Sharp rise in demand for tech talent

New research from international recruitment firm, Robert Half reveals 56% of organizations are planning to expand their permanent IT and technology teams in the first half of 2026 as they battle to address technological change and AI growth, with 39% of employers turning to contract hiring to meet rising project and transformation demands.

This uptick in tech hiring reflects wider national trends.  According to research from the London School of Economics (LSE), the UK technology sector is now valued at £1.2 trillion, with AI attracting nearly 30% of venture investment in 2025, driving rapid expansion in fields such as cybersecurity, cloud engineering and data analytics – all areas where skilled professionals are in short supply and high demand as businesses accelerate digital adoption and transformation initiatives.

“The rise in IT and technology hiring reflects the critical role these functions now play at the centre of business strategy.  Organizations are accelerating digital transformation, embedding AI, upgrading legacy systems and strengthening cyber resilience, all of which require highly skilled technical professionals.  As demand rises across infrastructure, data, cybersecurity, software, and cloud engineering, companies are investing in both permanent teams and flexible project-based support to ensure they can deliver at pace,” says Craig Freedberg, Regional Director, Robert Half.  

Demand for tech talent in the UK is showing signs of regaining momentum and employers are already responding.  “The companies that prioritize attracting and retaining the right IT talent now will be best positioned to navigate regulatory change, manage organisational risk and unlock competitive advantage in 2026,” comments Freedberg.