In the ever-advancing world of technology, staying ahead of the latest trends and insights is key for both job seekers and employers. As we step into 2024, the state of the UK tech job market continues to change. Recovering from the post-COVID hiring boom, the market continues to adjust and stabilise. Navigating this landscape can be difficult. To guide you, we are excited to launch our much-anticipated 2024 UK Salary Guide. Encompassing the data taken from roughly 3600 hires across 25 industries in 2023, we have created this comprehensive guide filled with market insights and our experts&rsquo; predictions across our specialisms of Data, AI &amp; Machine Learning, Product, Software, Cloud, and Cyber. As well as a spotlight on the C-Suite level.
<h3>Analysing Salary Benchmarks:</h3>
Our 2024 Salary Guide provides the average salaries for different roles at all levels across our key specialisms. From Data Engineering to Golang Developers, End-User Computing to IAM Architects, and everything in between, we dive into all the compensation trends. Whether you're a newcomer to the UK tech scene or a seasoned professional eyeing executive positions, our guide offers an overview of salary benchmarks tailored to your level of expertise.
<h3>Market Insights and Trend Forecasts:</h3>
Beyond salaries, our guide offers invaluable market insights from industry leaders and our experts. We dissect the trends that shaped the tech job market in 2023, emphasising key drivers and challenges across both the permanent and contract sectors. From emerging technologies to shifts in hiring trends, we anticipate the developments that will influence wages and roles high in demand. Whether it's the increasing importance of cybersecurity or the growing demand for AI integration, our guide provides you with the knowledge to navigate the UK tech job market effectively.
See below some key highlights from this year&rsquo;s Salary Guide:
<img src="https://cdn.sourceflow.co.uk/d48r4jbfu6jhvyh5715u9ma8k1gz" alt="" width="800" height="419">

<h3>Highlighting our Specialisms:</h3>
Diving deeper, our guide shines a spotlight on each of our specialisms, offering an expert understanding of nuances within the roles across Data, AI &amp; Machine Learning, Product, Software, Cloud, Cyber, and C-Suite levels. Whether you're curious about the latest trends in data analytics or seeking to understand the evolving responsibilities of CDOs and CIOs, our guide covers it all.
Fill out the form and download your copy today!
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Our 2024 UK Salary Guide is Here!

Welcome to a special Xcede Sofa Series episode in honour of International Women's Day and Women's History Month! Join Angela Evans, Senior Consultant at Xcede, as she explores the remarkable journey of Aly Abel, Head of Research at Storio Group.
In this insightful conversation, Aly shares her profound experiences and invaluable insights as a leader in UX research and design. From her career trajectory to pivotal moments, challenges faced as a woman in the industry, and the significance of mentorship, Aly offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. Discover the importance of self-reflection, mentorship, and diversity in the workplace, all while gaining practical advice for women aspiring to excel in the UX research field.
➡️ Connect with <a style="color: rgb(203, 6, 102);" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyabelresearcher/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Aly on LinkedIn here</a>
🔔 Subscribe to Xcede's Sofa Series, hit the notification button and join us!
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XCEDE SOFA SERIES S1 E06: ALY ABEL, HEAD OF RESEARCH AT STORIO GROUP

Welcome to a special Xcede Sofa Series episode in honour of International Women's Day and Women's History Month! In this episode, Ailish Kelly, Senior Consultant at Xcede, delves into the journey of Laura Palmer, Head of Infrastructure 'Project Management' at Fidessa.&nbsp;
Join us as we explore various aspects of Laura's career, including her sources of inspiration to pursue a career in IT, the importance of IT education and pivotal moments in her career progression. We also discuss challenges in a predominantly male-dominated industry, what she encounters as a woman in a leadership role and why you must advocate for yourself. Tune in for an enlightening discussion with Ailish and Laura as we aim to encourage and inspire the next generation of women in IT! 
➡️ For more about Laura, connect on <a style="color: rgb(203, 6, 102);" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-palmer-0223011/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">LinkedIn here</a>
🔔 Subscribe to Xcede's Sofa Series, hit the notification button, and join us in this exciting journey of knowledge and inspiration. Available now on the following platforms:&nbsp;
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XCEDE SOFA SERIES S1 E05: LAURA PALMER, HEAD OF INFRASTRUCTURE 'PROJECT MANAGEMENT' AT FIDESSA

Dive into the latest trends, salary insights, and future predictions with our comprehensive 2024 UK Salary Guide.
After the post-pandemic employment boom, the UK tech sector is now recalibrating, focusing more on project reassessment and cost-efficiency. Despite a general stabilisation in salaries, with a return to pre-COVID-19 levels, experts foresee a demand spike for specialist roles in Data, Software, and Design due to the rapid advancements in Generative AI.
Our Guide dissects the impact that 2023 had on each of our specialisms: Data, AI &amp; Machine Learning, Product, Software, Cloud, and Cyber. Here is what you&rsquo;ll find inside:
<ul>
<li>A look at the benchmark salaries across all levels in 2023.</li>
<li>Analysis of high-demand roles and sectors reveals where specialised skills command premium salaries.</li>
<li>Insight into the contracting and permanent job markets, where they are and where our specialists anticipate they will be.</li>
<li>Expert predictions for developments that will play a key role in 2024.</li>
<li>Exclusive insights into how AI is shaping hiring trends.</li>
<li>A breakdown of the trends and compensation packages of the C-Suite.</li>
</ul>
Filled with data from over 3600 vacancies across 25 industries, our guide is the ultimate resource for navigating the evolving UK tech job market in 2024. Whether you're an organisation strategising your next hire or a candidate contemplating your next career move, this guide is your key to understanding the current landscape and the future.
Download your copy of The Xcede 2024 UK Salary Guide today by completing the form.

Xcede 2024 UK Salary Guide

Highlights from our industry-leading Product &amp; Design: A HealthTech Perspective networking event co-hosted with Accurx, which took place on Thursday, 7th March.
This event included this incredible lineup:
<ul>
<li>Host: Alison Paul - Senior Product Manager at Flo</li>
<li>Speaker &amp; panellist: Brigitte West - Executive Director of Product at DrDoctor&nbsp;</li>
<li>Panellist: Ivor Williams - Lead Product Designer at Accurx</li>
<li>Panellist: Dustin Peteves - Senior Product Manager at Accurx&nbsp;</li>
<li>Panellist: Tulsi Patel - Head of Product at Hertility&nbsp;</li>
<li>Panellist: Laura Mahy - VP of Product at Zoe</li>
</ul>
Be sure to follow us on social media to stay up to date on all future networking events!
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HIGHLIGHTS: PRODUCT & DESIGN: A HEALTHTECH PERSPECTIVE 

We are proud to announce that we have received the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award for the third consecutive year. This incredible achievement not only recognises our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service to clients and candidates but is also an excellent way to celebrate our five-year partnership with Feefo.
Feefo is a renowned customer review platform that allows companies to collect genuine insights based solely on interactions with real, verified customers. Our journey with Feefo began with Gold Trusted Service Awards in the initial two years, setting the stage for the consecutive Platinum accomplishments that followed.
"At Xcede, we are always striving to provide unmatched quality service to our clients and candidates. Receiving the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award for the third year in a row is a great acknowledgement of the hard work and dedication of our entire team," says Adam Blaney, Chief Operating Officer.
Over the last five years, we have utilised the Feefo platform to gather valuable feedback from clients and candidates, enabling us to constantly improve our overall services and processes to ensure a seamless and unparalleled experience for all involved.
In the competitive landscape of recruitment, where reliability and trust are vital, Xcede's consistent recognition by Feefo only highlights the emphasis that we place on delivering top-tier service. We look forward to continuing to provide our customers with excellent service moving forward.

Xcede Receive the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award 2024

We are thrilled to announce a momentous achievement for Xcede as we proudly accept the "Technology Recruitment Agency of the Year" award at the British Recruitment Awards 2023!
The British Recruitment Awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of organisations and individuals in the recruitment industry, making Xcede's win in the "Technology Recruitment Agency of the Year" category a significant accomplishment. This prestigious accolade is a testament to Xcede's unwavering commitment to excellence in technology recruitment. It recognises our dedication to connecting top-tier STEM talent with innovation-driven organisations, leveraging our expertise to help businesses build teams that will help them thrive.
Adam Blaney, COO, shared his thoughts on the win: "We are honoured to be named the 'Technology Recruitment Agency of the Year.' This award recognises the passion and dedication of our team in providing cutting-edge recruitment solutions. It motivates us to continue our mission of driving innovation in the technology sector through top-tier talent placement."
Looking ahead, Xcede remains committed to delivering unparalleled recruitment solutions, fostering talent growth, and contributing to our clients' continued success in the ever-evolving technological landscape.
To discuss how Xcede can help you find top talent and remain competitive in what has become a data-driven market, contact our team today.

Xcede Win Technology Recruitment Agency of the Year at the British Recruitment Awards

🗓️ Thursday, 7th March 2024&nbsp;
🕕 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm&nbsp;
📍 Accurx, 7 Curtain Rd, London EC2A 3LT​
Join us for an evening of insightful discussion as we bring together Product and Design leaders from some of the biggest names in healthtech.
We will have a combination of speakers and panellists from industry giants such as&nbsp;Accurx, DrDoctor, Flo Health, Zoe and Hertility, tackling topics such as:
- User engagement &ndash; what does success look like?
- Building trust
- Scaling products and teams.
Don&rsquo;t miss out as we delve into the latest trends, challenges, and developments transforming the healthtech landscape.
See you there!
<h5 align="center">​REGISTER YOUR INTEREST NOW:</h5>
Please be advised that registering does not guarantee event admission, as availability is subject to limited capacity. You will receive an email prior to the event if you are successful in securing a spot.
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<h4 align="center">THIS EVENT HAS NOW REACHED MAXIMUM CAPACITY AND REGISTRATION IS CLOSED. </h4>
<h5 align="center">Please check out other fantastic events throughout the year over on our <a href="https://www.xcede.com/blog" target="_blank" rel="noopener">events page</a>.&nbsp;</h5>
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PRODUCT & DESIGN: A HEALTHTECH PERSPECTIVE

