Expand Your UK Dynamics Team: Emerging Talent Markets to Explore in 2025

Hiring top Microsoft Dynamics talent in the UK is more challenging than ever. Demand is booming across Dynamics 365 modules—Customer Engagement (CE), Finance and Operations (FO), Business Central (BC), and Project Operations—yet the domestic talent pool is limited, and salary expectations continue to rise.

If you want to stay competitive and build a high-performing Dynamics team, it’s time to look beyond traditional borders.

At Shape IT Recruitment, we have proven experience helping UK businesses tap into global talent markets to source Dynamics professionals who deliver real impact. We’re here to guide you through the opportunities and challenges of expanding your recruitment horizons.

Here’s a deep dive into promising international talent hubs for UK companies in 2025—complete with pros, cons, and module specializations—to help you make informed hiring decisions.

1. Eastern Europe (Poland, Romania, Bulgaria)

Why It Works for UK Companies

Eastern Europe remains a leading destination for UK businesses seeking Microsoft Dynamics talent because of its blend of technical expertise, cultural affinity, and proximity.

Pros:

• Strong Dynamics Expertise: Eastern Europe has one of the largest pools of Dynamics-certified professionals in Europe. Many candidates have solid experience in Dynamics 365 CE, Business Central, and Finance & Operations.
• Proximity & Time Zone: Operating mostly within 1-2 hours of UK time means real-time collaboration without awkward hours. This proximity also makes occasional travel feasible and affordable.
• Cost-Effective Salaries: While salaries have risen recently, they remain below UK rates, enabling competitive staffing budgets.
• Quality Education & Work Ethic: Countries like Poland and Romania boast strong STEM education systems, producing highly skilled candidates with excellent problem-solving skills and adaptability.
• Cultural Compatibility: Shared European values and business practices reduce friction and enhance team cohesion.

Cons:

• Rising Demand Pushing Salaries Up: As more companies expand remote hiring, salary competition in these regions is intensifying, especially for senior Dynamics consultants.
• Permanent Relocation Preferences: Some candidates prefer relocating to the UK rather than fully remote roles, which can complicate visa and relocation logistics.
• Language Variability: While English proficiency is generally high, there can be variance depending on region and candidate.

2. Portugal

Why Consider It

Portugal is an increasingly attractive option due to its improving tech ecosystem, strong English skills, and favourable time zone.

Pros:

• Good English Proficiency: Portugal ranks high in English among non-native speakers, especially in tech hubs like Lisbon and Porto.
• Same or Similar Time Zone: Facilitates seamless communication during business hours.
• Growing Microsoft Partner Ecosystem: Many Dynamics professionals are engaged in ongoing certification and training.
• Attractive Remote Work Destination: Portugal’s appealing lifestyle has fostered a remote-work friendly culture, which helps retain talent.
• Cultural Affinity: Portuguese professionals tend to have a European work style and business etiquette compatible with UK companies.

Cons:

• Smaller Talent Pool: Compared to Eastern Europe, the number of certified Dynamics experts is limited, making senior or highly specialized roles harder to fill.
• Increasing Salaries: Demand for tech talent is driving wage inflation.
• Less Experience in Niche Modules: While strong in CE and Business Central, less representation in Finance and Operations or Project Operations.

3. South Africa

Why It’s a Good Match

South Africa offers a growing tech talent pool with strong English skills and a business culture familiar to UK companies.

Pros:

• English as a Primary Language: Communication is straightforward, reducing misunderstandings and accelerating onboarding.
• Time Zone Overlap: South Africa is 1-2 hours ahead of UK time, ideal for synchronous work and meetings.
• Competitive Salaries: Compared to UK and Western Europe, South African salaries remain relatively affordable, even for senior consultants.
• Growing Microsoft Certification Programs: Increasing numbers of professionals are certified in Dynamics CE, Business Central, and other modules.
• Cultural Alignment: Shared legal and business frameworks (common law) help smooth working relationships.

