Eight in 10 businesses recruit for digital transformation

A third (31%) of businesses create permanent positions to support digitalisation and automation efforts within the finance function
Key skills required are data analysis, communication, problem-solving, strategy, business acumen and IT

London, 21 June 2017 – Organisations are actively creating new positions to facilitate digitalisation efforts within the finance function over the next 12 months, reveals Robert Half’s report Digital transformation and the future of hiring. The majority of UK CFOs (68%) have revealed that finance automation required for digitalisation will drive recruitment as a significant shift in skills is required.

Overall, eight in 10 (81%) CFOs are planning to recruit to fill the prospective skills gap in digital transformation projects. Nearly a third (31%) of CFOs are adding new positions to implement digitalisation efforts, and half (50%) are planning to fill any vacant positions over the next 12 months. In the short-term, interim professionals will be used to augment the current skills available in-house. In total, 56% of finance executives plan to hire interim and temporary staff to help manage change.

“Digitalisation requires strategic-level thinking and while organisations look towards creating more expansive roles they must also address growing demands in the workplace,” explained Matt Weston, Director at Robert Half UK. “As businesses need to act quickly to respond to new opportunities, adopting a flexible recruitment strategy allows for the augmentation of existing employees with specialist interim professionals with the right skills at the right time.”

The report also warns the talent required to deliver on digital transformation requires a shift in skills. Data analysis (42%), communication (40%), problem-solving (37%), strategic vision (34%), commercial/business acumen (33%) and IT (32%) are all key skills required to effectively execute digitalisation and critical to cultivating a robust workforce during the period of change.

“It’s important for employees to remember that change is the only constant in the workplace of the future. As digital transformation initiatives evolve, professionals should look to adopt a principle of life-long learning to ensure their skills remain current,” concludes Weston.

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Download Robert Half’s report, Digital transformation and the future of hiring

Notes to editors

Robert Half’s report is based on an annual study developed by Robert Half UK and conducted by an independent research firm. The study is based on the responses of more than 200 senior finance executives and 100 senior technology executives. Companies across the UK were questioned in the survey, with the results segmented by size, sector and geographic location.

About Robert Half

Robert Half is the world’s first and largest specialised recruitment consultancy and member of the S&P 500. We have once again been named to FORTUNE’s “World’s Most Admired Companies®” list and remains the top-ranked staffing firm (2022). Founded in 1948, the company has over 300 offices worldwide providing temporary, interim and permanent recruitment solutions for accounting and finance, financial services, technology, legal and administrative professionals. Robert Half offers workplace and jobseeker resources at roberthalf.co.uk and twitter.com/roberthalfuk.