Mark Freebairn

The share prices of those that are quoted are falling. Restaurants are not as booked as they once were. Every paper screams panic every day on most pages. So what does this mean to you from a job security and 'should I move right now' perspective?

The first thing to say is that whatever is happening in the market in general has not happened to the finance market that sits within it. My firm Odgers is busy. And I mean, really very busy.

There are not just roles to replace people. Growth roles are being recruited too, and by a number of businesses. Now, I’m not saying that this is a trend that will continue forever, but it’s an extremely positive sign for finance people.

I believe that members of the general management community now recognise that they are better placed to run a business when they have a strong commercial finance partner. As a result, whatever the market, when they need one, they want to recruit the best one.

So what does this mean for the finance community? Well, simply put, nothing. Obviously, you should congratulate yourself on choosing a profession that, like being an undertaker, seems to be immune to hard times. However, there are some other things that are worth pointing out.

First: your colleagues outside finance may be worried about moving roles.

Last in, first out is not a cliché for nothing. However, allowing for the usual due diligence, I really don’t think this should be an issue for the finance market right now. Of course, you should not join a business that is going to go bust, unless there is a compelling reason to do so.

Second: in a business that is doing well or badly, the commercial and financial agenda remains the same. Add value, drive bottom line improvement through top-line growth or cost management and challenge the status quo. In a market that is declining, your ideas will get listened to even more closely, and the opportunities you will have to add value will be even greater. This will benefit the business, your CV and your future career potential ­ internal and external.

So don’t laugh too loudly at the worried-looking sales and marketing teams. Find ways of making them more effective, and they won’t look so worried ­ and what’s more, they’ll be your friends for life.

Mark Freebairn is a partner at Odgers Ray & Berndtson

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