Near, far, wherever you are - remote working could be the answer. It’s been a busy year in the creative industry, with the sector’s fast growth leading to high demand for talented creatives across the country. But as companies compete on salaries and battle over job titles, are they missing a smaller trick? With 28% of workers willing to change jobs for one that lets them work more flexibly, is remote working the answer? Technology has changed our lives - from the way we pick up the food shopping and write our Christmas lists to the way we share our holiday snaps and log our exercise. But nothing has changed more than the way we work. Thanks to high-speed internet connections, lightweight laptops, instant messenger and smartphones, employees can now bring the office to the home, coffee shop or even beachside bar. And the benefits of remote working extend far beyond the shorter commute or enviable view. Businesses offering flexible working policies are experiencing significant benefits themselves, including: Talent attraction - 20% of candidates would use remote working as the deciding factor when presented with two job opportunities. The ability to work from home is now more important to candidates than enhanced parental leave, travel allowances and professional development scheme - making it essential for attracting talent. Talent retention - Remote working is also fundamental for retaining talent. Allowing employees the flexibility to work from home demonstrates trust, increases morale and supports a better work-life balance. Together, these create a winning culture that employees don’t want to leave. Increased productivity - One in five workers feel more productive when working from home, thanks to fewer distractions and the ability to tailor the workday around when they’re naturally more energised. Increased creativity - Flexible working has also been shown to increase creativity, giving employees the space to think deeply, the opportunity to discover different inspiration and the freedom to work where they’re most imaginative. Yet, despite the benefits of remote working, many businesses aren’t embracing it. Instead, they’re worried about distractions, drops in productivity and loss in teamwork. If this is your business, how do you go about embracing remote working without your worries becoming a reality? First, it’s essential to scope out your expectations and set the parameters in a flexible working policy. That way, employees know how much freedom they have, while managers know what outcomes to expect. Secondly, it’s crucial to have the right systems in place to make remote working work. Aside from laptops, mobile phones and cloud-based storage, you need to consider software for video chat, web conferences, and collaborative working. Finally, you need to make flexible working part of your culture. This not only includes encouraging and championing your remote working, but it also involves adopting a fairer and more inclusive culture across all of your working practices. For example, paying in line with the 2019 Salary Guide and offering relocation packages. If you’d like to know more about how remote working can help to boost your talent as well as your productivity, contact us today.

Consultant, Graeme Einfelds, talks about the tech explosion that transformed a once uninspiring stretch of motorway, and the Cyber Security skills that are in demand for the organisations who call it home. London has long been a powerhouse for the world's biggest tech organisations. It’s a truly international capital that still dominates the tech landscape. But around 20 years ago, things started to shift. The easy transport links offered by the M4 started to attract some of the biggest and most groundbreaking companies in the world. The Thames Valley, Berkshire, and Swindon evolved into vibrant tech hubs, becoming home to Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, and many more industry giants. Sometimes dubbed ‘Silicon Alley’, this sprawling area – inclusive of London – is a key location for many technology professionals, including Cloud and Cyber Security experts. Cyber Security Skills in Demand Cyber Security experts are some of the most in-demand tech professionals in the world right now. In fact, TechRepublic named them as one of the 10 most-wanted roles of 2019. Much of this demand in the UK is being driven by London, Swindon, and the M4 corridor. Last year, Crucial Academy released the 2018 Cyber Security City Rankings and Reading topped the table as the best city for Cyber Security professionals. It seems that Silicon Alley will continue to be a vital home for Cyber Security talent, and that’s certainly something that I see reflected in demand from clients and candidates. Competition for Top Tech Talent Despite the concentration of technology organisations along the M4 corridor and in London, and the growing digital skills gap in the UK, competition is still fierce for the top jobs in this booming area. Experienced security candidates with accredited certification are some of the most sought after. While candidates who are able to demonstrate a real passion for the rapidly evolving world of security technology are those who are most likely to stand out from the crowd. And companies are willing to pay high for top tech talent - as demonstrated in our 2019 Tech Salary Guide (download your copy here). If you’re searching for great talent or your next big move in Cyber Security or Cloud technology, get in touch. I work with candidates and organisations throughout London, Swindon, and the M4 corridor. Come say hello on LinkedIn or reach out at g.einfelds@henrynicholas.co.uk to find out more. About Graeme Graeme is an experienced recruitment consultant with a passion for all things tech. He has been working in talent for over 5 years and uses his impressive market expertise to connect the best Cyber Security and Cloud professionals with leading organisations in London, Swindon, and the M4 corridor. If you would like to chat with Graeme about a new Cyber Security or Cloud role in London, Swindon, or the M4 corridor get in touch at g.einfelds@henrynicholas.co.uk. Alternatively, you can say hello on LinkedIn and download the Salary Guide below:

Getting to know...Graeme Einfelds Each month, we sit down with a talented member of the Henry Nicholas team to find out a little more about what they do and what makes them tick. This week it was Graeme Einfelds’ turn in the hot seat as we talked Cyber Security, playing the long game, and recruiting in London, the M4 corridor, and Swindon. Graeme is an experienced recruitment consultant with a passion for all things tech. He joined the Henry Nicholas team in March and specialises in placing Cyber Security and Cloud professionals. Hi Graeme! Thanks for taking the time out to speak with us. What does a typical day look like for you at Henry Nicholas? A large part of my role is building a strong candidate base. It’s about playing the long game to gain trust and credibility within both the sector and the locations that I cover. Candidates may not be in a position to move right now, but they might be in the future, and also in a position to make future critical hire decisions – and I want to be the one that they call. I also spend time speaking with current and potential clients about current threats, salary trends and the state of the market. What sort of roles do you recruit for? I’m always looking for Cyber Security and Cloud professionals across London, Swindon, and the M4 corridor. This includes anything from Penetration Testers up to Heads of Cyber Security and CTO levels. What do today’s candidates look for in an employer? I am seeing a lot of demand for roles at specialist consultancies. Simulated attack is the best form of defence in cyber tech, and this means being proactive, not reactive, to today’s data threats. There’s been an increase in candidates looking for opportunities that involve simulation exercises, Red Team events, and employers that can support them in attaining further certification. The Cyber Sec landscape is constantly shifting so they want exposure to the new tools and the cutting-edge technologies and methodologies that are hitting the market all of the time. I’m also seeing a real shift in salary and benefits expectations over the past year, as you can see in our recent Salary Guide. It’s definitely affecting the type of vacancies that top talent are applying for. How about employers? What are they looking for from candidates? Employers are interested in candidates who actively want to work with advancing tech. They are looking for experience in managing data breaches or preparing for them. People with a solid background in security, credible certification, and an ability to engage with clients and manage their security needs are the most sought after. You have been with Henry Nicholas for three months now. How would you sum up your experience so far? In one word, collaborative. You have everything you need to succeed here. It’s a fantastic environment and the management team are incredibly supportive. If you would like to chat with Graeme about a new Cyber Security or Cloud role in London, Swindon, or the M4 corridor get in touch at g.einfelds@henrynicholas.co.uk. Alternatively, you can say hello on LinkedIn and download the Salary Guide below: