News: Strategic appointments assist growth

Local businesses are making strategic appointments to help assist with their future growth and development, according to Rotherham recruitment specialist, Elevation Recruitment.


Justin Barber, divisional director of professional practice, at the Moorgate company claims companies are looking forward rather than consolidating.

Elevation has seen evidence to suggest that individuals seeking new roles are no longer being driven by a salary increase, but are looking for opportunities which can provide a platform to enhance their career prospects and to hopefully escape the "glass ceiling" scenario.

However it is still clear to see that any economic growth or recovery will be slow and overhead costs to any business will still remain critical.

Justin said: "During 2011 there has been a fair share of problems, but we are seeing businesses looking forward rather than consolidating and worrying what problems are around the corner. This has been evident with a significant number of firms making straight applications to help assist growth and development.

"Over the past two years, the professional practice market has experienced very difficult market conditions with pricing pressures, lack of client growth and almost non existent bank lending, all which has played a part in the downturn.

"The recent improvement in market conditions has now been demonstrated by evidence of firms lifting pay freezes and offering their employees’ pay rises or performance related bonuses, although generally salary increases will certainly remain lower than what was expected prior to the recession."

According to Justin, the biggest sector to have witnessed pay freezes is within accountancy.

Justin added: "During the economic downturn, salaries within the accountancy profession have almost remained stagnant, with many firms not offering any increase in pay to any of their employees.

"This has had a significant effect on annual salaries of newly qualified accountants, resulting in some businesses paying up to 15% less than that of 2008/2009.

"As a whole, we have seen the accountancy sector improve this year which is good news for those individuals who are now looking to pursue a career within the profession. Many of the region's accountancy firms are continuing to invest in the training of school leavers in addition to graduates, which will provide study support for all areas of their professional accountancy qualifications such as AAT, ACCA and ACA."

Elevation Recruitment website

Images: Elevation Recruitment