September 02 2014: Global specialist recruitment company, PageGroup, has delivered strong Q2 2014 results for the North West region due to significant overall improvements to economic performance and increased job growth.The Q2 results show a 12% increase in new jobs and that 65% of the region`s revenue was through its top sectors; business services, industrial and manufacturing, public sector, retail and consumer. Alistair Illstone, regional manager in Specialist Markets at Michael Page Finance Manchester reports that Business Services has increased by 32% and demand for certain skill-sets are back to pre-recession levels.“We have seen a huge demand for qualified Accountants and Legal professionals across all business lines within Accountancy and Legal firms of all sizes. Growth rate within the Big 4 firms has been the highest we`ve seen in six years and demand is absolutely outstripping supply. During the economic downturn, graduate recruitment decreased drastically and now we`re seeing the opposite as there is more confidence and opportunity in the North-West job market and firms and businesses look to grow. “This has resulted in a candidate short market with firms and businesses having to flex in order to attract the best candidates available. We are channeling our focus and attention on attracting the highest calibre candidates in the market through various means, whilst also continuing to build the strength of our Business Services brand; in order to ensure that we offer the highest quality service with the best quality people,” Mr. Illstone said. The PageGroup Q2 results also reported a 34% increase in Public Sector, a 19% increase in Manufacturing and 8% increase in Consumer. Emma Baxter, regional manager at Page Personnel Finance Leeds, says these figures are predominantly due to permanent roles becoming progressively more popular, particularly within the Public Sector. “These figures have dramatically increased due to a recovering market in all sectors, as well as a 25% increase in permanent roles. As the job markets in the North-West look more optimistic, clients are recognising there isn’t a freefall of candidates and are more open to commercial-background candidates for permanent roles, rather than only temporary roles. We are definitely witnessing more client interaction within our business and a better calibre of candidates coming through,” Miss Baxter said. PageGroup`s Lancashire and North-West salary survey released in January 2014 reported that nearly 50% of its customers are anticipating an increase in permanent headcount this year. This statement was recently reinforced by PageGroup`s announcement in June declaring a group gross profit of +10% in the UK. Graham Lucas, managing director of Michael Page Procurement & Supply Chain said:“It`s extremely encouraging to see as an increasing climate of business opportunities in the booming hubs of Manchester, Lancashire, Mersey Waters and Liverpool. With our niche-based market experience, I am confident we can continue to provide an unmatched recruitment service and help flourish the opportunities in the North-West,” Mr. Lucas said. ENDSNotes to editors:Media ContactSophie Tudor, Communications Executive, PageGroupE: sophietudor@michaelpage.com T: (+44) 203 077 8177Notes to editors:About PageGroup (www.page.com)PageGroup (formerly known as Michael Page International) is one of the world`s best-known and well-respected professional recruitment consultancies. Established more than 38 years ago in the United Kingdom, we now span 153 offices in 35 countries. We are a leading provider of permanent, contract and temporary recruitment for clerical professionals, qualified professionals and executives. Through organic growth we have become FTSE 250 company with more than 5,285 employees globally. We operate a consultative approach to professional recruitment combining local know-how with global expertise, to find the best fit between client and candidate.
