New business driven by marketing as confidence booms, survey shows

Executives in marketing jobs may have been responsible for a drive in new business as confidence in the service sector improved in January, a survey released today (February 3rd) suggested.

The UK service sector enjoyed its strongest growth improvement last month since March 2011, according to the Markit/CIPS UK Services purchasing managers’ index (PMI).

Acceleration of activity in the services sector was complemented by the greatest increase in incoming new business since July 2011, driven in part by marketing campaigns and the introduction of new products, the survey revealed.

This upturn has persuaded some analysts to believe there is less chance of a double-dip recession hitting the UK this year, with sentiment improvement among businesses bolstering employment to its highest growth since March 2008.

Chief economist at Markit Chris Williamson said: “The situation is certainly a lot brighter than seen in the final quarter of last year.

“The rise in business optimism fuelled the largest increase in employment for nearly four years, adding to hopes that this upturn may prove to be more than a flash in the pan.”

Posted by Steve Williams

BMS is a leading specialist in marketing recruitment. Search our database for the latest marketing jobs.