Hiring in the UK: A Guide for Nordic Businesses

Hiring in the UK: A Guide for Nordic Businesses

Expanding into the UK is an exciting step – but if you’re hiring for the first time, be prepared for cultural and structural contrasts. Even well-established Nordic businesses can find the UK market unexpectedly fast, formal, and driven by different expectations.

Here’s how to prepare – and how Oury Clark helps you get it right.

Communication & Culture

Nordic organisations are known for humility, consensus, and quiet leadership. The UK market, by contrast, values confidence, direct performance messaging, and more individualised ambition.

That shift can affect everything from interview tone to job descriptions.
We help bridge the gap – positioning your culture authentically while making sure UK candidates engage with your offer.

Brand Recognition

Even household Nordic names may be unfamiliar in the UK. Without a local office or PR presence, candidates may question credibility.

We help you build presence – shaping a compelling employer brand and ensuring candidates understand your mission, even if it’s their first time hearing your name.

Compensation Expectations

UK professionals expect more than just salary. A market-standard package usually includes:

• Bonuses
• Enhanced pensions
• Private healthcare
• Car allowances (for senior roles)

We provide local benchmarking and benefits design to help you make strong, competitive offers from the start.

Speed Matters

The UK market moves quickly – particularly for tech, finance, and growth roles. Extended decision-making can cost you candidates.

We act as your in-market hiring partner, setting clear timeframes and keeping your process moving.

Legal Frameworks Differ

Compared to the Nordics, UK employment law features:

• Longer notice periods (often with garden leave)
• Less state intervention in redundancy/severance
• Greater reliance on contracts for protection

Oury Clark’s multidisciplinary team provides recruitment, HR and legal expertise under one roof – so your hiring is compliant and risk-aware.

Inclusive Hiring & Onboarding

UK candidates place growing importance on diversity, equity, and inclusion – and structured onboarding. We help you tailor your approach to align with UK expectations, without compromising your values.

Why Oury Clark’s Talent Advisory & Acquisition team?

We’ve helped Nordic businesses scale in the UK for decades. We understand your culture – and how to position it for success in a different market. With legal, HR, and recruitment services all in one, we act as your trusted local partner.