{"id":41976,"date":"2026-03-11T05:00:41","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T05:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/financialrush.com\/?p=41976"},"modified":"2026-03-11T05:00:41","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T05:00:41","slug":"good-pay-and-prospects-enhance-tech-sectors-pulling-power","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/financialrush.com\/?p=41976","title":{"rendered":"Good pay and prospects enhance tech sector\u2019s pulling power"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> \n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<p>The UK economy may be struggling for growth but its technology sector is outperforming \u2014 not just in output but also in its appeal to workers.<\/p>\n<p>Tech groups feature heavily in the FT\u2019s latest ranking of the country\u2019s best employers and make up half of the top 10 companies. <\/p>\n<p>Executives and industry observers say that as well as good pay and benefits, the sector\u2019s attractiveness stems from its mix of skills, relevance, prospects and purpose in an era of heightened anxiety about job security.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe narrative of the tech sector is very upbeat compared with many others,\u201d says Lynda Gratton, professor of management practice at London Business School and founder of consultancy HSM Advisory.<\/p>\n<aside aria-labelledby=\"aside-label\" class=\"n-content-recommended--single-story n-content-recommended--inset\" data-component=\"recommended\">\n<p class=\"n-content-recommended__title o3-type-body-highlight\">Recommended<\/p>\n<div class=\"o-teaser o-teaser--article o-teaser--small o-teaser--stacked o-teaser--has-image js-teaser\" data-id=\"666c93da-7872-4d75-a8b4-bb146f7f88a6\">\n<div class=\"o-teaser__image-container js-teaser-image-container\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/666c93da-7872-4d75-a8b4-bb146f7f88a6\" data-trackable=\"image-link\" data-trackable-context-story-link=\"image-link\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"o-teaser__image-placeholder\" style=\"aspect-ratio:2289\/1287\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cIf people feel they\u2019re in a company that\u2019s going somewhere, firstly it means they\u2019re going to have a job. But if they\u2019re in a company that\u2019s growing it also means their career has the potential to grow with it \u2014 and their skills will also be building.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Leon Butler, UK and Ireland general manager at IBM, which came fourth in the FT ranking, echoes the sentiment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s great to be able to work for a company that\u2009.\u2009.\u2009.\u2009is recognised to be doing well,\u201d he says, adding that this brings \u201cnot only a lot of pride, but also a lot of energy\u201d to the workforce.<\/p>\n<p>Growth in the UK tech sector has far outstripped that of the broader economy in recent years, averaging 4.2 per cent a year since the start of 2010, Office for National Statistics figures show, against average annual GDP expansion of 1.6 per cent. Employment in the digital sector grew from 1.39mn filled jobs in 2014 to 1.77mn in 2024, according to the latest figures from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. <\/p>\n<figure id=\"gtpuyvvj\" class=\"n-content-image n-content-image--full\" data-component=\"image-set\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 700px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.ft.com\/v3\/image\/raw\/ftcms%3Ae61cccc4-9871-4637-8894-12174ef0dd03?source=next-article&amp;fit=scale-down&amp;quality=highest&amp;width=700&amp;dpr=1 1x,https:\/\/images.ft.com\/v3\/image\/raw\/ftcms%3Ae61cccc4-9871-4637-8894-12174ef0dd03?source=next-article&amp;fit=scale-down&amp;quality=highest&amp;width=700&amp;dpr=2 2x,https:\/\/images.ft.com\/v3\/image\/raw\/ftcms%3Ae61cccc4-9871-4637-8894-12174ef0dd03?source=next-article&amp;fit=scale-down&amp;quality=highest&amp;width=700&amp;dpr=3 3x,https:\/\/images.ft.com\/v3\/image\/raw\/ftcms%3Ae61cccc4-9871-4637-8894-12174ef0dd03?source=next-article&amp;fit=scale-down&amp;quality=highest&amp;width=700&amp;dpr=4 4x,https:\/\/images.ft.com\/v3\/image\/raw\/ftcms%3Ae61cccc4-9871-4637-8894-12174ef0dd03?source=next-article&amp;fit=scale-down&amp;quality=highest&amp;width=700&amp;dpr=5 5x\" width=\"3500\" height=\"2500\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 490px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.ft.com\/v3\/image\/raw\/ftcms%3A1ec56121-844c-4ed0-9a5d-e1df2bd28585?source=next-article&amp;fit=scale-down&amp;quality=highest&amp;width=490&amp;dpr=1 