As enterprises navigate application modernization to drive agility, resilience, and business alignment, they face a key hurdle: a scarcity of talent with niche skills. Capabilities in areas such as cloud-native development, low-code platforms, microservices, DevOps, and legacy application modernization are high in demand but short in supply. Rising attrition, wage inflation, and the rapid obsolescence of technical skills further intensify this talent gap, creating significant execution risks for large-scale transformation programs. In response, organizations are increasingly seeking IT providers with mature and forward-looking talent development strategies tailored to application services’ evolving needs. Providers are making proactive investments to build future-ready talent pipelines by combining traditional learning approaches, digital platforms, and hands-on training. In line with future-of-work principles, many are embedding AI readiness into their workforce strategies, ensuring teams are equipped to work alongside intelligent tools and automation. At the same time, they are focusing on integrating Gen Z talent by reshaping workplace culture, communication, and learning experiences to align with their digital-native expectations. To sustain long-term capability, providers are also enhancing employee engagement and retention through personalized career paths, continuous learning opportunities, and inclusive, purpose-driven work environments. In this report, we assess 29 IT service providers featured on the Talent Readiness for Next-generation Application Services PEAK Matrix®. The research will help buyers select the right-fit application service provider for their needs, while application service providers will be able to benchmark themselves against each other. Scope All industries and geographies This assessment is based on Everest Group’s annual RFI process for the calendar year 2025, interactions with leading application service providers, client reference checks, and an ongoing analysis of the application services market Contents In this report, we evaluate: 29 application service providers featured on Everest Group’s Talent Readiness for Next-generation Application Services PEAK Matrix® The characteristics of Leaders, Major Contenders, and Aspirants from a talent readiness perspective Providers’ key strengths and limitations

In 2023, the UK contingent talent and strategic solutions market faced challenges shaped by a complex mix of economic, political, and global factors. The broader economic context was dominated by high interest rates, which continued to suppress business sentiment despite the easing inflation compared to 2022. Unlike the US, where talent shortages were common, the UK saw high unemployment, pointing at the persistent mismatch between job openings and the available skills in the workforce. Additionally, stagnant productivity further weakened the talent market. Although the contingent talent and strategic solutions market fared better than the permanent staffing sector, the segments experienced an overall slowdown. Only providers with diversified portfolios, focusing on strategic solutions, managed services, and other strategic investments, were able to effectively navigate these challenges. As we look forward to 2024-25, there is cautious optimism for the UK economy. The new government offers hope for modest growth, which could positively influence the contingent talent and strategic solutions market, though a full recovery in business confidence may take time. This report examines the contingent talent and strategic solutions landscape’s dynamics in the UK and its impact on the UK contingent staffing market in 2023 under the lens of IT and business and professionals staffing. It provides a market overview and analyzes the areas where providers differentiate themselves based on the comprehensive Everest Group PEAK Matrix®. Scope Industry: contingent talent and strategic solutions Geography: UK Skills coverage: IT, business and professionals Contents The report analyzes the performance of various UK contingent talent and strategic solution providers and examines: The UK contingent talent and strategic solution provider landscape 17 UK IT contingent talent and strategic solutions providers and classifies them into Leaders, Major Contenders, and Aspirants on Everest Group’s proprietary PEAK Matrix® framework 16 UK business and professionals contingent talent and strategic solutions providers and classifies them into Leaders, Major Contenders, and Aspirants on Everest Group’s proprietary PEAK Matrix® framework Providers’ capability assessment on seven dimensions: market adoption, portfolio mix, value delivered, scope of services offered, innovation and investments, delivery footprints, and vision and strategy Each contingent talent and strategic solution provider’s key strengths and limitations Membership(s) Contingent Staffing Sourcing and Vendor Management

