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Between shifting market dynamics, emerging technology, and changing client expectations, the future of recruitment remains uncertain, and growth can be hard to come by. Recruitment agencies looking not just to weather the storm, but thrive in spite of it, will need to find new ways to gain a competitive edge.
That edge can come from exploring new opportunities for diversification, such as adding a new service line or expanding to a new geography or vertical. At Engage London 2024, Bullhorn’s David Stott sat down with Kizzy Price, VP of Change and Business Excellence at the Adecco Group, and David Gettins, COO of Impellam Group, to discuss expanding service lines, leveraging technology, and preparing for the future of recruitment, no matter what it holds in store.
The case for diversifying your business
Market volatility, AI advancements, and shifting workforce expectations have created an environment where recruitment firms must continuously adapt or risk being left behind. Stott kicked off the session by asking attendees how many were prioritizing business expansion or market diversification in the coming year; the overwhelming majority raised their hands.
Gettins emphasized the need to evolve with market conditions:
“One of our missions is never to give a customer a reason to leave us. Diversification of our service lines and portfolio is key to delivering ongoing value.”
With clients demanding more strategic talent solutions, recruitment firms can no longer rely solely on traditional hiring models. Instead, they must expand their capabilities to remain competitive and retain their customer base.
Emerging opportunities in today’s market
The past 18 months have been challenging for the industry, with fluctuating job markets impacting permanent hiring. However, Gettins pointed out that contract staffing, managed service providers (MSPs), and recruitment process outsourcing (RPOs) have continued to thrive.
A key factor in today’s uncertain market is economic confidence, with Gettins noting:
“People want to move jobs, but they hesitate due to economic uncertainty. Once interest rates drop, we expect a wave of job movement.”
Price also highlighted the shift towards skills-based recruitment. Clients increasingly prioritize skills over traditional qualifications, pushing firms to rethink how they source and match talent.
To stay ahead, agencies must embrace a multi-faceted approach:
- Expanding service lines: Moving beyond traditional staffing into MSP, RPO, and direct sourcing models.
- Enhancing internal processes: Optimizing tech stacks to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
- Leveraging partnerships: Forming alliances to diversify talent pipelines, such as hiring ex-military personnel.
Expanding your team’s capacity with tech
Diversification isn’t the only way to grow your business. The firms seeing success in 2025 are leveraging technology to enhance operational efficiency and improve client and candidate experiences.
With the rise of AI and automation, recruitment agencies can:
- Use AI-driven talent matching to speed up the hiring process.
- Automate administrative tasks to free up recruiters for strategic activities.
- Leverage analytics to gain data-driven insights into workforce trends.
AI continues to be a hot topic, but adoption varies across industries. While some clients, particularly in financial services, remain cautious, others are actively seeking AI-powered recruitment solutions. Price emphasized that technology adoption isn’t just about implementation — it’s about driving meaningful usage:
“We’ve implemented AI-driven tools, but the real challenge is adoption. It’s not just about having the tech but getting recruiters to use it to its full potential.”
The panelists noted a few key takeaways when it comes to adopting AI agents and assistants:
- AI is best used to amplify recruiters’ and sales teams’ capacities and help them work faster, not as a replacement for the human touch.
- Structured training programs help teams understand and embrace AI tools.
- AI-powered tools can significantly improve candidate engagement by automating initial touchpoints.
Looking ahead: The future of recruitment services
As the session wrapped up, speakers shared their vision for the future. Gettins underscored the importance of total talent management, a holistic approach to workforce planning that integrates permanent, contingent, and project-based hiring under one strategy:
“Clients don’t just want staffing solutions — they want workforce planning, direct sourcing, and project-based services. Those who can deliver a comprehensive offering will lead the market.”
Price highlighted the untapped potential of AI-driven candidate engagement:
“Imagine a world where every candidate receives personalized communication, even at 3 a.m. when they’re submitting applications. AI can make that happen, enabling recruiters to walk into the office with a pipeline of engaged talent.”
The recruitment industry is at a turning point. Agencies that embrace diversification — whether through new service lines, technology adoption, or workforce transformation — will not only survive but thrive in this evolving landscape.
The message for recruitment firms looking to future-proof their business is clear: stay agile, embrace technology, and continuously diversify your offerings.
