Hiring in 2026: key trends shaping the UK job market

As we move into 2026, the UK job market is entering a period of cautious optimism. Across the business world, employers are navigating skills shortages, digital transformation, and evolving expectations around flexibility, all while competing for high-quality talent.

While hiring activity varies by sector, several themes are shaping recruitment decisions across professional services, office-based roles and business support functions.

Finance & Accounting: still a candidate-led market

The shortage of qualified finance professionals shows no signs of easing. Roles across finance, business partnering, FP&A, financial control and management accounting continue to attract strong salaries and fast-moving hiring processes.

What’s changing is what employers are looking for. Alongside technical expertise, finance professionals with data analytics skills, digital confidence and commercial awareness are standing out. AI tools are increasingly embedded into reporting, forecasting and decision-making, making strategic finance capability more valuable than ever.

With almost half of businesses planning to grow their finance teams this year, skilled candidates are firmly in the driving seat.

Office & business support: evolving, not disappearing

Automation and AI are reshaping administrative tasks, but this isn’t about replacing people – it’s about elevating roles. Office and business support professionals are increasingly expected to bring strong communication skills, problem-solving ability and digital literacy to the table.

Operations, HR and specialist support roles remain in demand, particularly where individuals can act as a true connector between teams, systems and leadership.

Hybrid working: the non-negotiable

Hybrid working has settled into the norm, not the perk. While some businesses continue to push for a full return to the office, flexibility remains a major deciding factor for candidates. Over half of professionals would now rule out roles without a hybrid option, and employers who ignore that risk will lose top talent.

What this means for employers and candidates

Hiring in 2026 is about quality over quantity. Employers are refining their assessment of capability, while professionals who continue to upskill, particularly in digital and AI-related areas, will find themselves in high demand.

Temporary and contract hiring is also on the rise, as organisations look to stay agile while delivering transformation projects.

In short: 2026 belongs to adaptable, digitally confident professionals and to employers who understand that flexibility, skills and people-first hiring aren’t optional anymore.