The <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/cyber-security-breaches-survey-2023/cyber-security-breaches-survey-2023#overview" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cyber Security Breaches Survey</a>, a study conducted by <a href="https://www.gov.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GOV.UK</a> collected data at the outset of 2023, which reported that a substantial 72% of large organisations and 36% of smaller firms had reported security breaches within the past year. This rise of cyber threats and the critical role of safeguarding sensitive data have made cybersecurity one of the most sought-after career paths. This blog will delve into the reasons behind the high demand for cybersecurity jobs, the most in-demand job roles projected for 2024, and emerging specialisations in this ever-evolving field.
<h4>THE SURGE IN DEMAND FOR CYBERSECURITY CAREERS</h4>
The high demand for cybersecurity jobs can be attributed to several key factors. Firstly, as technology advances, cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated and numerous. Malicious actors, including state-sponsored hackers, cybercriminals, and hacktivists, consistently develop new attack strategies, creating an ongoing need for cybersecurity experts to protect against these threats.
Secondly, with the digitisation of critical information and the prevalence of personal data online, organisations prioritise data protection. Safeguarding sensitive information from breaches and unauthorised access has become a top priority, leading to a demand for skilled professionals who can effectively secure these assets.
Finally, the skills gap in the field of cybersecurity is another driving force behind the high demand for these jobs. The rapid evolution of the cybersecurity landscape has resulted in a shortage of skilled professionals. Employers are struggling to find talent with the requisite expertise to fill critical roles, making cybersecurity a competitive and sought-after field.
<h4>THE MOST IN-DEMAND CYBERSECURITY JOB ROLES FOR 2024</h4>
As we look forward to 2024, certain job roles are expected to be in exceptionally high demand within the cybersecurity field. These roles reflect the evolving landscape of cyber threats and the need for specialised skills. Here are some of the most sought-after job roles predicted for 2024:
<ul>
<li>&nbsp; &nbsp; Cybersecurity Analyst: Cybersecurity analysts monitor networks and systems, detect security threats, and swiftly respond to incidents. Their role extends to investigating and assessing vulnerabilities, allowing them to develop and fine-tune security strategies, ensuring the organisation remains resilient in the face of evolving threats.</li>
<li>&nbsp; &nbsp; Security Engineer: Security engineers are the architects and builders of an organisation's digital defence. They design, implement, and maintain security infrastructure, encompassing tasks like configuring firewalls, encryption, and access controls. These professionals play a crucial role in establishing a fortified digital environment where threats are systematically thwarted.</li>
<li>&nbsp; &nbsp; Incident Responder: Incident responders aim to swiftly contain and mitigate the impact of security breaches. They follow well-defined protocols to assess the breach's extent, identify vulnerabilities, and devise a recovery plan. Their rapid and efficient response is pivotal in minimising damage, preventing data leaks, and maintaining the organisation's reputation.</li>
</ul>
EMERGING SPECIALISMS IN CYBERSECURITY
It's important to mention that alongside the expansion of roles within the cybersecurity landscape, there are also new specialised positions emerging to tackle specific threats and challenges. Let's explore some of these emerging specialisations:
<ul>
<li>&nbsp; &nbsp; Cloud Security Specialist: With the rise of cloud computing, the demand for cloud security specialists is skyrocketing. These professionals excel in securing cloud infrastructure, ensuring data confidentiality, access control, and protection against cloud-specific threats. Their expertise is essential in an era where organisations entrust sensitive data to the cloud, making them a top priority in the cybersecurity job market.</li>
<li>&nbsp; &nbsp; AI and Machine Learning Security: As AI and ML redefine cybersecurity, specialists in this field are in high demand. They develop secure AI and ML algorithms, ensuring the resilience of AI-driven security solutions against adversarial attacks. In a rapidly evolving landscape, these experts play a crucial role in enabling the safe integration of AI and ML into security protocols.</li>
<li>&nbsp; &nbsp; Blockchain Security Expert: As blockchain gains momentum in various sectors, the need for blockchain security experts is growing. These specialists focus on safeguarding data integrity within distributed ledger systems, securing the infrastructure, smart contracts, and cryptographic elements. Their role is pivotal in ensuring the ongoing success and security of blockchain technology as it reshapes industries.</li>
</ul>
WORKING WITH XCEDE
Xcede are global cyber recruitment specialists, who source employees for a range of dynamic positions in this fast-paced sector. We select the top talent for every single one of our clients looking to fill employee gaps in their organisation. Our dedication to finding experienced candidates with the right qualifications allows businesses to foster growth and continue scaling. If you are looking to build your cybersecurity team, <a href="https://www.xcede.com/contact-us" target="_blank" rel="noopener">get in touch today</a>!
If you work in the cyber space, check out <a href="https://www.xcede.com/jobs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">our live roles today</a>!

What are the High in Demand Job Roles in Cyber Security?

Welcome to another exciting episode of the "Xcede Sofa Series", where we bring you insights and inspiration from industry leaders. In our fourth episode, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Tom Smith, the Senior Director of Design at Cond&eacute; Nast, for a captivating discussion on "Leading with Design Authenticity." 
With a career that spans across prominent organisations like Aviva, Aqueduct, and Underscore, Tom brings a wealth of experience to the table. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with Tom as we explore the essence of design authenticity, its significance in business and brand identity, and the challenges it presents. We'll also dive into a quick-fire round, where Tom shares insights on managing stress, qualities he values in a team, his passions outside of work, and his design bucket list. 
➡️ For more about Tom and his journey, visit his LinkedIn profile: <a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" tabindex="0" href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbW1IVUt0XzdaWFJFSW5UM3FZaDZJZEE5MVlzd3xBQ3Jtc0tub3RnMEF0OEdhbGFfb2lLa2JBVFlHemQ1Z09KaVp5TDctc0lGbDAtU3E2UEhid2c0RXBoQS1nMFA2WWtNSzVKMUVReTFYZWxfTnZVcjBPZUZreDFJZ2JnVDd6b1RjQ3BhNURzaE5yUkEydWV2eHJxdw&amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Ftom-smith-90647411%2F&amp;v=NVsQlS7lTH4" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" aria-label="LinkedIn Channel Link: tom-smith-90647411">tom-smith-90647411</a>
🔔 Subscribe to Xcede's Sofa Series, hit the notification button, and join us in this exciting journey of knowledge and inspiration. Available now on the following platforms:
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Xcede Sofa Series S1 E04: Tom Smith, Senior Director of Design at Condé Nast

The "Xcede Sofa Series" is back with your weekly dose of industry knowledge! In our third episode, we had the privilege of engaging in an insightful conversation with Chandni Kumar, the Data Product Lead at Expedia, as she takes us on a journey through her impressive career and her pivotal role in shaping data products. 
With a remarkable 15-year career, Chandni brings her extensive experience from companies like Capgemini, North Highland, Royal Mail, and Bally's Corporation to her current role at Expedia. She's dedicated to shaping data products and enriching the traveller's experience within the B2B ecosystem. Chandni's contributions go beyond her role, as she mentors aspiring data product professionals and plays a vital role in supporting mental health as a Mental Health First Aider. 
Recently, she hosted an enlightening Q&amp;A session at the Xcede Product networking event, sharing valuable insights. 
➡️ Connect with Chandni on LinkedIn:&nbsp;<a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" tabindex="0" href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbVpmdVZoX3RXRTdoYVFfMG0xaFJvTHE4NEJKZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsTTgtWS00SndSR3ZEeS1ocTJGSXdWSUlpMEdBOU96MDlNRHFqdndfSElnOFgzclVocTZwWDctT2psVnF3azh4MGFRbEEyWVBxcjZwRkdydVBwMEp2VHN4ZENhZkxJTDdfaXk5LUhyQ09UZG1wMTJ6Yw&amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fchandni-kumar-41a96212%2F&amp;v=0duXGBmi3kI" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" aria-label="LinkedIn Channel Link: chandni-kumar-41a96212">chandni-kumar-41a96212 </a>
🔔 Subscribe to Xcede's Sofa Series, hit the notification button, and join us in this exciting journey of knowledge and inspiration. Available now on the following platforms:
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Xcede Sofa Series S1 E03: Chandni Kumar, Data Product Lead at Expedia

Welcome back to the "Xcede Sofa Series"! In our second episode, we had the privilege of sitting down with Tricky Bassett, the Director of Product Design at The Guardian. 
Tricky's journey in designing interactions dates back to the 1990s, with a rich agency background, including founding his own business in 2004 and experience at notable media companies such as News UK.&nbsp;Tricky brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. 
In this episode, Tricky delves into The Guardian's unique role in a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the innovation processes that drive their success, and the challenges they face in assembling and empowering their design team. He also sheds light on the rise of Design Ops and stakeholder management, essential in today's design world.&nbsp;
➡️ For more about Tricky Bassett and his journey, visit his LinkedIn profile: <a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" tabindex="0" href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbVR5YTEzMDd6VC1KS1VUN1RLR1JxQ3ZsRDRad3xBQ3Jtc0ttT2Zqcms5TDJFRnNPUXJRbVZ4aDZ5cDgzemc1VFpKNHZieVplRFdHY21FYlNvZHZ4ZF9MQmFqcW1IWjd6QWRuSGwzdGdBVnJaMFpIQjcwaURKYlpoMXUyaTVPUnZJWVNib2JmZmN3UHU3aEZudmw5MA&amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Frichardtrickybassett%2F&amp;v=dLJ_iZVMSHs" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" aria-label="LinkedIn Channel Link: richardtrickybassett">richardtrickybassett</a>
🔔 Subscribe to Xcede's Sofa Series, hit the notification button, and join us in this exciting journey of knowledge and inspiration. Available now on the following platforms:&nbsp;
&nbsp;
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Xcede Sofa Series S1 E02: Tricky Bassett, Director of Product Design at The Guardian

The first aspect of UX that makes it integral to product design is its deep-rooted connection to neuroscience. Human brains are wired to avoid discomfort. This natural instinct has profound implications for how users interact with products and interfaces. Understanding the neuroscience behind user experience allows designers to tap into the user's cognitive and emotional responses, ultimately shaping their perception of a product. There are 3 key areas that designers should keep in mind when factoring in the neuroscience of user experience:
<ul>
<li>&nbsp; &nbsp; Emotions and Memory: Emotions play a pivotal role in user experience. Positive emotions associated with a product interaction can lead to stronger memory formation. Designers who harness the power of emotions can create lasting impressions, making their products more memorable. This is why well-designed interfaces often evoke feelings of satisfaction and trust.</li>
<li>&nbsp; &nbsp; Cognitive Load: Cognitive load refers to the mental effort required to process information. A high cognitive load can lead to frustration and disengagement, while a low cognitive load enhances the user experience. Through neuroscientific insights, designers can streamline interfaces, reducing cognitive load and ensuring users can navigate effortlessly.</li>
<li>&nbsp; &nbsp; Visual Hierarchy and Attention: The brain is naturally inclined to process information in a hierarchical manner, focusing on what stands out visually. This insight informs the design principle of visual hierarchy, where designers prioritise elements to guide user attention. Understanding how the brain perceives and prioritises information helps create interfaces that are intuitive and easy to use.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Measuring and Improving UX Through User Research</h4>
User research stands as the cornerstone of effective UX design, offering invaluable insights into user behaviours, preferences, and needs. It operates as a continual feedback loop, enabling designers to create products that not only align with user expectations but also exceed them. At the heart of user-centred design, this rigorous process places users at the forefront of decision-making.
One of the primary tenets of user research is the principle of user-centred design. This approach starts by gaining an in-depth understanding of users' goals, pain points, and aspirations. By meticulously collecting and analysing data through research methods such as user interviews, existing data and competitor analysis, designers can formulate design decisions that are rooted in the real-world needs of their target audience. This user-centric perspective acts as a guiding light throughout the design process, ensuring that the resulting product resonates with its users.
Usability testing is another pivotal aspect of user research. It involves observing users as they engage with prototypes or existing products. This hands-on approach uncovers usability issues and provides direct user feedback, which is then leveraged to refine and enhance the user experience. By witnessing first-hand how users interact with a product, designers can identify areas of friction, eliminate bottlenecks, and fine-tune the interface to optimise usability.
Furthermore, user research fosters an iterative design process. In the ever-evolving landscape of UX design, continuous refinement is essential. User feedback gathered through research becomes the fuel for continuous improvements. By integrating user insights at each stage of development, designers can make data-driven decisions that steer the product towards excellence. This approach ensures that the user experience remains in sync with evolving user expectations and technological advancements.
<h4>Incorporating Accessibility and Inclusivity in UX Design</h4>
Inclusivity is an ethical imperative in UX design. Products should be accessible and usable by all, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. Integrating accessibility and inclusivity into the design process not only expands a product's user base but also fosters a sense of social responsibility.
<ul>
<li>&nbsp; &nbsp; Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG): The WCAG provides a comprehensive framework for making digital content accessible to individuals with disabilities. Adhering to these guidelines ensures that web and app interfaces are usable by everyone, including those with visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments.</li>
<li>&nbsp; &nbsp; Inclusive Design: Inclusive design goes beyond meeting minimum accessibility standards. It involves designing products that are usable by the widest possible audience from the outset. This approach encourages empathy and creativity in UX design, leading to solutions that benefit everyone.</li>
<li>&nbsp; &nbsp; Legal and Ethical Considerations: In many regions, there are legal requirements for digital accessibility. Ignoring these regulations can result in legal consequences and reputational damage. Therefore, incorporating accessibility and inclusivity in UX design is not only ethical but also a legal necessity.</li>
</ul>
Recruiting with Xcede:
We are global technology recruitment specialists who source candidates, selecting the top UX talent so that our clients can stand out amongst the competition. Our dedication to finding experienced candidates with the right skills allows your business to concentrate resources elsewhere while we fill the gaps in your workforce.
<a href="https://www.xcede.com/submit-a-brief" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Submit a brief today</a>, and our experts will get in touch to discuss your UX needs. If you are a UX designer looking for a new role, <a href="https://www.xcede.com/send-us-your-cv" target="_blank" rel="noopener">send us your CV today</a>!

