Market Update: Tech & Change Hot Roles (w/c 23/02)

The final week of February saw a strong rebound in hiring activity following the half-term dip, with volumes returning to levels comparable to early February. Permanent roles dominated, accounting for the clear majority of positions. The week was characterised by particularly strong demand for Head-level roles across technology, data, and cyber security disciplines, alongside sustained activity in interim transformation and fractional leadership positions.

📊 Volume & Mix

71 roles total this week
Permanent: ~51
Interim: ~20

Channel: Agency roles accounted for approximately 75% of the total. Direct hires were concentrated in public sector (Northumberland Council, North Yorkshire Police/Fire, Security Industry Authority), financial services (Central Bank of Ireland), healthcare (NHS England), corporate employers, and specialist organisations including NATO and transport bodies.

Up from 51 roles in the previous week.

💡 Key Trends This Week

Head-level roles were the dominant theme, with Head of Technology appearing five times across gaming, PropTech, digital agency, and spirits/beverage sectors, alongside multiple Head of Data (Platforms, Architecture, Analytics), Head of Cyber (Defence, Security), Head of Engineering, Head of Change, Head of Product, and Head of Service Delivery positions across diverse sectors.
CIO appointments were notably frequent, with CIO roles at NHS England (Leeds), Central Bank of Ireland, NCI Agency (NATO Brussels), insurance, and multiple fractional/interim CIO positions across private sector, software, and manufacturing contexts.
Transformation and change leadership remained prominent, with Transformation Director roles across interim and permanent markets in private equity, education, private sector, and software, alongside Head of Change, Head of Change and Transformation, and Head of Innovation and Business Transformation positions.
Fractional and interim leadership showed sustained demand, with Fractional CIO, Fractional CTO, Fractional CIO/CTO, Non-Executive Advisor, and multiple interim positions including Interim CIO, Interim Transformation & Change Director, and Interim Director of Change roles across private equity, manufacturing, housing associations, and private sector.
Cyber security leadership was particularly visible, with Head of Cyber Defence (interim and permanent), Global Head of Cyber Defense, Head of Information and Cyber Security, Interim Head of Cyber Defence, and Cyber Security Programme Director positions across legal, financial services, insurance, and private sector contexts.

📅 Month-on-Month (rolling view)

January 2026 (w/c 06/01): 64 roles; permanent hiring dominant; IT Director and Head of IT most common titles; housing and charity sectors notably active.
January 2026 (w/c 13/01): 54 roles; interim activity up, particularly in private equity; programme and carve-out work more visible; public sector presence reduced.
January 2026 (w/c 19/01): 37 roles; volumes down by a third; Head-level roles most frequent; change leadership and security roles notable; interim proportion increased.
January 2026 (w/c 26/01): 57 roles; volumes up; Head of Digital most common; public sector and healthcare more visible; permanent roles returned to majority.
February 2026 (w/c 02/02): 54 roles; stable volumes; Programme Director most frequent; public sector and healthcare notably strong; engineering leadership prominent.
February 2026 (w/c 09/02): 65 roles; highest volumes since early January; CISO and security leadership prominent; higher education notably active; interim demand sustained.
February 2026 (w/c 16/02): 51 roles; volumes down (half-term week); public sector notably strong; data and analytics leadership more visible; Programme Director roles remained frequent.
February 2026 (w/c 23/02): 71 roles; strong rebound post-half-term; Head-level roles dominant across disciplines; CIO appointments notably frequent; fractional and cyber security leadership prominent.

Role

Type

Employment

Sector

Location

Link

CIO

Agency

Permanent

Insurance

London