15 Best Recruitment Agencies London Reviewed in 2025
Best Recruitment Agencies London Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best services providers from the 15 we reviewed.
Get free help from our service advisors to find your match.
The best recruitment agencies in London help you find top talent quickly, while saving you the time and hassle of managing the hiring process on your own.
With London’s competitive job market, sourcing and screening candidates can feel overwhelming and resource-intensive.
The right agency brings deep market knowledge, specialized expertise, and access to wide talent networks—ensuring you get the right people in the right roles.
Based on my independent reviews and hands-on evaluation, I’ve curated a list of trusted agencies that stand out for their reliability, efficiency, and industry focus.
In this guide, you’ll discover the best options to simplify your hiring and secure the talent your business needs to thrive.
Why Trust Our Reviews
We’ve been testing and reviewing HR management software and services since 2019. During that time, we’ve tested more than 2,000 tools and hundreds of service providers for different HR management use cases, and written over 1,000 comprehensive reviews.
As HR experts ourselves, we know how critical and difficult it is to make the right decision when selecting a provider. We invest in deep research to help our audience make better purchasing decisions. Learn how we stay transparent & check out our review methodology.
Best Recruitment Agencies London Summary
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top recruitment agencies in London selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.
| Service | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best for executive roles | Free consultation available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 2 | Best for IT recruitment | Not available | Website | ||
| 3 | Best for boutique services | Not available | Website | ||
| 4 | Best for finance sector | Free consultation available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 5 | Best for UK-wide services | Not available | Website | ||
| 6 | Best for office support | Free consultation available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 7 | Best for personal assistants | Not available | Website | ||
| 8 | Best for logistics roles | Not available | Website | ||
| 9 | Best for legal sector | Not available | Website | ||
| 10 | Best for temp staffing | Not available | Website |
-
Rippling
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8 -
Native Teams
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.9 -
Absorb LMS
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.6
Best Recruitment Agencies London Reviews
Below are my detailed summaries of the best recruitment agencies in London that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a look at each provider’s key services, unique specialties, and pros & cons to help you find the best one for your needs.
Robert Walters offers services in permanent and temporary recruitment, executive search, and payroll solutions. They cater to sectors like Accounting & Finance, Legal, Technology, and Human Resources, serving businesses looking for executive-level talent.
Why I picked Robert Walters: The agency excels in executive recruitment, providing tailored talent solutions for businesses seeking leaders in various industries. Their focus on high-level roles sets them apart, offering specialized services in executive search and payroll solutions to meet complex business needs.
Standout Services: You can benefit from career advice that guides you through salary benchmarking and international career management tailored to your industry. They also offer market intelligence services, providing insights into hiring trends and the future of work to help you make informed recruitment decisions.
Target industries: Accounting & finance, legal, technology, banking & financial services, and human resources
Specialties: Executive search, permanent recruitment, temporary recruitment, payroll solutions, and career advice
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Provides career advice
- Offers tailored recruitment solutions
- Specializes in executive roles
Cons:
- Complexity in services offered
- May be costly for small businesses
Hays (London) provides recruitment services focusing on sectors like IT, construction, and finance. They serve businesses of various sizes, offering temporary, permanent, and contract staffing solutions.
Why I picked Hays (London): Their strong focus on IT recruitment makes them ideal for tech companies seeking skilled professionals. They offer a vast network of candidates and industry-specific expertise, ensuring your team finds the right fit. Their comprehensive approach to recruitment supports both temporary and permanent staffing needs.
Standout Services: You can benefit from talent solutions that provide flexible staffing options tailored to your business requirements. Their market insights service offers valuable data on salary trends and hiring practices, helping you stay competitive in your industry.
Target industries: IT, construction, finance, healthcare, and engineering
Specialties: Temporary staffing, permanent recruitment, contract staffing, talent solutions, and market insights
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Flexible staffing options
- Strong IT sector focus
- Extensive candidate network
Cons:
- Complex service offerings
- May not suit small startups Complex service offerings
Anderson Hoare specializes in recruiting for personal and executive assistant roles, focusing on providing tailored staffing solutions. They serve businesses and individuals seeking high-quality support staff in various sectors.
