With the Christmas break fast approaching, many of us will soon be spending time with family, eating and drinking more than we should, and recharging before returning to work in 2026.
However, the festive period can also be a valuable opportunity to reflect on the year gone by and set clear plans and targets for the year ahead, helping you hit the ground running rather than falling back into old habits.
Below are some ideas recruiters may want to consider over the Christmas break:
START YOUR OWN AGENCY
If 2025 has been a strong year, launching your own recruitment agency in 2026 might be the natural next step. A 360 recruiter with a solid billing desk, strong client and candidate relationships, and some funds saved should seriously consider it.
Working with experienced advisors and reputable suppliers can ensure a smooth setup process, allowing you to make that first placement as quickly as possible.
DIVERSIFY INTO INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT
Many UK sectors have experienced restricted growth and tighter margins this year. Expanding into international recruitment could open up fresh opportunities.
Some countries face significant skill shortages and would welcome the expertise of a UK agency. Meanwhile, many candidates are actively seeking opportunities abroad, often with higher salaries, which in turn generate higher fees.
International recruitment can typically be run from your existing UK setup, without the need to establish a new company or office, making it a potentially high-reward option.
OPEN A CONTRACT DESK
For recruiters focused mainly on permanent placements, moving into contract recruitment may seem daunting. However, industry providers can simplify the process and dispel the myth that contract recruitment is overly complicated or time-consuming.
Partnering with a pay-and-bill provider who manages contracts, compliance, invoicing, and funding allows you to build a contract desk with minimal hassle. Even a small number of contractors can create a consistent revenue stream, increase company value, and broaden your service offering to clients.
CREATE YOUR ANNUAL PROJECTIONS
Heading into 2026 with clear financial projections can provide motivation, direction, and measurable goals.
Start by determining how much the directors want or need to take from the business next year. From this, calculate the required net profit, incorporate corporation tax, and add back overheads line by line.
This will reveal the level of gross profit the business must generate—whether through permanent, contract, or temporary placements.
If the numbers don’t stack up, you may need additional staff to increase income, though this will also impact overheads. Once the projections show the right balance of sales, costs, and profitability, they become the financial targets for the year ahead.
REVIEW YOUR OVERHEADS AND STAFFING STRUCTURE
The Christmas break is an excellent time to assess your ongoing overheads and categorise them as “must-haves,” “nice-to-haves,” or “why are we paying for that?”
If certain costs are genuinely necessary, review the terms to ensure they still suit the size and stage of your business.
Staffing should also be reviewed: look at each team member’s profitability by comparing their wages, commissions, and desk costs with their 2025 billings. This assessment will help inform targets, identify training needs, or highlight where performance management may be required in 2026.
MAYACHI supports recruiters and directors with all of the areas above, including starting an agency, building a contract desk, or expanding into international markets. We provide financial guidance, projection templates, overhead reviews, and staff profitability analysis to help you plan effectively for the year ahead.
