{"id":1240,"date":"2025-01-02T18:09:28","date_gmt":"2025-01-02T18:09:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sortlist.co.uk\/datahub\/?post_type=reports&#038;p=1240"},"modified":"2025-01-30T13:07:53","modified_gmt":"2025-01-30T13:07:53","slug":"outsourcing-services-statistics","status":"publish","type":"reports","link":"https:\/\/www.sortlist.co.uk\/datahub\/reports\/outsourcing-services-statistics\/","title":{"rendered":"How companies in the UK are investing in talent, tech, and digitalisation 2.0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div id=\"section-636a431247ccb\" class=\"gutenberg-block gutenberg--section\" style=\"background-image:url();\">\n        <div class=\"overlay\" style=\"background-color:\"><\/div> \n    <div class=\"gutenberg--section__wrapper wrapper\">\n        \n\n<p>As 2024 wraps up, companies in the United Kingdom are investing in their brands more than ever, with <strong>digitalisation and AI adoption<\/strong> accelerating across businesses of all sizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Globally, financial pressures are driving companies to do more with less, making <strong>outsourcing<\/strong> a vital tool for staying efficient and embracing technological change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this report, we\u2019ve analysed <strong>over 100,000 projects from the Sortlist platform posted from more than 50 industries<\/strong> to provide a data-backed, accurate, and global view of how companies are investing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Explore below to see how these strategies shaped 2024 and what trends will define 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">Executive Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">British businesses are prioritising <strong>efficiency, scalability, and AI integration<\/strong> to stay competitive, with outsourcing emerging as the preferred strategy for growth and cost savings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">The demand for software development projects has <strong>skyrocketed by 91%.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">But it&#8217;s the number of AI projects that went through the roof for companies in the UK, <strong>increasing by 10 times.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">In the UK, both <strong>the demand and the size for events projects<\/strong> grew by more than 70%.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Both the banking and accounting sectors <strong>grew by 40%<\/strong>, driven by AI adoption and compliance needs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">And outsourcing in the e-commerce industry <strong>grew by 7.74%<\/strong>, maintaining its top rank from the previous year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Global economic impact: businesses are relying more on <strong>outsourcing to mitigate risks<\/strong>, maximise resources, and drive growth amid economic uncertainty.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Outlook for 2025:<\/strong> AI adoption, personalised services, and the need for scalable outsourcing solutions are expected to accelerate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"section-menu\" class=\"gutenberg-block gutenberg--section\" style=\"background-color:rgb(246,248,254);\">\n        <div class=\"overlay\" style=\"background-color:\"><\/div> \n    <div class=\"gutenberg--section__wrapper wrapper\">\n        \n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">In this marketing report:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a style=\"color: #200DF2;\" href=\"#section-france\">UK is betting big on events and AI<\/a>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a style=\"color: #200DF2;\" href=\"#section-expertises\">Growing expertises<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a style=\"color: #200DF2;\" href=\"#section-secteur\">Trends per sector<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a style=\"color: #200DF2;\" href=\"#section-essor\">Exploding skills<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a style=\"color: #200DF2;\" href=\"#section-ville\">The agency landscape by city<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a style=\"color: #200DF2;\" href=\"#section-versus\">In-house vs. outsource: which one prevails in reducing risk?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#section-conclusion\" style=\"color: #200DF2;\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a style=\"color: #200DF2;\" href=\"#section-methodology\">Methodology<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"section-france\" class=\"gutenberg-block gutenberg--section\" style=\"background-color:rgb(251,250,249);\">\n        <div class=\"overlay\" style=\"background-color:\"><\/div> \n    <div class=\"gutenberg--section__wrapper wrapper\">\n        \n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">UK is betting big on events and AI<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"section-636a431247d2b\" class=\"gutenberg-block gutenberg--section\" style=\"background-image:url();\">\n        <div class=\"overlay\" style=\"background-color:\"><\/div> \n    <div class=\"gutenberg--section__wrapper wrapper\">\n        \n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-bottom is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>In 2024, the UK experienced growing demand for <strong>innovation-driven solutions<\/strong> like software development, AI, and events, alongside a strong focus on cost efficiency. Budget reductions, driven by low-code and AI technologies, highlight this shift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>UK businesses are adapting to economic pressures by leveraging technology to<strong> sustain growth<\/strong> and stay competitive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Below are the changes from several expertises in the United Kingdom we&#8217;ll see in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<!DOCTYPE html>\n<html lang=\"en\">\n<head>\n<title>Expertise Ranking Table<\/title>\n<link href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Inter:wght@400;500;600;700&#038;display=swap\" rel=\"stylesheet\">\n<style>\n    table {\n        width: 100%;\n        border-collapse: collapse;\n        font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif;\n        font-size: 14px;\n        color: #333;\n    }\n    th {\n        background-color: #020219;\n        color: #FFF;\n        font-weight: bold;\n        text-transform: uppercase;\n        text-align: center;\n        padding: 12px;\n    }\n    td {\n        padding: 12px;\n        text-align: center;\n        border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\n    }\n    tr:nth-child(even) {\n        background-color: #FBFAF9;\n    }\n    .rank-circle {\n        display: inline-block;\n        width: 30px;\n        height: 30px;\n        line-height: 30px;\n        background-color: #E6DFDA;\n        color: #000;\n        border-radius: 50%;\n        text-align: center;\n        font-weight: bold;\n    }\n    .left-align {\n        text-align: left;\n        padding-left: 20px;\n    }\n    .green {\n        color: green;\n        font-weight: