A Warm Welcome from Joe Pelter

We want to start by saying thank you to all our contractors currently delivering exceptional work across our client projects. Your expertise continues to play a critical role in supporting some of the most innovative engineering organisations in the market.

As we move into the new financial year, we’re seeing continued demand for specialist engineering talent. While some areas of the market remain cautious, organisations are increasingly relying on experienced contractors to deliver complex projects and maintain agility.

Over the last quarter we’ve continued to grow our engineering network and strengthen relationships with new and existing clients across the UK and internationally. We’ve broken records and reached a key milestone of over 200 contractors out working.

This quarterly update will keep you informed on: 

• Key updates in the market and useful information for contractors
• Internal updates from Vantage Consulting
• Celebrating our “Contractor of the Quarter”

Market Insight

Q2 Update: IR35 Small Business Threshold Changes

From April 6th, changes to IR35 legislation mean more companies will now qualify as “small businesses.”

What this means for you:

• More clients may fall outside of off-payroll IR35 rules
• In these cases, you (your Ltd company) are responsible for determining IR35 status
• This could open up more flexible contract opportunities over time

Important to note:

• These changes will phase in gradually, depending on each client’s financial year
• IR35 risk doesn’t disappear — it simply shifts back to the contractor”

Read more on the changes here.

Staff Updates

We’re proud to have celebrated 9 internal promotions in Q1!

Internal promotions:
Nick Walklett – USA Division
Harry Fielding – UK Perm Division
Anna Baddeley – UK Perm Division
Mitchell Williams – UK Contract Division
Kai Bowden – UK Contract Division
Matt Clarke – UK Contract Division
Joe Malkin – UK Contract Division
Callum Hill – UK Contract Division
Melissa Dennison – UK Contract Division

Contractor of the Quarter 

Q&A with David Holtby who has celebrated 7 years working with Vantage Consulting – congratulations Dave!

What makes a good working relationship between a contractor and a recruiter?

"Regular communication to develop a trusting relationship, being honest and upfront with each other whether it's regarding expectations, availability, rates of pay or skill set."

What's kept you working with Vantage for so long?

"Initially finding me the most suitable role of Senior Commissioning Engineer, with a company I was familiar with, close to home and someone I had previously worked for."

"I believe Vantage are now more than just my agent as we have built up a trusting and reliable relationship by continued regular communication, initially by Joe Pelter and now by Matt Clarke. Vantage have regularly checked to ensure I am content with my current employment and offered advice when times have been tough."

"They have also reacted quickly when I have requested a rise in my rate of pay. They have always been very professional and been regular and reliable in making payments."

What changes have you seen in the engineering market since starting your career?

"There seems to be a very high demand for experienced Engineers, particularly within the nuclear sector, both Defense and Power industry. This high demand is also bringing inflated rates of pay being available."

"Remote and hybrid working is much more common (since the Covid epidemic), offering greater flexibility with many people now working for companies located at opposite ends of the country but only requiring limited attendance at site."

Staff spotlight - Kai Bowden

Kai joined Vantage in August 2025 as a contract recruitment consultant, specializing in Electrical, Controls & Instrumentation (EC&I) with a focus on the Water Sector.

His clients work on a large range of projects, ranging from niche requirements like writing code for instrumentation, all the way to large scale delivery of water treatment plants, from civils through to final commissioning

At the moment the water sector is gearing up for AMP 8, which will see over £100 billion spent between now and 2030, so it should be a busy few years.

Looking for a new role? Reach out to Kai here.

Charity update:

We’re fundraising for The Teenage Cancer Trust across H1 and will be hosting a range of events, including a charity rounders match and our notorious 5-a-side football tournament.

If you would like to support our efforts and donate, please follow the link to our JustGiving page.