SALES and marketing professionals are the most in-demand roles in the North West – and Warrington is one of the top five areas experiencing demand.
An analysis of ONS job market data by SEO agency Dark Horse looked at nearly 150 thousand live job adverts in the North West in May 2025, finding that more than 8,000 were for sales and marketing professionals – a higher total than any other sector.
This makes sales and marketing the North West’s most in-demand profession, and means the region is home to over 10 per cent of the UK’s sales and marketing opportunities. As a result it is the third best area in the UK for these jobs, next to London (24.95%) and the South East (15.53%).
The areas within the North West experiencing the highest demand for sales and marketing roles are:
* Manchester (2,974)
* Liverpool (674)
* Cheshire East (432)
* Cheshire West & Chester (364)
* Warrington (359)
The study also analysed the rate of jobs available three years previously to see if employment opportunities in these areas were declining, on the rise, or stable. Sales and marketing remain top of the list, with demand falling 31 per cent while IT roles have dropped by 56.8 per cent in the same period.
Several industriees have seen sharp drops in demand.
The five job categories with the steepest declines are:
* Information Technology Professionals: -56.84 per cent
* Nursing Professionals : -48.13 per cent
* HR and Training Professionals: -41.8 per cent
* Functional Managers and Directors: -31.74 per cent
* Caring Personal Services: -31.49 per cent.
Libby Mayfield, head of marketing at Dark Horse said: “This isn’t just about numbers, it’s about survival in a crowded market. Companies aren’t only competing for customers; they’re battling for the right talent. From sales pros and marketers to teachers and carers, these roles are the backbone of the UK economy.
“ At the same time, AI is rewriting job descriptions, making some roles obsolete with one hand while creating new opportunities with the other. The winners will be the businesses that can cut through the noise and attract people who care.”
