Our September 2025 Talent Trends Report, built on REC/KPMG and S&P Global data, reveals the hiring signals and workforce strategies decision-makers need now.
Permanent hiring decline easing: the slowest contraction in months
Candidate availability surging: strongest rise since 2020
Pay growth cooling: salaries and day rates rising only marginally
Vacancies remain muted: demand subdued, for now
Why this report matters for employers & hiring managers
After months of subdued recruitment activity, the latest figures point to important market shifts:
Candidate availability: Deep pools of skilled professionals are entering the market due to redundancies and job-security concerns
Pay growth trends: Salary and contract rates are stable, creating a rare window to hire at predictable costs before upward pressure returns
Recruitment demand: Vacancies remain low, meaning competition for the best talent is less intense but poised to rebound
These dynamics will shape everything from headcount planning and salary benchmarking to talent acquisition strategy for 2026 and beyond.
What you’ll gain from this report
This comprehensive report goes beyond headline statistics to help you:
Secure specialist talent at competitive costs while the market is calm
Build a future-ready hiring strategy using trusted market intelligence
Reduce risk and avoid bottlenecks by anticipating market shifts before rivals move
Ideal for business leaders, HR professionals, and hiring managers planning budgets or growth.
Why act now
Those who wait risk:
Higher costs later as wages rebound and agency fees rise
Lost talent to competitors who move quickly
Slower recovery when market demand accelerates
As the report warns:
“There are more skilled people on the market than we’ve seen in years. But this window won’t stay open for long.”
About Gerrard White
Talent. Delivered. Fast.
At Gerrard White, we are a specialist recruitment agency with deep expertise in insurance, legal, tech and change across the UK, Europe and the US.
We move fast to connect businesses with top talent while the market is in their favour
We prioritise quality and cultural fit, not just CVs
We combine live market data with relationship-driven recruiting to deliver lasting results
Looking to get ahead but unsure where to start? Let’s talk.
info@gerrardwhite.com | 01892 553355