Why London is the best place to find your next contract opportunity

Are you considering a change of scenery? Just look at London - an incredibly diverse city, with over 1,600 languages spoken and 300 nationalities represented. 

At the centre of the UK's 4.2 million-strong self-employed workforce, there are plenty of opportunities to start your next contract opportunity, no matter your experience in technology, finance, consumer, healthcare, media or hospitality. 

Last year alone, this sector brought more than £331 billion in economic contributions to the UK, representing a 19% increase compared to the previous year.  

With these positive developments, there has never been a more thrilling time to consider a move to London and enlist the help of a finance recruitment agency to land your next contracting job in London. 

The benefits of working as a contractor in London 

Contracting presents a host of advantages over traditional full-time employment. There's a long list of reasons to take a temporary employment contract, including: 

• The potential for higher earning potential through hourly rates is another attractive aspect, providing financial independence and the opportunity to negotiate compensation based on the value of their expertise
• It allows you to choose projects that align with your skills, interests, and career goals
• Contractors often have the freedom to set their own schedules, allowing for a better work-life balance
• Engaging in various projects exposes contractors to diverse industries and experiences, fostering continuous learning and skill development
• A chance to build your network and connect with professionals in your industry

How easy is it to become a contractor in London? 

So do you need to look for a sponsorship or relocation package? The exact answer depends on your circumstances, but in short, no. 

If you're a resident of Australia or New Zealand and between the ages of 18 and 30, the UK will grant you a two-year Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) Visa. 

There are a few other criteria to meet, so it's worth researching to find out if you could be eligible and begin looking for a new opportunity in London. 

If you don't meet the criteria, that's not to say there aren't other routes. Visa sponsorship is an option, and in the face of a talent shortage, more businesses will look to offer this to skilled candidates.

Despite the withdrawal from the European Union, Irish citizens can continue to work in the UK without any visa. Most companies are willing to interview and offer jobs to candidates based in Ireland, so long as they plan to move soon.

Getting familiar with IR35

If you're a contractor, there are a few principles which will determine whether you fall inside or outside IR35. 

While the announcement of the new legislation kicked up a small storm among contract workers, IR35 has failed to have a wide-reaching impact. 

If you're unsure how the legislation would affect you, don't worry. Our contract recruitment consultants will give you all the information and support that you will need to navigate your move to the UK.

How do I get into contracting work in the UK? 

In our current climate, where talented professionals are in high demand and businesses are facing multiple uncertainties, contractors are becoming a crucial piece of the recruitment strategy. The question is, where can you find the best opportunities?

You only need to look at the UK's finance and tech markets, where the talent shortage prevails and companies are under pressure to remain competitive, to understand why candidates are being snapped up so quickly. 

Additionally, London is a global hub for commercial finance, particularly across healthcare and technology, and few cities could compete with the level of financial, technical and creative expertise found in London.

If you're considering a finance role, there's no doubt that London should be at the top of your list. While there are other strong contenders within the competition to be named the financial capital of the world, just take a look at the level of private equity investment activity post-pandemic, particularly in the energy and utilities sector.

Find your next contracting job in London with Marks Sattin 

At Marks Sattin, our consultants stay well-informed about the current trends in diverse markets, ranging from retail, hospitality, media, utilities to technology. This comprehensive understanding of the commercial landscape positions us to guide professionals towards their optimal career opportunities.

With over 30 years of experience as a specialist recruitment and executive search firm, we have successfully assisted numerous professionals in discovering compelling opportunities, whether within global organisations or thriving SMEs. 

Explore your next contracting job by searching our listings, or register your details to create a shortlist of jobs and receive timely job alerts, ensuring you're among the first to hear about our latest opportunities.