We Are Back! Market Update: Tech & Change Hot Roles (w/c 20/04)

Market Update: Tech & Change Hot Roles (w/c 20/04)

After a short hiatus (Well Street took on a campaign of leadership hires with a client) we're back with the latest market insights. The week commencing 20th April saw a decline in hiring activity compared to the March peak, with volumes settling at more moderate levels. The permanent-to-interim balance remained fairly even, with interim positions accounting for a larger proportion than in recent weeks. The week was characterised by particularly strong demand for AI transformation leadership and sustained activity across public sector, infrastructure, and hospitality.

📊 Volume & Mix

• 52 roles total this week

• Permanent: ~32

• Interim: ~20

Channel: Agency roles accounted for approximately 70% of the total. Direct hires were concentrated in public sector (The Pensions Regulator, Staffordshire Police, East West Rail), higher education, healthcare (NHS Trust), heritage (English Heritage), housing associations, hospitality (Travelodge, Splendid Hospitality Group), and corporate employers including infrastructure and energy sectors.

Down from 57 roles in the previous reporting period (w/c 23/03).

💡 Key Trends This Week

• AI transformation and AI leadership was the standout theme, with AI Transformation Director appearing twice, Director Data & AI, Interim Product Leader - AI (appearing twice), and AI Finance Transformation Lead positions across tech services, private equity, B2B SaaS, and financial services, indicating accelerating investment in AI-driven change.

• Interim Chief-level roles showed notable concentration in public sector and infrastructure, with Interim Chief Transformation Officer (appearing twice across private equity and infrastructure), Interim Chief Technology Officer (NHS Trust), Interim Chief Information Officer (Council), and Interim Assistant Chief Executive (appearing twice) positions.

• Transformation leadership remained prominent across permanent and interim markets, with Chief Transformation Officer (pharma, private equity), Strategic Transformation Leader, VP Strategy & Transformation, Director of Change & Integration, and Programme Director - Finance Transformation roles.

• Infrastructure and operational technology featured more visibly, with Director of Operational Technology (Peel Ports Group), Digital Data & Technology Director (East West Rail), and Interim Chief Transformation Officer (Infrastructure) roles appearing.

• Head-level roles spanned diverse disciplines including Head of Technology (appearing twice), Head of Product (appearing twice), Head of PMO, Head of Enterprise Architecture, Head of Information Security, Head of Projects Delivery, Head of Digital Strategy, Head of Data/Analytics, and Head of Engineering positions across sectors.

📅 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.

• 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 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.

• March 2026 (w/c 09/03): 77 roles; substantial rebound; AI and data leadership dominant theme; utilities and infrastructure notably active; charities and third sector particularly visible; highest weekly total recorded.

• March 2026 (w/c 23/03): 57 roles; volumes down from peak; public sector exceptionally strong with multiple Director General appointments; AI leadership sustained; interim transformation concentrated in local government.

• April 2026 (w/c 20/04): 52 roles; volumes down; AI transformation leadership standout theme; interim Chief-level roles concentrated in public sector; infrastructure and operational technology more visible; interim proportion increased.