Building future-ready teams:rethinking headcount growth for 2025

Written by: Russell Webb, Director, Claverdon Consulting & APSCo Director

As another challenging financial year draws to a close, many in the recruitment industry are turning their attention toward the year ahead one we hope will bring renewed opportunity. This is a time for reflection, goal-setting, and identifying how we can continue to deliver value for our clients and candidates, all while laying the groundwork for sustainable growth.

One of the most time-consuming yet crucial aspects of annual planning is deciding how to grow headcount.

• How many people should we hire?

• Which markets or sectors should we enter or further invest in?

• Where will we find the right talent?

• What do we have to offer? What is our EVP?

• What methods and resources will we use to identify and engage with potential hires? What is our ideal budget?

In recent years, many firms have had to reduce headcount to rebalance costs, improve productivity, and ultimately survive in a volatile market. Interestingly, this has led to more being achieved with fewer consultants resulting in increased engagement, performance, and loyalty. But can that model sustain itself long-term as the market (hopefully) begins to rebound? Over the next 12 months, we’re seeing increasing interest in headcount growth, particularly focused on experienced recruiters. But basic supply-and-demand economics tell us that if everyone is hiring from the same pool, competition will intensify and saturation may already be near.

So what are the options?

• Develop a compelling EVP that appeals to the top 5% of passive candidates?

• Offer stronger financial incentives to attract high performers?

• Reinvest in the rookie market and nurture the next generation of resilient, sales-driven talent?

If we go down the latter route, we must ask:

• What does our onboarding, induction and training program experience look like?

• Do we have the internal resources and external partners to support new starters?

The opportunity lies in asking not “can we?” but “how can we?”

Let’s approach 2025 with optimism, intentionality, and the belief that we can build successful, future-ready teams—even in uncertain times.