IT contractor rates - average hourly and daily contract rate analysis

Free umbrella service for contractors
Save over £1400 p.a on fees
Click here or call 0845 602 7712.

Agency reports slump in IT contractor numbers

Posted Jul 21, 2009

Leading IT staffing company, SThree, has announced its interim results for the six months ended 31 May 2009.

The company is one of the leading IT recruitment firms in the UK. Founded in 1986 with the brand name Computer Futures, the firm operates through some well known brands such as FS Group (Computer Futures / JP Gray), Huxley Associates, Progressive and RPMG.

Contractor numbers slump

During the six months to the end of May 2009, SThree made 3,302 permanent placement - a drop of 34.1% on the same period in 2008.

At the half year, the company had 4,494 contractors on its books - which represented a 21.8% drop on its 2008 figures (5,743 contractors).

Interestingly, despite having a smaller number of contractors "on contract", SThree managed to increase a 10.8% increase on its average daily rate profit margin - up from £79.11 to £87.67.

Permanent market even worse

Although these figures represent a significant slump in the contracting market for one of the leading recruitment agencies in the UK, the contracting side of the business made up 58% of SThree's total business over the period (up from 52%) and has fared better than the permanent side of the business.

The company says that this shift is "explained partly by a natural move towards contract hiring in a difficult market and by a larger contract contribution from our continental European teams. This in turn reflects the increasing acceptance of the temporary staffing model in territories such as Germany."

Please scroll down for related articles

Contractor Services


Related Articles

Volatile recruitment market for financial services contractors
Financial sector recruitment is continuing to grow, according to a recent report, although the summer has seen a slip in offers made to IT contractors within the sector.

Recruitment agency reports sharp rise in IT job vacancies
A specialist recruitment agency has reported a sharp rise in the number of registered IT jobs during the second quarter of 2010.

Number of IT contract roles rebounds, rates on the rise
The latest statistics published by Salary Services suggest that after 2 dreadful years, the contract market is now rebounding.

Surge in demand for financial services IT contractors
Contract offers in the financial sector jumped by over 300% from May to June, suggesting that investment banks may be preparing for a significant upturn.

Scottish contract market continues to strengthen
The latest Bank of Scotland 'Report on Jobs' suggests that the contract market north of the border is continuing to strengthen, albeit at a slower pace than earlier in the year.

Drop in demand for financial services contractors
New research shows that financial services contractors are suffering from a lack of new projects - with demand for their services down by over 50% since May 2009.

Demand for contractors grows as investment in IT picks up
New research suggests that long term contractor unemployment has dropped by one third, and contractor confidence is growing, as investment in new IT projects gathers pace.

Energy trading IT contractors in huge demand says recruiter
A recruitment group says that investment banks may face a "brain drain" of IT contractors following high demand for skills in the energy sector. Business analysts in the sector have seen rates increase by 40% since 2008.

Job site reports 54% increase in IT contract roles advertised
A leading IT job site has seen a 54% increase in the number of contract roles advertised during the first quarter of 2010, suggesting that the worst may be over for the contract market.

Financial services IT contractors enjoy market upturn
New figures show that IT contractors in the financial services sector have enjoyed something of a revival in fortunes, with the number of contract jobs offers up 57% on the same period in 2009.

Consultants optimistic about future despite dip in rates
The results of Skillfair's 5th annual rate survey has been released, showing that consultants are overwhelmingly optimistic about the future, despite a short-term dip in rates.

Market for interim managers starts to rebound
The decline in the market for interim management skills appears to be over, according to a recent snapshot of 11,000 interim mangers.

Following barren 2009, finance contract job offers on the up
New figures show that financial services job offers to contractors declined by over half in 2009. However, the market has improved significantly over the past few months.

Report shows significant improvement in contractor jobs market
The December 2009 'Report on Jobs' shows a significant improvement in both the permanent and contract jobs markets, with the sharpest growth figures since 2007.

Financial services contractor job offers up, but rates under pressure
The number of financial services job offers has risen this month, raising hopes of a lasting economic recovery. However, the large number of applicants has forced down contract daily rates.

Qdosconsulting