Pet trade recruitment specialist Lynda Ward claims “the last 12 months has seen the biggest leap in base salaries for over a decade.”

Her business Pet Trade Solutions has recruited Sales, Marketing and Management staff at all levels and in all sectors for over 18 years and she says: “Salaries had been stagnant for so long that many experienced people left the trade in a quest for better pay, but suddenly there has been a big leap in what quality personnel are being paid.”

She adds: “This can of course be a headache for start-up businesses needing expertise or even long-standing companies looking to expand – some of whom who have become used to paying salaries which are no longer attractive - and it can come as a big shock to them when I advise the average salary they realistically need to look at offering.

"Of course the key factor is in my comment about ‘quality personnel’…it is always possible for employers to search and find someone to fill a role at a lower salary … but they need to ask themselves why that person will accept it.”

Lynda is always happy to personally advise on any aspects of recruitment and marketing strategy and can be contacted on 07946 743784 or at lyndaward@pettradesolutions.com