Recruitment increasing in Basingstoke

Chineham Park based serviced office accommodation provider has just published its latest business confidence report which says 20% of local firms plan to increase their headcount by over 5% in the remainder of 2013.

Meanwhile, a quarter plan an increase of between two per cent and five per cent, while, just under half of local firms state that their recruitment drive will focus on sales and marketing staff, displaying a determination to sell their way out of the downturn. Forty-one per cent plan to take on more operations staff and 20 per cent are looking to recruit more admin staff, while just three per cent of firms polled are planning to take on more HR staff.

Regus managing director Steve Purdy, said: “Although it is highly positive that firms are turning their attention to hiring, this is an expensive phase for any business and they must be careful not to over-extend themselves in this fragile economy.

“This is especially true when it comes to property. In fact over two fifths of UK firms report that during previous downturns they had their fingers burnt by expensive and inflexible leases.

“This time round, companies are far better equipped due to the availability and acceptance in the business world of flexible working, especially in terms of the physical workplace. Judging from the way we see firms using our centres, many employers are turning away from full-time, permanent office space in favour of pay-for-what-you-use models. Keeping overheads low and remaining agile are vital to making recruitment plans affordable and achieving sustainable business growth.”