The firm’s Flexible Talent Network has been created to give people the opportunity to work for the firm without being tied into a full-time contract and standard working hours.

People will apply based on the skills they have and the working pattern that best works for them, rather than for specific roles. PwC will then match people in the network with relevant projects.

Over 2,000 people have registered in the first two weeks, with the firm saying this shows the demand for more flexible work options. By offering different routes into the firm and recruiting based on skills, PwC says it is hoping to attract more diverse talent who might previously have dismissed the firm as an option.

PwC carried out research with 2,000 people in the UK which found that nearly half (46%) of people say flexible working and a culture of good work/life balance is the most important factor when choosing a job.

Alongside the Flexible Talent Network, PwC is also recruiting for the next intake of its Back to Business return to work programme. The six-month paid senior internship programme is designed to help senior professionals to restart their career after an extended break.

Laura Hinton, chief people officer at PwC, said: ‘People assume that to work at a big firm they need to follow traditional working patterns - we want to make it clear that this isn’t the case.

‘We already encourage everyday flexibility for our people in how and where they work, but our Flexible Talent Network takes flexible working to a new level - allowing people to choose exactly how they want to work throughout the year.’

Details of PwC’s Flexible Talent Network are here

Report by Pat Sweet