Most UK professional recruitment leaders are confident that their business will grow successfully over the next 12 months, despite concerns over the impact of Brexit, according to survey data from the Association of Professional Staffing Companies.

The data shows that 30% of professional recruiters believe that Brexit will have an impact on financial performance, despite 80% of them feeling optimistic about growth. The survey was conducted as part of APSCo’s Growing Together campaign to gain new insight into the current issues associated with growth in the professional recruitment sector.

APSCo’s research also shows that 98% of respondents cited ‘having the right people on board’ as important or very important. The need to upskill employees was also identified as the main barrier to growth, with 57% of those surveyed indicating that this is their primary concern.  

Meanwhile, examining Brexit specifically, 50% of respondents anticipate fewer permanent vacancies as clients ‘wait and see’. Moreover, 44% predict that they will see an increase in contract assignments and 40% are planning to review business strategy in response to Brexit. 

“It is unsurprising that the impact of Brexit is being felt by the professional recruitment sector,” APSCo Chief Executive, Ann Swain, said. “However, it is encouraging that business leaders are pre-empting possible consequences so that they can flex and adapt in response. We may well see a drop in permanent vacancies, and a subsequent uptick in contract roles, but professional recruiters are nothing if not resilient, and the most successful businesses continually respond to market demand.”