Financial Year 2026 Review | A Year of Growth and Investment

As another financial year draws to a close for Orion Electrotech, we are proud to reflect on a year defined not simply by growth, but by the impact we’ve continued to make for the businesses and people we support.

Despite a recruitment market that remained challenging throughout much of FY26, Orion delivered 15% year-on-year growth, driven by the efforts of our people, the trust of our clients, and our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional recruitment solutions across Engineering & Manufacturing, Construction and Utilities.

Throughout the year, our focus has remained consistent: helping businesses overcome increasingly complex hiring challenges while connecting talented professionals with opportunities that enable them to build rewarding careers.

A Business Built on Continuous Improvement

Growth is only sustainable when it’s supported by strong foundations, and throughout FY26 we continued investing heavily in the operational excellence that underpins every client and candidate experience.

Our Operations & Compliance team successfully completed two ISO audits while remaining at the forefront of changing employment legislation through ongoing industry engagement and professional development.

Recognising that our role extends beyond recruitment, we also hosted Orion’s first client webinar alongside Lawspeed and Sapphire, helping clients understand proposed legislative changes and equipping them with practical guidance to navigate an evolving employment landscape.

Technology has also played a significant role in our evolution. During FY26, we continued our investment strategy in our automated CV formatting platforms to improve efficiency and consistency, launched our new website in partnership with Halt, and transitioned our IT support to GHM, strengthening our technology infrastructure and creating a scalable platform for future growth.

These investments ultimately enable our consultants to spend more time doing what they do best: supporting clients and candidates.

Engineering & Manufacturing

Delivering Specialist Talent Where It Matters Most

Across our Engineering & Manufacturing divisions, Orion continued to strengthen relationships with manufacturers, engineering businesses and technology organisations across the UK.

Our teams registered over 800 permanent vacancies and over 400 contract and interim requirements, successfully converting 43% into permanent hires while achieving over a 100% fill rate on contract appointments throughout the year.

This enabled our teams to support clients through complex hiring campaigns while helping specialist professionals secure opportunities across multiple sectors.

Aylesbury Surpasses its Growth Targets

A particular highlight came from our Midlands business, which achieved its ambitious three-year growth plan ahead of schedule.

The team achieved over £1 million in annual revenue while also recording:

• 107% of annual targets achieved
• Best overall quarter
• Best permanent quarter
• Best contract quarter
• Best monthly performance
• 42% growth in weekly contract gross profit between Q1 and Q4

These milestones reflect more than commercial success. They represent hundreds of businesses gaining access to the specialist skills they need to innovate, manufacture and grow.

Reading Continues to Deliver

Across Reading, activity levels remained exceptionally strong throughout FY26, with the team continuing to strengthen long-standing client relationships while welcoming over 40 new businesses into the Orion client portfolio.

Demand across both permanent and contract recruitment remained consistently high, with the team supporting hundreds of hiring requirements throughout the year and creating opportunities for engineering professionals across a wide range of specialist disciplines.

The strength of these partnerships is reflected not only in the volume of recruitment activity, but also in the depth of the relationships developed, with Orion generating over £1 million in revenue from just five of its clients alone.

By combining new business growth with continued investment in existing partnerships, the Reading team has reinforced its position as a trusted recruitment partner, delivering specialist talent solutions that support clients’ long-term growth ambitions while helping skilled professionals take the next step in their careers.

Construction

Building Long-Term Relationships

FY26 was another positive year for Orion’s Construction division.

Rather than focusing purely on growth, the team concentrated on strengthening the relationships that underpin long-term recruitment success.

Throughout the year, the team:

• Renewed several key framework agreements
• Increased new client acquisition by 25%
• Expanded relationships across existing customers
• Continued growing Orion’s presence throughout the construction sector
• Successfully made over 1,250 contract and temporary placements within 12 months

For clients, this has meant working with a recruitment partner capable of responding quickly to changing project demands.

For candidates, it has created access to a broader range of opportunities with respected employers across the UK.

Utilities

One of Orion’s Biggest Growth Stories

Utilities has continued to establish itself as one of Orion’s standout success stories.

The division achieved an outstanding 86% year-on-year growth while deploying a record number of over 100 permanent, interim and subcontract engineers across client projects.

Alongside onboarding several new clients, the team further strengthened existing strategic relationships, embedding Orion as a trusted recruitment partner across some of the UK’s most important infrastructure programmes.

