The leadership landscape is changing.
As we move through the third quarter, Northern Ireland’s business landscape continues to present a mixture of opportunity and challenge for organisations operating across construction, manufacturing and engineering.
For executive leaders, the conversation is increasingly moving beyond traditional growth metrics. Businesses are navigating changing costs, investment decisions, talent availability and operational transformation, while a number of established SMEs are reassessing what sustainable growth looks like. We are seeing businesses consolidate and restructure, with a greater focus on efficiency, profitability and building stronger, more sustainable operations, even where that means taking a more measured approach to turnover and revenue growth.
At Artemis Human Capital, we have been particularly active across these sectors this quarter, supporting organisations with senior appointments where leadership capability is closely linked to their next stage of growth.
THE MARKET AT A GLANCE
+9% | Manufacturing output growth
NI Manufacturing output increased by 9% year on year in Q2 2026, reaching a new ten year high.
186 | PE & VC backed businesses in NI
Private Equity & Venture Capital firms currently back 186 businesses across Northern Ireland, supporting more than 47,000 jobs.
+17.5% | Construction remains above pre-pandemic levels
NI Construction output remains 17.5% above its pre-pandemic level, despite a 1.7% quarterly decline in Q2 2026.
19.7% | Independent sector healthcare growth
Independent-sector inpatient and day case activity increased by 19.7% in 2025/26, highlighting the growing role of private and independent providers within Northern Ireland’s healthcare landscape.
Sources:
NISRA, Index of Production, Q2 2026
UK Private Capital, 2026
NISRA, Construction Output Statistics, Q2 2026
Release of Northern Ireland Inpatient, Day Case & Outpatient Hospital Statistics for 2025/26
EXECUTIVE MARKET INSIGHTS
Over the past quarter, our Executive Search team has seen several themes emerge across the Northern Ireland market:
Leadership for the next phase of growth
Businesses are increasingly looking for leaders who can combine strategic thinking with strong operational execution. The ability to translate a growth strategy into measurable commercial and operational results is becoming increasingly important.
AI & transformation are reshaping leadership requirements
Technology, automation, AI and productivity are increasingly influencing leadership requirements across manufacturing and engineering. Invest NI supported £764m of business investment in 2025/26, with activity spanning automation, AI, R&D and process innovation. The focus is increasingly on leaders who can turn investment into measurable business impact.
PE backed businesses require a different leadership lens
Demand from PE backed organisations has remained strong this quarter, reflecting the specific leadership requirements that can arise throughout the investment lifecycle. From preparing for growth and professionalisation through to scaling operations, preparing for exit or supporting a change in ownership, the leadership brief can evolve significantly as the business progresses.
The right appointment is therefore not simply about finding someone with the right experience on paper. It is about understanding the stage of the business, its investment objectives and the leadership capability required to deliver the next chapter.
SECTOR SPOTLIGHT
Construction | Manufacturing | Engineering
These sectors have represented a significant proportion of our Executive Search activity this quarter.
From senior operational leadership through to commercial and finance appointments, we have supported businesses navigating growth, investment, succession and transformation.
We are also seeing increased salary pressure across these sectors, particularly within operational roles, as businesses compete for a limited pool of experienced talent. This supply and demand dynamic is becoming an increasingly important consideration for organisations when planning senior appointments.
Our conversations with boards and shareholders continue to highlight the importance of leadership teams that are capable of managing today’s operational priorities while preparing the organisation for tomorrow’s opportunities.
LOOKING TOWARDS Q4
“The executive market in Northern Ireland continues to evolve. We are seeing organisations place greater emphasis on leaders who can operate at both strategic and operational level, particularly where there is a clear growth or transformation agenda.” – Adam Myles | Director, Artemis Executive Search
“The strongest executive appointments tend to happen when there is genuine alignment between the organisation’s ambitions, its culture and the individual being appointed. Understanding that alignment is central to our approach.” – Sarah McGimpsey | Director, Artemis Executive Search
As we look towards the final quarter of the year, we expect succession planning, strategic hiring and leadership capability to remain key considerations for Northern Ireland businesses.
For organisations entering a period of growth, investment or change, understanding the leadership capability already within the business can be just as important as identifying future requirements. Taking a holistic view of the existing senior and board-level expertise can help businesses identify capability gaps, clarify future leadership needs and make more informed decisions around succession and strategic appointments.
Our Executive Search team works with boards, shareholders and business leaders across Northern Ireland and beyond on senior appointments, succession and leadership strategy.
TEAM NEWS
A very special congratulations from all of us at Artemis to Adam Myles and his wife Megan on the safe arrival of their second child, Eden. We are delighted for you both and wish your growing family every happiness.
A special congratulations to Sarah McGimpsey and her son Rudy, who recently received his GCSE results and will be returning to Campbell College to begin his A Levels. We wish Rudy every success in this next chapter!