Nearly 35% of UK companies are planning to increase their mid-to-upper level management in the coming months, according to a leading global search and recruitment organisation.

The latest international hiring survey from Management Recruiters International (MRI), found that 49.5% of companies plan to maintain their current staff levels, while only 15.9% anticipate reductions in staff.

This latest study surveyed 283 companies in the UK during May 2005.

“We continue to see a steady influx of new hires in the managerial and professional sector of the workforce,” said Steve Mills, senior vice president of operations for MRI Worldwide.

“The U.K. economy is one of the strongest in Europe. Inflation and interest rates remain low, as does unemployment at less than five per cent. These factors have protected it from the employment woes of some of its European neighbours.”