1x,https:\/\/images.ft.com\/v3\/image\/raw\/ftcms%3A1ec56121-844c-4ed0-9a5d-e1df2bd28585?source=next-article&amp;fit=scale-down&amp;quality=highest&amp;width=490&amp;dpr=2 2x,https:\/\/images.ft.com\/v3\/image\/raw\/ftcms%3A1ec56121-844c-4ed0-9a5d-e1df2bd28585?source=next-article&amp;fit=scale-down&amp;quality=highest&amp;width=490&amp;dpr=3 3x\" width=\"1500\" height=\"2000\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.ft.com\/v3\/image\/raw\/https%3A%2F%2Fd6c748xw2pzm8.cloudfront.net%2Fprod%2Fb841f870-0b26-11f1-b6ed-b56414632a5d-standard.png?source=next-article&amp;fit=scale-down&amp;quality=highest&amp;width=700&amp;dpr=1\" alt=\"Line chart of UK real GDP and IT sector output (Q1 2010=100) showing Tech sector growth has far oustripped GDP\" data-image-type=\"graphic\" width=\"3500\" height=\"2500\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/figure>\n<p>The boom has brought attractive levels of pay and generous benefits \u2014 a typical UK programmer is paid 40 per cent more than the average worker \u2014 while a flexible approach to office presence is widespread.<\/p>\n<p>But also crucial to the sector\u2019s appeal is training in the skills that some believe will offer a degree of protection from any AI-driven reshaping of the employment landscape.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTech companies have been leading in terms of the way they think about investment in employees,\u201d says Katie Obi, chief people officer at OneAdvanced, a Birmingham-based enterprise software specialist that ranked sixth. \u201cInvestment in skilling, and investment in pay and benefits \u2014 offerings to make the environment work really well for people.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Obi points out that the sector recognises the need for constant updating of skills: \u201cIt\u2019s difficult to sit here even now and say \u2018these are going to be the skills that are valuable in two years\u2019 time\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n<div id=\"tcyamzwp\" class=\"n-content-layout\" data-component=\"flourish\" data-component-id=\"27725149\" data-component-type=\"flourish-in-article\">\n<figure class=\"n-content-picture n-content-layout__container\"><a href=\"#27725149\"><picture data-asset-type=\"flourish\" data-flourish-id=\"27725149\" data-flourish-type=\"visualisation\">\n<div id=\"27725149\" class=\"cp-message o-message o-message--inform o-message--notice\" data-o-component=\"o-message\">\n<div class=\"o-message__container\">\n<div class=\"o-message__content\">\n<p class=\"o-message__content-main\">Some content could not load. Check your internet connection or browser settings.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.ft.com\/v3\/image\/raw\/https%3A%2F%2Fpublic.flourish.studio%2Fvisualisation%2F27725149%2Fthumbnail%3FcacheBuster%3D985114?source=next-article&amp;fit=scale-down&amp;quality=highest&amp;width=1020&amp;dpr=1\" alt=\"\"\/><\/picture><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Gratton also highlights the notion that being part of the tech sector may be a hedge against AI disruption.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPeople worry that they\u2019ve not got the right skills,\u201d she says. \u201cThey worry that AI is going to take their job. And I think the feeling is, if you\u2019re in a tech sector job, then you\u2019re more likely to be trained in AI-focused skills. So you\u2019re more likely to build the sort of skills you know will be required.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>However, there are signs that tech jobs are also particularly vulnerable as the use of AI spreads for tasks such as coding. A host of major companies have announced thousands of lay-offs explicitly linked to AI, the FT has reported. <\/p>\n<p>Beyond personal development, Butler highlights the breadth of work available in the tech sector.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur teams are able to work on some amazing projects including critical infrastructure\u201d, he says, citing IBM\u2019s recent contract to develop a new communications network for the UK emergency services. <\/p>\n<p>But he also notes the company\u2019s partnerships with the Wimbledon tennis tournament and the Ferrari F1 team, saying \u201cIBMers get to do some pretty cool things as well\u2009.\u2009.\u2009.\u2009that adds to the culture and the experience.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Butler stresses the importance of government support for the sector, referencing the recent decision to offer free AI training to 10mn people in AI by 2030, via a programme in which IBM is a partner. \u201cI think government have really stepped forwards on this,\u201d he says, adding that the creation of a national, centralised AI Skills Hub had \u201cbeen an amazing step forwards\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Obi also notes the importance of a \u201cpurpose connection\u201d with work, citing her company\u2019s work in sectors such as healthcare, education, government and housing. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cPeople are really interested in coming to work to solve those problems for our customers \u2014 and for society too.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But while the sector\u2019s growth has brought opportunities, it also carries risks, according to Gratton.<\/p>\n<aside aria-labelledby=\"aside-label\" class=\"n-content-recommended--single-story n-content-recommended--inset\" data-component=\"recommended\">\n<p class=\"n-content-recommended__title o3-type-body-highlight\">Recommended<\/p>\n<div class=\"o-teaser o-teaser--article o-teaser--small o-teaser--stacked o-teaser--has-image js-teaser\" data-id=\"8d3b02a3-c929-46a1-b79e-dbcdb1d10e15\">\n<div class=\"o-teaser__image-container js-teaser-image-container\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/8d3b02a3-c929-46a1-b79e-dbcdb1d10e15\" data-trackable=\"image-link\" data-trackable-context-story-link=\"image-link\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"o-teaser__image-placeholder\" style=\"aspect-ratio:2491\/1401\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"o-teaser__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ft.com\/__origami\/service\/image\/v2\/images\/raw\/https%3A%2F%2Fimages.ft.com%2Fv3%2Fimage%2Fraw%2Fhttps%253A%252F%252Fd1e00ek4ebabms.cloudfront.net%252Fproduction%252F5702e33f-4613-45c7-96f5-5aee1d86ddc7.jpg%3Fsource%3Dnext-article%26fit%3Dscale-down%26quality%3Dhighest%26width%3D700%26dpr%3D1?source=next&amp;fit=scale-down&amp;dpr=2&amp;width=240\" alt=\"An illustration showing people of different professions, including a doctor and a businessperson, being pulled into a swirling tunnel with a robotic AI face at its center.\"\/><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cWhat you notice with tech firms is they\u2019re very quick to grow and very quick to shrink \u2014 they have a very flexible labour market and have no problems in bringing people in and letting people go,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo that\u2019s the deal. You\u2019re going to have a great time, possibly. You\u2019re certainly going to learn new skills. But you might not keep your job.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>However, for Butler, the rise of the tech sector \u2014 and the increasing role of technology in people\u2019s lives \u2014 means its appeal is here to stay.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s the fastest-evolving industry in the world \u2014 innovation is accelerating every day,\u201d he says. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt shapes how societies are communicating, how we learn, how we work, how we solve problems. And whereas many years ago, maybe it was less relatable, it\u2019s now really intuitive. People relate to it because every single day we\u2019re dealing with technology.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/3ee0589e-49d7-4313-83d7-19b84a57a082\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The UK economy may be struggling for growth but its technology sector is outperforming \u2014 not just in&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":41977,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-41976","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tech","cs-entry","cs-video-wrap"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/financialrush.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41976","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/financialrush.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/financialrush.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/financialrush.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/financialrush.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=41976"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/financialrush.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41976\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/financialrush.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/41977"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/financialrush.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=41976"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/financialrush.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=41976"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/financialrush.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=41976"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}