Australian financial services workers highly sought after for jobs in London, reports Joslin Rowe  

London's top banking, investment and insurance organisations are recruiting Australians in droves as the supply of skilled UK financial professionals struggles to keep pace with demand. Currently there are over 10 jobs to every 4 candidates, as the buoyant UK economy overtakes New York as the leading capital markets centre.

Nabila Sadiq, Managing Director of UK financial services recruitment firm Joslin Rowe, says: "There is a massive shortage of skilled financial services workers in the UK. Australian workers are highly sought after for UK jobs on account of their good education, training and hard work ethic. Their qualifications are well-regarded and portable."

One of the chief attractions of the UK is the earning potential - salaries for London banking jobs are far higher than Australia. A qualified CA / CPA financial accountant with up to two years experience can earn between $55k and $75k in Sydney or £48k to £55k in London - the equivalent of AU$118k and AU$135k. A product controller can earn up to AU$154k in Sydney or the equivalent of AU$370k in London. An accounts assistant earning between AU$40k and AU$45k in Melbourne can earn between AU$60k and AU$69 in London.

Joslin Rowe, which specialises in finding overseas candidates jobs in London's financial services sector, assisted 1,825 overseas candidates in 2004. This increased to 4,794 in 2005 (+163%), then went up to 5,297 in 2006.

Nabila Sadiq said: "The picture has completely changed in the last couple of years. Last year, Joslin Rowe found more than 980 Australians a job in London and we don't see that trend slowing. For the UK, the problem is that most Australian professionals will eventually return to the lure of family, friends, a more relaxed lifestyle - and some sun - back home. The average length of stay for a well remunerated Australian in the UK is four years (an average which is brought down by the number of 2-year working holiday visas). Despite the fact Australian professionals are in demand in London, their international exposure makes them an even more valuable asset when they return home . The advantage for Australia is most professionals return after their 'tour of duty' in the UK armed with valuable experience that can be beneficial for local companies in the battle for global market share."

Notes to Editors

Joslin Rowe will be hosting recruitment seminars for Australians interested in working in the UK's financial services sector in conjunction with LINK in LINK's offices. (In the Melbourne CBD on Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 March 2007 at 6pm and the Sydney CBD on Thursday 26 April, Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 May 2007.) Joslin Rowe will provide comprehensive advice on current market conditions in London, job opportunities, salary expectations, lifestyle and cost of living differences and visa requirements. Places can be reserved or further information obtained, through the website, or by sending a CV to workinuk@joslinrowe.

Established in 1982 Joslin Rowe assists overseas professionals find jobs in London's banking, investment and accountancy firms across the UK and Ireland. On 7 April 2006, international staffing services company Vedior (headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands) raised its stake in Joslin Rowe's parent company, The Blomfield Group, from 18% to 70%.

About the Author

For further information/interviews, contact:
Belinda Martin
Head office
Joslin Rowe
Bell Court House
11 Blomfield Street
London
EC2M 7AY
+44 7789 682 754
press@joslinrowe.com