With small glimmers of economic growth, the coming year will no doubt bring opportunities and challenges for those operating in the property sector.

James Bailey, Managing Partner at Bruton Knowles, gives his views on the prospects for 2022.  

“General business growth across UK PLC seems sluggish at present, and it’s hard to see how this will accelerate significantly in 2022. Despite the levelling up rhetoric, Government does not seem to have really worked out how it will mitigate the fact that people are generally worse off.

“Rising inflation and possible tax changes are likely to mean more operational difficulties for firms across the Midlands, particularly when pitching for work and trying to deliver it profitably whilst fighting increasing costs.

“The implications from Brexit will also continue to play out. The loss of significant numbers of Europeans from the UK workforce continues to impact on over-stretched supply chains. Coupled with this, the continued challenge across all sectors, but particularly within professional services, to find the right people with the right skills to fill vacancies, will impact.

“In all of this, technology has to be seen as an enabler. If used in the right way, it can support business infrastructures as they look to deliver services more creatively to respond to ongoing economic challenges whilst building up resilience.”