Why Is User Experience Integral to Product Design?

Welcome to the Xcede Sofa Series! In this episode, we are delighted to have Diana Matei, an experienced Senior Product Manager at ClearScore, sharing her wealth of experience and insights. Diana Matei has an impressive career spanning eight years across various notable companies, such as Tesco, Gousto, Thoughtful, and Skyscanner. Diana is a passionate advocate for Product Management and has even established her own YouTube channel, <a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" tabindex="0" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrHp_6SycASbTBZuthyGPBQ" target="" rel="nofollow">dmthepm</a>. Her expertise is well recognised, she actively contributes as a mentor in the Bloom program and speaks at product conferences. 
➡️ Follow Diana on LinkedIn and subscribe to her YouTube channel below: 
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🔔 Subscribe to Xcede's Sofa Series and join us in this exciting journey of knowledge and inspiration! Available on YouTube or Spotify:
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Xcede Sofa Series S1 E01: Diana Matei, Senior Product Manager at ClearScore

​User experience (UX) design plays a pivotal role in shaping the success of any digital product or service. As technology continues to evolve, so do the tools and techniques available to UX designers. One such revolutionary force is Artificial Intelligence (AI), which has significantly impacted the field of UX design in recent years. AI has opened doors for more personalised user engagement, as well as quicker user research and data analysis processes. However, with these new advantages come potential drawbacks and ethical concerns.
Personalisation and User Engagement:
Personalisation has become the cornerstone of modern UX design, aiming to create tailored experiences that resonate with individual users. AI has turbocharged personalisation efforts by enabling designers to analyse vast amounts of user data and deliver highly relevant content. AI algorithms can track user behaviour, preferences, and interactions to create dynamic user profiles. This information is then used to offer personalised recommendations, content, and features. This level of customisation not only enhances user engagement but also fosters a deeper emotional connection between users and the digital product.
For instance, streaming platforms like Netflix employ AI algorithms to analyse user viewing habits and suggest movies and shows based on individual preferences. Similarly, e-commerce websites leverage AI-driven recommendation engines to showcase products relevant to each user's browsing history and purchase behaviour. The result is a more immersive and satisfying user experience that keeps users engaged and coming back for more.
User Research and Data Analysis:
User research and data analysis are critical components of UX design, providing insights into user behaviour, pain points, and needs. AI has transformed these processes by automating data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithms can analyse user feedback, reviews, and social media posts to extract valuable insights. This enables UX designers to make informed decisions based on real-time user sentiments. Not only that but by studying the prompts given to AI, UX designers can gain a lot of context around user behaviour and thought processes providing a deeper understanding of what users are looking for.
One of the toughest tasks of being a researcher is recruiting users to participate and taking the time to conduct the user research needed. Once the data is gathered, it still needs to be analysed and interpreted. AI-powered analytics tools can process complex data sets quickly, identifying patterns and trends that might otherwise go unnoticed. This expedites the user research phase, allowing designers to iterate and optimise designs more efficiently. As a result, UX designers can create products that align more closely with user expectations and preferences.
Despite the time-saving advantages that AI offers for research purposes, it's important to acknowledge the potential risks associated with its use.
Ethical Concerns and Negative Impact of AI in UX Design:
While AI holds immense potential for enhancing UX design, it also raises ethical concerns that must be carefully addressed. One primary concern is the potential for algorithmic bias, where AI systems inadvertently favour certain user groups or exclude others. This bias can perpetuate stereotypes and further marginalise underrepresented users. When AI systems are designed with inherent biases, such as those related to gender, race, or disability, these biases have the potential to filter into user research outcomes. This can prove highly detrimental, as tainted findings could render the collected data unusable. This issue is of particular concern in light of the ongoing efforts to enhance the accessibility of user experience (UX) design.
Moreover, the excessive use of AI-driven personalisation might lead to privacy breaches and a sense of surveillance. Users might feel uncomfortable knowing that their every action is being tracked and analysed to deliver targeted content. Striking the right balance between personalisation and user privacy is a challenge that designers must navigate cautiously.
Similarly, another risk of AI in UX design is the potential for over-automation. Relying too heavily on AI can strip away the human touch that makes a design empathetic and relatable. It's crucial for designers to remember that while AI can assist in data-driven decisions, it cannot replace the intuitive creativity and emotional understanding that human designers bring to the table. Human touch can also help connect user research with a company&rsquo;s aim. For example, AI may identify that a specific demographic makes up the majority of a product&rsquo;s user base and tailor all research and outcomes to that demographic. This limits the ability to diversify the target audience, which may be a goal of the company.
Work with Xcede:
Selecting the right technology recruitment agency is a critical decision that can significantly impact your organisation's success in acquiring top design talent.
By partnering with Xcede, you'll gain access to our vast network of highly skilled product and design professionals who have proven their capabilities across various industries. Our team of experts possesses an in-depth understanding of the full product life-cycle, enabling us to identify the perfect match for your organisation's needs.
For candidates looking for a new career challenge, check out the latest <a href="https://www.xcede.com/specialism/ux-and-ui" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UX job vacancies</a> today with Xcede.
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How is AI Impacting UX Design

Having already experienced so much growth in the last few years, the data analysis sector is showing no sign of stopping. According to Precedence Research, the anticipated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the global data analytics market is 29.4% in the time period of 2023 to 2032, surpassing around 393.35 billion USD. In this fast-evolving landscape of data analysis, staying relevant and effective requires a continuous commitment to upgrading your skill set. Let's dive into the key data analyst skills that are crucial in 2023 and the year ahead.
Advanced-Data Visualisation Techniques and Tools:
In the digital age, data visualisation is more than just creating bar charts and pie graphs. It's about telling compelling stories through data, driving actionable insights, and making complex information understandable to a wider audience. To excel in this aspect, data analysts need to be proficient in advanced data visualisation techniques and tools.
<ul>
<li>&nbsp; &nbsp; Interactive Visualisations: In 2023 and beyond, data analysts are now expected to create interactive visualisations that allow users to explore data from different angles, making the analysis more engaging and insightful.</li>
<li>&nbsp; &nbsp; Dashboard Creation: Creating dynamic dashboards that provide a comprehensive overview of key metrics is a critical skill and will put you ahead of the competition. Tools like Tableau, Power BI, and Looker are widely used for building interactive dashboards that facilitate real-time decision-making.</li>
<li>&nbsp; &nbsp; Data Transformation: Raw data often requires preprocessing before it can be visualised effectively. Data analysts should be proficient in data transformation techniques, such as cleaning, reshaping, and aggregating data, to ensure that the data is ready for visualisation.</li>
<li>&nbsp; &nbsp; Data Build Tool (DBT): DBT has gained prominence as a powerful tool for transforming and modelling data in a structured and scalable manner. Proficiency in DBT allows data analysts to streamline the data transformation process, ensuring that data is accurate and up-to-date for visualisation purposes.</li>
<li>&nbsp; &nbsp; Data Artistry: Data analysts are now akin to artists, turning raw data into visually appealing representations. The ability to select appropriate colours, layouts, and design elements contributes to the effectiveness of communicating insights.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Generative AI and ML Operations:</h4>
With the data analysis sector experiencing significant growth, it's essential to stay ahead of the curve by acquiring proficiency in Generative AI and ML Operations. As we move further into 2023 and beyond, these skills will play a pivotal role in maximising the potential of data analysis and machine learning.
Generative AI encompasses the understanding and application of advanced AI models like GANs (Generative Adversarial Networks) and VAEs (Variational Autoencoders). These models have found increasing relevance across diverse domains, enabling tasks such as image generation, text synthesis, and data augmentation. They present innovative solutions to a myriad of data-related challenges.
Meanwhile, ML Operations (MLOps) has emerged as a pivotal discipline within the swiftly evolving landscape of data analysis. Data analysts must exhibit proficiency in deploying, monitoring, and managing machine learning models in production environments. Key tools such as Docker, Kubernetes, and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines form the bedrock of effective MLOps practices.
Furthermore, the comprehension of scalability and efficiency is vital as data volumes continue to increase. Data analysts must adeptly optimise algorithms and infrastructure to efficiently handle large datasets. This ensures that data analysis processes remain adaptable and scalable to meet the evolving needs of the organisation.
<h4>Ethical and Responsible Data Analysis:</h4>
As data collection and analysis become more prevalent, the ethical implications of these practices are under scrutiny. Organisations are now prioritising ethical and responsible data analysis, making it a key skill for data analysts in 2023.
<ul>
<li>&nbsp; &nbsp; Privacy Awareness: Data analysts should be well-versed in privacy regulations such as GDPR and CCPA. Respecting user privacy and ensuring that data is handled in compliance with these regulations is non-negotiable.</li>
<li>&nbsp; &nbsp; Bias Mitigation: Bias in data and algorithms can lead to unfair or discriminatory outcomes. Data analysts must actively work to identify and mitigate bias in data sources and models to ensure fairness and inclusivity.</li>
<li>&nbsp; &nbsp; Transparency: Being transparent about data sources, methodologies, and assumptions is essential for building trust with stakeholders. Data analysts should be capable of explaining complex analyses in a clear and understandable manner.</li>
</ul>
Work with Xcede:
View Xcede&rsquo;s data analyst vacancy page to view the latest jobs. Alternatively, if you are looking for data experts to help build your team, then <a href="https://www.xcede.com/contact-us" target="_blank" rel="noopener">contact us today</a>. Our dedication to finding experienced and diverse candidates with the right qualifications allows businesses to facilitate growth and continue scaling.
As specialists in search and selection since 2003, we have fostered partnerships with world-leading organisations to offer the best roles to our ever-expanding pool of data talent. From pioneering start-ups and research labs to international enterprises, it is these highly prestigious partnerships that allow Xcede to attract top talent globally.

