This Role Needs a Search Partner, Not Another Agency
Our retained recruitment service is built for roles where getting it right really matters. We find the right person through a committed, structured search process that saves time, reduces risk, and delivers results you can trust
You’ve Tried the Usual Way. It’s Not Working.
This role has already drained time, energy, and focus.
It’s been open for weeks, maybe even months. You’ve worked with agencies. You’ve reviewed CVs. You’ve done the interviews.
But the right person still hasn’t appeared.
You’re left managing the fallout. A team under pressure. Delayed projects. A gap that keeps growing. And every day without the right hire increases the risk of hiring out of frustration.
You don’t need more candidates. You need the right one. And you need a process built to find them properly, not quickly.
What Retained Search Really Means
Retained recruitment is not about paying up front. It’s about doing it properly.
Instead of racing to be first, we take ownership of the search.
We invest time in getting the brief right, mapping the market, and reaching people you won’t find in an inbox of CVs.
You get a structured process, deeper insight, and full commitment from day one.
No guesswork. No duplication. No gaps in communication.
This is not a model for every hire. But when the role matters, and when the risk of getting it wrong is too high, retained search gives you focus and accountability.
You don’t just get candidates. You get a search partner with a plan.
How Much is Recruitment Costing Your Business?
Only 60% of jobs are currently being filled as companies are experiencing a lack of quality applications.
74% of companies under perform when it comes to recruitment.
50% of job-seekers who accept a counter-offer from their current employer will be back on the market within 2 months.
A third of the workforce will quit their job this year, impacting your bottom line.
Is Retained Right for This Role?
This isn’t about seniority. It’s about importance.
Retained search is the right approach when the usual methods aren’t working. If any of these sound familiar, it’s time for a different strategy:
The role has been open for months with no progress
You’ve tried multiple recruiters and still have no result
You’re seeing the same candidates again and again
You’re spending hours reviewing CVs that miss the mark
You need confidentiality or a controlled process
The hire is business-critical and has to work out
You’re unsure if your expectations match the market
When you retain us, we treat the role as a project. You get clarity from the start, structure throughout, and commitment to the outcome.
We define what success looks like in the role. That includes the right skills, traits, and behaviours, not just a job title.
Don’t just scratch the surface. Our deep market insights connect you to the talent pool's unseen depths, uncovering candidates tailored for your mission.
We present a clear set of candidates who meet the brief and are interested in the role. No drip-feeding, no guesswork.
You know what stage we’re at, what’s happening, and what to expect next. We keep you informed without you having to chase.
We manage the process with care. That includes how your brand is presented and how each candidate is treated along the way.
A better outcome You make a confident hire. The person joins the business and contributes early. That is the real measure of success.
How Our Retained Search Process Works
Whether you're running the business or hiring for it, we can help.
We start with a short conversation to understand the role, the team, and what success looks like. We’ll also clarify where previous efforts may have fallen short.
We define the brief, agree timelines, and outline the search plan. You’ll know exactly what we’re doing, when, and why.
We identify and approach the full pool of relevant candidates, including those not actively looking. You get proper coverage, not just recycled CVs.
We deliver a focused shortlist. Each candidate is qualified, interested, and aligned to the brief. You get the context, not just the CV.
We manage interviews, gather feedback, and support you through decision-making and offer negotiation. You stay in control, with none of the admin.
Once the hire is made, we stay close. We check in with both sides to make sure the transition is smooth and expectations are met.
Let's get to the heart of your biggest challenges to create an executive candidate persona that best represents the role, team, company, and mission.
We leave no stone upturned as we cast a wide net to ensure a robust search process to source, engage, and sercure the right talent.
We use a suite of executive search resources to cast a wide net over the entire talent pool. That means you are getting a true representation of the candidate market.
There are no junior staff members working on your most important roles. You work with our founder Dave Crumby directly.
What Makes This Different?
We don’t compete to be first. We commit to getting it right.
Most recruitment feels rushed, reactive, and unpredictable.
We bring structure, focus, and consistency to every part of the search.
- Global executive network
- Executive talent pipelining
- Partnership approach
- Named Top Executive Search Service in Europe 2025 by Manage HR Europe
- Named Top Executive Search Service in Europe 2025 by Manage HR Europe
Ready to Start Your Search?
We take time to understand the role, the problems it's meant to solve, and what success looks like in your business.
If we’re aligned, we’ll send a short agreement that outlines how we’ll work together, what’s included, and what happens next.
We send you a Talent Agreement, which outlines how we will work together.
Our Commitment To You
EMPLOYER BRANDING
We build your brand story and take it to market and attract the best talent.
MORE RESOURCES
We fully allocate our time, resources, and techniques to overcome your biggest challenges.
TALENT DIAGNOSICS
We dive deep into your needs with our thorough needs analysis to learn and understand your current and future talent challenges.
ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT
We take care of communication and scheduling to saving you time and resources.
BENCHMARKING
Our regular reports provide a breakdown of relevant data to you such as remuneration and perception of your company.
ONGOING SUPPORT
We back what we say. That is why our support continues through the onboarding period and beyond, giving you confidence in the service we provide.
What Our Clients Say
What It Costs to Get It Wrong Again
The cost of a mis-hire goes far beyond a recruitment fee.
In roles with real responsibility, the wrong person can delay delivery, lose client trust, and stall your growth.
They take up your time, strain the team, and create problems that outlast their notice period.
The financial impact often reaches tens of thousands.
But the bigger cost is momentum. Every delay pushes your business further off course.
If the role matters, getting it wrong is more expensive than getting it right.
Take the Next Step
If this role matters, the process matters too.
Book a call to talk through what’s made this hire difficult and what would make the biggest difference.
We’ll help you decide whether retained search is the right fit. You’ll also see what a successful outcome could look like in your business.
We Have Worked With
