Most recruitment is still paid on contingency: the agency is paid only if you hire through them. It is familiar, carries no upfront cost and can suit a one-off, urgent role.
But it spreads your search across several agencies, leaves no one fully accountable, and rewards whoever sends a CV first rather than whoever finds the right person. We believe more businesses will move to a model where one dedicated partner owns the whole search and both sides are committed to the right hire.
The problem with contingency
- Shared roles, divided focus. When a role goes to several agencies, no one truly owns it. Each recruiter is juggling many clients, so effort is spread thin.
- Speed means racing to send CVs. Contingency rewards whoever sends a CV first, not whoever finds the right person.
- Fees you can't forecast. A percentage fee rises with salary and isn't known until an offer is made.
What changes with a fixed fee
With a fixed fee, both sides are committed. You give us an exclusive instruction on the role, a proper brief and timely feedback. We give you a named recruiter who owns your search, a weekly progress update and a shortlist deadline in writing.
You know the price before the search starts: 40% on instruction and 60% when your hire starts.
Start with one role
If you'd like to see how a fixed fee could work for you, start with one role. Get in touch and we'll talk it through.