Market Message December 2016 – Nigel Peters

2017: Continue with Confidence...

Over the course of this year, it has been a pleasure to have been able to meet and talk with so many of you and gain such a breadth of insight into the market. Thank you for the excellent feedback which is much appreciated.

So what do we face in the year ahead?

My view is one of a rocky and uncertain economic ride, which I believe will favour the brave and bring the experienced interim and business leader a firm opportunity. Recessionary pressures from a devalued Sterling, increased prices and cost bases in businesses, rising interest rates (albeit small) and a poor macro-economic environment do not make good reading; but change will bring a real demand for our skills as the economy rebalances and we move away from the flat growth of the past.

So what will change? Disruptive technology and data will lead the way and will become the new forms of 'Lean and Kaizen' driving increased productivity and changes to the ways in which we operate both at home and at work. Our true understanding of efficiency and effectiveness will be driven to a new level and, from this difficult environment, will rise the true Internet boom that we foresaw at the start of the Millennium. Just look at Amazon in the retail market – it's not a retailer but a disruptive technology and the same will happen elsewhere. How will your business cope and adapt to these changes and pressures?

In the world of the senior business leader and transformer, and our associated senior interim executives, it provides much opportunity to assist with the new order. Despite the new IR35 legislation for the Public Sector (where there will be a talent gap until they sort this out), we have the skills and expertise to bring to both businesses that are struggling and the new tech innovators that are rising rapidly. So from volatility comes a welcome chance to really make a difference.

So many thanks to everyone whom we have worked with this year. In a small way we have delivered some amazing results with some of the best people in the world - there is definitely no shortage of outstanding talent and experience and, despite Brexit, we are poised and can meet the changing face of 2017.

I wish everyone a peaceful and happy Christmas and success in the New Year, and we look forward to working with you again.

Nigel Peters
Managing Partner