We open this edition by introducing our newly launched Employment rights act hub - a dedicated resource designed to support employers, agencies and HR leaders as they navigate the evolving landscape of workplace rights, compliance obligations and enforcement trends shaping today’s labour market.
In this edition, we examine the major immigration changes rolled out throughout 2025 and outline what recruitment businesses and employers can expect over the coming year. These developments - spanning sponsorship requirements, visa thresholds and workforce mobility - carry important implications for international hiring and compliance strategies.
We turn next to the Companies House reforms now in effect, assessing what has changed, what remains on the horizon, and how enhanced corporate transparency measures will impact labour‑supply chains, staffing businesses and associated entities in the recruitment ecosystem.
We also consider the succession‑planning updates introduced in the 2025 Budget, with a focus on changes to Employee Ownership Trust relief and how these reforms may influence long‑term ownership and governance decisions across the sector.
Looking ahead to 2026, we explore emerging trends in reward, incentive structures and shared‑ownership models, offering insight into how recruitment firms and employers can strengthen retention, support culture building and compete more effectively for talent.
This edition also reflects the increasingly international landscape of workforce planning. We spotlight Mishcon de Reya’s inaugural US Expansion Programme, which supports high‑growth UK businesses preparing for market entry, alongside the firm’s strengthened presence in the UAE - both signalling the wider globalisation of recruitment and mobility strategies.
Finally, we examine the growing relevance of employer‑of‑record solutions, outlining the operational, tax and compliance considerations organisations need to navigate when expanding internationally or managing distributed teams.
If you would like to discuss any of the issues raised in this edition, or if there is a topic you would like us to cover in a future release, please contact a member of the Recruitment Services team.