bold;\n    }\n    .red {\n        color: red;\n        font-weight: bold;\n    }\n    .grey {\n        color: grey;\n        font-weight: bold;\n    }\n<\/style>\n<\/head>\n<body>\n<table>\n    <thead>\n        <tr>\n            <th>Rank<\/th>\n            <th>Expertise<\/th>\n            <th>Project Volume Change<\/th>\n            <th>Budget Change<\/th>\n            <th>Rank Change<\/th>\n        <\/tr>\n    <\/thead>\n    <tbody>\n        <tr><td><span class=\"rank-circle\">1<\/span><\/td><td class=\"left-align\">Marketing<\/td><td class=\"green\">46.43%<\/td><td class=\"green\">48.72%<\/td><td><span class=\"grey\">=<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n        <tr><td><span class=\"rank-circle\">2<\/span><\/td><td class=\"left-align\">Branding &#038; Positioning<\/td><td class=\"green\">46.01%<\/td><td class=\"red\">-11.74%<\/td><td><span class=\"green\">\u2191 2<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n        <tr><td><span class=\"rank-circle\">3<\/span><\/td><td class=\"left-align\">Advertising<\/td><td class=\"green\">83.79%<\/td><td class=\"red\">-16.89%<\/td><td><span class=\"green\">\u2191 3<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n        <tr><td><span class=\"rank-circle\">4<\/span><\/td><td class=\"left-align\">Online Advertising<\/td><td class=\"red\">-46.36%<\/td><td class=\"green\">3.16%<\/td><td><span class=\"red\">\u2193 2<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n        <tr><td><span class=\"rank-circle\">5<\/span><\/td><td class=\"left-align\">Social Media<\/td><td class=\"green\">36.52%<\/td><td class=\"red\">-27.03%<\/td><td><span class=\"grey\">=<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n        <tr><td><span class=\"rank-circle\">6<\/span><\/td><td class=\"left-align\">Digital Strategy<\/td><td class=\"red\">-27.27%<\/td><td class=\"red\">-22.93%<\/td><td><span class=\"red\">\u2193 3<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n        <tr><td><span class=\"rank-circle\">7<\/span><\/td><td class=\"left-align\">Graphic Design<\/td><td class=\"green\">43.02%<\/td><td class=\"red\">-27.34%<\/td><td><span class=\"grey\">=<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n        <tr><td><span class=\"rank-circle\">8<\/span><\/td><td class=\"left-align\">SEO<\/td><td class=\"green\">230.8%<\/td><td class=\"red\">-79.87%<\/td><td><span class=\"green\">\u2191 7<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n        <tr><td><span class=\"rank-circle\">9<\/span><\/td><td class=\"left-align\">Video Production<\/td><td class=\"green\">241.85%<\/td><td class=\"red\">-55.08%<\/td><td><span class=\"green\">\u2191 8<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n        <tr><td><span class=\"rank-circle\">10<\/span><\/td><td class=\"left-align\">Website Creation<\/td><td class=\"green\">59.9%<\/td><td class=\"red\">-11.73%<\/td><td><span class=\"red\">\u2193 1<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n        <tr><td><span class=\"rank-circle\">11<\/span><\/td><td class=\"left-align\">Web Application<\/td><td class=\"green\">17.98%<\/td><td class=\"red\">-13.13%<\/td><td><span class=\"red\">\u2193 3<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n        <tr><td><span class=\"rank-circle\">12<\/span><\/td><td class=\"left-align\">Event<\/td><td class=\"green\">137.95%<\/td><td class=\"green\">69.03%<\/td><td><span class=\"green\">\u2191 7<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n        <tr><td><span class=\"rank-circle\">13<\/span><\/td><td class=\"left-align\">E-commerce<\/td><td class=\"green\">10.28%<\/td><td class=\"red\">-64.36%<\/td><td><span class=\"red\">\u2193 3<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n        <tr><td><span class=\"rank-circle\">14<\/span><\/td><td class=\"left-align\">Public Relations (PR)<\/td><td class=\"green\">33.89%<\/td><td class=\"red\">-8.5%<\/td><td><span class=\"red\">\u2193 2<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n        <tr><td><span class=\"rank-circle\">15<\/span><\/td><td class=\"left-align\">Copywriting<\/td><td class=\"green\">39.96%<\/td><td class=\"green\">35.02%<\/td><td><span class=\"red\">\u2193 2<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n        <tr><td><span class=\"rank-circle\">16<\/span><\/td><td class=\"left-align\">Mobile App<\/td><td class=\"green\">31.46%<\/td><td class=\"green\">18.52%<\/td><td><span class=\"red\">\u2193 2<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n        <tr><td><span class=\"rank-circle\">17<\/span><\/td><td class=\"left-align\">Influencer Marketing<\/td><td class=\"red\">-0.39%<\/td><td class=\"red\">-34.83%<\/td><td><span class=\"red\">\u2193 6<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n        <tr><td><span class=\"rank-circle\">18<\/span><\/td><td class=\"left-align\">Software Development<\/td><td class=\"green\">91.13%<\/td><td class=\"red\">-28.96%<\/td><td><span class=\"green\">\u2191 4<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n        <tr><td><span class=\"rank-circle\">19<\/span><\/td><td class=\"left-align\">Email Marketing<\/td><td class=\"green\">15.52%<\/td><td class=\"red\">-70.99%<\/td><td><span class=\"red\">\u2193 4<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n        <tr><td><span class=\"rank-circle\">20<\/span><\/td><td class=\"left-align\">3D<\/td><td class=\"red\">-8.11%<\/td><td class=\"red\">-52.07%<\/td><td><span class=\"red\">\u2193 1<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n        <tr><td><span class=\"rank-circle\">21<\/span><\/td><td class=\"left-align\">Content Strategy<\/td><td class=\"red\">-12.95%<\/td><td class=\"green\">26.67%<\/td><td><span class=\"red\">\u2193 4<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n        <tr><td><span class=\"rank-circle\">22<\/span><\/td><td class=\"left-align\">Media Planning<\/td><td class=\"red\">-3.5%<\/td><td class=\"green\">28.12%<\/td><td><span class=\"red\">\u2193 2<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n        <tr><td><span class=\"rank-circle\">23<\/span><\/td><td class=\"left-align\">Photography<\/td><td class=\"green\">286%<\/td><td class=\"red\">-3.3%<\/td><td><span class=\"green\">\u2191 6<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n        <tr><td><span class=\"rank-circle\">24<\/span><\/td><td class=\"left-align\">Ergonomy (UX\/UI)<\/td><td class=\"green\">20.27%<\/td><td class=\"red\">-77.75%<\/td><td><span class=\"grey\">=<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n        <tr><td><span class=\"rank-circle\">25<\/span><\/td><td class=\"left-align\">Artificial Intelligence<\/td><td class=\"green\">1003%<\/td><td class=\"red\">-16.57%<\/td><td><span class=\"green\">\u2191 10<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n    <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/body>\n<\/html>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"section-expertises\" class=\"gutenberg-block gutenberg--section\" style=\"background-image:url();\">\n        <div class=\"overlay\" style=\"background-color:\"><\/div> \n    <div class=\"gutenberg--section__wrapper wrapper\">\n        \n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-bottom is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<!