Overseas Professionals Still Look to UK for Long-Term Placements

LONDON, April 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

The UK remains the third most desired location globally for professionals to live and work, according to new research into global mobility trends. Those who come here stay much longer than they expected.

The research, commissioned by global specialist recruiters Hydrogen Group and conducted by ESCP Europe, revealed the UK as one of the top places to move for work with 84% still remaining after five years.

Raymond Madden, Visiting Professor at ESCP Europe comments: "We're not seeing people going abroad to do a quick two-year assignment. More and more people are spending their entire careers working overseas."

Other key findings include:

• International experience is increasingly a prerequisite for senior professionals: 72% of respondents state that their employers see international experience as important or very important (63% in 2011)
• Overseas work is no longer just for the young. 45% of respondents working abroad were aged over 40
• Migration is spread more widely than ever before, but the top three desired destinations remain US, Australia and UK
• 37% of respondents working abroad found their role through recruiters. Tim Smeaton, CEO of Hydrogen Group commented "Candidates recognise that recruitment specialists provide them with access to the global organisations of their choice."

Daniel Fox, UK Director at Hydrogen, says: "There are few places in the world that are as appealing as the UK to live and work. Because it is the centre of so much of the world's business activity, it is a great place to come and take your career to the next level."

Notes to editors:

• The survey interviewed 2,353 people worldwide.
• The report Global Professionals on the Move 2012 highlights insights and trends supported by commentary from Hydrogen experts, opinion from independent observers e.g. Recruitment & Employment Confederation, Deloitte, and Forbes, and stories from several professionals working overseas.
•  Hydrogen, a specialist recruiter, places in over 50 countries with practices covering both professional support services and the technical and scientific market. (http://www.hydrogengroup.com)
• ESCP Europe is the world's oldest business school. Founded in Paris in 1819, the School provides postgraduate and executive-level business education at five European campuses, and globally via a broad network of academic partners. (http://www.escpeurope.eu)

For further information, interview opportunities, or a copy of the report, please contact: Alexandra Bigland +44(0)20-7090-7739, alexbigland@hydrogengroup.com