Key Data Analyst Skills Required in 2023 and Beyond

Explore the biggest salary trends and insights from 2023 thus far and for the year ahead in Germany in Xcede&rsquo;s 2023-24 Salary Survey.​
Introducing Xcede&rsquo;s first-ever Salary Guide for Germany &ndash; your definitive resource for gaining insights into the German job market in 2023 and a sneak peek into what 2024 holds. Focused on our specialised sectors, including data, product, cyber, cloud, and software, this report is a must-have for professionals, businesses, and decision-makers seeking to navigate salary bandings and employment opportunities across these thriving industries.
Through meticulous research and data collection, we present a detailed overview of how the job landscape has evolved and provide a glimpse into the prevailing dynamics shaping workforces in the next year.
Join us as we delve into the emerging trends and explore the promising prospects that await job seekers and employers across these pivotal sectors in Germany.
​Download your own copy of The Xcede 2023-24 Salary Survey Germany today by completing the form below.

Xcede Salary Guide Germany 2023-2024

Roundtable Discussions: "Are AI tools like ChatGPT actually beneficial to your business?

We are delighted to share with our valued clients, partners, and employees that Etonwood, a trusted partner in Infrastructure, Software Engineering and Quant space recruitment, is joining forces with Xcede, a renowned global technology recruitment company. This merger marks a significant milestone in our journey, combining our strengths and expertise to create an even more powerful force in the industry.
This merger represents a strategic move aimed at strengthening our ability to meet the evolving demands of the rapidly changing talent landscape. By leveraging our combined resources and deep industry knowledge, we will be able to provide an exceptional level of service, innovation, and expertise across a wide range of sectors.
Additionally, by combining our networks, we will have an extensive reach within the talent market, enabling us to source top-tier professionals for our clients across the globe. This increased access to talent will fuel growth opportunities for businesses while simultaneously propelling the careers of talented candidates.
Speaking to Adam Blaney, Xcede Group&rsquo;s Chief Operations Officer, he commented:
&ldquo;We are thrilled to merge with Etonwood and embark on this transformative journey together. By combining our expertise and resources, we will expand our reach within the recruitment landscape, driving unparalleled value for our clients and candidates&rdquo;
We are confident that this merger will bring significant benefits to our clients and partners, empowering them to achieve their goals with unrivalled talent solutions. Rest assured that our existing engagements and relationships will continue uninterrupted, with the added advantage of an expanded array of resources and capabilities.

Etonwood Merges with Xcede

<h1 align="center">Explore Our 2023 UK Salary Survey</h1>
​Explore the biggest salary trends and insights from 2022 and for the year ahead in the UK in Xcede&rsquo;s 2023 Salary Survey.
Numerous factors contributed to the changes in the UK job market throughout 2022, including inflation, the increasing cost of living, the conflict in Ukraine, and post-pandemic ripple effects still coming into play. The demand for jobs remained, yet companies&rsquo; budgets were under scrutiny as they prepared for a much anticipated recession, which is understandable given the economic outlook changing so drastically over the last few years.
Regarding Xcede&rsquo;s specialisms, we have seen a continuation of high demand for skills in data, digital literacy and cybersecurity - yet the top talent in these areas is still a challenge to place in various locations, given the aftermath of the Great Resignation. Although the country saw record-low unemployment and pay growth peaking in 2022, the year ahead remains challenging.
The results of our 2023 Salary Guide highlight findings from over 3,600 vacancies across 22 industries to provide an overview of hiring trends and guidance on remuneration for permanent and contract roles.
Download your own copy of The Xcede 2023 Salary Survey today by completing the form.

XCEDE 2023 UK SALARY GUIDE 

We are thrilled to announce that we have been award the <a href="https://www.feefo.com/uk/business/company/trusted-service-awards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award</a> for the second year in a row. This recent accreditation further signals how we consistently deliver an exceptional experience for our clients and candidates, year after year.
The Platinum Trusted Service Award is given to businesses that achieve Gold standard for three consecutive years or more. As it is based purely on interactions with real customers, this highly respected badge of approval remains unique. All Xcede reviews must be verified as genuine, and in turn, the accreditation is an honest reflection of Xcede&rsquo;s ongoing commitment to excellent service.
Adam Blaney, COO of Xcede commented: &ldquo;We&rsquo;re delighted to receive a Platinum Trusted Service Award. Keeping our customers happy is our priority so this award gives us confidence we are providing an exceptional level of service. The award also recognises just how hard our employees have worked under fresh challenges, with both rising inflation and the cost-of-living crisis affecting both consumers and businesses alike.&rdquo;
Tony Wheble, CEO at Feefo, said: &ldquo;The Trusted Service Awards have always been about recognising companies that go way beyond the norm in customer service and in turn receive great feedback from delighted customers. A particular congratulations to Xcede for winning a Platinum Trusted Service Award by providing great customer service consistently over a number of years. I look forward to seeing them continue to achieve next year and beyond.&rdquo;&nbsp; ​
Contact our <a href="https://www.xcede.com/contact-us" target="_blank" rel="noopener">specialist team</a> today to discover how Xcede can help you.

Xcede Receives Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award for Second Consecutive Year

Why Are Businesses Relying More On Digital Analytics?

We are pleased to announce that our parent company, Xcede Group has been shortlisted for two categories at the TIARA Recruitment Awards: The Odro Innovation Award, and The Clearwater Growth Recruitment Company of The Year.
The shortlist highlights Xcede Group's commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for our clients and candidates, as well as the innovation we have shown as part of our growth so far in 2022.
&ldquo;This year&rsquo;s shortlist is the most impressive yet &ndash; not only reflecting the recruitment boom of the last year but those who have achieved profitable growth with the best balance of talent and tech,&rdquo; said Alex Evans, Managing Director of TALiNT Partners.
Following a successful first half of 2022, the award is a fantastic indicator of the exciting developments we are making across the Group throughout the remainder of 2022.
William Jacques, CEO, said:
&ldquo;I was thrilled to hear that Xcede Group was shortlisted for the TIARA Recruitment Awards. This is a testament to the fantastic service our teams provide and the innovation that we have shown across our organisation so far in 2022. We're excited to see the winners list later this year!"
Do you want to work for an award-winning business? View our internal vacancies <a href="https://www.xcede.com/join-us">here</a>.

Xcede Group Shortlisted for TIARA Recruitment Awards

​Explore the biggest salary trends and insights from 2021 and for the year ahead in the UK in Xcede&rsquo;s 2022 Salary Survey.
In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the pace of digitisation across all sectors as businesses moved operations online and adopted remote or hybrid working practices. Skill requirements changed and the competition to secure specialist technology talent intensified. Against the backdrop of a challenging hiring landscape, organisations in 2021 were under even more pressure to entice talent at all levels. It saw significant investments made to elevate employer brands, with salaries and benefits no longer just competitive but outstanding.
2021 provided exceptional opportunities for technology professionals. Focusing on our core specialisms of data, digital, technology, and cyber, we have gathered information from job seekers and employers, along with industry insights from our specialists and valued sources.
The results of our 2022 Salary Guide highlight findings from over 3,600 vacancies across 22 industries, to provide an overview of hiring trends and guidance on remuneration for permanent and contractor roles.
&nbsp;

Xcede 2022 UK Salary Guide

How has COVID-19 impacted pay across the UK digital, technology and data sectors?&nbsp;Explore the biggest salary trends and insights from 2020 and for the year ahead in Xcede&rsquo;s 2021 Salary Survey. For employees, the survey will allow you to objectively evaluate whether your skills are being matched financially by your employer. For business owners and managers, the survey will be an insightful guide to obtaining and retaining the top talent in your sector as we enter a post-COVID world.
&nbsp;
The challenges that emerged from 2020 had a huge impact on the digital recruitment market. For a market that is in constant flux as new technologies, tools and opportunities emerge, we had to pause, reassess, and rapidly evolve our working practices. The exact same can be said of the digital sector itself.
So how did these unprecedented changes affect how companies hire the best talent within the data, digital and technology sectors?
This year&rsquo;s Salary Survey is one like no other and follows our&nbsp;<a href="https://xcede-redesign.staging.krakatoa.eu-2.volcanic.cloud/rails/active_storage/blobs/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBNGUzRWc9PSIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--84d1352f6b64d56ac31e0197d4795c52f6a676c4/Xcede's%202020%20Salary%20Guide.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2020 Salary Survey Guide</a>, providing insights and uncovering trends from a year that will shape the way we work for years to come. The survey takes a closer look at 3 key markets &ndash; data, digital, and technology &ndash; using information from surveys, CVs, job listings and successful hires to provide a snapshot of current hiring trends in the UK and guidance on remuneration for permanent roles, with a special overview of the contractor market.
Find out how your pay and benefits compare to others working in related roles, or how you can expect your salary to rise with experience. For business owners and hiring managers, our 2021 Salary Survey offers unique insights into the cost of acquiring and retaining the brightest talent in your sector.
Download your copy of The Xcede 2021 Salary Survey today by completing the form.

Xcede 2021 UK Salary Guide

Welcome to the second post in our dedicated Natural Language Processing Blog Series. Natural Language Processing &mdash; otherwise known as NLP &mdash; is a fascinating area of the data space defined by <a href="https://www.ibm.com/topics/natural-language-processing">IBM</a> as a branch of AI that enables computers &lsquo;to understand text and spoken words in much the same way human beings can.&rsquo;
Studies in the space continue to reveal new uses of NLP. Here we chat to <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobjwebber/">Jacob Webber</a>, a University of Edinburgh Speech Technology PhD student to learn more about his NLP-related field of study as well as his experience of working and studying in this niche area of the data space. Read his thoughts below.
Jacob, please can you talk us through your current PhD thesis?
I am working on speech synthesis. We are trying to make speech synthesis systems more controllable, so you can choose exactly what the voice you are generating sounds like. Most systems at the moment learn from data, so they default to replicating voices that already exist and that we have good data for.
This work has lots of important applications, but it is particularly important that people with speech disabilities can use voices that are representative of them. Control can mean lots of things, from mood of speaker to voice quality (e.g. gravelly, smooth, etc).
Is there a relation to NLP?
There is a very strong relation to NLP. Speech technology research might be seen as somewhat separate from NLP, which generally applies to text processing, but speech is certainly language, and we process it. The division is becoming less clear with things like machine translation, which is a standard NLP task. Speech-to-speech machine translation, with no text based intermediate representations, is a very difficult task, but it&rsquo;s one that people are working on. Some aspects of speech technology (like audio quality enhancement) have less of a relation to NLP, but the divisions are not well-defined and are highly permeable.
What, in your words, would you describe NLP as?
I think I would define the field very broadly as any computational effort to process language. Language might be speech, text, or signing. This ranges from very simple programs, such as those that search through a document or web page to find a particular word, to very sophisticated machine learning models that will translate between languages or transcribe recorded speech. It&rsquo;s a very broad, fast-moving and exciting field.
Is there anything over the past year or so that has happened in your area of study that particularly stood out to you?
There is very fast progress being made in this area right now. There are a lot of companies, large and small, working on text-to-speech systems at the moment. Many of them, like universities, are publishing their ideas in academic conferences and journals, which is accelerating progress further.
If I had to pick one idea that has stood out it would probably be WaveNet. This was a paper from Google that showed it was possible to generate audio directly using machine-learning. This is from a few years ago, but recent progress has been improving the performance of this sort of system.
How did your academic journey so far lead you to this current niche?
My first degree was in Physics and Music, and between the two I got interested in audio processing and physical models of sound. It became clear how much of science is becoming dominated by computation, and specifically processing huge amounts of data.
I did the Master&rsquo;s and learnt how to program GPUs and supercomputers. It was a great experience and at the end I got to apply it all to physics-based room acoustics. It was during this that I realised that speech processing was another application of these audio processing and GPU programming skills. It&rsquo;s a fascinating area &ndash; I have a lot to learn about linguistics, but it&rsquo;s endlessly interesting.
What piqued your interest in this specific part of the data space in particular?
I really like the range of expertise it requires, from computing to audio processing and to linguistics. This range makes it really interesting, but it also makes the field more diverse than others in computer science.
Before starting your PhD, you were a Software Engineer in Cambridge. What did you focus on during your time there?
I was working programming embedded wireless communication systems. It was programming in low level C, which was a great educational experience for me. I really felt like I was understanding how computers work, which is important for me. I like to know how everything is working.
What types of careers have other students on your courses gone onto pursue, from your Master&rsquo;s Computing Course, and your current PhD study?
Many others from the MSc have gone on to do PhD studies too. A few have gone into industry. Many have ended up working in Cambridge, which seems to be a hotspot for British computing.
Those studying for PhDs in speech technology often end up at large companies that are working on this sort of technology. A well-known search engine provider and a well-known online book retailer have large research teams working on this stuff, to name a couple. Recently I have noticed more start-ups having the resources to research and develop their own speech technology, which is great.
What&rsquo;s next for you, will you be entering the world of data or do you plan to pursue further academic studies post PhD?
I&rsquo;m not sure! I hope to be in academia, but it&rsquo;s very competitive. I would be very happy working as a researcher at a company too.
If you would like to learn more about entering the dynamic world of NLP or discuss how you can progress your career in data, get in touch with our data jobs team today.