-- Wrapper for styling -->\n<div class=\"hubspot-form-wrapper\">\n    <!-- HubSpot Form Embed Code -->\n    <script charset=\"utf-8\" type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/\/js.hsforms.net\/forms\/embed\/v2.js\"><\/script>\n    <script>\n        hbspt.forms.create({\n            portalId: \"684641\",\n            formId: \"d0c4657b-82e3-4687-ba75-c85e134bebe1\",\n            target: \".hubspot-form-wrapper\"\n        });\n    <\/script>\n<\/div>\n\n<style>\n\/* Load Inter font globally *\/\n@import url('https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Inter:wght@400;700&display=swap');\n\n\/* Force Inter font on all elements inside the form *\/\n.hubspot-form-wrapper, \n.hubspot-form-wrapper * {\n    font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif !important; \/* Enforce Inter font *\/\n    font-weight: 400; \/* Regular text weight *\/\n    color: inherit; \/* Keep existing text color *\/\n}\n\n\/* Global container styling *\/\n.hubspot-form-wrapper {\n    background-color: #FBFAF9; \/* Background color *\/\n    border-radius: 15px; \/* Rounded corners *\/\n    padding: 15px; \/* Inner padding *\/\n    box-shadow: 0 4px 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); \/* Subtle shadow *\/\n    margin: 20px auto; \/* Center the form *\/\n}\n\n\/* Header styles *\/\n.hubspot-form-wrapper h1,\n.hubspot-form-wrapper h2,\n.hubspot-form-wrapper h3 {\n    font-weight: 700; \/* Bold for headers *\/\n    font-size: 36px; \/* Header size *\/\n    margin-bottom: 10px;\n}\n\n\/* Body text styles *\/\n.hubspot-form-wrapper p {\n    font-size: 18px; \/* Standard body text size *\/\n    margin-bottom: 10px;\n}\n\n\/* Input fields and textarea styles *\/\n.hubspot-form-wrapper input[type=\"text\"],\n.hubspot-form-wrapper input[type=\"email\"],\n.hubspot-form-wrapper textarea {\n    font-size: 16px; \/* Input font size *\/\n    padding: 10px; \/* Inner padding *\/\n    border-radius: 6px; \/* Rounded corners *\/\n    border: 1px solid #ccc; \/* Light gray border *\/\n    background-color: #FFFFFF; \/* White background for input fields *\/\n    margin-bottom: 20px; \/* Increased space below input fields *\/\n    width: 100%; \/* Full width for email input *\/\n    box-sizing: border-box; \/* Ensure padding doesn\u2019t break layout *\/\n    font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif !important; \/* Ensure Inter applies *\/\n}\n\n\/* Submit button styles *\/\n.hubspot-form-wrapper input[type=\"submit\"] {\n    font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif !important; \/* Ensure Inter applies *\/\n    font-size: 18px; \/* Match body size *\/\n    font-weight: 700; \/* Bold button text *\/\n    background-color: #200DF2; \/* CTA background color *\/\n    color: #FFF; \/* White text *\/\n    padding: 10px 20px; \/* Button padding *\/\n    border: none; \/* Remove default border *\/\n    border-radius: 6px; \/* Rounded button *\/\n    cursor: pointer; \/* Pointer cursor *\/\n    transition: background-color 0.3s ease, transform 0.2s ease;\n    margin-top: 10px; \/* Additional space above the CTA button *\/\n}\n\n\/* Submit button hover effect *\/\n.hubspot-form-wrapper input[type=\"submit\"]:hover {\n    background-color: #1209A7; \/* Darker blue on hover *\/\n    transform: scale(1.03); \/* Slight zoom effect *\/\n}\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">Growing expertises<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Software development boost driven by no-code<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<p>In 2024, software development project volume in the UK <strong>grew by 91.13%<\/strong>, highlighting strong demand, though budgets dropped nearly 30%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This trend coincides with the boom of low-code and no-code technologies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/01\/software.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1274\" style=\"width:475px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/01\/software.png 500w, https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/01\/software-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/01\/software-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>2024 saw a <a href=\"https:\/\/tracxn.com\/d\/trending-business-models\/startups-in-no-code-ai-platforms\/__JLaU4N6ASCQ3XtAn-jZFq3okTKrjpHp3av800Do7XAs#recent-funding-rounds\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">197.53% rise in funding<\/a> of no-code platforms companies compared to 2023. Also, the global no-code development platform market size <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/rise-no-code-platforms-democratizing-software-development-tekvaly-06pcf\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">was valued at $16 billion<\/a> in 2021 and is projected to reach $68 billion by 2028.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Low-code and no-code technologies are reshaping the industry, with 70% of new applications projected to use them by 2023. And the UK government\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/news\/government-backs-uk-rd-with-record-204-billion-investment-at-autumn-budget\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">\u00a320.4 billion R&amp;D investment<\/a> in 2024 is set to further boost the sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">AI projects increase tenfold<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<p>AI will see the greatest shift in 2025; its <strong>10x increase<\/strong> underscores the potential that <a href=\"#section-essor\">UK businesses see in this field<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Similar to software development, AI budgets fell by 16.57%. The <strong>proliferation of AI tools and platforms<\/strong> has driven down costs, and has made AI more accessible to a broader range of businesses.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/01\/ai.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1273\" style=\"width:480px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/01\/ai.png 500w, https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/01\/ai-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/01\/ai-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The AI craze will see no end in 2025, since the UK government has introduced a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/national-ai-strategy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">National AI Strategy<\/a> to position the country as a global leader in AI innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Events projects are back in the game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<p>Events is an exploding service in the United Kingdom, in both volume of projects and their budgets; it has seen an <strong>increase of 140%<\/strong> in number of projects and a skyrocketing <strong>growth of 70%<\/strong> in their budgets.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/01\/events.