The job market remains challenging, but the latest KPMG and REC UK Report on Jobs suggests increasing stability. We’re seeing early improvement in temporary hiring, a slowing decline in permanent roles, and signs that confidence is gradually returning.
In Finance, particularly with niche roles there is a more promising return to the more familiar hiring patterns.
Conversations are becoming more constructive, future planning is creeping back in, and there’s a clear shift away from a pure “wait and see” mindset. Yet many Finance Directors and senior finance leaders remain in transition and most importantly, available and open to opportunities.
Despite an ongoing talent shortage, roles have evolved quickly. Boards are prioritising very specific capabilities including technology transformation, AI awareness, PE exposure and value creation. There remains in many places a mismatch between highly capable FDs and what organisations think they need.
We are still in the early days of 2026 and the momentum for candidates navigating a way back into meaningful and challenging roles will come less from waiting for the ideal role and more from staying in motion and developing those skills which are no longer the future but the present.
That means reframing experience around transformation, tech advancements and automation. Rather than positioning leaders as navigators of disruption, you will need to become the architects of it and how it will drive growth.
Prioritise conversations over applications and staying visible without being noisy (particularly on LinkedIn). Those who keep moving, keep learning and keep connecting will be best placed as confidence and hiring continues to return in 2026.
We remain as always, happy to discuss your needs and requirements.