Why I picked Anderson Hoare: Their boutique approach to recruitment makes them ideal for clients needing personalized service for support roles. They offer bespoke recruitment processes that align with your specific needs. Their dedication to understanding client requirements ensures they match the right candidate with your team.
Standout Services: You can benefit from temporary staffing services that offer flexibility for short-term projects or peak periods, ensuring your team stays efficient. Their consultative recruitment approach provides tailored advice and support throughout the hiring process, helping you make informed decisions.
Target industries: Corporate, creative industries, finance, private households, and legal
Specialties: Personal assistants, executive assistants, temporary staffing, bespoke recruitment, and consultative recruitment
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Offers temporary staffing
- Boutique recruitment approach
- Specializes in support roles
Cons:
- May not suit all industries
- Primarily serves London
Michael Page offers recruitment services across a variety of sectors, including finance, engineering, and technology. They cater to both job seekers and employers, providing job matching, salary comparisons, and career advice.
Why I picked Michael Page: Their expertise in the finance sector makes them a go-to for businesses seeking specialized talent in this field. They offer tailored recruitment strategies and leverage their extensive network to connect you with top candidates. Their focus on finance roles ensures you get industry-specific insights and a dedicated recruitment process.
Standout Services: You can benefit from salary comparisons that help your team understand market standards and make informed offers. Their career advice service supports job seekers with insights and guidance, enhancing your recruitment process by ensuring candidates are well-prepared.
Target industries: Finance, engineering, sales, technology, and transformation
Specialties: Job matching, salary comparisons, career advice, recruitment strategies, and network leverage
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Extensive candidate network
- Strong local expertise
- Wide industry coverage
Cons:
- Complex service structure
- May not suit small businesses
Reed offers a range of recruitment services, including job listings, courses, and career advice. They serve various industries and cater to both job seekers and employers looking for skilled candidates.
Why I picked Reed: Their extensive reach across the UK makes them a valuable partner for businesses seeking a wide talent pool. They provide specialized recruitment services and valuable career resources, ensuring your team finds the right candidates. Their focus on career development helps you attract well-prepared and informed applicants.
Standout Services: You can access job listings with over 125,000 opportunities, helping your team find the right candidates quickly. Their career advice offers free resources like CV templates and mental health tips, supporting job seekers in their professional journey.
Target industries: Healthcare, finance, education, technology, and engineering
Specialties: Job listings, career advice, recruitment services, CV templates, and courses
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Free career resources
- Wide talent pool
- Extensive UK coverage
Cons:
- May not suit niche industries
- Focus on UK market
Tiger Recruitment offers recruitment services specializing in office support, HR, and executive search. They serve businesses across various sectors looking for skilled administrative and support staff.
Why I picked Tiger Recruitment: Their expertise in office support makes them the go-to for companies needing reliable administrative staff. They provide a personalized recruitment process that ensures candidates are well-suited to your team's needs. Their focus on matching the right skills with the right roles ensures your office runs smoothly.
Standout Services: You can benefit from temporary staffing solutions that provide flexibility and fill short-term gaps in your team, ensuring continuity. Their HR consultancy service offers valuable insights and advice to enhance your recruitment strategy and improve team efficiency.
Target industries: Finance, legal, creative, technology, and private
Specialties: Office support, HR recruitment, executive search, temporary staffing, and HR consultancy
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Provides HR consultancy
- Offers temporary staffing solutions
- Specializes in office support
Cons:
- Primarily London-based services
- May not suit large-scale hiring
Attic Recruitment Limited specializes in recruitment for roles such as personal assistants, executive assistants, and office support staff. They cater to businesses and individuals seeking high-caliber support personnel in London.
Why I picked Attic Recruitment Limited: Their focus on personal and executive assistant roles makes them ideal for clients needing dedicated support staff. They offer personalized recruitment services that ensure candidates are well-matched to roles. Their understanding of the nuances in support roles helps you find the right fit for your team.
