At the start of the year, I was somewhat pessimistic about the outlook for 2025. Uncertainty around the potential impact of a Trump administration on international markets, combined with domestic concerns such as changes to Employer NI and employee rights, weighed heavily on overall business confidence.

However, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the volume of new business we’ve seen coming through. Whether this trend reflects the wider market or is specific to our client base remains to be seen—but there has undoubtedly been an upturn, which is very encouraging.

That said, I remain cautious for the remainder of the year. There are definite signs of belt-tightening, particularly in London’s financial district, and confidence still feels fragile. We continue to approach the year with cautious optimism.

You may have seen the official launch of our Offshore offering in partnership with Analyze Consulting in South Africa. This is a valuable addition to our service portfolio and aligns with our mission to provide a comprehensive range of solutions for our clients. In the context of current market pressures and tighter change budgets, we believe this offering will be a timely and cost-effective option for both existing and prospective clients.

On a high note, I’m pleased to share that we’ve just completed our fifth full year of trading—our latest complete year has shown a stronger performance than previous years, which is a testament to the whole team’s continued efforts to grow our business..

Finally, I’d like to wish you and your loved ones a very happy Easter and a well-earned spring break.