Last 3 Months Summer Insight
Over the summer, demand for core HR generalists in Financial Services has remained consistent, reflecting the need for experienced professionals who can deliver impact quickly. Salaries have mostly clustered around £55,000 – £70,000 at the junior/mid levels, while VP-level roles at £90,000 – £110,000 have seen increased activity across banking, asset management, and insurance compared to the beginning of 2025, making up nearly 60% of our portfolio.
The Private Equity, Investment Management, and Asset Management sectors continue to show a growth mindset, with a notable rise in first-in or standalone HR leadership roles in SMEs and boutique firms. These leaders are being brought in early to build frameworks, streamline processes, implement HR tech, and shape strategy, which has accounted for around a quarter of our recent placements.
Professional Services hiring has been steady, though sector-specific. The legal sector leads activity, followed by property, with demand focused on generalist HR roles that maintain core delivery while supporting transformation. Consulting has been particularly active in HR M&A, driven by client needs and integration projects.
HR Transformation has focused primarily on workforce change and evaluating whether operating models remain fit for purpose. Companies are reassessing how work is structured, which roles are critical, and where processes can be streamlined. This is shaping hiring priorities, with greater emphasis on strategic workforce planning, HR systems expertise, and roles that support organisational transformation. Demand for interim Employee Relations specialists has spiked, supporting initiatives such as restructuring, redeployment, and redundancy projects. ER therefore remains a key skill set for both permanent and interim hires, helping organisations manage upcoming legislation, performance, and broader workforce programmes.
Overall, activity has been steady, with pockets of increased demand. This year, organisations are moving from transactional hiring toward strategic workforce planning, asking HR leaders to do more with less while delivering impact across core and strategic initiatives. As we approach year-end, interim and fractional roles are expected to rise, giving companies flexible access to expertise while budgets and headcount plans are finalised.
