global recruiter: prioritize value creation over cost savings.

Total value creation, talent scarcity and the employee experience are top concerns for today’s talent leaders, especially in the U.K., according to the Randstad Enterprise 2023 Talent Trends research, which surveys more than 900 C-suite and HR leaders in 18 markets globally.

This year, 77% of talent strategies globally are more about total value creation than cost savings, compared to 45% of respondents in 2022. In the U.K., 68% are focusing on total value creation, up from 60% last year.

But talent scarcity is the U.K.’s biggest reported pain point. While 42% of respondents globally say talent shortages are a major concern, in the U.K., that number jumps to 76% — the highest number of all markets surveyed globally.

To overcome talent shortages, 86% of U.K. talent leaders say they are investing more in improving the talent experience. Leaders cite diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), internal audits and technology enhancements as central to their strategies to attract, engage and retain top talent.