🎁Pa Rum Pum Pum Pum🎁

Firstly, Happy Christmas Eve. If you’re reading this, I hope you’re getting some well-earned downtime.

What a year it’s been. I’d probably call it a year of three halves, (yes, technically three thirds). It’s only when you stop and look back that you realise what a rollercoaster we’ve been on.

Q1 was all eyes and ears on the draft legislation.

Q2 into Q3 was spent interpreting what it actually meant.

And Q4? A mix of pre and post-Budget reaction, reviewing how to react, and planning for 2026.

Does any other industry get this many curveballs thrown at it? Probably not.

Could any other industry keep pushing forward like this one does? Definitely not.

There are some incredibly talented and fiercely passionate people in this space. And the more pressure the market comes under, the more that shows.

And I’ve seen clients, partners and stakeholders completely transform how they operate and think over the last 12 months. Just like we have. We’ve had to.

The expectations are higher. The risks are clearer. And the margin for error, whether in compliance, hiring, or delivery, is getting smaller.

But that pressure’s not all bad. It forces better conversations. Sharper decisions. Stronger teams.

And if this year taught us anything, it’s that progress doesn’t come from standing still.

🧑🎄JSL: The “Secret Santa” Gift?🧑🎄

I said back in March that my feeling was JSL was going to change the shape of umbrella market.

By summer, the conversation had changed. By autumn, agencies, MSPs and clients were actively redrawing PSLs.

By Q4, I was talking to owners of umbrella companies who were winning/losing business due to their accrediation/lack of.

If 2024 was the year of shadow compliance, 2025 was the year of exposure.

And the market took notice.

Sometimes, the things you’re pushed to take part in turn out to be quite decent in the long run (the Secret Santa analogy).

So, what’s to be expected in 2026? IMO it’s the year real time verification becomes non-negotiable – across all areas of your business!

If you’re still offering compliance as a tagline, not a process, now’s the time to start rethinking things.

🎄Early Christmas Presents from the CMR Team 🎄

Yes, things apparently slow down for Christmas. But, we’ve still got new opportunities, with interviews being booked over the break, and clients ready to move quickly.

Here’s what the team are working on 👇

Jade: Commercial, compliance and operations roles across brilliant tech, insurance and consultancy businesses.

💷 £30,000 to £90,000. Nationwide

Luke: Account management, inside sales and BD roles for some of the UK’s best and fastest-growing umbrella and payroll companies.

💷 £28,000 to £85,000. Nationwide

Nicole: Roles at all levels within fast-growing, privately owned accountancy practices.

Strong culture, great benefits, and salaries from £30,000 to £55,000. North West and North London

I’m also building compliance, sales and tax teams for a standout business in Hertfordshire under our new CMR Growth Model (more on that soon) 🚀

If you’re already bored of small talk with distant relatives, or quietly dreading January, drop one of us a message. We’ll make sure you start 2026 with more than just leftovers and a sore head.

🔮 Looking Ahead: What 2026 Might Have in Store 🔮

If 2025 was the year the sector woke up, 2026 might be the year it stands up.

I’m crystal-ball gazing here, but this is what I’m expecting to see:

• More PSLs cut down to the essentials: and stronger emphasis on real-time compliance evidence, not just logos on a footer
• A shift from ‘jobs’ to ‘structures’: fewer kneejerk hires, more strategic workforce planning in both umbrella and accountancy firms
• A spike in in-house payroll teams: but also a reality check on the time, cost and resource it actually takes to do that well
• MTD for SA to drive service innovation: with some firms turning it into a revenue opportunity, and others still stuck figuring out their emails. I can also see internal IT/tech lead roles being big
• More scrutiny, less noise: agencies and clients asking better questions. And the best businesses will give better answers

But the big one?

2026 will reward clarity. Of proposition. Of leadership. Of value.

If you can’t articulate who you are, what you stand for, and why anyone should care, chances are someone else will.

Over to you though. What do you see happening?

💭 My Final Word – Thanks 💭

Those who know me will also know I’m not shy when it comes to getting in front of the camera. This year, we’ve done a short (but sweet) wrap-up video which you can see below.

It’s been a MASSIVE year for CMR and myself personally. As I always say, the clients, candidates and friends we make along the way are what makes it happen. For our highlights reel,

• We were Highly Commended at the Contracting Awards.
• We hit our target of helping 100 people into new roles since forming in Feb 2024.
• We’ve grown from 1 to 5 (one live role here if you fancy being #6)
• We’ve sat on boards, supported on recruitment and retention plans, and worked with top clients and candidates.
• We donated to three charities close to our team, on behalf of our clients for their support.
• We moved into new offices and welcomed Ian Simkins as an investor and NED.
• And a lot more, but I won’t bore you any longer!

Thank you once again and see you all in 2026. If you didn’t catch my video, do have a look here.

Have a great Christmas.