Q1 2025 Market Update
As we approach the end of Q1 2025, the UK job market presents a mixed picture. While there are ongoing challenges, we’re also seeing positive signs of stability and increased hiring activity in internal communications. Some industries are starting to pick up, but hiring confidence is still shaky, and competition for roles remains fierce. That said, there are positive signs – more job postings, businesses thinking ahead, and some key sectors showing growth.
🎧 Prefer to listen to the update instead? Check out our latest market update video from Andy here:
Leadership transition at Comma Partners
As Virginia takes a step back from front-line recruitment, Andy is looking forward to taking on the leadership of Comma Partners from April. As a specialist recruitment agency for internal and change communications, employee engagement, and experience roles, we’re committed to providing an honest and data-driven view of the market.
The UK job market: cautiously optimistic
2024 was tough for recruitment. Even big firms like Page Group and Robert Walters saw a major drop in revenue, and businesses are still being cautious with hiring. The upcoming increase in employer National Insurance contributions in April isn’t helping either, as companies weigh up costs.
But there’s good news, some recent data suggests a slow return of confidence. The Recruitment and Employment Confederation reports a 7% increase in job postings in January compared to December, with continued growth in February. It’s not a hiring boom, but it does suggest businesses are slowly regaining confidence.
The IC market
Despite the wider economic uncertainty, internal communications recruitment is showing resilience. We’ve seen a steady increase in the number of roles available and successful placements, surpassing our initial expectations. Comma Partners has placed a healthy mix of contract and permanent positions across industries such as professional services, consumer goods, tech, and media. You can explore our latest vacancies here.
While hiring is increasing, many job seekers still face intense competition. We recognise the frustration of those who have been searching for months. Issues such as lack of salary transparency, last-minute role cancellations, and the increasing demand for “all-in-one” job specs add to the difficulty.
At Comma, we’re actively engaging with hiring managers to bring new opportunities to our network as soon as possible. We’ve had an encouraging number of conversations with global heads and directors of internal communications, many of whom are assessing whether their team structures are fit for the future.
What’s next in Q2 2025?
A few key areas to watch:
- Change comms – With more businesses restructuring, merging, or planning for the future, demand for change communicators should grow.
- Defence sector – Increased government spending in defence could lead to more internal comms roles in this space.
- Long-term planning – Companies are starting to think beyond immediate needs and look at how they build their teams for the future.
We’ll be watching the Spring Statement on 26 March closely for any announcements that could impact hiring trends. Stay tuned for our next update, and as always, if you’re looking for your next opportunity or hiring for your team, we’d love to hear from you.
We’ll keep tracking the market in the next few months and be back with our next update in Q2, but for now, the key takeaway is this: things are moving, just slowly. For the latest roles and insights, visit Comma Partners, and keep up to date with us on LinkedIn.