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1272\" style=\"width:467px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/01\/events.png 500w, https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/01\/events-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/01\/events-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The lifting of pandemic restrictions has endowed the events industry in the UK with a strong resilience, so much that it <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventindustrynews.com\/news\/uk-events-report-2024-published-uk-events-industry-generates-61-653-billion-annually-demonstrating-post-pandemic-resilience\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">generated \u00a361.653 billion<\/a> in 2024. That resurgence has been supported, among other things, by innovations in technology; <a href=\"https:\/\/explodingtopics.com\/blog\/event-marketing-stats\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">more than 9 in 10 event marketers<\/a> believe their virtual and hybrid events have been successful.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"section-secteur\" class=\"gutenberg-block gutenberg--section\" style=\"background-image:url();\">\n        <div class=\"overlay\" style=\"background-color:\"><\/div> \n    <div class=\"gutenberg--section__wrapper wrapper\">\n        \n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-bottom is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">Trends per sector<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<!DOCTYPE html>\n<html lang=\"en\">\n<head>\n<title>Industry Ranking Table<\/title>\n<link href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Inter:wght@400;500;600;700&#038;display=swap\" rel=\"stylesheet\">\n<style>\n    table {\n        width: 100%;\n        border-collapse: collapse;\n        font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif;\n        font-size: 14px;\n        color: #333;\n    }\n    th {\n        background-color: #020219;\n        color: #FFF;\n        font-weight: bold;\n        text-transform: uppercase;\n        text-align: center;\n        padding: 12px;\n    }\n    td {\n        padding: 12px;\n        text-align: center;\n        border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\n    }\n    tr:nth-child(even) {\n        background-color: #FBFAF9;\n    }\n    .rank-circle {\n        display: inline-block;\n        width: 30px;\n        height: 30px;\n        line-height: 30px;\n        background-color: #E6DFDA;\n        color: #000;\n        border-radius: 50%;\n        text-align: center;\n        font-weight: bold;\n    }\n    .left-align {\n        text-align: left;\n        padding-left: 20px;\n    }\n    .green {\n        color: green;\n        font-weight: bold;\n    }\n    .red {\n        color: red;\n        font-weight: bold;\n    }\n    .grey {\n        color: grey;\n        font-weight: bold;\n    }\n<\/style>\n<\/head>\n<body>\n<table>\n    <thead>\n        <tr>\n            <th>Rank<\/th>\n            <th>Sector<\/th>\n            <th>YOY Growth<\/th>\n            <th>Rank change<\/th>\n        <\/tr>\n    <\/thead>\n    <tbody>\n        <tr>\n            <td><span class=\"rank-circle\">1<\/span><\/td>\n            <td class=\"left-align\">E-commerce<\/td>\n            <td class=\"green\">7.74%<\/td>\n            <td><span class=\"grey\">=<\/span><\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n        <tr>\n            <td><span class=\"rank-circle\">2<\/span><\/td>\n            <td class=\"left-align\">Arts &#038; Crafts<\/td>\n            <td class=\"green\">7.34%<\/td>\n            <td><span class=\"green\">\u2191 2<\/span><\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n        <tr>\n            <td><span class=\"rank-circle\">3<\/span><\/td>\n            <td class=\"left-align\">Marketing &#038; Advertising<\/td>\n            <td class=\"red\">-12.89%<\/td>\n            <td><span class=\"red\">\u2193 1<\/span><\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n        <tr>\n            <td><span class=\"rank-circle\">4<\/span><\/td>\n            <td class=\"left-align\">Beauty<\/td>\n            <td class=\"red\">-9.33%<\/td>\n            <td><span class=\"red\">\u2193 1<\/span><\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n        <tr>\n            <td><span class=\"rank-circle\">5<\/span><\/td>\n            <td class=\"left-align\">Accounting<\/td>\n            <td class=\"green\">41.57%<\/td>\n            <td><span class=\"green\">\u2191 3<\/span><\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n        <tr>\n            <td><span class=\"rank-circle\">6<\/span><\/td>\n            <td class=\"left-align\">Sports<\/td>\n            <td class=\"green\">2.28%<\/td>\n            <td><span class=\"grey\">=<\/span><\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n        <tr>\n            <td><span class=\"rank-circle\">7<\/span><\/td>\n            <td class=\"left-align\">Fashion<\/td>\n            <td class=\"red\">-6.36%<\/td>\n            <td><span class=\"red\">\u2193 2<\/span><\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n        <tr>\n            <td><span class=\"rank-circle\">8<\/span><\/td>\n            <td class=\"left-align\">Automobile<\/td>\n            <td class=\"green\">23.17%<\/td>\n            <td><span class=\"green\">\u2191 1<\/span><\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n        <tr>\n            <td><span class=\"rank-circle\">9<\/span><\/td>\n            <td class=\"left-align\">IT Software &#038; Services<\/td>\n            <td class=\"green\">8.60%<\/td>\n            <td><span class=\"red\">\u2193 2<\/span><\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n        <tr>\n            <td><span class=\"rank-circle\">10<\/span><\/td>\n            <td class=\"left-align\">Education<\/td>\n            <td class=\"green\">22.30%<\/td>\n            <td><span class=\"green\">\u2191 1<\/span><\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n        <tr>\n            <td><span class=\"rank-circle\">11<\/span><\/td>\n            <td class=\"left-align\">Agriculture<\/td>\n            <td class=\"green\">22.73%<\/td>\n            <td><span class=\"green\">\u2191 2<\/span><\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n        <tr>\n            <td><span class=\"rank-circle\">12<\/span><\/td>\n            <td class=\"left-align\">Banking &#038; Finance<\/td>\n            <td class=\"green\">40.37%<\/td>\n            <td><span class=\"green\">\u2191 6<\/span><\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n        <tr>\n            <td><span class=\"rank-circle\">13<\/span><\/td>\n            <td class=\"left-align\">Internet<\/td>\n            <td class=\"red\">-7.93%<\/td>\n            <td><span class=\"red\">\u2193 3<\/span><\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n        <tr>\n            <td><span class=\"rank-circle\">14<\/span><\/td>\n            <td class=\"left-align\">Entertainment<\/td>\n            <td class=\"green\">12.40%<\/td>\n            <td><span class=\"grey\">=<\/span><\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n        <tr>\n            <td><span class=\"rank-circle\">15<\/span><\/td>\n            <td class=\"left-align\">Music<\/td>\n            <td class=\"green\">5.47%<\/td>\n            <td><span class=\"grey\">=<\/span><\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n        <tr>\n            <td><span