Such is the optimism among recruiters that one search firm has claimed the balance of power is tipping back towards the candidate.

Gail Kenny, managing director of Gail Kenny Executive Search made the claim at an event held in London.

Kenny said: "For the first time in the past two years the retention of high performing managers is becoming an issue for employers, and we see 2010 as a strong year for executive travel recruitment, and recommend that employers put in place talent retention strategies to counter the shifting market dynamics"