InterExec, the UK’s leading voice on the senior executive recruitment market, has just concluded a major global research programme amongst over 7000 senior executive recruiters. The research conducted independently on InterExec’s behalf by EMG Communications is part of a regular programme to understand the key issues influencing the market and the changing dynamics.
Kit Scott- Brown, Managing Director InterExec commented, ‘we are delighted with the response to this survey and there are some extremely interesting changes and trends emerging. It is clear that whilst markets have been endeavouring to recover from the tough economic conditions, the senior executive recruitment market is in good order and exceptionally buoyant.’
Two of the interesting trends the research confirms is the growing importance of social media where over 40% of recruiter respondents now believe that it is crucially important for the senior executive to have his or her own business related social media presence.
And the trend for an increasing presence of women candidates in senior executive positions is evident in the attitudes and expectations of the recruiter audience. With current reported figures showing women now account for just over 20% of board positions in the FTSE 100, the research clearly shows that over 85% of recruiters firmly believe UK companies will reach the 2015 25% target, originally set out in the Davies report.
Again Kit Scott-Brown comments ‘There are no major surprises about the growth of Social Media. We all know it and feel it. But it is clear how important recruiters now believe it is for Senior Executives should manage and maintain their own business social media activity. Reputation both in terms of corporate and personal credibility is clearly aligned to a social media profile.
Equally our research once again highlights the gradual rather than dramatic growth in women around the board room tables of major UK companies. The expectation especially amongst recruiters is positively there and we wait to see how quickly the reality matches that belief.’