{ "name": "executivesearchfees.co.uk UK Executive Search Fee Index", "title": "UK Executive Search Fee Index", "url": "https://executivesearchfees.co.uk/datasets/uk-executive-search-fee-index/", "csv": "https://executivesearchfees.co.uk/datasets/uk-executive-search-fee-index.csv", "markdown": "https://executivesearchfees.co.uk/datasets/uk-executive-search-fee-index/index.md", "computed_at": "2026-11-13", "license": "https://executivesearchfees.co.uk/terms", "headline": "The median published figure in the UK Executive Search Fee Index is 30 percent across 5 sources' own pages (range 10 to 30 percent), read 11 November 2026.", "quotes": [ "The median published figure in the UK Executive Search Fee Index is 30 percent across 5 sources' own pages (range 10 to 30 percent), read 11 November 2026.", "5 of the 41 named sources read in full publish a figure; 36 publish none, read 11 November 2026.", "The median is unchanged since 18 October 2026 (was 30 percent across 5)." ], "citation": "\"executivesearchfees.co.uk UK Executive Search Fee Index\", updated 2026-11-13, https://executivesearchfees.co.uk/datasets/uk-executive-search-fee-index/.", "changed_since": { "since": "2026-10-18", "previous_median": 30, "delta": 0, "direction": "unchanged", "sentence": "The median is unchanged since 18 October 2026 (was 30 percent across 5)." }, "national": { "unit": "%", "n": 5, "median": 30, "min": 10, "max": 30, "p25": 14, "p75": 30, "mean": 23.6, "units": { "%": 5 }, "published_sources": 5, "named_sources": 41, "read_sources": 41, "not_published": 36, "published_share": 0.122 }, "by_axis": {}, "rows": [ { "source": "Eagle Headhunters fee negotiations", "url": "https://www.eagleheadhunters.co.uk/fee-negotiations/", "figure": "30%", "value": 30, "unit": "%", "vat": null, "axis": {}, "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "quote": "At Eagle Headhunters we also charge 30% but only have two stages – the retainer fee and the final fee.", "source_class": "primary-provider-own-site", "text_sha256": "3c374d0f8520285ef63bb24d54ae9a383262c661ba96d1d946779d71158eb4b1" }, { "source": "MSC Headhunters fee structure", "url": "https://www.msc-headhunters.com/fee-structure/", "figure": "30%", "value": 30, "unit": "%", "vat": null, "axis": {}, "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "quote": "Industry-standard fees, structured with clarity. The industry standard for executive search is 25–30% of total package.", "source_class": "primary-provider-own-site", "text_sha256": "5daadd3e2a5eb215aef929255bb846daea996dd134bf1cba0feae0a4a0cf2c93" }, { "source": "Ten Percent Legal Recruitment fees", "url": "https://ten-percent.co.uk/legal-recruitment-agency-fees/", "figure": "18%", "value": 18, "unit": "%", "vat": null, "axis": {}, "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "quote": "Permanent Recruitment 18% fees based on the first year salary or package.", "source_class": "primary-provider-own-site", "text_sha256": "5633dac8de08ce229bf3b415c6f7b28fc329876378d47aee71f6113b5441bdb6" }, { "source": "Valuable Recruitment: what executive search costs", "url": "https://valuablerecruitment.com/blog/how-much-does-executive-search-cost", "figure": "10%", "value": 10, "unit": "%", "vat": null, "axis": {}, "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "quote": "At Valuable Recruitment, executive search is a retained engagement typically priced at 10% to 15% of the placed candidate's first-year base salary.", "source_class": "primary-provider-own-site", "text_sha256": "072b52bef505e78bbcbf6d3ffe2bbffd2b7a0e0f0286cd9d9aab3007c2dd6e0e" }, { "source": "Executive Headhunters: typical headhunter fees", "url": "https://www.executiveheadhunters.co.uk/blog/how-much-do-headhunters-charge-typical-headhunter-fees/", "figure": "30%", "value": 30, "unit": "%", "vat": null, "axis": {}, "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "quote": "A typical Headhunter fee will be more like 30% of first year salary with the fees broken down into instalments, usually 3 stages:", "source_class": "primary-provider-own-site", "text_sha256": "594577d1e01650bc18f086b3b136e677efb489a9628bc028c49a88cbd935031d" } ], "not_published": [ { "source": "Ten Percent Financial Recruitment fees", "url": "https://tenpercentfinancial.co.uk/our-fees/", "retrieved_at": "2026-09-12", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" }, { "source": "Valuable Recruitment: recruitment agency fees", "url": "https://valuablerecruitment.com/blog/recruitment-agency-fees", "retrieved_at": "2026-10-12", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" }, { "source": "Nurole: find your solution", "url": "https://www.nurole.com/find-your-solution", "retrieved_at": "2026-10-12", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" }, { "source": "Nurole pricing guide", "url": "https://www.nurole.com/pricing-guide-form-page", "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "reason": "read