proud of all of our staff and team members who showed tremendous dedication and adaptability in striving to deliver for customers under difficult circumstances – a big thank you goes out to them, as well as to all our valued partners and customers who we worked in tandem with throughout.

Despite the year’s trials and tribulations, a positive that we can draw is that 2020’s series of lockdown challenges, and the related focus on health and human stories, gave us all cause to step back and reassess what is important; and to pull together and work in partnership as never before.

As we look forward to 2021, we expect to see growth within the temporary recruitment industry; with new contractors switching from permanent to temporary employment in order to take advantage of the freedom of contracting and to set themselves up with a better work-life balance – no doubt a priority for many. With more people turning to freelancing and contracting, we predict the flexible employment sector will have a significant role to play in the UK’s economic recovery by allowing businesses to tap into the best talent at the right time and to flexibly engage resource as they navigate the inevitable economic challenges ahead. We also expect many recruitment businesses to look to develop and enhance contingent workforce propositions where perhaps they had not done so in the past.

And whilst the future of the economy is uncertain, one challenge we are set to face in April 2021 is the eventual implementation of the delayed IR35 reforms. As the industry continues to change and grow, we will continue to relish the chance to provide long-lasting, market leading and ever-reliable support, advice, and expertise for our customers; continuing to focus on our high-quality customer service and making life better where we can by listening hard, investing in tech solutions, and taking control of the complexities. Our teams are geared up for the challenge, we have invested in additional capacity and training for our people and we have solutions ready and waiting to simplify things for our valued clients.

To draw this year to a close, I’d like to thank all our customers, staff and associates and wish you all a Merry Christmas and happy new year. We hope next year is a great one, but no matter what it brings, you can be sure that we’ll maintain our focus and measure ourselves on providing a consistent level of agile, expert and innovative services, as we always have.

John Hoskin