NLP Series: Interview with PhD Scholar Jacob Webber

There is an increasing need for automation across all sectors from manufacturing to marketing as organisations seek to reduce the need for human involvement in manual processes, save time and resources, and increase operational efficiency.
Here we explore the key benefits of IT automation and the skillsets currently in high demand featuring commentary from Xcede's Delivery Consultant Hiroo Caprario.
What is IT Automation?
<a href="https://www.redhat.com/en/topics/automation/whats-it-automation?intcmp=701f2000000tjyaAAA">Red Hat</a> generally defines IT automation &mdash; or infrastructure automation &mdash; as the &ldquo;use of software to create repeatable instructions and processes to replace or reduce human interaction with IT systems&rdquo;. Automating processes in the IT space is, as Red Hat suggests, a key step in IT optimization and digital transformation.
CloudStream&rsquo;s Delivery Consultant Hiroo Caprario notes:
&nbsp;&ldquo;Automation is ubiquitous in that it can be integrated and applied to anything from networks, infrastructure, cloud provisioning to application deployment and configuration. It is a critical step as more and more companies move to multi-cloud and hybrid cloud environments.&rdquo;
As companies increase their use of containers and microservices, automating processes has become critical. Hiroo notes:
&nbsp;&ldquo;Hybrid cloud, containers, and microservices lead the list of factors driving the increased use of automation in the IT space, with <a href="https://enterprisersproject.com/tags/containers">containers and microservices</a> helping to simplify hybrid cloud environments.&rdquo;
Benefits of IT Automation
One of the most obvious benefits of IT automation is that it helps businesses (and employees) save time and resources. As labour spending is reduced and tasks are more efficiently allocated, this leads to peak productivity, saving organisations time and resources in the long term. The speed and effectivity of work is also enhanced as IT automation creates more efficient, consistent products for employees to work on with more refined testing.
Speaking to Hiroo about the importance of automation to optimizing IT infrastructures, he notes:
&ldquo;Automation has now become a necessity in the world of IT due to the ever-expanding mix of technologies in use, the increasing demands in speed and talent concerns. It can free up IT staff to concentrate on critical tasks (such as strategy and development), rather than getting bogged down in the mundane such as password resets.&rdquo;
It can also reap benefits in the realm of enhancing IT security. Where there is a reduction in manual, repeatable tasks, there is simultaneously a reduction in human error along with other benefits such as automated, proactive network security monitoring.
IT Skills in High Demand
From automation tools such as Ansible to orchestration platforms such as Kubernetes, the demand for IT professionals with proven experience of implementing and deploying such technologies remains high.
Eran Bibi, director of DevOps and cloud platform at Aqua Security suggests that this year we will see more <a href="https://enterprisersproject.com/article/2020/12/8-automation-trends-watch-2021">automation around Kubernetes</a>, in particular around the deployment process.
&ldquo;These tools will ensure the application definitions, configurations, and environments will be declarative and version-controlled. And they will take care of the deployment and lifecycle management in an automated manner.&rdquo;
Another trend to note (as suggested by Ravi Lachhman, evangelist at Harness) is around CI/CD pipelines, with companies shifting focus to how they are deploying rather than what they are deploying, becoming &ldquo;more agnostic&rdquo;. Similarly, Gordon Haff, technology evangelist at Red Hat highlights &ldquo;the evolution of CI/CD systems to be a better fit with Kubernetes&rdquo;, where some of &ldquo;the incumbent tools don&rsquo;t necessarily play nice with the orchestration platform, or otherwise create complexity rather than reduce it.&rdquo;
To learn more about automation-related cloud jobs and related artificial intelligence (AI) vacancies, please contact our dedicated technology recruitment team.&nbsp;

The Importance of IT Automation in 2021

Demand for Software Engineers only continues to grow as 2021 progresses. As ITJobsWatch notes, demand for candidates with Software Engineering skills has leapt +7 places in the rankings of top IT jobs in demand over the past 6 months alone (sitting 12th in the overall rankings).
To learn more, we spoke to Bevynne Maharaj, Software Engineering Manager at <a href="http://www.avisionsoftware.com/home">A Vision Software</a>, a digital transformation consultancy and engineering company delivering applications, data, security and infrastructure services.
<h2 class="MsoNormal" align="justify">Introduction to Bevynne </h2>
With 15 years of hands-on experience, Bevynne has developed in-depth knowledge and expertise in Software Engineering. From mentoring teams through software analysis, through to design, development, testing and support, Bevynne has experience of delivering projects to various sectors with a focus on quality and customer value.
<ol>
<li>
What have you been working on over the past year? 
</li>
</ol>
<blockquote>
One of the latest projects that we have worked on is an integration project for a payment system. Here, there was a direct integration into a central bank for payments to other banks. We deliver payment solutions across Africa to enable digital transformation in the banking sector. Recently we have been utilizing User Experience (UX) designed software for clients, delivered in a cloud computing capacity, using an agile approach. We are currently researching Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technology to further enhance our experience and products to our clients.
</blockquote>
<ol start="2">
<li>
What does &lsquo;Agile&rsquo; mean to you?
</li>
</ol>
<blockquote>
Agile, for our organization, is being able to work closely with our clients in a collaborative way while understanding the change of software requirements. We are adaptable, with our clients&rsquo; needs. We work alongside our clients from project initiation, through the product lifecycle, through to delivery and support. We are partners in every way. We found that we can deliver faster and achieve the highest quality software while closing requirement gaps sooner this way. It means adaptability to the business and to the experience.
</blockquote>
<ol start="3">
<li>
What Cloud Computing Platforms have been most in demand over the past year?
</li>
</ol>
<blockquote>
Personally, I have seen a huge movement towards Amazon Web Service (AWS). However, our clients generally have a preference with the platforms they want to use. We often guide our clients in choosing their Cloud Computing Platforms. For example, some of our clients choose a hybrid model, where we privately host their cloud platforms such as OpenShift. This is a managed service, whilst others go for a Public Cloud environment such as AWS or Microsoft Azure.
</blockquote>
<ol start="4">
<li>
Day to day, do you use a variety of programming languages?
</li>
</ol>
<blockquote>
It really depends on our clients&rsquo; requirements. Many of our clients either use a .NET or Java stack. As mentioned previously, we are adaptable with our clients&rsquo; needs. We have a substantial number of engineers in our network and can quickly put teams together with the desired technology stack. Recently, we have used Java, Angular and JavaScript from a programming language point-of-view to create and enterprise software system. However, it depends purely on the client and what they their needs are.
</blockquote>
<ol start="5">
<li>
What advice would you give to a Graduate Software Engineer?
</li>
</ol>
<blockquote>
I would advise them to start with a core language like Java, C# or .NET, something object orientated. It is always good to have a core language in your toolbox as well as a scripting language such as JavaScript, Angular or React, then add on with a database language, such as SQL. This way, you have a full stack technology set, in terms of software engineering.
</blockquote>
<ol start="7">
<li>
What books, podcasts or articles have you read/ are you reading that you would recommend to your team?
</li>
</ol>
<blockquote>
I mostly read online to keep up with the latest technology trends. Primarily around AI and the Blockchain technology, as these are the newest technology that I am interested in.
</blockquote>
<ol start="8">
<li>
What does &lsquo;scalability&rsquo; mean to you, or how do you begin a scalable development?
</li>
</ol>
<blockquote>
Everything that we design and build for our clients&rsquo; needs to be scalable. Some products that we release, would initially have a relatively small traffic throughput. However, as time goes on and the user base increases, in line with your increasing transactions and flow, the system would be required to scale. This way, it will then manage the higher traffic throughput; this is an instantaneous system function.
What is nice about the cloud platforms that we provide is they are micro-service based. We can scale each service as required by increasing the instances of each microservice. We can scale them to any number depending on how many transactions are being processed through that service. Scalability is a fundamental requirement and forms part of our architectural design.
</blockquote>
Looking for a new job in cloud computing? Check out Xcede&rsquo;s latest permanent and contract <a href="https://www.xcede.com/disciplines/software">software engineer job vacancies</a> around the world.

A Day in the Life of a Software Engineering Manager

<h4 align="center">IR35 Has Changed: Do the New Rules Apply to You?</h4>
<figure><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://www.xcede.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBMlZOR1E9PSIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--8de0f7f5ead88218b7e383b519172fcd4fa6156b/_04d256a3-1638352238763.png"></figure>
​In April 2021, there was a change in regulations for contractors. Specifically, the IR35 legislation was updated, and new rules now apply. Contractors and businesses who hire staff on a contract basis must understand the changes that have come into effect. Learn more about the changes to IR35 with the help of our free informational brochure.

IR35 Reforms 2021 Guide

<h4 align="center">IR35 Has Changed: Do the New Rules Apply to You?</h4>
<figure><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://www.xcede.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBMlZOR1E9PSIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--8de0f7f5ead88218b7e383b519172fcd4fa6156b/_04d256a3-1638352238763.png"></figure>
​In April 2021, there was a change in regulations for contractors. Specifically, the IR35 legislation was updated, and new rules now apply. Contractors and businesses who hire staff on a contract basis must understand the changes that have come into effect. Learn more about the changes to IR35 with the help of our free informational brochures.