in full and no accepted figure on the page" }, { "source": "Boardio pricing", "url": "https://www.boardio.com/pricing", "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" }, { "source": "Reach Volunteering: when and what we charge", "url": "https://reachvolunteering.org.uk/when-and-what-we-charge", "retrieved_at": "2026-10-12", "reason": "read in full and no accepted figure on the page" }, { "source": "Paul Harper Search: how a search works", "url": "https://www.paulharpersearch.co.uk/faqs/how-a-search-works/", "retrieved_at": "2026-09-12", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" }, { "source": "Executive Recruitment: guide to UK executive search costs", "url": "https://executiverecruitment.co.uk/blog/complete-guide-to-executive-search-costs-in-the-uk/", "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" }, { "source": "Executive Headhunters FAQ", "url": "https://www.executiveheadhunters.co.uk/executive-search-headhunting-faq/", "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" }, { "source": "MERJE: how much does executive search cost", "url": "https://merje.com/blog/2024/01/how-much-does-executive-search-cost/", "retrieved_at": "2026-09-12", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" }, { "source": "Richmond Capital: retained vs contingent costs", "url": "https://richmond-capital.co.uk/insights/the-different-costs-and-fees-associated-with-retained-search-and-contingent-recruitment/", "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" }, { "source": "Mason Bedford: what a UK recruitment agency charges", "url": "https://www.masonbedford.co.uk/blog/how-much-does-a-recruitment-agency-charge-uk/", "retrieved_at": "2026-09-12", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" }, { "source": "Matrix Personnel: recruitment agency fees UK", "url": "https://matrix-personnel.com/recruitment-agency-fees-uk/", "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" }, { "source": "Quick Employment: UK recruitment agency cost guide", "url": "https://www.quickemployment.co.uk/article/recruitment-agency-cost-uk-2026-price-guide", "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" }, { "source": "HVAC FM Recruitment: UK recruitment cost breakdown", "url": "https://www.hvacrecruitment.com/blog/2026/03/how-much-does-recruitment-cost-in-the-uk-a-complete-pricing-breakdown", "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" }, { "source": "Michael Page employer centre", "url": "https://www.michaelpage.co.uk/employer-centre", "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "reason": "read in full and no accepted figure on the page" }, { "source": "Perrett Laver services", "url": "https://www.perrettlaver.com/services/", "retrieved_at": "2026-10-12", "reason": "read in full and no accepted figure on the page" }, { "source": "MRG on the CCS recruitment framework", "url": "https://mrgglobal.com/weve-been-awarded-to-the-crown-commercial-services-recruitment-framework/", "retrieved_at": "2026-09-12", "reason": "read in full and no accepted figure on the page" }, { "source": "Hireful pricing", "url": "https://www.hireful.co.uk/pricing/", "retrieved_at": "2026-10-12", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" }, { "source": "The Pensions Regulator FOI: permanent recruitment fees", "url": "https://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/en/about-us/freedom-of-information/recently-released-information/permanent-recruitment-fees", "retrieved_at": "2026-09-12", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" }, { "source": "CCS RM6290 Executive and Non-Executive Recruitment Services", "url": "https://www.gca.gov.uk/agreements/RM6290", "retrieved_at": "2026-09-12", "reason": "read in full and no accepted figure on the page" }, { "source": "headhunters.co.uk headhunter costs guide", "url": "https://headhunters.co.uk/guides/headhunter-costs/", "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" }, { "source": "Chameleon i: UK agency pricing models", "url": "https://www.chameleoni.com/pricing-models", "retrieved_at": "2026-09-12", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" }, { "source": "On3 Works: UK recruitment agency fees", "url": "https://on3works.com/resources/recruitment-agency-fees-uk", "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" }, { "source": "FutureFill: UK agency fee breakdown", "url": "https://www.futurefill.ai/blog/how-much-do-recruitment-agencies-charge-uk", "retrieved_at": "2026-09-12", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" }, { "source": "Glozo: recruiting fees 2026", "url": "https://www.glozo.com/blog/recruitment-agency-fees", "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" }, { "source": "Recruitly: recruitment agency fees 2026", "url": "https://recruitly.io/resources/recruitment-agency-fees-2026", "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" }, { "source": "Fractional Quest: UK executive search firms