Standout Services: You can rely on temporary staffing solutions that provide quick access to skilled support staff during peak periods or for short-term projects. Their bespoke recruitment service tailors the hiring process to your specific needs, ensuring candidates are a perfect fit for your organizational culture.
Target industries: Corporate, private households, creative industries, finance, and legal
Specialties: Personal assistants, executive assistants, secretarial roles, temporary staffing, and bespoke recruitment
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Quick access to temporary staff
- Offers bespoke recruitment
- Specializes in support staff
Cons:
- Primarily London-based services
- May not suit large-scale recruitment
Corr Recruitment offers recruitment services focused on temporary and permanent staffing solutions for logistics, industrial, and driving sectors. They primarily serve businesses looking for skilled workers in these industries.
Why I picked Corr Recruitment: Their specialization in logistics roles makes them a top choice for companies needing reliable staffing in this sector. They provide targeted recruitment solutions that ensure your team gets the right candidates quickly. Their expertise in logistics staffing helps you maintain efficient operations with skilled personnel.
Standout Services: You can benefit from on-site management services that offer tailored support for large-scale staffing needs, ensuring your team stays productive. Their dedicated account management provides personalized service and support, helping you navigate complex recruitment challenges.
Target industries: Logistics, industrial, driving, warehousing, and manufacturing
Specialties: Temporary staffing, permanent placements, logistics roles, on-site management, and account management
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Provides dedicated account management
- Offers on-site management
- Specializes in logistics staffing
Cons:
- May not suit small businesses
- Primarily serves specific industries
Hydrogen Group provides recruitment services with a focus on legal, finance, and technology sectors. They cater to businesses seeking skilled professionals for permanent and contract roles across various industries.
Why I picked Hydrogen Group: Their specialization in the legal sector makes them a top choice for firms needing expert legal talent. They offer tailored recruitment strategies that connect you with candidates who have the right skills and experience. Their legal industry knowledge ensures your team gets access to top-tier professionals who can meet your specific needs.
Standout Services: You can utilize project-based recruitment to handle large-scale hiring efficiently, ensuring your team can meet project deadlines with the right talent. Their market mapping service provides insights into talent availability, helping you make informed recruitment decisions.
Target industries: Legal, finance, technology, energy, and life sciences
Specialties: Permanent recruitment, contract roles, project-based recruitment, market mapping, and legal sector expertise
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Provides market insights
- Offers project-based recruitment
- Specializes in legal recruitment
Cons:
- Complex service offerings
- May not suit small firms
Adecco UK provides recruitment services across various sectors, focusing on temporary, permanent, and contract placements. They cater to businesses of all sizes, offering staffing solutions that align with diverse industry needs.
Why I picked Adecco UK: Their specialization in temporary staffing makes them a top choice for businesses requiring flexible workforce solutions. They offer a wide range of candidates and industry knowledge to support your staffing needs. Their expertise in matching the right talent to specific roles ensures your team can adapt quickly to changing demands.
Standout Services: You can take advantage of workforce solutions that provide tailored staffing strategies to meet your business goals. Their training and development programs help enhance employee skills, ensuring your team stays competitive in the market.
Target industries: Industrial, office and administration, engineering, retail, and hospitality
Specialties: Temporary staffing, permanent placements, contract staffing, workforce solutions, and training programs
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Tailored workforce solutions
- Wide range of candidates
- Specializes in temp staffing
Cons:
- Complex service options
- May not suit niche industries
Other Recruitment Agencies London
Here are some additional recruitment agencies in London that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:
- Oriel Partners
For executive assistant roles
- Sphere Digital Recruitment
For digital marketing talent
- La Source International Recruitment
For luxury retail staffing
- Eames Consulting Group
For insurance and actuarial jobs
- Morgan McKinley
For banking roles
What Do Recruitment Agencies London Typically Offer?
