2022 is set to be an exciting year of growth and consolidation for Healy Hunt, our clients and our candidates, in what remains a transitional period for UK Financial Services. Having implemented our diversification strategy, we are well-placed to bring our high standards of search expertise and service delivery to a wider cross-section of Financial Services clients. This is happening in a candidate led market that is adjusting to hybrid working practices and new technology and where the drive for genuine diversity is stronger than ever before.
London’s Vibrant Recruitment Market
I last wrote a blog like this in 2019, with Healy Hunt having turned 20 earlier that year. I had no inkling of what was about to unfold so virtually every prediction failed to transpire, to such an extent that our marketing team didn’t even retain it for our new website! After a challenging but successful time in 2020, we have adapted, along with our clients and candidates. Collectively, we are well prepared for the next chapter. The City has bounced back in 2021; the streets, restaurants and bars have been busy and our markets have picked up to such an extent that suitable talent is in short supply for some roles. In turn, this is placing upward pressure on compensation while hybrid working is driving the need for flexibility. We hope that an accelerated booster roll-out for the new variant will allow this growth to continue.
Specialist Search
In our 22nd year, and despite the rapidly changing industry, it gives me great satisfaction to know that the services of specialist search consultancies like Healy Hunt retain strong demand. Our team constantly strives to maintain impeccable service levels. Our continued analysis of candidate journey feedback has seen us maintain results towards the upper end of the classification, meaning we are giving mid to senior-level managers great insight into the client brands we represent. We can’t be complacent as there is always scope for improvement, but we can confidently position ourselves as the go-to specialist search firm in the Financial Services sector. Our market knowledge and experience of the search, interview, negotiation and onboarding process means we occupy an important space as a valuable recruitment partner.
Diversity and ESG
We are pleased to see how significant the focus on diversity, equity and inclusion is at the moment. We hope it continues to drive long-overdue corrections to the employment landscape until equity is achieved. This subject is a learning curve for everybody and we received further group training this year. We will stay proactively abreast of best practices in order to support our clients. Financial Services firms, in the main, have performed well in this area but some companies stand out. We have developed strong relationships with companies that focus on social impact and 2022 will see us further grow our presence in this area, as we build out our ESG practice.
Alternative Investments and Global Trade
In 2021, we have diversified into new financial sectors, offering the same level of insight and expertise that our established clients trust us to provide. To achieve this, we have brought in several excellent consultants. We now have a 4-person Alternative Investments team, focused on Private Equity and Venture Capital, who have helped us to strengthen our position across a variety of existing funds as well as bringing in some great new clients. Our exclusive partnership with Global Trade Review was made official in May and our stronger relationship and attendance at various GTR events has had a catalysing effect. Our greater focus on FinTechs in Global Trade Finance is mirrored by our activity in other sectors such as Specialist Lending where we have also expanded our activities. 2022 will see diversification further extended as we build our presence across the HR market (more to follow).
I’d like to thank our consultants, partners, clients and candidates for another successful year and I wish all of you a healthy and prosperous new year.
Paul H
Paul Hunt
Chairman and Founding Partner of Healy Hunt
