With various global travel restrictions in place and Covid problems still a significant issue in several markets the pandemic remains a major issue with its effect on business and trade.

Nevertheless in a number of key markets and across a broad spectrum of industries the senior executive recruitment market is increasingly buoyant with a growing demand for C-Suite executives with a proven track record.

Several senior executive recruiters saw their Q1 activity close to a normal quarter with a growing pipeline of opportunities. Senior roles in the Food & Drinks and FMCG industries are strong and even the Hotel, Leisure & Travel sector has picked up.

The demand for senior IT candidates, especially for the Professional Services/Consultancy sector, is increasingly strong.

Continental Western Europe is looking very active in the technology space with a renewed confidence in the demand for software and digital transformation services across Europe.

There is some evidence of senior roles moving from a UK position toward Germany and the broader EMEA markets, which possibly reflects a post Brexit response and also into Dublin, ensuring unencumbered access to the EU single market.

Technology and E-commerce sectors are busier than most. We are seeing increasing signs of strategic executive recruitment coming back in the last two months in much greater numbers than the inconsistency seen in Q1.

Asia remains something of a mixed bag. There are a number of roles coming to the market in mainland China and Singapore, Malaysia seems very strong; however the preference for locals and local language skills remains a factor for international candidates. In Singapore especially breaking into the market is currently difficult.

India is clearly still reeling from the Covid issue, which is leading to a severe drop off in activity.

That being said, by Q3 the Asia market may be the closest it’s been to normal since the start of the pandemic.

Investment in more traditionally underdeveloped parts of Africa appears to be picking up and individuals with an understanding of how to “get things done” in developing markets appear to be particularly in high demand.

Activity is certainly opening up in Financial and Professional Services – Consultancy, Risk, Interim, PE, Fintech, Renewables and Infrastructure Investment.

Traditional banking opportunities are emerging and from a geographic perspective we are seeing increasing demand for outstanding executives from the US & Asia as well as the UK and parts of Europe.

Corporates are starting to recognise the positive impact Covid has had on driving transformation and change projects and this is reflected in the senior positions emerging in many markets. In many respects the pandemic has strengthened global business in terms of greater communication and interdependence between offices/plants. The Senior Executive market is clearly more active now than at the beginning of the year and if you are considering your next challenge this may be the best time to activate that search.