Recruitment agencies in London are organizations that help businesses find suitable candidates for job openings. They might offer things like:
- Temporary and permanent staffing solutions
- Executive search and headhunting services
- Industry-specific recruitment expertise
HR departments, startups, and large corporations typically seek out recruitment agencies in London. These providers address needs like finding qualified candidates quickly and reducing the time spent on hiring processes.
Selection Criteria
When selecting the best recruitment agencies in London to include in this list, I considered common business needs and pain points that these providers address.
This included things like finding qualified candidates quickly and reducing the time spent on hiring processes.
I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:
Core Services (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each provider had to offer these basic services:
- Temporary and permanent staffing
- Executive search
- Candidate screening and interviewing
- Industry-specific recruitment
- Payroll and HR support
Additional Standout Services (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique or especially valuable services, such as:
- On-site recruitment management
- Market insights and salary benchmarking
- Diversity and inclusion consulting
- Talent mapping and pipelining
- Global recruitment solutions
Industry Experience (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the industry experience of each provider, I considered the following:
- Years in business
- Number of industries served
- Client testimonials
- Success stories and case studies
- Industry-specific expertise
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each provider, I considered the following:
- Speed of integration
- Customization options
- Training and support availability
- Ease of technology use
- Clarity of onboarding process
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess the level of customer support each provider offers, I considered the following:
- Availability of support channels
- Response time
- Quality of assistance
- Dedicated account managers
- Customer feedback on support
Value For Price (10% of total score)
To evaluate the pricing and potential ROI of working with each provider, I considered the following:
- Pricing transparency
- Cost compared to industry average
- Available discounts or packages
- ROI potential
- Flexibility of payment plans
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the overall satisfaction of existing customers, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- Overall satisfaction ratings
- Feedback on service quality
- Comments on communication
- Repeat business indicators
- Customer loyalty and retention
Choosing A Recruitment Agency In London
It’s easy to get bogged down in long lists of services and complex pricing structures. To help you prioritize the things that matter most for your business, keep the following factors in mind:
| Factor | What to Consider |
| Business Objectives | Ensure the agency aligns with your team's goals, whether it's filling temporary roles or long-term strategic hiring. |
| Service Scope and SLAs | Check if their services cover your needs and if they offer clear Service Level Agreements to ensure accountability. |
| Support Availability | Look for agencies with 24/7 support or dedicated account managers to help address issues promptly. |
| Costs and Pricing Structure | Understand their pricing model, whether it's contingency or retainer, and ensure it fits within your budget constraints. |
| Communication and Reporting | Ensure they provide regular updates and transparent reports to keep you informed about the recruitment process. |
| Industry Expertise | Choose agencies with experience in your industry to ensure they understand the specific skills and qualifications you need. |
| Candidate Quality | Evaluate their screening processes to ensure they deliver candidates who meet your standards and expectations. |
| Reputation and Reviews | Research their reputation through customer reviews and testimonials to gauge satisfaction and reliability in delivering results. |
Key Services
When selecting a recruitment agency in London, keep an eye out for the following key services:
- Temporary staffing: Provides flexible workforce solutions to cover short-term needs or seasonal demands.
- Permanent recruitment: Focuses on finding long-term candidates who fit your company culture and strategic goals.
- Executive search: Specializes in identifying and recruiting top-level executives for leadership positions.
- Candidate screening: Involves thorough assessment and background checks to ensure candidates meet your requirements.
- Industry-specific recruitment: Offers expertise in particular sectors, ensuring a better match for specialized roles.
- Payroll and HR support: Manages payroll processes and offers HR guidance to streamline administrative tasks.
- Market insights: Provides data on salary trends and hiring practices to keep you competitive.
- On-site management: Offers dedicated on-site support to manage large-scale recruitment and staffing operations.
- Diversity and inclusion consulting: Assists in creating a diverse workforce and fostering an inclusive workplace environment.
Benefits
Partnering with a recruitment agency in London offers several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:
- Time-saving: Agencies handle the recruitment process, freeing up your team to focus on core tasks.