The result is greater workforce continuity for clients and more opportunities for skilled engineers working across the utilities sector.

Strategic Talent Partnerships

One of the defining themes of FY26 has been the continued expansion of Orion’s Talent Partnership offering.

Throughout the year, we strengthened long-term partnerships with organisations including:

• Medik8
• SGS
• Industrial Physics
• Futura
• ATL
• Whippendell Marine
• TechPoint
• Alloyed

These partnerships represent far more than recruitment agreements.

They demonstrate the confidence clients place in Orion to become an extension of their own businesses, supporting workforce planning, improving hiring strategies and delivering specialist talent over the long term.

For candidates, these relationships provide access to exclusive career opportunities with some of the UK’s most innovative organisations.

Investing in Our People

Behind every successful placement is a consultant committed to delivering an exceptional experience.

That’s why Learning & Development has remained one of Orion’s biggest strategic priorities throughout FY26.

Our teams benefited from monthly training programmes, continued leadership development delivered in partnership with Amy Williams, and specialist sales and recruitment coaching from Jamie Burrows.

Alongside welcoming 11 new colleagues into the business, we have continued building a culture centred on continuous learning, collaboration and professional growth.

Because when our people develop, our clients and candidates benefit too.

Growth Across the Group

FY26 has seen Orion continue expanding both its client base and market reach.

Across the Group, we achieved:

• 15% year-on-year growth
• 140 new clients partnered with
• Continued expansion across Engineering & Manufacturing, Construction and Utilities
• Increased investment in technology, compliance and operational excellence
• Growing levels of client and candidate feedback recognising the quality of service delivered across the business

These achievements demonstrate not just business growth, but the strength of the relationships we’ve built and the trust placed in Orion by organisations and professionals across our markets.

Looking to the Next Financial Year

As we enter FY27, Orion does so with strong momentum, strengthened partnerships and an unwavering commitment to delivering outstanding recruitment experiences.

Our focus remains clear:

• Supporting businesses as they navigate an evolving talent landscape
• Connecting exceptional people with meaningful career opportunities
• Continuing to invest in our people, technology and services
• Building partnerships that create long-term value rather than short-term transactions

A Reflection from Grant Nesbitt, Managing Director

“When I look back on FY26, what stands out isn’t simply the growth we’ve achieved, it’s the way we’ve achieved it. The market has continued to present challenges throughout the year, but our people have responded with resilience, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to delivering for our clients and candidates.”

“I’m particularly proud that we’ve grown by 15% while continuing to invest heavily in our business, whether that’s through technology, compliance, learning and development, or strengthening our Talent Partnership offering. Those investments are helping us deliver a better experience, build deeper relationships, and create long-term value for everyone we work with.”

“None of this would have been possible without the incredible commitment shown across every team. From securing new partnerships and supporting major infrastructure projects to helping individuals take the next step in their careers, every success has been built on collaboration and consistency.”

“As we look ahead to FY27, we’re in a fantastic position. We’ve built strong momentum, expanded our client relationships, welcomed new talent into the business, and continue to see encouraging signs across our markets. I’d like to thank every member of the Orion team for everything they’ve contributed this year, and our clients and candidates for the trust they’ve placed in us. We’re excited for what comes next.”

 

Looking to Build Something Great?

Let’s Start the Conversation

Whether you’re a business looking to secure exceptional talent, a professional ready to take the next step in your career, or an ambitious recruiter searching for a place where your contribution is recognised and your development genuinely invested in, we’d love to hear from you.

For employers, Orion Electrotech is more than a recruitment agency. We’re a strategic talent partner, helping organisations solve hiring challenges, strengthen their workforce, and build teams that deliver lasting success.

For candidates, we don’t simply match CVs to vacancies. We take the time to understand your ambitions, connect you with opportunities that align with your goals, and support you throughout every stage of your career journey.

For recruiters, if you’re passionate about building relationships, making a genuine difference, and developing your career within a collaborative, high-performing environment, Orion could be the place for you. We invest heavily in our people, celebrate success, and provide the training, support and opportunities needed to help you achieve your full potential.

Wherever you are in your journey, we’d love to be part of what’s next.

Get in touch with the Orion Electrotech team today and discover how we can help you achieve more, whether that’s growing your business, advancing your career, or building a future with us.