London Regional Meet Up: The Consultancy Model for Higher Margins

Join us in London for a senior-level recruitment meetup co-hosted by The Recruitment Network (TRN) and the REC, designed for founders, CEOs and directors focused on accelerating performance in 2026.

This session centres on one of the most important commercial shifts in the industry right now: the move from traditional agency models to higher-margin, consultancy-led businesses.

The reality is simple. The traditional recruitment model is hitting its ceiling. Margins are under pressure, competition is increasing, and clients are demanding more value.

Businesses built on transactional delivery alone are finding it harder to grow profitably.

In this session, TRN will introduce a New Consultancy Model that is helping recruitment businesses move from 18% to 35%+ average margins by changing how they position, sell, and deliver their services. This is not theory. It is a practical look at how to evolve your model without losing existing clients or adding unnecessary complexity.

Alongside this, the REC will share the latest policy updates, including the Employment Rights Act as it moves into implementation, as well as key labour market data and insights from the latest Industry Status Report, highlighting where real opportunities lie.

The session will be led by Maxine Bligh, REC Chief Membership and Innovation Officer, and James Osborne, TRN Co-Founder and Chairman, combining expert insight with open discussion and peer-led problem solving focused on what is actually happening in your market.

What we’ll explore

• Why the traditional agency model is structurally capped on margin
• What defines a consultancy-led recruitment business today
• How leading agencies are achieving 35%+ average margins
• The services, behaviours, and commercial conversations driving higher fees
• How to reposition your business without disrupting existing revenue
• Key REC updates on the Employment Rights Act and regulatory changes
• Labour market trends, industry data, and where growth opportunities are emerging
• How to turn strategy into action and build real momentum in your business

If you are serious about increasing margins, strengthening your positioning, and building a more resilient recruitment business, this is the room to be in.