Recruiter Hot 100 again - In a year that tested everyone

Thorn Baker have been named in the Recruiter Hot 100 for the third consecutive year, coming in at number 92. It’s something we’re genuinely pleased about - although, if we’re honest, it feels a bit different this time around.

Anyone working in recruitment will know the last couple of years haven’t been easy. The market has been unpredictable, costs have increased, and confidence hasn’t always been where you’d want it to be. Across the sector, businesses have had to adapt quickly and, in many cases, make difficult decisions to stay sustainable. That’s reflected in this year’s Hot 100 itself, where headcount across the companies featured has fallen by 9%. It’s a clear sign of just how much the industry has had to reset.

We’re no different. Over the past couple of years, we’ve had to take a step back and look carefully at how we operate. That’s included making some tough decisions to streamline parts of the business and make sure we’re set up properly for the future. Those decisions aren’t taken lightly, and we’re very aware of the impact they have on people.

At the same time, we’ve been focused on strengthening what sits underneath the business. Over the last 12 months, we’ve invested in our infrastructure, including rolling out a new CRM and introducing a new payroll platform to improve visibility, compliance, and overall delivery for both clients and candidates. It’s not the most visible work externally, but it’s what allows us to operate properly and consistently.

More than anything, this recognition reflects the people across our business. It’s been a challenging period, but our teams have continued to show up, support each other, and deliver for clients and candidates. That level of patience, resilience and commitment is what has kept things moving, and it doesn’t go unnoticed.

We also know we’re not alone in that experience. There are a lot of good businesses across recruitment who have had to navigate the same pressures, and whether they appear on this list or not, the reality is that simply continuing to operate, deliver and move forward in this market is something to be proud of. It’s been a tough period for the sector, and there’s a lot of respect for those who have worked through it.

So yes, being included in the Hot 100 for a third year running matters to us. But it’s not something we’re treating as a finish line - it’s more a checkpoint. There’s still work to do, and our focus is on continuing to build a business that is stable, consistent and ready for what comes next.

And, like many others across the industry, we’re hoping that 2026 brings a more positive and settled environment for everyone.