Arun Cowan

⚖️ The TA Capacity Planning Guide. Created from interviews with 72 Heads of People & Talent, capturing 600+ data points. A strategic resource for TA and People leaders in tech who need to: - Understand recruiter productivity - Understand capacity calculation - Benchmark against peers - Prioritise where to invest (or defend) capacity What’s inside: - Benchmarks by Company Size Live reqs hires/rec/month sourcing mix tech / AI maturity - Tooling Trends + Automation ROI What's adopted, what’s working, and where time is actually saved - Top Bottlenecks The constraints holding most teams back - Strategic Plays for 2025 AI-native workflows, skills-first hiring, dynamic planning models 🎯 Want the full report ? Comment "CAP REPORT" and I'll share access

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The UK HR job market in 2025 is more complex than ever. We’re seeing fewer vacancies, sharper competition, and rising expectations on HR teams, all against a backdrop of economic pressures, regulatory change, and inconsistent adoption of AI. In my latest blog, I explore the greatest challenges reshaping HR recruitment today, and what they mean for employers, candidates, and consultants navigating this landscape. Link is in the comments, and leave your thoughts as well. #hrrecruitment

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Enjoying my morning coffee date with Chat GPT this morning and came across a UK contract market update… 📈 One of the most popular UK staffing platforms has reported on contract hiring, suggesting a stronger than expected uptick in contract activity in September. The report notes that contract roles increased 10.4% year on year in September and month on month, contract roles increased 18%. A consideration is that employers are leaning more on contract / flexible talent strategies to manage risk… but positive signs ahead of Q4!

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One month back at OpusRS – here’s what I’m seeing in the JavaScript contract market. It’s been great to get stuck back in, and I’ve already noticed some clear trends across the UK JavaScript contract space. 🏢 Hybrid working is shifting. Fully remote roles are becoming less common, with more contracts now asking for 2–3 days a week in the office. Collaboration and team presence are making a comeback. 💬 Contractors who know how to add value and communicate clearly with clients are being consistently extended. It’s not just about technical ability—commercial awareness and soft skills are making a real difference. 📉 Rates have taken a hit compared to a few years ago, but demand is still strong for those who can hit the ground running. ⚙️ Next.js is gaining serious traction. While React remains dominant with 39.5% of developers using it, Next.js is quickly rising with 17.9% adoption—thanks to its performance benefits and built-in features like server-side rendering and static site generation If you're a contractor looking for your next move, or a business needing top JavaScript talent, I’d love to connect. #JavaScript #NextJS #ReactJS #Contracting #TechRecruitment #OpusRS

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⭐ UK Startup & Scaleup Growth ⭐ What a week for the UK startup and scaleup market! 🚀 📈 As a recruiter focused on high-growth tech and finance ventures, the recent surge of £961m in tech investment and record-breaking AI funding underscores the urgent need for top-tier talent to fuel innovation and scale operations. Founders now have more opportunities to access capital, develop robust business models, and attract experienced leaders who can drive growth in data, AI, and sustainability. 🔦 This week, the spotlight is on diversity, especially female-led founders, and an expanding network of free events demonstrates how collaboration and inclusion are shaping the next generation of market leaders. For those of us building teams, it’s crucial to tap into this talent pool, invest in ongoing development, and connect candidates who thrive in fast-paced environments. 💲 Alternative financing and new policy frameworks mean the barrier to entry for founders and talent is lower than ever before. The businesses succeeding today are those that secure the right mix of skills and mindset for both commercial creativity and operational excellence. 👉 If you’re exploring your next challenge or scaling your startup workforce, let’s connect.

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Fractional Consultancy Services – M4 Partners At M4 Partners, we collaborate with a select network of market-leading Transformation, Programme Management, and PMO specialists to provide fractional consultancy to our clients. Our partners can be engaged at short notice to bring pace, efficiency, and robust delivery/governance—working to a fixed set of deliverables, days, or milestones. Our fractional consultancy model gives businesses flexible, part-time access to senior-level expertise for specific projects or ongoing strategic needs. This approach is cost-effective, avoids the overheads of full-time hires, and ensures clients gain access to specialist knowledge without a long-term commitment. What We Offer Strategic Guidance Deliver insights and strategies to drive growth, address complex challenges, and enable informed decision-making. Expertise & Skill Gaps Bridge capability gaps in areas such as transformation, programme management, technology, or governance with highly experienced professionals. Operational Support Improve efficiency, streamline processes, and scale operations to meet evolving business needs. Leadership Roles Provide experienced fractional leaders (e.g., CIO, Transformation Director) to guide organisations through change, growth, or transition. Specific Projects Support delivery of targeted initiatives, such as implementing new technologies, conducting risk assessments, or improving governance and assurance. Key Benefits Cost-Effectiveness Access senior expertise without the costs of salaries, benefits, or infrastructure tied to permanent roles. Flexibility Tailor involvement to your needs—engage specialists only for the time, scope, or outcomes required. Scalability Scale up or down quickly to match project demands without increasing fixed overheads. Specialised Knowledge Gain targeted, expert insight that accelerates delivery and mitigates risks. How We Can Help If you need expert support to complete, accelerate, or assure delivery of your programmes and projects, our fractional service offers a fast, flexible solution. Please get in touch for an initial discussion so we can shape the right solution for your needs.

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