Recruiters for candidates with managerial experience should look to promote a sense of job purpose when pitching jobs rather than the traditional motivations of money and location, according to new research.

The second annual Business Energy – Motivation Matters report released by the Chartered Management Institute and global recruiter Adecco, found that most UK managers feel frustration about seeing no progression in their current role.

The report questioned more than 1,800 managers from the public and private sectors, and found that a sense of purpose in their work (64%) and achieving targets (53%) were key motivation targets.

Companies also need to look at their own development processes, and career opportunities.

More than a third (38%) of those interviewed said a flat structure was a root cause for blocking their career development.

Over a fifth (23%) complained about the presence of an "old boys' network".

The report also found that the reality of the UK’s long-hours culture still persists, with an average of 8.2 hours extra worked each week by managers at all levels.

Richard Macmillan (pictured), managing director of Adecco UK and Ireland, said of the findings: “Corporate UK needs to capture and nurture motivated managers, not lock them in a pressure cooker of glass ceilings, bureaucracy and old school ties.

“Most employees are willing to make personal sacrifices to develop careers, but the milk soon turns sour if those efforts are not rewarded.”

Mary Chapman, chief executive of the Chartered Management Institute, said the report highlights a division between the high levels of commitment expressed by managers and the support they are receiving to reach their goals.

She said: “Individuals will shop around when their existing post no longer offers satisfaction or career development.

“Organisations which fail to live up to the promise of progress risk seeing their managers jump ship.”