Blogs & Insights | Team News

Achieve Professionals August 2026 Newsletter

August at Achieve Professionals

August can tend to be a quieter month whilst people take time off to recharge, and honestly, our team took time to do exactly that – managing to squeeze in trips to Ibiza, Portugal, and Majorca, which felt very well earned.

Despite the summer season, across legal, finance, and family office, candidates were making moves, clients were opening new searches, and the conversations we were having were some of the most interesting of the year.

Here’s a look at what we saw, sector by sector, and what it might mean for you, whether you’re thinking about your next hire or your next step.

US Legal – Momentum Heading into the Fall

We saw the US legal market hold up well through August. We have been working with firms across New York, Texas, and the Sun Belt who are planning to grow their permanent headcount, with most of the demand sitting in finance-heavy practices, funds, litigation, and regulatory work.

For candidates in these areas, it’s an encouraging picture as firms are competing for experienced people, and compensation is moving in line with this.

For hiring clients, the one thing worth bearing in mind is pace, in the context that the best candidates tend to have options, and a process that moves efficiently will be an advantage. Our US legal recruitment services are led by Sophie-Jo Grier, whose background as a former practising lawyer enables her to offer practical market insight alongside specialist recruitment expertise.

UK Legal – Active Beneath the Surface

In the UK legal sector, permanent vacancies kept coming through steadily. The market is moving, even if it moves a little more quietly at this time of year.

One theme that came up in quite a few conversations was the difference between being selective and being potentially being stuck. Holding out for a genuine step forward makes complete sense, but it’s worth checking in with yourself occasionally to make sure “the right fit” hasn’t become a moving target without you realising.

For hiring clients, the UK legal talent pool is more mobile than August might suggest. Candidates who look settled are often quietly open to the right conversation. Proactive search tends to surface the people you’d actually want to speak to.

Explore our UK legal recruitment services headed up by our Senior Legal Recruiter, Sophie-Jo Grier.

Accountancy and Finance – Pipeline Building and Skills Shortages

We found that Tax and Audit professionals remain firmly in demand, with firms continuing to navigate real skills shortages across both areas. We have been working with a PE-backed, fast-paced business that’s looking to strengthen its Talent Acquisition team in Hertfordshire. It’s a great mandate and a reflection of how many high-growth businesses are investing in their internal hiring capability.

For candidates, being able to talk clearly about your impact and your numbers will always help you stand out. Check out our article about standing out in finance interviews for tips. For hiring clients, if you’re looking to bring finance talent in before Q4 planning gets underway, now is a good time to start those conversations.

Learn more about our finance and accountancy recruitment services.

Family Offices – Senior Moves and a Faster Pace of Change

August was a busy month for family office hiring. We saw a new CFO appointment, specialist Chief of Staff searches, and investment operations roles across single and multi-family offices globally. The professionalisation of this sector is continuing to accelerate, and seems to show no signs of slowing down.

For candidates with a background in governance, finance, or investment operations, it’s a really encouraging market to be in right now. The thing to be aware of is that these roles rarely appear publicly. They tend to move through trusted networks, so being known to the right people such as specialist recruiters is important.

For hiring clients, the candidate pool for senior family office roles is narrow. If you’re thinking about a hire in the next six months, it’s worth starting that conversation as soon as possible.

Visit our family office recruitment page or explore our UK Family Office Salary Guide 2026 to benchmark your offer.

Blogs Published in August

We’ve published an article for the legal sector this month, covering when it is time to hire an in house solicitor in the UK as well as two case studies from recent placements:

Hiring an In-House Solicitor UK | Legal Guide

Case Studies

Looking Ahead to September

September is when things tend to pick up properly again. Across legal, finance, and family office, the underlying demand is there. The conversations we’re having suggest that both candidates and clients are ready for a more active few months.

If you’re a candidate, September is a really good time to have a conversation, even if you’re not entirely sure you’re ready to move. Understanding what’s out there costs nothing and often helps clarify what the right next step actually looks like.

If you’re a hiring client, the searches that open in September tend to close well before Christmas. It’s worth getting started sooner than you think you need to.