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April 27, 2025
The world is full of uncertainty at the moment. The threat of inflation and recession is always looming, and recent changes to national insurance payments for employers mean that hiring a new worker is more expensive than ever before. Despite these challenges, there is optimism in the hiring sector in some parts of the UK.
The South West has become a hotspot for executive talent, driven by a number of factors that we’ll get into below. While London may have once been the top spot for executives looking for work, it seems that the Covid-19 pandemic may have changed all of that.
Companies have shifted focus away from London as the optimum place to set up their operations. And why wouldn’t they? With so many roles now advertised as hybrid roles (particularly in the executive field) it makes sense for organisations to look further afield when setting up offices.
Let’s look at some of the other reasons that executive talent is flocking to the South West in 2025 and what this means for recruitment in the area.
Executive talent is often drawn to growing industries, and this is certainly the case for the organisations in the South West. Places like Bristol, Bath, Exeter and Gloucester are thriving locations for emerging industries, in particular the FinTech sector.
According to a 2023 report, there were 190 FinTech firms in the South West, contributing over £1 billion to the local economy. Executives are drawn to opportunity, and the South West of England certainly delivers in this respect.
Alongside FinTech, we’re also seeing a rise in communications, logistics, green energy and manufacturing cropping up in the South West. All of these sectors have high demand for executive talent, which means the area is bubbling with activity.
Public sector organisations are adopting new technology at an incredible rate, and this has led to a significant skills gap in the current workforce. This drive for new technology in public sector workplaces like HMRC, ONS and the Met Office means that more executives are needed to shape and manage this rollout.
These are huge organisations that are responsible for critical functions within the UK economy, so it makes sense that they hire the best of the best to help bring these new technology projects to life.
Budget restrictions and a need for large facilities means that they will often be based outside of the capital. This is often a drive to help bolster the economies in towns outside of London. With this in mind, the South West has been well-served by these initiatives, as it has driven growth and investment.
The cost of living in London means that workers in the capital have to make a decision about whether they want to live centrally and sacrifice a larger portion of the salary for rent or mortgage payments, or live further out of the city and sacrifice their time on the commute.
By shifting focus to the South West, companies can avoid putting their employees in this situation. Executives have a choice between metropolitan and well-connected regions like Bristol or Exeter, or they can live more rurally and make the most of the abundant green spaces.
Many of the companies thriving in the South West are making positive moves for their employees, as they recognise that employee satisfaction has a huge impact on retention and productivity. This is all about giving employees a choice to live the life that is most in line with their long-term aspirations.
This is a circular argument, because it is the executives driving innovation and investment, but this innovation and investment also drives demand for executive hiring. It’s difficult to say which one came first, but this is really beside the point. What is important is that the South West is currently thriving thanks to a drive in investment that is enabling innovation in these key industries.
With the current government keen to bolster the economy and put the UK back on the international stage, it makes sense that any thriving industry will get more attention and support in the coming years. While British manufacturing might not be thriving, sectors like green energy and FinTech are paving the way for growth and development.
The South West is home to many excellent universities, including Russell Group institutions. This means there is a strong pipeline of new talent entering the workforce in entry-level positions.
Hiring graduate talent requires strategy and vision to see how their contribution will evolve as they grow and develop in their roles, and this kind of visionary thinking is often undertaken by executive level employees.
From conventional routes such as the University of Exeter, to modern establishments like the Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology, there are plenty of pathways into high demand roles such as engineering, FinTech, green energy and AI.
There’s no denying that life in the South West offers a healthy work/life balance. When combined with hybrid working arrangements, executives in the South West enjoy increased contact with green spaces, outdoor living and adventure. They are still connected to London by excellent transport links, but they are also within reach of the rest of the UK, Europe and the world.
This makes it an attractive spot for UK executives, but also for companies looking to hire international talent. Life in London can be a tough sell for some international executives looking for a better lifestyle. But life in the South West can be both quaint and metropolitan. It offers a little slice of the idyllic life sold through British film and TV.
The South West is quite simply a beautiful place to live, with access to rugged coast, rolling countryside and historic cities. It also enjoys more sunshine and less rain than some rival locations such as the North West.
Whether already based in the area or looking to relocate, executives can make the most of this increase in demand. There are clearly skills shortages in the sector, which makes it an employee’s market.
This means that multiple companies are chasing top talent in the region, so if you fit the profile you can afford to be more selective in the job hunt. The top talent will be fielding multiple job offers, and hiring managers know this, which means there is more room for negotiation.
Candidates can also broaden their search, particularly if they are looking at job openings offering remote or hybrid arrangements. While this could mean greater competition, so it’s important not to become complacent and assume roles will be easy to come by.
It’s also worth remembering that the majority of executive roles are often headhunted rather than advertised, so it’s worth making sure that your LinkedIn is up to date and your job hunting preferences are clearly stated.
Being open to conversations with recruiters and hiring managers is a normal part of being at executive level, and companies know that their top talent will always attract the attention of competitors. This is one of the perks of making it to the top levels of an organisation.
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