Global recruitment trends: what’s next for UK agencies?
From Talking Recruitment by Recruitment & Employment Confederation
May 6, 2026 · 30 min
About this episode
The episode discusses global recruitment trends and their implications for UK agencies.
In this episode of Talking Recruitment, Maxine Bligh is joined by Ross Thompson and Jurgen Jaarsma to discuss what is happening across global recruitment markets and what it means for UK agencies. They explore current trends including regional growth, ongoing talent shortages and the continued shift towards remote and offshore hiring. As costs rise in the UK and other established markets, more agencies are looking overseas to scale their teams and improve efficiency. The episode also looks at changing candidate expectations, particularly around flexible working, and how this is shaping hiring decisions in different regions. The guests share insights from markets including the US, Europe and South Africa, highlighting where demand is growing and where opportunities exist. Alongside this, they discuss the risks. From compliance and worker classification to choosing the right partners, the conversation offers practical advice for agencies thinking about international expansion. Overall, a useful overview of how recruitment businesses can adapt and grow in a more global market.
People in this episode
Host: Maxine Bligh
Guests: Ross Thompson, Jurgen Jaarsma
Topics covered
- global recruitment trends
- UK agencies
- talent shortages
- remote hiring
- candidate expectations
- international expansion
Keywords
- recruitment
- global markets
- flexible working
- compliance
- worker classification
- regional growth
- offshore hiring
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: UK, US, Europe, South Africa
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