Amid a perfect storm of rapidly changing technology, changes to labour market legislature, and growing pressures brought to UK shores from the war in the Middle East, Gi Group has invested heavily in new systems in the last 12 months and adapting fresh ways of working. The initiative seems to have paid off as despite global uncertainty it has recorded growth in Q1 of 2026.
As part of its year of transformation, the business has also just launched a global rebrand to reflect its evolution of going ‘Beyond’. The strategic repositioning reflects Gi Group’s response to the evolving labour market with a skills-first model combining technology and sector expertise. This development prioritises inclusion, connection, transformation and adaptability.
Paulo Canoa, Chief Regional Officer for Gi Group UK and Ireland, said: “It is a time of great global uncertainty, but I truly believe we have a promising and exciting quarter ahead of us. Following the widescale investment undertaken by Gi Group in new systems, we are embracing a year of advanced, forward-thinking technological revolutions to set aside fears of the unknown and keep up with rapid digital developments.”
The latest ONS early estimates suggest the number of workers in payrolled employment slipped by 11,000 in March, the first month of the Iran War. The figures also showed the number of job vacancies in the UK fell to their lowest level in almost five years, dropping to 711,000 for the January to March period.
“It is an unpredictable market which brings uncertainty to an already difficult future outlook, but we continue to show resilience,” Paulo added. “Now more than ever, it is important that employers work with trusted recruitment specialists like ourselves and call on those with expertise, to ensure they are in the strongest position possible, with exactly the right people in the right roles, to face whatever the next phase of their industry has in store.”
Gi Group offers employers tailored solutions for every stage of HR needs, and its ability to support clients with workforce planning, compliance and strategic information has proven key in gaining trust and business continuity during volatile times. Investments in technology by Gi Group include a new worker app with enhanced chatbot capabilities to help streamline processes, as well as a client portal and workplace management system designed to support employers.
Its recent refresh of its brand identity includes a campaign supported by a digital platform (beyond.gigroup.com), where users can explore their own ‘Beyond Titles’ profile and uncover their combination of human skills.
The ONS reported in its latest stats that the inactivity rate, which measures the proportion of people unemployed but not looking for work, was 21 per cent in the December to February period, up from 20.7 per cent.
“We have decades of experience when it comes to supporting our customers to create workforces which are strong, intuitively formed and agile in the face of uncertain economic forces,” said Paulo. “We’ve faced many waves of uncertainty, and this won’t be the last. I think our mindset of embracing technological change while maintaining the important human element when engaging both our clients and potential candidates is the future of the staffing industry.”