class=\"rank-circle\">16<\/span><\/td>\n            <td class=\"left-align\">Real Estate<\/td>\n            <td class=\"red\">-5.88%<\/td>\n            <td><span class=\"red\">\u2193 4<\/span><\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n        <tr>\n            <td><span class=\"rank-circle\">17<\/span><\/td>\n            <td class=\"left-align\">Travel &#038; Leisure<\/td>\n            <td class=\"green\">24.75%<\/td>\n            <td><span class=\"green\">\u2191 3<\/span><\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n        <tr>\n            <td><span class=\"rank-circle\">18<\/span><\/td>\n            <td class=\"left-align\">Media<\/td>\n            <td class=\"green\">23.76%<\/td>\n            <td><span class=\"green\">\u2191 3<\/span><\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n        <tr>\n            <td><span class=\"rank-circle\">19<\/span><\/td>\n            <td class=\"left-align\">Architecture<\/td>\n            <td class=\"green\">34.78%<\/td>\n            <td><span class=\"green\">\u2191 3<\/span><\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n        <tr>\n            <td><span class=\"rank-circle\">20<\/span><\/td>\n            <td class=\"left-align\">Construction<\/td>\n            <td class=\"green\">5.98%<\/td>\n            <td><span class=\"red\">\u2193 3<\/span><\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n        <tr>\n            <td><span class=\"rank-circle\">21<\/span><\/td>\n            <td class=\"left-align\">Hospitals &#038; Healthcare<\/td>\n            <td class=\"red\">-3.28%<\/td>\n            <td><span class=\"red\">\u2193 5<\/span><\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n        <tr>\n            <td><span class=\"rank-circle\">22<\/span><\/td>\n            <td class=\"left-align\">Restaurants<\/td>\n            <td class=\"red\">-11.43%<\/td>\n            <td><span class=\"red\">\u2193 3<\/span><\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n        <tr>\n            <td><span class=\"rank-circle\">23<\/span><\/td>\n            <td class=\"left-align\">Retail<\/td>\n            <td class=\"green\">24.00%<\/td>\n            <td><span class=\"grey\">=<\/span><\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n        <tr>\n            <td><span class=\"rank-circle\">24<\/span><\/td>\n            <td class=\"left-align\">Beverages<\/td>\n            <td class=\"green\">58.62%<\/td>\n            <td><span class=\"green\">\u2191 1<\/span><\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n        <tr>\n            <td><span class=\"rank-circle\">25<\/span><\/td>\n            <td class=\"left-align\">Luxury Goods &#038; Jewelry<\/td>\n            <td class=\"green\">13.51%<\/td>\n            <td><span class=\"red\">\u2193 1<\/span><\/td>\n        <\/tr>\n    <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/body>\n<\/html>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Digitalisation drive boost in finance and accounting industries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<p>Despite being a traditionally slow-moving and heavily regulated industry, the UK\u2019s <strong>finance sector will be increasingly relying on outsourcing<\/strong> in 2025, with banking and accounting driving the surge.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/01\/banking.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1271\" style=\"width:466px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/01\/banking.png 500w, https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/01\/banking-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/01\/banking-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Banking saw a 40.37% rise in outsourcing in 2024, fuelled by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.grantthornton.co.uk\/insights\/2024-key-trends-and-risks-for-financial-services\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">AI adoption and machine learning<\/a>, despite ongoing security concerns. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has stepped in with guidelines to <strong>ensure safe AI development<\/strong> and deployment. At the same time, Brexit-induced regulatory complexities continue to push firms toward <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fnlondon.com\/articles\/compliance-headaches-haunt-city-eight-years-on-from-brexit-6bced9af\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">outsourcing compliance<\/a> to specialists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Accounting also grew by 41.57%, with companies seeking <a href=\"https:\/\/www.accountingweb.co.uk\/community\/industry-insights\/the-latest-trends-in-accounting-services-outsourcing-in-2024\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">cost efficiencies and expertise<\/a> to navigate evolving regulations. Outsourcing in this sector <strong>can reduce<\/strong> finance department costs <a href=\"https:\/\/www.accrels.com\/why-uk-businesses-will-increasingly-embrace-outsourced-accounting-solutions-in-2024\/\">by 30-50%<\/a>, a compelling factor as the Financial Reporting Council\u2019s 2024 overhaul of standards impacts millions of businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">E-commerce helps the UK remain ahead in Europe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The UK\u2019s e-Commerce sector will continue to thrive in 2025, as shown by the <strong>7.7% increase<\/strong> in demand from Sortlist data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<p>Just the online sales during the Black Friday\/Cyber Monday period last month <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/retail-consumer\/britons-spent-46-bln-online-over-black-fridaycyber-monday-period-says-adobe-2024-12-03\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">reached \u00a33.63 billion<\/a>, a 5.2% year-on-year increase. This growth is further supported by projections that e-commerce market volume in the UK <a href=\"https:\/\/www.statista.com\/outlook\/emo\/ecommerce\/united-kingdom\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">will amount to $188.80 billion<\/a> by 2029.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/01\/ecommerce.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1270\" style=\"width:427px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/01\/ecommerce.png 500w, https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/01\/ecommerce-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/01\/ecommerce-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s no surprise, really: the UK has the largest e-commerce market in Europe, ranking among the biggest globally. In any given year, the average online spending <a href=\"https:\/\/analyzify.com\/statsup\/uk-ecommerce\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">per shopper is about $4,679<\/a>. And 55% of those shoppers are Gen Z users.