Hiring upturn in financial services after Brexit vote slowdown

Recruitment firm Robert Walters has pointed to an upturn in financial services hiring in London following a Brexit-linked slowdown after last year's referendum.

The company said net fee income in the UK rose 27% to £23.9 million in the first quarter, boosted by what it described as a “notable upturn in financial services recruitment activity” in the capital.

The City of London skyline at dusk  Photo: Jonathan Brady/PA Wireplaceholder image
The City of London skyline at dusk Photo: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

It comes after the firm, along with other recruiters, said June’s vote saw hiring in Britain’s powerhouse financial services sector fall away last year.

Robert Walters also flagged a good performance in legal recruitment. Overall the firm, which also has international operations in Europe,

Asia and North America, said net fee income was up 20% to £78.3 million in the period.

Chief executive Robert Walters said: “It’s been a positive start to the year with group net fee income increasing by 20%.

“We remain confident about the group’s prospects for the full year.”

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