Getting the Industry View

March 2025

Great to speak at APSCO’s member meeting in Manchester. And a lively conversation too, set against the backdrop of the Chancellor’s Spring Statement. 
As the echoes of Rachel Reeves’s speech faded, around 50 APSCO members shared their views on the state of the recruitment sector, and their prognosis for the future.

Some themes reverberated strongly around the room:

1. It’s been a tough start to the year. Lots of caution as employers fear the extra costs of adding people to the payroll.
2. Success will be be driven by doing the business fundamentals well - starting with sweating your CRM.
3. Building relationships is key - don’t become transactional or commoditised as the value lies in trust and loyalty.
4. AI is here - but it’s not your saviour. In fact, it is often a veneer hiding a pretty basic service. It doesn’t have to be - but it is. So use tech wisely, not just because you can. 
5. Good candidates will always get placed - but you’ve got to create the opportunity.
6. Be memorable. Be intelligent. Think about your candidate and client needs. Don’t assume.
7. And sleep well once you’ve put a shift in…

Thanks to the APSCo team, especially Moya Rylands, for organising it. To Peter Stoll for hosting us; and for the contributions of Ray Wareing, Alison Humphries Hon FREC, kai murray, and Zack Tsirtos.


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