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"section-essor\" class=\"gutenberg-block gutenberg--section\" style=\"background-image:url();\">\n        <div class=\"overlay\" style=\"background-color:\"><\/div> \n    <div class=\"gutenberg--section__wrapper wrapper\">\n        \n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-bottom is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">Exploding skills<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SMBs are driving an explosion in AI adoption<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) dominate AI service requests, with nearly <strong>75% coming from companies<\/strong> with 50 or fewer employees in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Eager to optimise and automate processes while staying competitive, these businesses lack the in-house expertise for AI development, driving them to Sortlist for outsourcing solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/01\/company_size.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5684\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Customer service is still a major use case for SMBs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>10% of AI requests focus on customer service, with 75% of those coming from SMBs with under 50 employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While chatbots remain popular, <strong>25% of customer service AI projects now target phone support<\/strong>, from software firms seeking 24\/7 AI systems to logistics companies automating dispatch operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/01\/phone.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5679\" style=\"width:714px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Automation + personalisation = winning formula for business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>25% of AI projects from SMBs focus on personalisation at scale, <strong>creating tailored experiences for every user<\/strong>. From training apps to AI-generated interior designs and custom travel recommendations, these solutions automate expert-level tasks using zero-party data, delivering high-quality results efficiently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Personalisation use cases can be categorised in three different tiers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Personalised process automation: <strong>41%<\/strong>, such as generating personalised training plans automatically rather than manually.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Personalised user interfaces: <strong>19%<\/strong>, such as chatbots designed to help find products and services.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Personalised content and messaging: <strong>38%<\/strong>, like an AI avatar based on the company CEO to generate travel recommendations accurately based on past trips.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:80px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">AI drives demand for personalisation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>As users of LLMs like ChatGPT become more and more used to <strong>extremely precise responses<\/strong> to their queries, this kind of fully individual experience will become expected. Those same technologies are being integrated into the products used by business owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Personalisation is being used to crack crowded markets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Smaller, more agile companies are using <strong>personalised digital experiences<\/strong> to stand out from the crowd: we\u2019ve seen real estate businesses offering targeted recommendations for customers, a personalised web portal for wealth management, and individually tailored learning paths for online study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Data analysis and predictive analytics: as varied as the companies that use it<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:45px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<p><br>Sortlist data reveals that 17% of all projects come from companies investing in AI initiatives aimed at <strong>analyzing large datasets, uncovering patterns, and enhancing decision-making processes<\/strong> to drive efficiency and growth.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/01\/datasets.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5681\" style=\"width:440px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Some other use cases include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Predicting<\/strong> fraudulent e-commerce transactions,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>NLP-powered<\/strong> search tools integrated with SQL databases,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>AI forecasting<\/strong> to optimise sales and predict demand,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Identifying new markets<\/strong> using customer data and demographics,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Enhancing<\/strong> ERP systems with AI for inventory, sales, and supply chain optimisation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:80px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Companies under pressure to do more with less<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Companies seeking AI partners on Sortlist prioritise <strong>scalability<\/strong>, process efficiency, and profitability without increasing headcount. This shift aligns with a broader trend since 2022, as businesses focus on cost efficiency over aggressive growth amidst inflation and cautious investment environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With rising supply chain costs squeezing budgets and cautious investors reducing funding, scalable and efficient solutions are key. While requests for ROI and cost optimisation have dipped 25% since 2023, <strong>they remain 370% higher than in 2021<\/strong>, underscoring their continued importance. Selecting the right partner is critical to navigating these challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/01\/roi_requests.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5686\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Make no mistake: companies are still laser-focussed on profitability when looking for an agency or consultancy, with marketing the task that\u2019s <strong>most under pressure<\/strong> to prove ROI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-top: 75.0000%;\n padding-bottom: 0; box-shadow: 0 2px 8px 0 rgba(63,69,81,0.16); margin-top: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.9em; overflow: hidden;\n border-radius: 8px; will-change: transform;\">\n  <iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0; border: none; padding: 0;margin: 0;\"\n    src=\"https:\/\/www.canva.com\/design\/DAGbEVQ-sn8\/Jr92E9gaB28vY5x6sEAW2A\/view?embed\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" allow=\"fullscreen\">\n  <\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<a href=\"https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.canva.com&#x2F;design&#x2F;DAGbEVQ-sn8&#x2F;Jr92E9gaB28vY5x6sEAW2A&#x2F;view?utm_content=DAGbEVQ-sn8&amp;utm_campaign=designshare&amp;utm_medium=embeds&amp;utm_source=link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Marketing Direct ROI<\/a>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Digitalisation 2.0 is coming, quickly<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Digitalisation is evolving from simply having a website to providing personalised, logged-in experiences through web apps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As businesses aim to enhance client satisfaction with tailored journeys and data-driven customisation, <strong>demand for web app developers<\/strong> on Sortlist has grown twice as fast as for traditional websites since 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/01\/UK-SL-Report-graphs-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1276\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/01\/UK-SL-Report-graphs-1.