Recently, industry leaders came together for Hot Topics 2025, tackling the big questions shaping the future of work. From AI disruption to regulatory reform and leadership under pressure, our speakers delivered powerful insights and practical takeaways. Here are the top 5 things we learnt.
1. Agility is the name of the game in workforce planning
Kate Shoesmith, Deputy CEO, REC
Workforce planning in 2025 is under intense pressure from changing economic landscapes, government reforms, and talent shortages. Kate highlighted how agility will be essential for navigating:
- A rise in job postings (up 7.2% in Jan 2025) despite economic uncertainty.
- Major legislative shifts, including a 6.7% minimum wage increase and changes to National Insurance.
- The Employment Rights Bill, introducing guaranteed hours after 12 weeks, day-one unfair dismissal rights, and flexible working by default.
Takeaway: Employers need to stay close to recruitment partners and understand how legislative and market trends affect demand.
2. AI is reshaping jobs, but human-centric design is crucial
Matt Burney, Senior Talent Strategy Advisor, Indeed
Matt explored the dual nature of AI in recruitment, both its risks and opportunities. While up to 8 million UK jobs could be at risk from AI, new roles are emerging just as fast.
Key insights included:
- AI is already driving productivity gains and job creation across sectors like healthcare, finance, and logistics.
- The emergence of roles like AI Ethics Consultants and AI Trainers signals a shift toward a skills-based economy.
- AI-driven hiring tools are improving fairness, quality, and speed, and putting people at the heart of tech transformation.
Takeaway: With thoughtful design and investment in skills, we can shape a better future of work, and technology has a huge role to play in this.
3. Economic headwinds demand smarter hiring decisions
Jack Kennedy, Senior Economist, Indeed
Jack delivered a data-rich overview of the UK and global labour markets. Some trends are encouraging, modest UK growth is forecast, and redundancy notifications remain low, but uncertainties remain.
Highlights included:
- Wage growth is still strong, particularly in lower-paid roles, but inflationary pressures remain.
- The labour market is cooling slowly, with job postings down in some sectors but flexibility and transparency (in terms of employee expectations) are up.
- Public policy shifts, including tariff risks and employer tax changes, are reshaping the hiring landscape.
Takeaway: Workforce planning must be rooted in real-time data. Employers should watch sectoral trends and stay ahead of economic signals.
4. Resilience is more than just a buzzword
Jason Fox, Broadcaster and Former Special Forces Operative
Jason brought a fresh perspective to the day, sharing leadership lessons from the frontlines of conflict, and how they apply in business.
He introduced the four pillars of the Commando Spirit:
- Courage – Take calculated risks
- Determination – Stay mission-focused
- Unselfishness – Look after the team
- Cheerfulness in adversity – Keep morale high
Takeaway: Resilient teams thrive even during uncertain times. Leaders must encourage strength, honesty, and unity within their teams.
5. AI-powered workforce management is here, and it’s transformative
Michael Farrier, Solutions Director, Indeed Flex
Michael showcased how Indeed Flex is completely changing workforce management through AI — from sourcing to scheduling and payroll.
Highlights included:
- An AI assistant streamlining comms between workers, managers, and recruiters.
- Bias-free hiring through data-led assessments.
- Up to 40% savings and 95% fulfilment through smarter agency and workforce integration.
Takeaway: AI isn’t just about automation, it’s about building a faster, fairer hiring experience.
Final thoughts
Hot Topics 2025 offered a clear view of the challenges, and opportunities, that lie ahead. From economic volatility and shifting regulations to the rapid evolution of AI, one message came through loud and clear: resilience, agility, and innovation will define the workforce of tomorrow.
With rising employment costs, increased compliance pressures, and unpredictable demand, workforce planning in 2025 can’t be static, it must be strategic, flexible, and data-led.
As the need for contingent labour continues to grow, the organisations that are going to succeed will be those that can adapt quickly, plan smarter, and stay ahead of change.
That’s where Indeed Flex is making a difference, empowering businesses with:
- AI-powered shift and workforce optimisation,
- Real-time visibility and control for staffing managers, and
- Faster, fairer hiring that matches the right people to the right role every time.
As the world of work evolves, so must the way we manage it. With the right tools, the right data, and the right partner, your workforce strategy can be a competitive edge, not a cost.
