Our Articles

UK Manufacturing Shows Early Year Momentum as PMI Rises to 51.6

The UK manufacturing sector has started 2026 on a more positive footing, with the S&P Global UK Manufacturing PMI rising to 51.6 in January, up from 50.6 in December and ahead of market expectations. Any reading above 50 indicates expansion, and this latest figure points to the strongest improvement in manufacturing conditions since August 2024.

A More Positive Start to 2026 Than Many Expected

The latest KPMG & REC Jobs Report for our region offers a message that feels quietly encouraging as we move into 2026. Yes, permanent placements are still declining. But the key point is this: the slowdown in hiring is the weakest seen in nine months. That’s not a boom but it is a shift in direction. And in recruitment, direction matters. At Chase & Holland we started to see this change in Q4 of 2025, so it is great to see it continuing into 2026.

How to Prepare for an Interview: Top Tips for Candidates

Discover how to prepare for a job interview with Chase & Holland’s expert tips. From researching company culture and preparing answers in advance to asking meaningful questions and practising effectively, these strategies will help you build confidence and stand out. Whether you’re seeking finance job interview tips, HR career opportunities or procurement roles, these steps lay the foundation for long-term career success.

We Can All Make a Difference

Just Do It, as mottos go I love this, just like I love ours which is ‘Know No Boundaries’. It is a combination of both these slogans that got me thinking about our attitude to what we can all do about the climate crisis.

Inflation and Recruitment

What a year 2021 has turned out to be with a recovery that I think most could only have dreamed of. In addition, a change in work dynamics that can only be described as the most rapid I have seen in my lifetime. My question is how sustainable is the current growth and recovery, some would argue it is already slowing?

Second quarter results & trends

Comparing 2020 Q2 to 2021 Q2 shows a night and day shift back to more normal conditions at Chase & Holland Recruitment. Let us be honest though 2020 Q2 was the worst quarter we had seen as a business for a long time and taking head count in account the worst in our history.

Inspired by good health

Bev Findlay who is a champion at Chase & Holland for good Mental Health. It was with this in mind that Bev has been studying and doing courses about mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. I think the real changing point for me and when she convinced me we should be investing in the subject was when she asked the question “what does mental health mean to you?”

Q1 Results and Recruitment Trends

Based on 2020 Q1 the numbers are just 7% down year on year for Q1 2021 which because Q1 2020 was a record for Chase & Holland we are very pleased with those results. The trend of positive results does seem to be continuing into April which is obviously looking much better than 2020 but I think for Q2 results we will look at both 2020 and 2019 for a true reflection of the recovery in our region.

Blessed with Joy

A strange title considering the darker times we have all been going through, but I can’t help myself. It was only a few months ago we welcomed the news of the first C&H birth, and I am delighted to welcome the second Maisie who was born on the 24th of February this year. Both Heather and Maisie are doing really well and judging by my recent catch up with Heather, Maisie is quit a character already and certainly very chatty