IR35 Our Solutions Guide

The IR35 tax regulations are changing for contractors in the UK from April 2021, bringing the private sector in line with the public sector. In this week&rsquo;s blog, we&rsquo;re explaining everything you need to know about how the IR35 amendments could affect your contractor status and pay, and what you can do to minimise the impact on your future assignments.
<h3 align="start">What is IR35?</h3>
IR35 is tax legislation that covers contractors who supply their services through an intermediary (e.g. their own company) to ensure they pay the correct tax and National Insurance Contributions (NICs). You may have heard it referred to as the off-payroll working rules.
The legislation was introduced to tackle &ldquo;disguised employment,&rdquo; where someone claims the tax benefits of contracting through an intermediary when, in practice, they are an employee.
If you are deemed to fall &ldquo;outside IR35&rdquo;, you are considered a genuine business and can pay yourself a salary and draw the remainder of income as dividends. If you are deemed to fall &ldquo;inside IR35&rdquo;, you are considered an employee of your end client for tax purposes, and subject to tax and NICs.
<h3 align="start">How is IR35 changing in April 2021?</h3>
IR35 itself isn&rsquo;t changing and will continue ensuring workers are paying the correct tax and NIC. However, the responsibility for determining IR35 status is shifting from the contractor to the end-user.
From April 2021, all medium and large-sized private businesses will join the public sector in becoming responsible for determining whether your contract falls inside IR35 and for paying the appropriate tax and NICs if it does.
<h5 align="start">For the purposes of IR35, a medium and large-sized private business is one that:</h5>
<ul>
<li>
Has a turnover of more than &pound;10.2 million;
</li>
<li>
Has a balance sheet of more than &pound;5.1 million; or
</li>
<li>
Has more than 51 employees.
</li>
</ul>
As part of this responsibility, your end client will begin issuing Status Determination Statements (SDS) outlining their assessment of your worker status. The SDS will also include details on how to appeal their decision.
<h3 align="start">How will end clients assess your IR35 status?</h3>
While there is no clear-cut test for determining your status under IR35, the following case law factors will be considered:
<ul>
<li>
Financial risk- whether you are undertaking financial risk to deliver the project.
</li>
<li>
Behaviour- if you behave as an employee, for example, using the end user&rsquo;s equipment and following their holiday rota.
</li>
<li>
MoO- if there is an obligation on you to work and your end client to make work available.
</li>
<li>
Substitution- whether you must carry out work yourself or can send a substitute.
</li>
<li>
Supervision- if you are heavily supervised or free to get on with your work.
</li>
<li>
Direction- whether you are given instructions, guidance or advice on how work is completed.
</li>
<li>
Control- how much control you have over your work.
</li>
</ul>
Your end-user might also use <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-employment-status-for-tax">HMRC&rsquo;s Check Employment Status of Tax</a>(CEST) tool to assist.
<h3 align="start">What do the IR35 changes mean for contractors?</h3>
Essentially, from April 2021, you are no longer responsible for determining your work status when contracting with medium and large-sized end-users.
The consequences of this shift in responsibility could be small or could be considerable. On the one hand, end-users may feel confident using the CEST and insurance backed tools to confirm your worker status and pay you accordingly. On the other hand, the end-user may reduce their risk by implementing blanket bans or assessments of contracts, just like <a href="https://evolutionjobs.com/uk/media/ir35-blanket-assessments/">HSBC and Barclays</a> have done.
<h5 align="start">While we wait to see the long-term effects of the IR35 changes, you can prepare for the changes and protect your position by:</h5>
<ul>
<li>
Finding an FCSA-accredited umbrella company to use should your assignment be classified as falling within IR35.
</li>
<li>
Partnering with a recruitment consultancy that sources contracts falling inside IR35.
</li>
</ul>
If you&rsquo;d like to learn more about IR35 and the implications on your contract, get in touch with our specialist team today.

The 2021 Guide to IR35 for Contractors

The IR35 tax regulations are changing for private sector businesses in the UK, shifting the responsibility for status determination and payment of the correct taxes and NICs to the end-user. In this week&rsquo;s blog, we explain what the reforms mean for businesses and how you can comply with the regulations while remaining attractive to contractors.
What is IR35?
IR35 was introduced in the year 2000 and is legislation that prevents workers and businesses benefiting from tax and NIC avoidance through &ldquo;disguised employment.&rdquo;
Disguised employment is when a contractor supplies their services through an intermediary (such as a Personal Services Company (PSC) or Limited Company) when in practice they are an employee. This is done to avoid tax and NIC - something IR35 hopes to combat.
Contracts falling inside of IR35 (i.e. the contractor is, in reality, a worker) must be paid following the deduction of tax and NIC, either through PAYE, an umbrella company or the PSC.&nbsp; What are the upcoming changes to IR35 for businesses?
From April 2021, the responsibility of ensuring compliance with IR35 is changing. Medium and large-sized private sector end-users become liable for ensuring workers are correctly classified and paid.
A medium or large-sized end user is one that:
<ul>
<li>&nbsp; &nbsp; Has a turnover of more than &pound;10.2 million;</li>
<li>&nbsp; &nbsp; Has a balance sheet of more than &pound;5.1 million; or</li>
<li>&nbsp; &nbsp; Has more than 51 employees.</li>
</ul>
This means you must conduct an assessment of the contractor&rsquo;s worker status and issue a Status Determination Statement (SDS) confirming the reasons behind your decision, alongside details of how to appeal.
If you determine a contract falls within IR35, you must ensure tax and NICs are deducted either by yourself or your employment agency. If you fail to classify a worker as falling within IR35 correctly, HMRC can claim unpaid taxes, penalties, and interests from your agency or, if unable to, you as the end-user.
How to determine IR35 status
Compliance with IR35 relies on correctly determining a contractor&rsquo;s worker status. There is no defined test for assessing worker status, however, the following factors should inform your decision:
1. Financial risk
Businesses risk financial loss; therefore, a contractor who could make a loss (or a profit) is more likely to be considered as falling outside of IR35.
2. Employee behaviour
If a contractor acts as an employee, HMRC will likely consider them an employee, especially if they are on the holiday rota, take part in performance management reviews, and heavily use your equipment.
3. Mutuality of Obligation (MoO)
MoO defines an employer-employee relationship - the employee must work, and the employer must pay. If a contractor is obliged to continue offering work and you are obliged to continue paying for work, even if there is no given work, this indicates worker status.
4. Substitution
Substitution is a strong indicator of whether a relationship is of a contractor or worker. If a contractor can offer a suitably qualified substitute for the role, the relationship is more likely to fall outside IR35.
5. Control
The amount of control you exert over a contractor is also important. For example, suppose you require your contractor to comply with specific requirements not based on operational necessity. In that case, they are more likely to fall inside IR35 than a contractor who has complete control over their working patterns and styles.
You can use HMRC&rsquo;s Check Employment Status of Tax tool(CEST) to help determine an individual&rsquo;s employment status.
How to work with an &ldquo;outside&rdquo; IR35 contractor
If you believe a current or future contract falls outside IR35, you can continue working with them through their PSC after issuing an SDS. To reduce the risk of an IR35 SDS being challenged by HMRC, you can obtain insurance to cover and protect your assessment.
How to work with an &ldquo;inside&rdquo; IR35 contractor
If you believe a current or future contract falls inside IR35, you have two main options for engaging them outside of a direct employment relationship:
1. Umbrella company
An umbrella company acts as an intermediary employer between you and the worker. You pay the umbrella company, and they pay the worker minus any tax and NICs.
It is crucial to conduct your due diligence when using an umbrella company, as some have been associated with tax avoidance schemes that could result in financial liability, alongside reputational damage for your business.
The TechStream Group only work with FCSA-accredited umbrella companies.
2. Limited company (PSC)
You can continue paying the worker&rsquo;s limited company or PSC, after deducting tax and NIC. However, this can be complicated and is not a practice widely recommended.
While these changes might feel concerning, it is important to remember public sector end-users have been responsible for status determination since 2017, with positive results, including:
<ul>
<li>&nbsp;&nbsp; Statement of works that provide workers and end-users with clearer deliverables and faster results.</li>
<li>&nbsp;&nbsp; Clearer hiring policies that reduce risk and provide contractors with more clarity.</li>
<li>&nbsp;&nbsp; Variety in talent thanks to the ease that contractors can move between public and private sector work.</li>
</ul>
If you&rsquo;d like to learn more about preparing for IR35 and the implications on your business, get in touch with our specialist team today. Download our free solutions guide to the IR35 reforms here.

Everything You Need to Know About IR35 For Business in 2021

If you read our recent blog on The Rise of the Product Analyst, you may have noticed another new job title appear in the discussion: the product manager. In the past six months, the product manager role has jumped <a href="https://www.itjobswatch.co.uk/jobs/uk/product%20manager.do">110</a> places on the UK&rsquo;s most in-demand tech positions, and it&rsquo;s showing no signs of slowing.
To explain more, we&rsquo;ve invited new team member and Product Consultant Stella Shkrelito this week&rsquo;s tech chat.&nbsp;
Can you tell us more about the responsibilities of a product manager and why they&rsquo;re in such high demand?
A product manager oversees a product from its initial conception through to final delivery, to ensure it&rsquo;s delivered on-time and in line with budget, while being a successful hit with the end-user. It is the job of the product manager to ensure that the product is as good as it can be from a customer experience and technical stability point of view while also ensuring that the needs of the business are met. As part of this journey, a product manager works closely with a variety of stakeholders, from designers and developers to clients and even potential users.&nbsp;
We are continuing to see huge growth in demand which can in some way be attributed to three principle reasons:
<ol>
<li>&nbsp; &nbsp; The accelerated pace of the technology market means companies must act fast when developing and releasing new products.&nbsp;</li>
<li>&nbsp; &nbsp; Increasing customer expectations make it crucial that end products meet the demands and needs of end-users.&nbsp;</li>
<li>&nbsp; &nbsp; The boom in new businesses means it&rsquo;s more important for companies to deliver successful and popular products that stand out from the growing competition.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
The pandemic has also had seemingly little effect on recruitment activity in this area. Companies are continuing to rapidly develop and release products with many needing to adapt to their customers' needs during the pandemic and while the role of a PM is to sit within the middle of multiple teams, working remotely has proven relatively successful thus far.
What type of products do product managers typically work on?
One of the best things about the product manager niche is that the products you work with can vary entirely. For example, you can work on a B2B SaaS-based platform or a B2C app, depending on the sector you&rsquo;re in and the companies offering.
What does a typical day for a product manager involve?
Product managers manage the end-to-end life cycle of a product, so no two days are the same. At the beginning of a project they work on the strategy, roadmap and budget. Throughout the project they conduct testing, run experiments and do everything they can to ensure the end product meets the brief, is fit for purpose and exceeds customer expectations.&nbsp;
What key skills does a product manager need to be successful?
Product managers tend to come from a range of different backgrounds but most commonly Engineering, Data, Marketing or User Experience and have experience with scrum and a variety of software, including Google Analytics and Confluence.&nbsp;
However, the top skills for success center around collaboration, communication and organisation. Product managers must work with and coordinate different teams, some of which are in different countries and working on multiple products at the same time. A successful product manager is one who can confidently instruct designers and developers, deliver feedback to stakeholders and engage end-users.&nbsp;
What sectors are you seeing the biggest demand for product managers?
Currently, there is an enormous demand for product managers in FinTech and retail, especially with the rise of online banking and shopping. However, product management is still a niche, making talented candidates in high demand across all sectors.&nbsp;
If you want to know more about the companies hiring, or you want to expand your team, get in touch with our specialist team to find out more about <a href="https://www.xcede.com/disciplines/product/product-management">product manager job opportunities</a>.