The US contingent talent and strategic solutions market slowed in 2023, as enterprises faced cost and margin pressures amid the economic slowdown. Notably, while the economic downturn had adverse effects on US staffing providers, a substantial gap in talent supply-demand persisted, driven by the need for specialized skills in rapidly growing industries, technology interventions, and a heightened need for managed services. Enterprise expectations from contingent talent providers also increased, extending beyond transactional engagements to a growing interest in strategic solutions and managed services. This report examines the US professional contingent staffing provider landscape and assesses its impact on the market in 2023. It focuses particularly on contingent talent and strategic solutions in IT, engineering, and business and professional skills. Using Everest Group’s PEAK Matrix® assessment, the report identifies areas where providers are distinguishing themselves and discusses how providers are navigating the challenging yet opportunity-laden market landscape. Scope Industry: contingent talent and strategic solutions Geography: US Skills coverage: IT, engineering, and business and professional skills Contents The report analyzes various contingent talent and strategic solution providers’ performance and examines: The US contingent talent and strategic solutions provider landscape US Contingent Staffing Provider PEAK Matrix® Assessment: classification of 30 US IT contingent talent and strategic solutions providers, 23 US engineering contingent talent and strategic solutions providers, and 24 US business and professionals contingent talent and strategic solutions providers into Leaders, Major Contenders, and Aspirants Everest Group’s provider analysis: US contingent talent and strategic solutions providers’ capability assessment on seven dimensions: market adoption, portfolio mix, value delivered, scope of services offered, innovation and investments, delivery footprints, and vision and strategy Remarks on each provider’s key strengths and limitations Membership(s) Contingent Staffing Sourcing and Vendor Management

In the technology talent market, the acute shortage of niche and specialized talent remains a major challenge. This, combined with the accelerated obsolescence of vital skills and increased attrition rates for emerging skills, has compelled IT service providers to develop robust workforce development and management strategies across the talent value chain to navigate the prevailing talent crisis. Additionally, evolving client expectations and rapid advances in technology have further heightened the need to transform existing workforce strategies, in order to construct strong pipelines of next-generation ready resources at scale. In this report, we explore key technology talent market-related themes including major talent-related challenges, providers’ strategic priorities, and mindset shifts. We also discuss key action items for IT service providers across the talent management value chain to drive next-generation talent readiness. This report will enable providers to develop their talent development and management strategies. Scope All industries and geographies Contents In this report, we examine: Key IT talent market trends and providers’ strategic priorities Skill-based workforce management, AI-driven talent strategy, and future of work themes Evolving talent sourcing strategy Elements of a sustainable talent development and engagement framework Optimization levers driving effective talent management Future considerations from a provider’s perspective Membership(s) IT Talent Excellence Contingent Staffing

The scarcity of talent equipped with next-generation skills remains a major roadblock in digital transformation journeys for enterprises. This challenge is exacerbated by the diminishing half-lives of skills and an increasing attrition rate in emerging skills within organizations. In response, enterprises are actively seeking IT service providers with well-established talent development and management strategies to address this issue. These strategies aim to acquire, nurture, and retain a high-quality, productive, multiskilled, and diverse workforce capable of meeting evolving talent needs. In turn, IT service providers are investing to cultivate and sustain a comprehensive portfolio of diverse resources equipped with next-generation skills. They prioritize in-house talent development to gain a competitive edge and enhance their talent value proposition. Going beyond conventional approaches, providers explore various innovative methods and incorporate themes related to the future of work into their talent development and management strategies. This compendium provides detailed profiles of 26 IT service providers featured on the Talent Readiness for Next-generation IT Services PEAK Matrix® Assessment 2023. Each profile offers a comprehensive overview of the provider’s key next-generation capabilities, delivery footprint, talent-related capabilities and investments including initiatives, solutions, partnerships, technology stack, academies, CoEs, and innovation hubs. The compendium will enable providers to benchmark their capabilities against their peers, while enterprises will be able to assess the providers based on their desired set of capabilities. Scope All industries and geographies The assessment is based on Everest Group’s annual RFI process for the calendar year 2023, interactions with leading IT service providers, client reference checks, and an ongoing analysis of the IT services market Contents In this report, we assess 26 IT service provider profiles and include: Providers’ key next-generation capabilities, delivery footprint, average learning hours per employee per year, and recent developments Providers’ talent-related investments and capabilities across each stage in the talent management value chain including initiatives, solutions and IP, partnerships, technology stack, academies, CoEs, and innovation hubs Membership(s) IT Talent Excellence

