A Global Reflection

As the calendar year rapidly comes to an end, it is safe to say that it has been an eventful year. Many significant global events have occurred in the last 12 months – all of which impact the corporate world in some capacity.

From political rotations to technological advantages, there are various aspects that determine the way we work. The key is to be able to adapt and accommodate any changes.

Environmentally speaking, many natural disasters have occurred causing catastrophic impact on cities. Severe flooding and storms have affected Europe, North America and Asia, damning productivity and progress. A large reason for these disastrous occurrences is due to the global warning crisis. Pollution, overconsumption and carbon emissions ravage our planet through corporations and their excessive use of energy.

We at Ford Search Partners are very efficient in many ways, saving costs and conserving electricity through remote working. We are proud to be contributing whatever we can to preserve the planet.

In the technological sphere, advancements like generative AI and quantum computing continue to reshape our methods of work. The improvement of efficiency, speed and productivity is infinitesimal and there is no doubt that artificial intelligence is here to stay. Whilst there will be many firms reluctant to lean into this – determined to maintain strategies they are comfortable and familiar with, FSP is very forward thinking and eager to take advantage of the new uprise of robotic development.

Economically, the rise of inflation has impacted us all. From the conclusion of the UK Budgets, this will cause significant fiscal changes aimed at balancing economic growth with public service investment. Employers’ National Insurance will increase by 1.2% (to 15%) from April 2025. As FSP strives to be an ethical business, we will always take care and thought to ensure fair pay and proportionate commission in direct line with input and results.

Mental health has been a hot topic in the last few years, even demanding attention and care within the professional realm. The Mental Health Crisis in the UK’s corporate landscape has reached critical levels, with significant economic and social implications. Poor mental health costs UK employers an estimated £51 billion annually, driven by employee absence (stress leave), employee burn out and high staff turnover due to distress and work-related anxiety. While many companies are implementing mental health initiatives, substantial gaps remain between executive decisions to better the workforce and employee experiences.

For personal and professional reasons, we here at FSP take mental health and overall wellbeing very seriously. There is no productivity to be had in the long-term if ongoing issues are not addressed and dealt with. FSP endeavours to create and maintain a transparent, welcoming and encouraging environment for team members to be candid and authentic about any difficulties they are experiencing. Furthermore, the senior members of staff continue to be understanding and flexible in terms of all they can accommodate and offer in order for all employees to be as supported as possible.

In today’s working world, Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) are no longer just corporate buzzwords, they are critical components of an organisation’s success. Companies that actively prioritize D&I are better equipped to foster innovation, improve employee engagement, and reflect the diverse markets they serve. However, implementing meaningful D&I strategies requires more than just policies; it demands a cultural shift and sustained effort.

FSP has always curated an atmosphere of acceptance and encouragement – from maintaining an ethical code of conduct as well as ensuring to hire respectful employees working towards success regardless of race, gender or age. As markets ingrain culturally, this type of mentality will be an asset for the future in building international networks and long-term global relationships.

There are many aspects of uncertainty within 2025 as well – geopolitical conflicts in Ukraine, Palestine and Sudan create a tense knife-edge of unpredictably, threatening to negatively influence the UK’s relationships with countries overseas.

Despite Donald Trump’s projected win, the future of the US and what that could mean for its relationship across the Atlantic remains a question mark until results are finalised and legislative proceedings come into place.

Regardless of future happenings, the immanent control we have is the most important to focus on. Ford Search Partners will continue to remain productive and agile, welcoming any external challenges by working together to adapt to a new reality.