Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Jul 14
Robert Walters Cuts H1 Net Fee Decline to 3% as European Hiring Stabilizes
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Jul 14

Robert Walters Cuts H1 Net Fee Decline to 3% as European Hiring Stabilizes

1 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Jul 14

Summary

  • Robert Walters said first-half net fees fell 3%, a marked improvement from the 14% drop recorded across all of 2025.
  • Better-than-feared results from European staffing firms are signaling a labor market that is stabilizing after years of downturn, helping lift sentiment around the sector.
  • The second half opened with what CEO Toby Fowlston called good trading momentum, with Japan, the UK and New Zealand among the strongest-performing markets.
  • The update suggests embattled recruiters may be moving from steep contraction toward a more gradual recovery if hiring trends keep improving.

Insights

With applications per job doubling, why do 70% of employers still struggle to find qualified candidates in a stabilizing market?
As AI automates 93% of recruitment, how can companies rebuild trust when applicants feel uneasy and unfairly judged by algorithms?