Amid the rapidly evolving technology landscape, as enterprises advance in their digital transformation endeavors, they face a primary challenge the shortage of talent equipped with next-generation skills. This challenge is further exacerbated by the shortening half-lives of skills and higher attrition rate in emerging skills within organizations. To address this challenge, enterprises are seeking IT service providers that have implemented robust talent development and management strategies. These strategies strive to acquire, nurture, and sustain a high-quality, productive, multi-skilled, and diverse workforce to meet evolving talent needs. IT service providers are responding by investing in in-house talent development to gain a competitive edge and enhance their talent value proposition. Beyond traditional methods, they are exploring multiple innovative methods and incorporating themes related to the future of work in their talent development and management strategies. The goal is to develop and sustain a comprehensive portfolio of diverse resources equipped with next-generation skills. In this report, we assess 26 IT service providers featured on the Talent Readiness for Next-Generation IT Services PEAK Matrix®. The research will help buyers select the right-fit provider for their needs, while providers will be able to benchmark themselves against each other. Scope All industries and geographies The assessment is based on Everest Group’s annual RFI process for the calendar year 2023, interactions with leading IT service providers, client reference checks, and an ongoing analysis of the IT services market Contents In this report, we: Evaluate 26 IT service providers featured on Everest Group’s Talent Readiness for Next-generation IT Services PEAK Matrix® Present the characteristics of Leaders, Major Contenders, and Aspirants from a talent readiness perspective Analyze providers’ key strengths and limitations Membership(s) Contingent Staffing Sourcing and Vendor Management

The UK's contingent talent and strategic solutions industry underwent significant transformation in 2021-22. Amidst the challenges of adverse macroeconomic conditions and an impending recession in 2022, enterprises faced a talent shortage due to scarcity of skilled workers and worker attrition. Service providers responded by prioritizing upskilling, bridging the skills gap, and promoting inclusive talent acquisition. Their initiatives included targeted outreach, inclusive job descriptions, unbiased screening, and collaboration with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) organizations. Technology played a pivotal role as digital platforms and tools streamlined operations, improved candidate sourcing, and enhanced workforce management. AI-powered candidate matching and online talent marketplaces gained prominence, providing efficient ways to connect employers with contingent workers. This report analyzes the dynamics of the UK contingent talent and strategic solutions provider landscape and its impact on the overall UK contingent talent and strategic solutions market in 2022. It specifically focuses on IT and business and professionals staffing and strategic solutions in the UK. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the market and examines how providers differentiate themselves using the extensive Everest Group PEAK Matrix® as a benchmark for analysis. Scope Industry: contingent talent and strategic solutions Geography: UK Skills coverage: IT, engineering, business and professionals Contents The report analyzes the performance of various UK contingent talent and strategic solutions providers and examines: The UK contingent talent and strategic solutions provider landscape UK Contingent Staffing Provider PEAK Matrix® Assessment: Classification of 17 UK IT contingent talent and strategic solutions providers into Leaders, Major Contenders, and Aspirants on Everest Group’s proprietary PEAK Matrix® framework Classification of 16 UK business and professionals contingent talent and strategic solutions providers into Leaders, Major Contenders, and Aspirants on Everest Group’s proprietary PEAK Matrix® framework Everest Group analysis of providers: UK contingent talent and strategic solutions providers’ capability assessment on seven dimensions: market adoption, portfolio mix, value delivered, scope of services offered, innovation and investments, delivery footprints, and vision and strategy Remarks on key strengths and limitations of each contingent talent and strategic solutions provider Membership(s) Contingent Staffing Sourcing and Vendor Management