More than half of UK firms expect to increase headcount in the next two years with a focus on a flexible workforce, according to research from global workplace provider Regus.

The figures reveal an increase on the 34% of last year’s survey, with a focus on the recruitment of low-risk, flexible workers, including freelancers, remote staff and new graduates.

Meanwhile, 61% of international firms plan to hire more staff in the next two years compared to only 49% of national firms.

Celia Donne, regional director at Regus, says: “Businesses are actively investing in their most valuable asset: people power. With 27% of the employed population in the UK now deemed to be flexible workers, freelance and remote working are becoming an increasingly popular solution to increase headcount while remaining flexible and rapidly scalable.”