The headlines about the UK jobs market in 2026 have not been cheerful. Vacancies have fallen for more than two years, hiring across most sectors has cooled, and employers are being far more deliberate about every role they open. Against that backdrop, you might expect HR recruitment to have gone [...]
There is a pattern we see repeatedly in our work, and our 2026 Salary Survey has confirmed it with data: Business Support professionals are doing more than ever, taking on more responsibility than ever, and being rewarded at a rate that has not kept pace with either. If that sounds [...]
Every year, the question at the top of almost every EA and PA's mind is the same: am I being paid what I'm worth? And every year, the answer gets more complicated. The 2026 Lily Shippen Salary Survey, our most comprehensive to date, gives a clear, data-led view of what [...]
This article is written by our HR recruitment specialist, Vic Foster, who works with UK SMEs navigating hiring decisions in a changing employment law landscape. If you run a UK business, there is a particular worry starting to dominate 2026 planning. What if the wrong person is hired and managing [...]
The UK Employment Rights Act 2025 is one of the most significant developments in employment law in recent years. Designed to modernise workplace rights and strengthen protections for workers, the Act introduces a range of changes that employers need to prepare for, and employees should be aware of. While not [...]
When you sit down to write a job advert, it’s easy to forget what it feels like to be on the other side of the process. You know the role inside out, you understand what the business needs, and you’ve got a clear idea of the “perfect candidate.” But candidates [...]
Navigating the job application process can be extremely challenging, especially in the current market and the competitive world of business support. As a recruiter specialising in business support, I’ve reviewed countless applications, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. While every candidate brings something unique to the table, certain recurring [...]
The idea of stepping outside our comfort zone is a concept that can be as exciting as it is terrifying. For many, including myself, the principle of pushing boundaries is fundamental to personal and professional development. It’s a belief that growth is beyond the edge of comfort. Yet, embracing discomfort [...]
Is having an ego and mastering self-promotion the same thing? […]
My colleague Lily and I recently attended the HR Summit at the Raddison Blu Hotel at Manchester Airport. Our presentation on Artificial Intelligence (AI) was focused on the part it plays in recruitment processes, including the benefits and disadvantages. […]
