Businesses looking to hire from overseas – BDO survey says

North West businesses are looking abroad to make key appointments as the talent crisis bites, especially in software and technology companies. 

A survey by accountancy and business advisory firm BDO of 500 business leaders revealed that 93% of companies in the North West are actively considering overseas hires. One in three will only do so where they have an office and 43% are looking to countries where they have a strong client base.

With staff shortages the top concern of 27% of businesses, one in five leaders say they will consider creating roles anywhere in the world.

Laura Burton, expatriate tax director at BDO, said: “It’s no surprise to see so many businesses in the region looking to create roles overseas. Companies choosing to recruit anywhere in the world are probably being driven by the issue of plugging skills gaps, particularly in certain sectors, such as software and tech.

But she warned that organisations need to consider if there is a risk of “permanent establishment” from a corporate tax point of view and to check on whether a double tax treaty is in place as rules can differ from country to country.

She added: “Over the past two years, we’ve seen a significant increase in organisations and individuals accessing our Global Mobility Services as businesses have reconsidered their hiring strategies.”