Why London Is The Best Place To Find Your Next Contract Opportunity

Are you looking for your next contract and a change of scenery? Don’t discount London for your next opportunity. Not only is it an incredibly diverse city, but it is also the centre of the UK’s 4.4 million-strong self-employed workforce. That means there are plenty of opportunities to find your next contract, no matter whether your experience is in technology, finance, consumer, healthcare, media or hospitality. London is the city of opportunity. 

In recent years, the demand for financial and accounting staff in London has been turbocharged, and candidates and contractors alike are commanding a premium. According to ONS data, the growth in employees’ average total pay (including bonuses) was 9.7% compared to June 2022 and more than 24% compared to pre-pandemic levels.

The rising salaries aren’t the only sign highlighting the capital is back to business. Companies are reporting that London’s finance workers are flocking back to the office. This, combined with the fact that trade has returned to pre-pandemic levels, means there has never been a more exciting time to move to London and enlist the help of a finance recruitment agency to find your next contract.

The Benefits Of Working As A Contractor In London

Whilst being a contractor might not come with all the advantages of being a full-time employee, there are a number of benefits to pursuing contract roles.

• Higher remuneration due to the flexible nature of the work
• The opportunity to expand your knowledge, skills and insights
• You get to be your own manager, meaning you can try different companies in different industries
• A chance to expand your network, which should be one of the first things on your agenda when moving to a new city or country
• You will bring experience and a fresh approach to each role.

How Easy Is It To Become A Contractor In London?

Depending on your circumstances, the short answer is it’s very easy. It’s an experience you will never forget and in many situations, you won’t even need a sponsorship and relocation package.

For example, if you’re a resident of Australia or New Zealand, then the UK will grant you a visa so you can work and experience London for up to three years, sponsor-free. There are a few other criteria to meet, so it’s worth researching if you could be eligible and begin a new opportunity in London as soon as you step off the plane.

Despite the withdrawal from the European Union, Irish citizens can continue to live and work in the UK without the need for a visa. Most companies are willing to interview and offer jobs to candidates based in Ireland, so long as they plan to move soon.

John Marx, Director of Halliday Marx says “If you’re on the fence, talk to your experienced colleagues and friends and see how much they enjoyed their time in London. Having experience working in the UK on your CV gives you huge benefits for the rest of your career as well as offers an amazing overseas experience that you won’t forget.”

Which Markets Can We Help You Find A Job In?

In our current climate, where talented finance professionals are in high demand and businesses are facing multiple uncertainties, experienced contractors are becoming a crucial piece of the recruitment strategy. The question is, where can you find the best opportunities?

You only need to look at the strength of the UK’s finance and tech markets, where talent shortages prevail and companies are under pressure to remain competitive, to understand why quality candidates are being snapped up so quickly. Additionally, London is a global hub for commercial finance, particularly across healthcare and technology, and few cities could compete with the level of financial, technical and creative expertise found in London.

“In a market where companies are crying out for top accounting talent to fill gaps in their teams, being a contractor means you will never be out of work and represents a great opportunity to expand your experience” says Andy Halliday, Director of Halliday Marx.

If you’re considering entering the contracting world in a finance role, there’s no doubt that London should be at the top of your list. While there are other strong contenders within the competition to be named the financial capital of the world, you only have to look at the level of private equity investment activity post-pandemic, particularly in the energy and utilities sector, to see where the real opportunities lie. 

At Halliday Marx, we know the huge value that contractors deliver to the accounting profession in London. If you would like any more advice on pursuing contract roles in London or want to discuss the additional benefits that hiring a contractor provide for your business, please contact us on 020 7096 8200 or email us at [email protected]

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