The Role of the Product Manager in 2020

It might have been 16 years since Will Smith fought off an army of cyborgs and saved the human race in iRobot, but the thought of artificial intelligence taking over the world, or at least our jobs, still plagues the minds of many.&nbsp;
In this week&rsquo;s tech interview, we speak with Xcede&rsquo;s Freddie DeMetz, Sales Manager and tech specialist, to learn more about the impact of Machine learning and AI jobs in the tech recruitment sector.
<h4>Can you explain how AI has advanced technology over the past few years?</h4>
The very nature of artificial intelligence is that it&rsquo;s always changing, so it has affected technology in every way possible, not just the development of technology itself. For example, in recruitment AI tools can now filter CVs, identify promising candidates and overcome unconscious bias to recruit a talented and more diverse workforce.&nbsp;
AI has changed the way engineers work too. AI tools and automated scripts can complete certain tasks quicker than an engineer can, but that doesn't mean AI is taking over everyone&rsquo;s jobs. Instead, it allows engineers to deliver projects faster and get involved in different and more challenging tasks.&nbsp;
AI is changing the way people work and making a difference to what engineers must learn to perform well in their role and excel in their careers, but this isn&rsquo;t a bad thing. It&rsquo;s enhancing job satisfaction and promoting life-long learning.
<h4>Thinking about films such as iRobot, do you think robots could ever &ldquo;take over the world&rdquo; or do you think we always need the human touch?</h4>
The scary thing about iRobot is that it could happen. There&rsquo;s a great video about an AI coffee machine that becomes so intelligent it protests against making coffee and, in a way, it&rsquo;s entirely plausible.&nbsp;
We work with artificial intelligence companies across Europe that develop robots to complete human tasks. But I think we&rsquo;ll always need that human element to regulate computers and add judgment - otherwise, who knows what will happen.
There must be a balance between using AI to streamline processes, save time and perform better, whilst retaining the human element that adds judgment, emotion and compassion which is a prime factor in human conversation.
<h4>On the other hand, are robots essential for overcoming human error?</h4>
Definitely, AI eliminates human error across the board and is essential for specific sectors. For example, we work with an AI cybersecurity company whose entire premise is that we can&rsquo;t beat cybercrime without AI because human error is our biggest weakness. Most people will immediately open an email and attachment from someone they know without scanning it - AI can prevent humans from making costly mistakes.
<h4>How much is AI changing the skills and qualifications companies look for in technology candidates?</h4>
I think AI is expanding the qualities and skills companies look for in tech candidates. Traditionally, you&rsquo;d earn a computer science degree and go into a computer engineering role - it was straightforward and clear cut.&nbsp;
Today, tech companies desire a range of skills, experiences and backgrounds to grow their business. For example, we might recruit someone with a maths degree for an AI role, or a data engineer into a machine learning position because their skills are better suited to algorithms, problem-solving or project management. Successful AI practitioners have demonstrated that transferable skills are just as useful as specific qualifications.&nbsp;
I think the biggest downfall of any company is hiring the same people; you don&rsquo;t get the diversification of information, knowledge or skills essential for growth. A lot of companies and recruitment agencies talk about &ldquo;cultural fit&rdquo;, but for us, it&rsquo;s more about culture offering - what can you bring to the culture of this company? That&rsquo;s what drives innovation and growth.&nbsp;
<h4>Finally, what do you think is next for AI?</h4>
The next stage in AI depends on how far society is willing to go. For me, the interesting question is how we manage computers. Will we have teams of robots writing code and a manager checking their work? Or will we let robots manage themselves and concentrate on humanising their results?
I think the human element will dictate the future of AI. In recruitment, for example, a robot can review CVs, identify candidates and arrange interviews. But it&rsquo;s the human element that understands a company&rsquo;s culture, sees promise in a &ldquo;not strictly qualified&rdquo; candidate, and returns best results for clients. It&rsquo;s why companies with recruitment software still work with the team at Xcede and I - we bring what computers can&rsquo;t.&nbsp;
If you&rsquo;re interested in the future of AI and how you recruit, the skills you need or your future career, get in touch or visit the Xcede's <a href="https://www.xcede.com/disciplines/data/ai-nlp-and-computer-vision">AI, NLP AND Computer Vision Jobs</a> page to connect with our specialist consultants and explore current opportunities.
&nbsp;

How Artificial Intelligence is Impacting Tech Jobs

This week, we spoke with Niall Wharton, Team Lead in Data Science, Machine Learning and Big Data at Xcede, to learn more about data engineers and the significant impact they&rsquo;re making.
First off, what does a data engineer do?
The core role of a data engineer is to store data, making it available for data scientists and analysts to use. It&rsquo;s a vital relationship for operations - you help them complete their job by pulling all of this different data into one, digestible place.&nbsp;
But, as Callum Ryan (Senior Data Engineer at Concirrus) says, the responsibilities of a data engineer can vary, depending on the sector, scale and need of the business in question.
&ldquo;It's a bit difficult to describe a data engineering role generically, as the role can mean different things in a number of businesses, but I think fundamentally it's all about ingesting data and keeping it clean.&rdquo;
What data does a data engineer work with?
In a perfect world, data engineers would work with generic, quantitative and structured data. However, data engineers frequently work with hugely unstructured data, such as computer vision images, sound, recordings and text. Think about how you would handle vision data from CCTV cameras and accurately highlight who was moving at what time. The field has got progressively more complicated - which many engineers love, as the landscape is always changing and there are regularly new challenges to solve!
Thinking about 2020 so far - how have data engineers had to adapt in light of the pandemic?
The recent logistics and changes surrounding communication (due to remote working), have had a considerable impact on the data field. The very best data engineers frequently interact with their stakeholders; recently they&rsquo;ve had to adapt to maintain a clear line of dialogue when working from home.&nbsp;
Remote working has also made task management more difficult. If data isn&rsquo;t stored, or accessible at all, the data scientist can&rsquo;t continue with their work. Data engineers have to constantly be aware of deadlines for each of their projects and how their work impacts others.&nbsp;
What programs or platforms do data engineers commonly use?
It varies a lot between different companies, but the most common thing we&rsquo;re seeing is everyone going cloud-led. Accordingly, experience with AWS is a popular requirement; however, GCP and Azure are quickly becoming platforms of choice. On-premises platforms such as Hadoop are fast becoming outdated.&nbsp;
What does 2021 look like for a data engineer?
The importance of data engineers is increasing rapidly, so the profession looks to grow next year and see steady salary increases. It used to be that senior data scientistroles were more popular, because they were the ones producing the exciting insights at the end - but things are changing, and data engineers are becoming recognised in their own right.&nbsp;
2021 will also see an increased demand for data engineers that can productionise algorithms to work at scale. Data scientists often lack the engineering capabilities to do this with a company&rsquo;s full product, making data engineers increasingly integral.&nbsp;
Looking at the specific requirements for a data engineer role, what qualifications and skills are businesses seeking?
From a technical side, businesses want engineers adept at a couple of programming languages, such as Python, Java or Scala. Data engineers can also obtain certification in cloud technologies and a Databricks certification for Spark.&nbsp;
A solid grasp of the data landscape and tasks at hand are instrumental, as Karim Essawi (Senior Data Engineer at Joyn GmbH) says:
&ldquo;For me, a capable data engineer would demonstrate a sound understanding of the challenges of designing and implementing scalable and resilient self-service data pipelines and data products that enable stakeholders to make data-informed decisions.
From a soft skills side, there are two essential qualities employers want:
1. Problem-solving. In a perfect world, data comes from one place to be stored in another. This isn&rsquo;t reality. For example, Netflix would have multiple data sources, such as TV, mobile and web data. It&rsquo;s a lengthy process so you must be good at working out problems with code and logistics.&nbsp;
2. Patience. You must be patient at handling stakeholders who might not appreciate the complexity of the task you&rsquo;re doing; being able to explain why something is or isn&rsquo;t possible.
Callum Ryan from Concirrus summarises the balance between technical and soft skills nicely:
&ldquo;There are some more obvious important parts of the job, like being able to write code in different languages (Python/Scala), bash scripting, an understanding of cloud technologies, and recently a bit more DevOps with IaC (Terraform).
But I also believe there is also a real requirement to have softer skills, like clear communication and being able to explain complex technical concepts to a less technical audience.
It's also very important to be flexible. One minute I could be debugging a data issue in a pipeline, and the next helping a data scientist with their code.
And, a good engineer should always be learning. There's always something new around the corner, and there's always something to learn, be it about how the wider part of your business operates, or technology-wise.&rdquo;
Thank you, Niall - anything else you want to add?
This is an exciting moment for the data sector, and data engineers are becoming more recognised, appreciated and wanted. If you&rsquo;re looking for a data engineer hire or you want to advance your career in that direction get in touch with our data job team.
&nbsp;

What Is a Data Engineer?

Just a few years ago, the term &ldquo;Data Scientist&rdquo; encompassed everything from statisticians to Software Engineers. As the field has evolved so has the definition and the hiring process of a Data Scientist. At Xcede we often speak to clients about how they can retain their Data Scientists and keep their position at the forefront of innovation.&nbsp;
Our Data Science Collective Roundtable on the 18th of January discussed best practice when hiring Data Scientists with Heads of Data Science from <a href="https://www.criteo.com/">Criteo</a>, The Economist, <a href="https://www.farfetch.com/uk/">Farfetch</a>, <a href="https://www.ynap.com/">Yoox Net-A-Porter</a>, <a href="https://www.inmarsat.com/en/index.html">Inmarsat</a>, <a href="https://profusion.com/">Profusion</a>, <a href="https://www.barclays.co.uk/">Barclays</a> and the <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/">FSA</a>. The questions posed helped us to look deeper into how we can improve the hiring process for a Data Science position.
What was Discussed?
The discussion initially revolved around the design of the job description and the hiring process itself. As the conversation evolved, it became clear that one of the biggest issues is that there is a gap between the expectations of what a <a href="https://www.xcede.com/Data-Scientist-jobs">Data Scientist job roles</a> should be and what it in fact is. This is somewhat alarming as it effects both involved - Data Scientists and companies and also the future of the hiring process.
The role of a Scientist is often viewed as one of the most attractive and principally involves a lot of essential work which can be deemed as quite rudimentary and lacking new and innovative algorithms that a Data Scientist might hope for. Due to these tainted expectations, many Data Mangers say that their experience jaded employees rather quickly. One of the reasons behind this was thought to be the gap between the job description given in interviews and in adverts in comparison to what the job actually consists of on a day-to-day basis. &nbsp;
Following this, another aspect as to why some Scientists become uninterested in their position after 1-2 years&rsquo; is the nature of many Data Scientists - they are often curious and keen to learn. The Roundtable concluded that the key to retaining talent and keeping the role interesting was to feed this curiosity and continuously offer possibilities to develop within the position and their organisation. This must be implemented from an internal perspective, marrying together values and capabilities to design the optimum structure that best suits their organisation.&nbsp;
Skillsets and Experience
In addition to companies bringing value to the role through learning, many of the Managers pointed out important qualities of a Data Scientist that necessarily don&rsquo;t correlate with the skill set they have, or even previous experience. Instead, important qualities of a Data Scientist include their ability to deliver simple solutions that are just as effective, open to new ideas and finally to remain modest.&nbsp;
It is important to improve opportunities available to Data Scientists, this includes taking part in projects and to remain involved in developments that will be particularly rewarding. Motivation and knowledge are key aspects of a Data Scientists position, by investing into these areas our attendees believe that this will improve working environment and will increase retainment levels for these extremely sought after specialists.&nbsp; Summary
The key points of the evening were focused on how to better mirror the responsibilities of the role to the job description. This extra investment in time communicating and exploring the role in further detail are beneficial for a Scientists long-term perspective. By doing so, managers can control expectations and ultimately manage their Data Scientists in a way that not only encourages but innovates and facilitates their working environment. Subsequently, the discussion to hire a Data Scientist must be followed up with a streamlined and honest hiring process to encourage and nurture future projects and talent.

