Market Update: Tech & Change Hot Roles – (w/c 6/10)

A lively early-October week — permanent demand remains strong, but interim briefs have jumped sharply, particularly across transformation and CIO-level mandates. C-suite tech and data leadership continues to feature heavily, with a growing AI and InfoSec footprint.

Volume & Mix

• 45 roles this week, up from 36 last week — the market continues to build momentum after September’s stabilisation.

• Permanent dominates (27 roles, ~60%), including several high-profile university, financial services, and NFP appointments.

• Interim activity climbs (18 roles, ~40%), led by a wave of CIOs, programme directors, and transformation leaders.

• Notable direct hires: University of Leeds (CISO), University of the Arts London (IT Director), Goldsmiths (IT Director), A2Dominion (Head of Data), JP Morgan (Senior Director of Software), GSK (VP Office of the CDTO).

Key Trends This Week

1. Interim transformation leadership surge

   • 10+ briefs for programme directors and transformation leads.

   • Mix of UK and Europe-based roles across private equity, financial services, FMCG, and higher education.

   • Multiple interim CIOs (UK, Netherlands), signalling renewed senior demand for transformation oversight.

2. C-suite breadth – AI and digital innovation expanding

   • New Chief AI Officer (SaaS / PE), Chief Product Officer, Chief Digital Officer, and several CTOs.

   • Shift from traditional IT to tech + product + AI-driven leadership is clearly emerging.

3. Higher Education in hiring mode

   • University of Leeds (CISO), University of the Arts, and Goldsmiths all recruiting senior IT leaders.

   • Reinforces public-sector digital investment trend seen in late September.

4. Cyber & InfoSec growing

   • Multiple permanent and interim InfoSec heads (Newcastle, Midlands, Ireland).

   • Continued focus on security resilience and data protection across sectors.

5. Functional heads diversifying again

   • Heads of Business Analysis, Change, IT & Security, Service Ops, Digital Transformation, and Data.

   • Organisations still investing in mid-tier delivery and governance layers beneath CIO/CTO level.

6. Governance & NED roles reappear

   • Four new non-exec/voluntary digital trustee positions (Oxfam, Charity Bank, NHS BHC, and others).

   • Suggests boards continuing to seek direct tech and digital oversight.

Week-on-Week Comparison

• Total up to 45 (from 36) – highest since early September.

• Interim share up (40% vs 47%), with transformation and CIO leadership driving the rise.

• Permanent hiring still robust – universities, FS, SaaS, and manufacturing leading activity.

• AI and digital product leadership appearing as a new theme.

• NED and governance roles return after several quiet weeks.

Month-on-Month Context

• September closed strong (average ~43 roles/week), heavily permanent but balanced by a late-month interim surge.

• Early October has built on that trend, showing sustained market depth and slightly higher overall activity.

• Early signs of diversification toward AI, InfoSec, and data-driven leadership mark an evolution from the pure transformation wave of September.