Despite the fragile jobs market due to the devastating effects of the current pandemic, the UK data and analytics industry looks forward to a strong future post-Covid.

According to the annual Data and Analytics Salary Guide from Harnham, over 80% of workers in the industry feel the same, or more, secure in their roles compared to this time last year.

As businesses look to streamline existing processes and establish new ones, they are more reliant on data and analytics professionals than ever before.

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The UK data and analytics industry

• Gender diversity: The gender gap in the industry is slowly but surely closing, with women now making up 30% of the industry.

• Flexible working: The number of data and analytics businesses offering flexible working schemes has skyrocketed from 57% to 84% in 12 months. This change, however, was not due to Covid-19. This upward trend was happening pre-pandemic.

• Flexible working versus bonuses: The rise in the number of respondents looking for flexible working options was less significant than the drop of those looking for a bonus.

• Progression: Progression is more important to respondents than a salary increase

• Industry activity: The UK data and analytics industry remains extremely active, with nearly a third of employees seeking new opportunities within the market.

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“While the past few years may have been heavily influenced by global politics, our results this year were understandably impacted by another major global event; the Covid-19 pandemic. No industry is immune from the effects brought about by this global health issue, however recognising that the data and analytics space is responding well is promising for the future,” said Dave Farmer, founding partner at Harnham.

He continued: “It’s incredibly encouraging to see that the industry is continuing to prosper despite the unprecedented nature of the given situation. Employees feel positive about job security and flexible working has been enthusiastically implemented across many companies.

“Whilst we recognise that the industry still has a way to go before we perfect the gender and diversity balance, it is encouraging to see the number of women in the data sphere slowly increasing at the years go by, and we as an industry are committed to keeping this upward trend.”