How to Hire a Data Scientist

The&nbsp;rise of online and consumer facing organisations&nbsp;has resulted in a shift in product management over the last 6 years. We live in a&nbsp;data driven society, you might not see it but data is everywhere and it&rsquo;s only going to get bigger. Here we explore the three key areas of product management that are significant for today&rsquo;s product managers.
1. Consumer focus Understanding&nbsp;how consumers use your product&nbsp;is a vital component to a successful long-term strategic plan. More recently we have seen organisations turn their strategy towards consumers and&nbsp;focusing on the customer journey, resulting in product managers working even more closely with UX professionals.&nbsp;
Now more than ever, there is a focus on B2C product management, with a focus on UX to drive certain products and lines&nbsp;to optimise the buying and transaction process. It is key for product managers to ensure that the user experience a consumer is facing is&nbsp;consistent throughout all digital products.&nbsp;
2. Data Good product managers will&nbsp;monitor data trends&nbsp;continuously and should be very data centered in their approach. Consumer facing organisations will encourage examination of web analytics and conversation rates as performance indicators for product managers. As a result it is&nbsp;common for product managers to study click rates to discover what is successful and what can be improved whilst working in an agile environment.
Product Managers are also now the&nbsp;driving force behind customer and user experience. It is essential to measure and report on the&nbsp;effectiveness of product iterations and launches&nbsp;in order to make effective data-driven decision making. Without effective and vigorous analysis products will not improve and instead remain static. &nbsp;&nbsp;
3. The future lies in technical product management As companies look to maximise their online business we are seeing&nbsp;more technical product managers&nbsp;coming from a technical background or who are technically focused. Typically speaking, such candidates will have a software engineer degree or computer science/information systems degree or may have even been a developer.
This brings a sense of understanding of the&nbsp;software development lifecycle&nbsp;into the team as technical product managers are able to roadmap their product or software development lifecycle more confidently.
The <a href="https://www.xcede.com/disciplines/digital/product-management?source=mail.google.com">product management job market</a> is certainly thriving with&nbsp;all elements of the Digital team synergising&nbsp;to create deeper customer connections and an overall better experience for the end user. This approach will certainly aid product managers to innovate and manage the product lifecycle.

3 Key Areas of Product Management

So, I&rsquo;m guessing a lot of people are sick of discussing what it takes to become a Data Scientist. It was (and probably continues to be) one of the most exciting and in equal measure frustrating titles out on the job market.&nbsp;
Before reading further, if you are interested in the <a href="https://www.xcede.com/Data-Scientist-jobs">latest job opportunities in Data Science</a>, Xcede can help by offering a wide range of Principal, Lead and Research job roles.
However at this point, anyone involved in the field long enough will begin to have shaped their own ideas about who can truly define themselves as a Data Scientist, or indeed what things one would need to learn to have the right to do so.
Evolving&nbsp;
This in itself is a clear sign of a market maturing &ndash; universally accepted definitions are often a great indicator of when an area has established itself as an essential part of our very culture, rather than being just a temporary fad /(marketing tool!).
This maturity has also been reflected in the requests I&rsquo;m getting this year and the type of profile global businesses, maturing start-ups and even government departments are desperately searching for. Indeed, the rise of the &ldquo;Chief Data Scientist&rdquo; has been an interesting one, and must be placed in its proper context over the last few years. &nbsp;
In the time that I&rsquo;ve been recruiting specifically for this area, there has been a clear pattern in what I have been searching for:
1.Initially, following what everyone has recognised as an incredible amount of early hype surrounding the field, departments realised they wanted to take on a Data Scientist and/or a Data Engineer to demonstrate the value they could supposedly add to an analytics department across the wider business. In effect, proof of concept projects were key, so those with enough relevant experience were taken on as trailblazers for the area.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
2.Within my own consistent clients, having seen these trailblazers prove successful, there were a number of requests for &ldquo;Junior Data Scientists&rdquo;. Generally, such hires consisted of those straight from academia (whether straight from MSc up to long term postdoc candidates) with the perfect template and clearly analytical mind set to take on a career in this area. Interestingly, when talking to line managers, these hires were preferred at the time for one of two reasons.&nbsp;
Firstly, the demand placed on the initial Data Science hires was proving so great that support was needed; &nbsp;with great success comes invested interested across a business, and more unrealistic workloads/ expectations. Naturally, the juniors were able to learn some of the necessary commercial aspects of the job whilst also contributing to the projects their seniors were drowning under.&nbsp;
Secondly, a number of the companies I have now worked with saw the clear advantages of having a &ldquo;Data Scientist&rdquo; / &ldquo;Big Data Engineer&rdquo; on board through other business models and success stories. However, even with their own obvious business needs and genuine commercial issues that could be solved with such a hire, many felt the costs involved were just too great. Supply and demand is a pain, but a very real thing in any walk of life. An excellent alternative has been to &ldquo;grow their own&rdquo; data scientists &ndash;these juniors have been given the time and space to learn their trade and apply their immense knowledge without the weight of a bumper salary on their shoulders (and in turn have reaped great rewards for the departments they have moved into).
3. All of this has led to a point in 2014 (in the European marketplace at least) where entire Data Science departments have been formed in their own right. More senior hires are being made with more of the aforementioned juniors gaining great commercial insights, and in turn top universities are producing Data Science specific courses to match the constant demand for relevant &ldquo;juniors&rdquo; (rather than the few who could truly claim to have done so previously).
The Importance of Leadership
As a direct result, we have reached a stage where leadership has become a key issue. If those Data Science focused employees are now appreciated across a whole business, rather than just at the occasional demand of an analytics/BI/insight unit, then who is going to take ownership of their work? Whatever we&rsquo;re going to call it, the Chief Data Scientist/ Lead Data Scientist/ Director of Data Science is a problem that has been created as a direct result of the evolution of one of the fastest growing fields in business. As with any team environment, natural leaders are already establishing themselves because of their stellar work and intimate knowledge of their own workplace and product. Those who were prudent enough to make relatively experienced hires a few years ago have ready-made leaders to promote from within. However, there are many businesses who have a team of Data Scientists that are still continuing their development, and whilst producing excellent insight for top level business leaders, could do with someone else to guide their research and communicate their findings appropriately.
In this way, demand has gone through the roof. I think one of the key questions to answering any skills gap, as had been demonstrated by the ongoing &ldquo;Data Scientist&rdquo; discussion, is to define what it truly means to be one.
Through the requirements of the multiple businesses I have dealt with of both multinational and early stage start-up size, I may be in a unique position to guide candidates interested in such a role through most consistent attributes desired;
<ul>
<li>&nbsp;A clear technical understanding of the problems that the department may face. As a field dealing with the most cutting edge and constantly developing technologies/methods on the market, one of the key frustrations I have heard from those operating within the Data Science market is the lack of technical understanding from their senior figures and leaders. Those who have experienced the development of a Data Science department from scratch, and who still enjoy getting involved with the data in front of them on a daily basis, are going to be enormously successful in finding exciting projects to join. This understanding ensures that targets are ambitious enough without being ludicrous, have direction without stifling innovation, and have a clear business goal but also an awareness of what can and can&rsquo;t be achieved with the personnel involved.</li>
<li>&nbsp;An ability to communicate clearly and capably with both ground level technicians and board room executives. This clearly relates back to my first point, but is massively important and cannot be emphasised enough. A Chief Data Scientist should be able to get involved with and have a technical understanding of the entire scope of any given project, but also be able to explain results to those without technical backgrounds so they can see the value to be gained. In the end, this is only going to create more space for the unit to operate in, less hesitation about further growth, and indeed more companywide trust in the commercial insight being provided. Clearly, that&rsquo;s what any unit should be striving for!</li>
<li>&nbsp;A desire to keep learning and help others continue their own development. So you&rsquo;re hired as a Chief Data Scientist. Should your drive to learn the latest technologies and improve your ability to gain the most insight form the data in front of you diminish? Of course not. As the most cutting edge area of any analytics department within a company, a clear part of your job will be to keep in touch with developments in the space &ndash; this is why within this close knit community we see such a staunch commitment to public speaking from key figures at Data Science specific events.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Learning is Key
There is a mutual interest in learning, and mutual commitment to share the knowledge/ breakthroughs discovered along the way. Naturally, this will also apply to the departments that a leader is in charge of &ndash; some of the most successful &ldquo;Chiefs&rdquo; and &ldquo;Leads&rdquo; I have seen have lectured, mentored, and led for a period of their academic career due to a desire to bounce ideas off like minded individuals.
I&rsquo;d recommend anybody who is interested in such a role getting in touch &ndash; relevant experience isn&rsquo;t always commercially focused, either. &nbsp;A great example is Chris Wiggens, now a Chief Data Scientist with the New York Times . Coming from a Biology and applied Mathematics background, Chris has all of the essential skills listed above. In fact, one of the most exciting companies here in the UK, a social gaming company, has recently done the exact same thing with their lead coming from a research background leading a group aimed at predicting specific disease phenotypes.
It&rsquo;s also worth keeping an eye out on European focused news and jobs by joining my group Data Science Collective on LinkedIn &ndash; all contributors to the discussion are welcome!&nbsp;

Chief Data Scientist | Tracking the Rise of Senior Scientists

Following the success of our first-ever roundtable at the C-Suite level last year, we are thrilled to announce that we will be hosting our second CDO roundtable event at The Hoxton Hotel, Holborn, on Thursday, 14th March.
While Xcede has hosted several data networking events over the last decade in collaboration with many of the UK&rsquo;s leading tech companies, it is a pleasure to provide a smaller intimate event at this level for an in-depth discussion.
Sid Ghosh, Senior Director of Data Science at Tools for Humanity, will chair this insightful event. The list of attendees is just as impressive and includes Data leaders from incredible companies such as Financial Times, Newcross Healthcare Solutions, John Lewis Partnership, and many more!
Order of events:
<ul>
<li>18:30PM - Welcome Drinks</li>
<li>19:30PM - Sit Down 3 Course Meal</li>
<li>The structure of the evening from here onwards will be to discuss the topics in between each course with this being an open forum for the guests to express their views and thoughts.</li>
</ul>
We will address the following trends in the data space:
<ul>
<li>With the proliferation of toolkits, open source repositories and services available from online marketplaces, will the focus of a data function change from developing bespoke tech and models to using what is available effectively and deploying services in production? Will that result in an increased focus on engineering than science?</li>
<li>Is the gap between an engineering function and a data function reducing since data teams are adopting core engineering principles? What impact will that have on organisational structures, and will the data function eventually just sit under the CTO's office?</li>
<li>Given that success in data roles is measured on having a business impact, which requires close collaboration between data and business stakeholders, is it necessary to have an induction programme for data professionals starting their careers or regular training for senior data scientists, where they hone their soft skills?</li>
<li>How will the proliferation and adoption of GenAI impact data teams?</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<h4>Please note that the capacity for this event has been reached. If you are interested in attending future Xcede events, please <a href="../../../../../../contact-us">get in touch </a>today!</h4>

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