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/01\/UK-SL-Report-graphs-1-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/01\/UK-SL-Report-graphs-1-768x576.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:49px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s a symptom of consumer demand for <strong>personalised experiences<\/strong>, based on their data, and akin to what we saw as a key driver of AI adoption among SMBs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the past year we\u2019ve seen web app projects like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">A real estate company looking to make the planning process more transparent with a web app that <strong>assesses clients\u2019 planning permission status<\/strong> based on location and building type.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">A CSR consultancy making a web app to <strong>assess, diagnose, and quantify CSR issues<\/strong> within clients\u2019 organisations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:49px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"section-ville\" class=\"gutenberg-block gutenberg--section\" style=\"background-color:rgb(251,250,249);\">\n        <div class=\"overlay\" style=\"background-color:\"><\/div> \n    <div class=\"gutenberg--section__wrapper wrapper\">\n        \n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><mdspan datatext=\"el1731411977121\" class=\"mdspan-comment\">The agency landscape by city<\/mdspan><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"section-636a431247d2b\" class=\"gutenberg-block gutenberg--section\" style=\"background-image:url();\">\n        <div class=\"overlay\" style=\"background-color:\"><\/div> \n    <div class=\"gutenberg--section__wrapper wrapper\">\n        \n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-bottom is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Which city offers the skills you need?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To answer this, we analysed <strong>70,000 providers on Sortlist<\/strong>, calculating an \u201cexpertise score\u201d based on the number of validated providers per capita and their specialisations, normalised for city size. Note: this score reflects specialisation weight, not the total number of providers. For that, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sortlist.co.uk\/search\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">use the Sortlist search function<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<iframe src='https:\/\/flo.uri.sh\/visualisation\/18177456\/embed' title='Interactive or visual content' class='flourish-embed-iframe' frameborder='0' scrolling='no' loading='lazy' style='width:100%;height:1000px;' sandbox='allow-same-origin allow-forms allow-scripts allow-downloads allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation'><\/iframe><div style='width:100%!;margin-top:4px!important;text-align:right!important;'><a class='flourish-credit' href='https:\/\/public.flourish.studio\/visualisation\/18177456\/?utm_source=embed&#038;utm_campaign=visualisation\/18177456' target='_top' style='text-decoration:none!important' rel=\"noopener\"><img alt='Made with Flourish' src='https:\/\/public.flourish.studio\/resources\/made_with_flourish.svg' style='width:105px!important;height:16px!important;border:none!important;margin:0!important;'> <\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>While London is the centre of the UK\u2019s economic life, and any agency you need will be found there, it\u2019s <strong>Bristol<\/strong> that stands out on a per-capita basis, especially when it comes to SEO and PR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As of 2024, Bristol is the <strong>strongest performer<\/strong> of all of the UK\u2019s large cities. Between 2004 and 2021, Bristol\u2019s economy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.centreforcities.org\/reader\/ship-shape\/bristols-economic-performance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">went from 1.3% of UK GDP to 1.5%<\/a> in 2022, becoming a more important part of the national economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And the digital, science, and tech sector in Bristol grew at <strong>double the speed<\/strong> of the national average, constituting 13.4% of all jobs in the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both Edinburgh and Cardiff both weigh heavily towards <strong>Events agencies<\/strong>; it\u2019s perhaps one of the most regionally-dependent services. Edinburgh has built an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uoecollection.com\/conferences-events\/why-edinburgh\/knowledge-economy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">international reputation<\/a> in sectors such as life sciences, technology, and finance, and Cardiff is also known to be a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitwales.com\/destinations\/south-wales\/cardiff\/big-events-cardiff\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">popular destination for events<\/a>, hosting major international sporting matches and thousands of concerts and arts events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"section-versus\" class=\"gutenberg-block gutenberg--section\" style=\"background-color:rgb(251,250,249);\">\n        <div class=\"overlay\" style=\"background-color:\"><\/div> \n    <div class=\"gutenberg--section__wrapper wrapper\">\n        \n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><mdspan style=\"background: transparent;\" datatext=\"el1735821808753\" class=\"mdspan-comment\">In-house vs. outsource: which one prevails in reducing risk<\/mdspan>?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"section-636a431247d2b\" class=\"gutenberg-block gutenberg--section\" style=\"background-image:url();\">\n        <div class=\"overlay\" style=\"background-color:\"><\/div> \n    <div class=\"gutenberg--section__wrapper wrapper\">\n        \n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-bottom is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the years, the shifting trends in how companies manage their workload have become apparent\u2014with ever more <strong>turning to a network of external partners<\/strong> to drive growth and minimise long term risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To illustrate the point, we\u2019ll examine these trends by comparing variations in the number of outsourced projects posted on Sortlist and the job postings on Indeed from 2020 to 2025 (taking 2020 as a baseline for both).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/01\/inhouse_vs_outsource.