Private sector looks to independent professionals to help address multiple competitive pressures. Comment from Chris Preston, managing partner of Odgers Connect.

Leading UK and international companies are driving rapid growth at the top of the so-called professional “gig economy” as they strive to maintain growth in challenging economic times, the Taylor review on modern employment has been told. Odgers Connect, a subsidiary of the global executive search firm Odgers Berndtson, was formed to meet rising demand from businesses for independent professional consultants. In new evidence to the Taylor review, the firm says surging demand from big companies is driving the professional gig economy and, whilst vital to the health of the private sector, is often misunderstood or ignored.

“There are concerns about the low-end gig economy but at the high end it’s a very different story. We’re seeing rapid growth in opportunities for skilled independent professionals,” said Chris Preston, managing partner of Odgers Connect. “Strong demand from leading public and private companies is re-shaping professional work and we believe this is essential for a healthy private sector. To maintain growth and succeed in the global economy – particularly given the uncertainties around Brexit, digital transformation and geo-politics – companies need to explore and develop the most effective growth paths,” Mr Preston writes in his submission. Odgers Connect is the most recently-formed subsidiary of Odgers Berndtson, a leading international executive search firm operating in over 50 offices across EMEA, North and South America and Asia Pacific. The firm has recently acted for more than two-thirds of companies in the UK FTSE100.