- Access to talent: They connect you with a wider pool of qualified candidates, increasing your chances of finding the right fit.
- Industry expertise: Agencies provide specialized knowledge in various sectors, ensuring candidates meet specific role requirements.
- Cost-effective: By outsourcing recruitment, you can reduce expenses associated with hiring and training new employees.
- Quality hires: Through thorough screening processes, agencies ensure candidates have the skills and experience you need.
- Scalability: They offer flexible staffing solutions to meet your changing business demands.
- Market insights: Agencies provide valuable data on salary trends and hiring practices to help you stay competitive.
Costs and Pricing Structures of Recruitment Agencies London
Recruitment agencies in London typically come at a custom price to accommodate various business needs, sizes, and circumstances. Providers generally work within one of the following pricing structures:
- Contingency fee: Agencies charge a fee only when a candidate is successfully placed.
- Retainer fee: Clients pay an upfront fee for dedicated recruitment services over a set period.
- Flat fee: A fixed price is charged for specific recruitment tasks or projects.
- Hourly rate: Clients are billed based on the time spent on recruitment activities.
- Performance-based: Fees are tied to the achievement of specific hiring outcomes or targets.
Key Factors That Influence Recruitment Agencies London Pricing
Beyond the specific pricing model, here are some additional factors that can influence the cost of recruitment agencies in London:
- Customization level: The more tailored the recruitment process to your specific needs, the higher the cost may be.
- Industry specialization: Specialized roles or sectors may require more expertise, affecting the overall price.
- Volume of hires: The number of positions you need to fill can impact the total cost, with discounts often available for bulk hiring.
- Geographic reach: Expanding recruitment efforts beyond London can increase costs due to additional resources required.
- Urgency of hire: Faster turnaround times may incur higher fees due to the need for expedited services.
Being aware of these factors before you start seeking out custom quotes from providers helps you get a sense of what to expect, and compare and contrast quotes more effectively.
Recruitment Agencies London: FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions about recruitment agencies in London:
How do recruitment agencies in London find candidates?
Recruitment agencies in London use a variety of methods to find candidates. They often have large databases of job seekers and use online job boards to post vacancies. Agencies also network within industries to find potential candidates and may use social media to reach a wider audience. They work to match your requirements with suitable candidates.
What industries do London recruitment agencies specialize in?
Many recruitment agencies in London specialize in specific industries. Common sectors include finance, technology, healthcare, and legal. Some agencies focus on niche markets or roles like executive search or temporary staffing. When choosing an agency, ensure they have experience in your industry to find the best fit for your needs.
How long does it take for a recruitment agency to fill a position?
The time it takes to fill a position can vary depending on the role and industry. For standard roles, it might take a few weeks, while specialized or executive positions can take longer. Agencies work to understand your needs and speed up the process by pre-screening candidates, but timelines can vary based on market conditions and your specific requirements.
Can recruitment agencies help with temporary staffing?
Yes, many recruitment agencies in London offer temporary staffing solutions. They can quickly provide qualified candidates to fill short-term needs or seasonal demands. Temporary staffing helps you maintain productivity without the commitment of permanent hires. Agencies handle payroll and HR tasks, making the process easier for you.
What are the fees associated with using a recruitment agency?
Fees vary depending on the agency and the services you require. Common pricing models include contingency fees, retainer fees, and flat rates. It’s important to discuss pricing structures upfront and understand what you’re paying for. Agencies may charge based on the successful placement of candidates or offer different pricing for temporary versus permanent hires.
How do I choose the right recruitment agency for my business?
Choosing the right recruitment agency involves evaluating their industry experience, service offerings, and reputation. Consider your specific hiring needs and the agency’s expertise in those areas. Look for agencies with a good track record and positive client reviews. It’s also important to understand their pricing model and ensure it aligns with your budget.
What's Next?
To remain up to date on all the latest in people management, subscribe to our newsletter for leaders and managers. You'll receive insights and offerings tailored to leaders and HR professionals straight to your inbox.