Professional Services Sector
2009 has seen further evolution of our Professional Services sector which has experienced
the lowest fall in NFI across all three sectors of only 4% for the year, up 19% in H1 and
down 22% in H2.
Contract NFI was up 18% for the year, 36% up in H1 and 5% in H2. However, permanent
fees fell 47% in H2 following 2% growth in H1, finishing 24% down for the year.
Our diligent attention to high quality service delivery and a structured approach to client
development have given us a clear focus on developing long term relationships. By
prioritising business development within our established clients, the Matchtech client base
and the NHS, we have managed to strengthen our client experience even while recruitment
levels have fallen.
With a broad client base we have moved with the rise and fall in demand from different
markets and over 70% of our current contractors are now working within the Public Sector
or on publicly funded projects.
Supporting Matchtech Engineering and Built Environment clients is key and we have
placed significant numbers at our major clients and across the NHS where we are now the
number one provider to five of the eleven Strategic Health Authorities.
Whilst it has been a challenging twelve months for the Procurement and Supply Chain
team we have developed a number of new and existing client relationships through a
strong focus on achieving Preferred Supplier status ahead of the upturn in the market.
It has been a successful year for the Education & Training team with our permanent billing
having more than doubled as we broaden our client base and increase our market
presence.
Q4 has seen a greater challenge as cuts in public funding have affected the training
market. Simultaneously, however, the government has released additional funding to retrain
the unemployed and assist them in returning to the workplace. Our focus for the next
year is on developing relationships with the organisations that have been awarded these
contracts, as well as increasing our presence amongst FE Colleges.
After an excellent start to the year Sales & Marketing have had a challenging time with key
clients approaching recruitment with increased caution. We remain focussed on working
within technical markets, mirroring the markets covered by Matchtech’s Engineering Sector.
Our key clients in the Human Resources, Accountancy & Finance and Admin teams
continue to be Matchtech Master Vendor clients. We will continue to seek to grow our
market presence by focusing further on Matchtech’s existing clients.