Cons:

• Infrastructure Challenges: Outside major cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, internet reliability and power stability can be issues.
• Limited Pool for Very Specialized Roles: While generalist and mid-level consultants are available, niche Dynamics roles may require more effort to source.
• Retention Risks: High demand means skilled professionals may switch jobs often or seek UK relocation.

4. Southeast Asia (Philippines, Vietnam)

Why Look Here

Southeast Asia is emerging as a cost-effective region for junior to mid-level Dynamics roles, especially for ongoing support and system maintenance.

Pros:

• Young, Tech-Savvy Workforce: Countries like the Philippines have a strong BPO and tech services culture, producing professionals familiar with Microsoft products.
• Cost Advantage: Lower salary expectations can reduce support and junior-level costs substantially.
• English Language Skills: Particularly in the Philippines, English fluency is excellent.
• Flexible Shift Coverage: Willingness to work during UK hours or overlapping time windows, great for 24/7 support models.

Cons:

• Time Zone Differences: Southeast Asia is 6-8 hours ahead of the UK, complicating real-time collaboration during core working hours.
• Less Mature Dynamics Expertise: Candidates may require significant training and mentoring to reach senior proficiency in Dynamics 365.
• Cultural Differences: Varied business practices and communication styles may require adjustments.

5. Latin America (Colombia, Argentina)

Why It Makes Sense

Latin America offers growing tech hubs with an emerging pool of Microsoft Dynamics professionals willing to collaborate with UK companies.

Pros:

• Reasonable Time Overlap: Latin America’s time zones overlap partially with UK late shifts, which can be useful for extended coverage.
• Increasing Dynamics Certification: Microsoft’s investment in Latin America is growing, enhancing training opportunities.
• Competitive Salaries: Salaries remain lower than UK rates, especially for junior to mid-level consultants.
• Cultural Affinity: Shared Western culture and business customs can ease integration.

Cons:

• Limited Daytime UK Hours Overlap: May limit availability during core UK business hours.
• Talent Pool Still Developing: Particularly for highly specialized or senior Dynamics roles.
• Potential Language Barriers: Although English is taught, proficiency varies.

Why Global Hiring Makes Sense for UK Dynamics Teams

• Access to Larger Talent Pools: The UK Dynamics market is competitive. Opening recruitment internationally gives access to a broader selection of certified consultants and developers.
• Cost Efficiency: Hiring remotely or offshore can reduce salary and overhead costs without sacrificing quality.
• 24/7 Support Possibilities: With global teams, you can cover multiple time zones for continuous support and faster issue resolution.
• Diverse Perspectives: Multicultural teams bring fresh ideas and innovation, which can enhance project outcomes.

Challenges to Consider

• Communication & Collaboration: Time zones, language, and cultural differences require intentional management to keep teams aligned.
• Compliance & Legal: Employment laws, tax regulations, and data protection vary widely and must be handled carefully.
• Onboarding & Retention: Investing in thorough onboarding and engagement strategies is crucial to retain remote talent.
• Technical Infrastructure: Reliable internet and access to collaboration tools are essential for remote workers.

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How Shape IT Recruitment Supports Your UK Business

We understand the UK market and Dynamics ecosystem deeply. Our experience includes:

• Helping UK clients identify the best international talent markets aligned to their technical needs and budget.
• Screening candidates thoroughly for Microsoft Dynamics certifications and hands-on experience.
• Facilitating legal and contractual compliance for international hires.
• Providing ongoing support to ensure smooth onboarding and integration.
• Advising on best practices for managing remote and hybrid Dynamics teams.

Our goal is to help you build a Dynamics team that’s not only skilled but also sustainable and engaged, wherever they’re located.

Interested in expanding your UK Dynamics team with top global talent

Find out more here. Let’s connect and make your recruitment smarter and more strategic in 2025.