2018 in numbers

Intelligent People work with the UK digital talent pool, partnering with Digital and Online businesses, identifying and engaging the best possible talent to support their business growth. For the 3rd year we have conducted in depth analysis of placements within the Digital and Online sector and are delighted to present our findings. Despite political and global uncertainty, the UK digital economy continues to grow two and a half times faster – and create jobs five times faster – than the wider economy, contributing more than £185BN a year. In addition, the job creation is at the highly skilled level, with salaries nearly 40 per cent higher than average resulting in continuing wage inflation; great news for job seekers in digital tech but presenting challenges to employers as to how best attract and retain talent. Diversity in Digital is a slowly improving trend too; figures show more Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority workers are employed in Digital and Online than across the UK in general (15% v 10%). The UK has also retained its position as one of the world’s strongest economies and is a bastion for Digital; online consumer spending continues to grow and Q4 2018 was the 35th consecutive quarter (since Q3 2009) that marketers made upward revisions to their internet budgets. Within the broad internet category, spending plans for Paid Search & SEO rose from +5.6% in Q1 to +11% Q4. In terms of changes from 2017, placements in Disruptive Consumer Services are reasonably static at 52% (from 54%), eCommerce has grown from 27% to 34% and TMT has contracted slightly from 19% to 14%. 90% of candidates placed had a degree (from 92% in 2017), however the proportion of Redbrick/Russell Group University degrees accounted for 42% of placements, up from 28% suggesting a premium is increasingly placed on strong academics. Salaries have continued to grow with placements under £40K becoming increasingly rare (7%, down from 15%) whereas the £60K – £80K bracket has grown from 32% to 54% of Management Level roles; £100K+ placements have dropped slightly (29% versus 33%) as a proportion of more senior roles. Whilst the gender divide is static in terms of placement volume the general growth in salary is weighted towards women, narrowing the gender wage gap. All data taken from placements made in 2018 by Intelligent People, a specialist Product Management, eCommerce and Marketing recruitment agency serving Digital and Online Companies. Shared below is a breakdown of the type of talent businesses in the Digital and Online sector hired during 2018 based on talent being placed into Product Management, Digital Marketing and eCommerce functions.

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