Hong Kong has the second most positive employment outlook among the cities on the Global Financial Centres Index after New York, according to a new survey by specialist recruitment firm, Robert Half. 

 

The Robert Half Capitals of Capital Survey asked the senior management of banks and financial services companies to nominate the three cities they expect to see the biggest increase of permanent headcount. It includes responses from 1,100 Finance Directors/ Chief Financial Officers (CFOs)/ Chief Operating Officer (COOs) in seven countries: Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, the UK and the US. 

 

According to the survey, more than one-third (38%) of respondents said their Hong Kong office can expect an increase in permanent headcount this year.  Among these respondents, 15% said Hong Kong will see the biggest increase in permanent headcount among major financial centres globally.

 

This places Hong Kong among the top three cities on the Capitals of Capital list of financial centres that anticipate job growth in 2013 along with New York (50%) and London (34%). 

 

Pallavi Anand, Director, Robert Half Hong Kong said: “As the banking and financial services sector responds to the demands of global customers, this is generating more job opportunities in these financial hubs and Hong Kong will get its fair share of job growth this year.”

 

“The survey findings further underscores the shift in economic and financial power from the West to the Asian economies that has been underway since the Global Financial Crisis.  Among the emerging Asian financial institutions, we expect the most hiring to take place in Chinese companies. One area within the financial services sector that is particularly buoyant is the demand for compliance and risk professionals. We are also seeing a strong demand for technology staff, including those within the financial services sector and across industries,” Ms. Anand said.

 

In which 3 locations do you anticipate the biggest increase in permanent headcount this year?