Hintel launches new route to world-class QS talent as UK shortage reaches critical levels

Specialist real estate and construction recruiter opens up a global QS talent pool to tackle a domestic shortage that shows no sign of recovery.

Hintel, the specialist real estate and construction recruitment consultancy and part of the deverellsmith group, has launched a new international talent solution for the Quantity Surveying and Cost Management sector opening up a global talent pool to meet a domestic shortage that has reached crisis point.

The UK’s active QS professional pool has fallen to 47,200 - down from 65,000 - against more than 4,000 live roles advertised in May 2026 alone.

According to RICS, 31% of firms now class the shortfall as critical.

Senior vacancies are sitting open for three to six months, stalling procurement and project starts on some of the country’s most significant infrastructure programmes.

Hintel’s solution draws from talent markets including Hong Kong, South Africa, Malaysia and India - placing professionals with JCT, NEC and FIDIC experience who are ready to contribute from day one.

The business manages the full process end-to-end: international sourcing, rigorous capability assessment, all compliance and right-to-work requirements, and day-one onboarding.

Placements are typically completed within weeks of brief, with total employer costs significantly lower than many businesses expect.

“The businesses that will keep their projects moving are those that look beyond the domestic market,” said Andrew Deverell-Smith, CEO and Founder of deverellsmith.

“Hintel has built a solution that makes international hiring straightforward, compliant and fast.”

Hintel advisors have previously placed more than 40 QS professionals through the solution. 32 Quantity Surveyors were placed across Hinkley Point C, HS2 and the Lower Thames Crossing. A further eight Cost Managers were placed for large-scale solar projects across the UK and Ireland, sourced from India, Sri Lanka, Spain and Greece.

Unlike traditional agencies competing for the same shrinking domestic pool, Hintel recruits globally with one dedicated account manager handling sourcing, screening, compliance and onboarding from brief through to day one on site.

For further information please contact:

Laura Croggon

laura@hintel.co.uk