Perhaps the most revealing finding in the entire survey is that only a third of respondents describe themselves as fully committed to their current role. The largest group identify as "opportunity-curious" happy where they are, but willing to explore something better if it comes along. This reflects a UK finance market where professionals are not actively job hunting, but neither are they difficult to tempt.

For employers, this creates a hidden retention challenge. Many of the people who eventually resign won't have been unhappy - they simply become convinced that another organisation can offer better pay, stronger career prospects or greater flexibility. In today's market, complacency is one of the biggest risks to retaining high performers.

The findings reinforce that employee loyalty has become increasingly conditional. Organisations that continue to invest in competitive salaries, career development, supportive leadership and flexible working will be best placed to keep their strongest people. Those that assume good employees will simply stay may discover that the market has already had a different conversation with them.