We in recruitment are at the economic sharp end. At the slightest economic downturn, recruitment freezes kick in. So my interest in the economic performance of our city is keener than most! 

The great news for all of us is that things look to be on the up. Our friends at Barclays tell us that a thousand new businesses were set up in Sheffield between January and April 2007, an in crease of 11.1 per cent over the same period in 2006.

 

We’ve been in business in the city for over 10 years now, specialising in both financial and secretarial recruitment. For us the last 6 months have been our most buoyant and I’ve picked up on a few developing trends:

  

 

• The ongoing development of businesses far removed from the Sheffield’s traditional manufacturing base. The development of the Digital and Creative sectors in Sheffield is impacting on both the economy and image of the city.
  
  
• A growing professional services sector that’s strongly driving the city’s economy.
  
  
•  A growing number of appointments at the very top level. Excellent Finance Directors are more sought after in Sheffield than for many years.

In Sheffield, this year alone we have made five high profile Finance Director Appointments. Three have been into the service sector, one into an emerging technology company and the other into a manufacturing business. I can’t swear that this is representative of the economy as a whole but it’s an interesting mix!

 

Salary Hikes

 

We conducted our Annual Finance Salary survey earlier in the year and given my comments regarding  the local economy it won’t surprise you that we found that it’s not just the economy on the up but salaries as well.

 

Whether you’re a Ledger Clerk or a Finance Director, we found that you were commanding more.  Although Finance Directors may not yet be able to set their sights on Premiership footballer lifestyles, the very best FD’s are in great demand.

 

If you’d like a copy of the survey or would like a more in depth commentary please do contact me.

 

 

Business Breakfasts and Seminars

 

Following on from our recent sponsorship of the South Yorkshire Dealmakers Awards, we’re planning to put together a schedule of Business Breakfasts and Seminars later this year that will be of interest to the whole of the business community in Sheffield. If you’d like to contribute or to just come along and network, please let me know.

 

 

For further information on our recent salary survey, our forthcoming business breakfasts and seminars or to find out about the many senior finance roles that Ben Sequerra and I are working on please contact:

 

Cliff Sewell at cliff.sewell@sewellm.co.uk

Ben Sequerra at ben.sequerra@sewellm.co.uk

Alternatively call either Ben or Cliff on 0114 268 3313