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5687\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Perhaps unsurprisingly, the two seem to be two sides of the same coin. While in-housing grew steadily through 2021, as consumer confidence returned post-covid, it peaked during 2022, and <strong>has declined since<\/strong>, in line with a more complex economic environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The balance between in-housing and outsourcing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/01\/inhouse_vs_outsource-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5688\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>We see that, indeed throughout 2021 and into 2022, a time of greater confidence, in-housing predominated. While in 2020 and especially the second half of 2022, 2023 and 2024, businesses looked to continue to grow in an <strong>uncertain environment <\/strong>with the help of external providers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And that\u2019s in line with the predicted global spending on outsourcing in 2025, which <a href=\"https:\/\/joingenius.com\/statistics\/outsourcing-statistics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">sits at around $1,140 billion<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s the role of Sortlist in this fragmented business scenario\u2014when companies outsource their projects to expert providers <strong>they avoid the misplacement of resources<\/strong> and reduce risk, all while securing the required talents for their projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mdspan style=\"background: transparent;\" datatext=\"el1735821845053\" class=\"mdspan-comment\">Price comparison: outsourcing<\/mdspan> up to 5x cheaper per project<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Is outsourcing marketing services cheaper than hiring in-house experts?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To find out, we analyzed 2024\u2019s<strong> top services<\/strong>, factoring in gross salaries plus additional costs like taxes and social security to reveal the true expense of in-house hires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"942\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/01\/UK_edit1-1024x942.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1268\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/01\/UK_edit1-1024x942.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/01\/UK_edit1-300x276.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/01\/UK_edit1-768x706.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.blog.production.sortlist.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2025\/01\/UK_edit1.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Across all expertise areas, the cost of outsourcing a project is significantly lower than the annual salary of hiring an in-house employee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, outsourcing a mobile application developer costs $23,000, while the in-house salary is $120,889\u2014<strong>nearly 5.3 times more<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Roles with higher in-house salaries, such as mobile application developers ($120,889) and brand managers ($90,697), see significant cost savings when outsourced, at $23,000 and $8,500 respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These figures are meant to give companies an idea of <strong>costs on a per-project basis<\/strong>. While an in-house employee may yield more impact than a single project, the numbers prove that outsourcing allows to cover specific projects rather than committing to ongoing annual salaries, making it a cost-efficient choice for businesses needing occasional expertise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"section-conclusion\" class=\"gutenberg-block gutenberg--section\" style=\"background-color:rgb(251,250,249);\">\n        <div class=\"overlay\" style=\"background-color:\"><\/div> \n    <div class=\"gutenberg--section__wrapper wrapper\">\n        \n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><mdspan style=\"background: transparent;\" datatext=\"el1735821866931\" class=\"mdspan-comment\">Outsourcing remains a strategic asset<\/mdspan><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"section-636a431247d2b\" class=\"gutenberg-block gutenberg--section\" style=\"background-image:url();\">\n        <div class=\"overlay\" style=\"background-color:\"><\/div> \n    <div class=\"gutenberg--section__wrapper wrapper\">\n        \n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-bottom is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Outsourcing is now a key strategy for businesses, with the market expected to <a href=\"https:\/\/saigontechnology.com\/blog\/it-outsourcing-trends\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">reach $807.91 billion in 2025<\/a>. Beyond cost savings, companies seek flexibility and expertise to stay competitive, with 59% prioritising performance and nearly half valuing adaptability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is where Sortlist makes a difference. By connecting businesses with their ideal service providers, Sortlist helps you <strong>avoid resource mismanagement<\/strong>, minimise risks, and achieve high returns on your projects. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sortlist.co.uk\/project\/new?autoload=true\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Post your project<\/a> on Sortlist today and find the perfect partner to drive your business forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"section-methodology\" class=\"gutenberg-block gutenberg--section\" style=\"background-color:rgb(251,250,249);\">\n        <div class=\"overlay\" style=\"background-color:\"><\/div> \n    <div class=\"gutenberg--section__wrapper wrapper\">\n        \n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Methodology<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"section-636a431247d2b\" class=\"gutenberg-block gutenberg--section\" style=\"background-image:url();\">\n        <div class=\"overlay\" style=\"background-color:\"><\/div> \n    <div class=\"gutenberg--section__wrapper wrapper\">\n        \n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-bottom is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The figures related to demand and pricing in this report are derived from data collected on the Sortlist platform, from both agencies and projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, data on professional salaries and the number of job vacancies were gathered from Indeed\u2019s salary guides and then compared with our data on project outsourcing costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":102,"featured_media":1244,"template":"","reports_categories":[4],"class_list":["post-1240","reports","type-reports","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","reports_categories-marketing-reports"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How companies in the UK are investing in talent, tech, and digital<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover the state of outsourcing services in the UK in 2025: key trends and statistics to understand what&#039;s 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