THE figures from the bi-annual Regus Business Tracker survey indicate cautious optimism among many business leaders in the South East. They are a positive sign that organisations are shifting towards investment in recruitment.

Results for the region are just below the average for UK where 34% of companies plan to hire new staff in 2011.

The survey canvassed the opinions of 317 senior business people in the South East asking them about their current revenue performance, profitability, projected future revenues and their wider expectations of national economic growth.

Findings generally reflect a more positive outlook with more than two-thirds of respondents expecting revenues to rise in the coming year.

However, the research also highlights that 54% of companies in the region are still looking to reduce overheads through means other than reducing staff. And about half of respondents do not expect economic recovery to advance strongly until the second half of 2011.

Mark Dixon, chief executive of workspace solutions provider Regus, said: “The intention to increase headcount is a clear indicator that businesses in the South East want to be prepared to grasp the opportunities that recovering markets may throw their way. The UK, where unemployment is currently at 8% and is not expected to drop noticeably in the coming 24 months, should take this result as a positive sign of optimism.”

Key survey results for the South East region:

❍ 43% of senior business people saw company profits rise in the last year compared to 32% who say profits have remained flat and 24% who reported a decline.

❍ 65% expect company revenues to rise in the next year, 28% expect them to stay flat and 7% expect revenues to decline.

❍ 4% believe economic recovery in the South East is improving. Also, 35% believe it will advance strongly in the first half of 2011, and 53% say it will advance strongly in the second half of 2011.

The bi-annual Business Tracker survey canvasses the opinions of more than 10,000 senior business people in 78 countries, forming the basis of the Regus Business Optimism Index. This latest edition of the index reveals a positive outlook, with a greater proportion of optimistic countries than six months ago.

For the UK in particular, the global index revealed a bullish rating of 100, up 19 points on the previous six months.

Percentage of companies that do not expect economic recovery to advance strongly until the second half of 2011:

UK average: 53

Scotland: 60

Wales: 70

Northern Ireland: 76

Midlands: 59

North of England: 53

East of England: 60

South East: 53

South West: 47

Greater London: 52

Regus is the world’s largest provider of workplace solutions, from fully equipped offices to professional meeting rooms, business lounges and video communication studios.

The company has 37 centres in the South East including facilities in Bracknell, Camberley, Maidenhead, Newbury, Reading and Windsor.