June 2026

Ian Knowlson and Tony Hodkinson, COO of PayStream, explored the current state of the recruitment and contractor market, with a particular focus on Joint and Several Liability, umbrella company compliance, PSL consolidation and where growth may be starting to return. Their discussion looked at how JSL has reshaped the umbrella market over the last six months, why many agencies have been reviewing and tightening their preferred supplier lists, and why financial due diligence is now just as important as compliance when choosing umbrella partners.

They also discussed the wider recruitment market, including signs of renewed activity in technology, engineering, life sciences, construction, defence, renewables and international recruitment. While the market remains cautious, Ian highlighted that job flow appears to be improving and that contract and temporary hiring continue to show more positive signs than permanent recruitment in some areas. Tony also shared PayStream’s perspective on contractor numbers, market consolidation and the ongoing impact of non-compliant umbrella providers.

The session also looked ahead to the strategic opportunities and threats recruitment leaders need to be aware of, including international expansion, the growth potential in overseas markets, and the longer-term impact of AI on recruitment models. It was a highly practical discussion, giving recruitment leaders useful insight into market movement, supply chain risk, emerging growth sectors and the decisions agencies should be considering over the next 6 to 12 months.

May 2026

Ian Knowlson and Sam Steel from Kingsbridge Insurance explored the early signs of recovery in the recruitment market, with a particular focus on contractor demand, IR35, AI adoption and where growth is beginning to return. Their discussion looked at the stronger performance of contract and temporary hiring compared with permanent recruitment, the renewed activity in technology, engineering, infrastructure, renewables, defence, healthcare and construction, and why some clients are beginning to reconsider limited company contractors after years of caution.

They also discussed how AI is starting to separate the recruitment businesses that are moving forward from those still waiting for certainty. Ian shared practical examples of how AI can support recruiters with research, email writing, training, learning support and process automation, while also warning that employers investing heavily in AI could become a strategic threat to agencies that fail to evolve.

It was a wide-ranging and highly practical session, giving recruitment leaders useful insight into where the market is showing momentum, why agility is now essential, and what firms should be thinking about as they plan for the next 6 to 12 months.

April 2026

Ian Knowlson and Jo Major explored the market conditions shaping recruitment right now, with a particular focus on where growth is still happening and what leaders need to be paying attention to. Their discussion covered sector activity across technology and construction, how demand is shifting between permanent and contract or temporary hiring, and the wider impact geopolitical uncertainty, including the Iran conflict, may be having on confidence and hiring decisions. It was a practical, timely conversation that gave recruitment leaders useful context on where the market is moving and what that could mean for their businesses.