Foreign demand for UK talent boosts growth

Hitchenor Wakeford, based in Leeds, said 20 per cent of its 2.9m turnover last year came from abroad, particularly in the financial services and support services sectors.

In 2009 it recruited for 12 six-figure executive positions in central America and Estonia and it expects the overseas market to continue to grow in the coming months.

Managing director John Wakeford said: "There are opportunities in emerging markets and opportunities to service these from Leeds. Between us, we can speak five or six European languages. It tends to be recruitment for finance directors and marketing directors. Companies are looking for experience of large corporate environments that the UK can provide."

Mr Wakeford said the confirmation the UK economy has emerged from recession, and the end of political uncertainty following a spring general election, will also help restore confidence and spark increased senior recruitment activity.

As chief executives and finance directors continue to feel the pressure to deliver improved performance, with an emphasis on cutting the cost base, the firm expects the executive search market to thrive as boards look to attract the best talent to help turn around their fortunes.

Retail, e-commerce, financial services and support services are the anticipated growth areas.

As well as increased numbers of assignments, Hitchenor Wakeford is also predicting a surge in candidates on its books. "The new year is a time when people have taken stock over the extended holiday period and are considering a career move," said Mr Wakeford.

The company, which employs 23 staff, including 13 in Leeds, is also planning to increase its staff by 13 per cent as well as open a new office in Birmingham.

The Hitchenor Wakeford Group, which was launched by Adrian Hitchenor, John Wakeford and David Tunna in 2006, has offices in Leeds, Manchester and London.

The firm supports the annual Variety Club Yorkshire Business Awards along with the Yorkshire Post.

Mr Wakeford said: "Last month I presented the Board of the Year award at the Variety Club Yorkshire Business Awards to Card Factory which invested during the recession, increasing the number of its stores in 2009 by around 25 per cent.

"It is those businesses across a wide variety of market sectors which have been prepared to take a cold, hard look at their performance, identify gaps in talent, and restructure and invest accordingly which have fared best during the downturn."