Hiring trends in corporate affairs – 2023 so far, and what to expect for H2

This blog was written by Naomi Hamilton, Manager within tml Partners’ corporate affairs function.

As we reach the halfway point of the year, our team has taken the time to reflect on the investments our clients have made in their corporate affairs function.

The past three years of recruiting for corporate affairs roles and teams has been an exhilarating period for several reasons. The increased emphasis on organisational purpose, employee engagement, and the strategic role of corporate affairs has led to the creation of new positions or the reimagining of existing ones in 80% of the partnerships we have formed with businesses.

During the first half of this year, we observed a continued need for and investment in corporate affairs across various sectors. However, the hiring landscape displayed a slightly more cautious approach. The industry’s confidence took a hit due to the looming risk of a recession, which led to significant job cuts by some major global brands, causing ripple effects throughout the market.

Fortunately, in recent months, we have witnessed a noticeable shift towards a more positive outlook. Interestingly, a greater number of people believe that we are in a recession than what the actual data indicates, as reported by the Financial Times. Surprisingly, the UK’s GDP experienced a 0.1% growth in the first quarter of the year. Despite this fact, an astonishing 46% of the UK population perceives the country to be in a recession.

At tml Partners, our Corporate Affairs team has observed a significant change in recruitment patterns. Organisations are now committed to making senior strategic hires within their corporate affairs function.

Based on our observations over the past six months, we anticipate continued investment in the following skillsets:

Digital Communications

After taking a backseat in hiring priority from 2020 to 2022, there is a resurgence in demand for communications professionals with digital expertise. We have partnered with organisations in the legal, financial services, not-for-profit, and management consultancy sectors to fill senior strategic digital positions. These organisations seek to enhance their digital engagement across owned channels, enabling them to take ownership of their narrative. This includes company channels, websites, social media, and advising organisational leaders on their personal brand in the digital realm.

Public Affairs

The potential for a change in UK leadership has prompted organisations to focus more on hiring individuals with political backgrounds or public affairs expertise. They want to establish strong support and networks within the government, both nationally and internationally. We have been advising clients in property, telecommunications, and energy on recruiting pivotal roles with a greater emphasis on public affairs skills. Many of our clients have recognised the absence of this skillset within their functions, and the increased desire for political engagement has fuelled investment in this area.

Responsible Business Communications & Sustainability Communications

There is a growing trend among businesses to hire individuals who can effectively communicate their organisational purpose, particularly in relation to societal and environmental commitments. Companies are under heightened pressure to demonstrate to their customers, investors, and employees that they are making a positive impact. Some of the driving factors behind this shift include investor demands, customer expectations, and the desire to enhance employee retention. We have partnered with clients in professional services, banking, and consumer markets on a global scale to address these communication needs.

Investor Relations

Interestingly, there has been an increase in organisations hiring professionals with investor relations skillsets, particularly in the real estate, mining, and energy sectors, with a focus on UK investors. These roles are either newly created or modifications to existing positions, working closely with leadership to support organisational growth. The organisations undergoing rapid expansion have primarily sought investor relations teams, who collaborate closely with communications counterparts addressing the increasing investor demand for ESG and sustainability communication.

Executive Communications

In recent years, there has been a growing need for executives to engage with their audiences in a more authentic manner. The profile of a CEO has become crucial for garnering employee buy-in and maintaining a positive external reputation. As a result, more communications functions have embedded communicators in executive offices to closely collaborate with them on refining their engagement style. These roles encompass a multi-channel approach, including in-person interactions, digital platforms, media communications, and op-eds. We have provided guidance to clients in venture capital, banking, energy, and management consultancy on hiring individuals with this skillset.

Contractor Support

We have witnessed a noticeable increase in organisations leveraging contractor resources. There are various reasons for this, including headcount freezes, finding alternatives to traditional hiring methods, gaining internal stakeholder buy-in for new roles, undertaking project-based work, and strategizing for the future. This surge in contractor support demonstrates the private sector’s confidence in hiring interim professionals following changes to IR35 regulations.

The demand within organisations to feel well supported by corporate affairs has continuously increased since 2020, with corporate affairs finally receiving its well-deserved recognition. During a recent roundtable hosted (event report coming soon) by tml Partners, corporate affairs leaders from diverse industries enthusiastically discussed the corporate affairs function as the “guardians of reputation,” bringing together various functions across the business to protect and promote the company’s voice. Effective reputation management often stems from having a trusted team capable of providing more than just core competencies. We have witnessed hiring managers not only seeking the aforementioned skillsets but also placing importance on softer skills such as emotional intelligence and good judgment.

As we enter the second half of the year, we are excited to collaborate with our clients in shaping their corporate affairs function to ensure that their businesses and leaders are supported by a high-value corporate affairs team.

If you need any advice regarding your team or career, please feel free to get in touch with Naomi Hamilton: