Sapphire celebrates eighth consecutive record year as turnover climbs to £750m

GREATER MANCHESTER, OCTOBER 2026 - Sapphire, the operations partner for recruitment businesses, is celebrating a record year of growth, with 2025/26 turnover reaching £750m, up 22% from the previous year (£598m).

The result caps a year of expansion for the award-winning business. It opened a new India office in January and UK headcount grew from 70 to 100, with the business welcoming new clients, including several PLCs. It also paid out over £2m in Employee Ownership Trust bonuses across the year.

Now working with over 500 recruitment businesses and having supported over 100,000 contractors, this year’s growth reflects increased demand from agencies looking for a single partner to manage contractor payroll, compliance, global placements and accounting. In response, Sapphire has repositioned the business to expand the operational expertise it provides to recruiters in the UK and internationally, with its support now reaching over 100 countries.

The reposition includes the launch of its new Accounting & Financial Intelligence offer, designed to give recruitment agency leaders a clearer view of financial and commercial performance. It combines specialist recruitment accounting advice, real-time financial intelligence, agency benchmarking and Fractional FD support, helping leaders understand what is happening across their business and make decisions based on evidence rather than instinct.

2026 has seen the business heavily invest in its operational technology arm in response to growing demand from the recruitment market. Building on the success of its Quartz platform, Sapphire recently received HMRC approval for a new tech product that is geared specifically to contractors, due to launch later this year.

In October, the business was awarded Best Customer Service at the Contracting Awards, recognising the people-first approach behind its growth numbers.

Mark Connor, CEO at Sapphire, said:

“2026 marks another milestone year for Sapphire. This exceptional growth is testament to the tenacity of our team, the relationships we hold with our clients and the reputation we’ve built within the recruitment market.

“It’s given us the foundation to shift how we go to market, focusing solely on the recruitment businesses we know so well. There’s considerable appetite for a partner that can handle every operational element of running a successful recruitment agency. We’ve recognised that opportunity, hence the investment in our new Accounting & Financial Intelligence proposition, as well as diversifying our tech stack and global contracting services for clients.”

Alex Moore, Chief Sales Officer, added:

“There’s been a huge amount of upheaval in the industry this year, and I’m incredibly proud of how we’ve emerged as a trusted partner to agencies and contractors alike when navigating the new rules. That trusted status gives us fertile ground to build on as we launch our new division propositions, technology and website.”