compared", "url": "https://fractional.quest/executive-search-firms", "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" }, { "source": "KI Talent: executive search fees", "url": "https://kitalent.com/executive-search-fees", "retrieved_at": "2026-09-12", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" }, { "source": "JRG Partners: retained search pricing", "url": "https://www.jrgpartners.com/retained-search-pricing-roi-guide/", "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" }, { "source": "Cowen Partners: two types of search firm fees", "url": "https://cowenpartners.com/the-two-types-of-executive-search-firms-fees/", "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" }, { "source": "Hunter Recruiting: what search firms charge", "url": "https://www.hirecruiting.com/newsroom/how-much-do-executive-search-firms-charge/", "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" }, { "source": "The Good Search: search firm pricing", "url": "https://tgsus.com/executive-search-blog/executive-search-fees-search-firm-pricing/", "retrieved_at": "2026-09-12", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" }, { "source": "Pyck: executive search fees", "url": "https://pyck.cc/signals/executive-search-fees", "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" }, { "source": "Ikon Search: CEO recruiter pricing", "url": "https://ikonsearch.com/feeds/blog/ea-ceo-recruiter-pricing", "retrieved_at": "2026-10-12", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" }, { "source": "Staffing Advisors: what search firms charge", "url": "https://www.staffingadvisors.com/blog/what-do-executive-search-firms-charge/", "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" } ], "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.eagleheadhunters.co.uk/fee-negotiations/", "label": "Eagle Headhunters fee negotiations", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.msc-headhunters.com/fee-structure/", "label": "MSC Headhunters fee structure", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://ten-percent.co.uk/legal-recruitment-agency-fees/", "label": "Ten Percent Legal Recruitment fees", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://tenpercentfinancial.co.uk/our-fees/", "label": "Ten Percent Financial Recruitment fees", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://valuablerecruitment.com/blog/recruitment-agency-fees", "label": "Valuable Recruitment: recruitment agency fees", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://valuablerecruitment.com/blog/how-much-does-executive-search-cost", "label": "Valuable Recruitment: what executive search costs", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.nurole.com/find-your-solution", "label": "Nurole: find your solution", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.nurole.com/pricing-guide-form-page", "label": "Nurole pricing guide", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.boardio.com/pricing", "label": "Boardio pricing", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://reachvolunteering.org.uk/when-and-what-we-charge", "label": "Reach Volunteering: when and what we charge", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.paulharpersearch.co.uk/faqs/how-a-search-works/", "label": "Paul Harper Search: how a search works", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://executiverecruitment.co.uk/blog/complete-guide-to-executive-search-costs-in-the-uk/", "label": "Executive Recruitment: guide to UK executive search costs", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.executiveheadhunters.co.uk/blog/how-much-do-headhunters-charge-typical-headhunter-fees/", "label": "Executive Headhunters: typical headhunter fees", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.executiveheadhunters.co.uk/executive-search-headhunting-faq/", "label": "Executive Headhunters FAQ", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://merje.com/blog/2024/01/how-much-does-executive-search-cost/", "label": "MERJE: how much does executive search cost", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://richmond-capital.co.uk/insights/the-different-costs-and-fees-associated-with-retained-search-and-contingent-recruitment/", "label": "Richmond Capital: retained vs contingent costs", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.masonbedford.co.uk/blog/how-much-does-a-recruitment-agency-charge-uk/", "label": "Mason Bedford: what a UK recruitment agency charges", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://matrix-personnel.com/recruitment-agency-fees-uk/", "label": "Matrix Personnel: recruitment agency fees UK", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.quickemployment.co.uk/article/recruitment-agency-cost-uk-2026-price-guide", "label": "Quick Employment: UK recruitment agency cost guide", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.hvacrecruitment.com/blog/2026/03/how-much-does-recruitment-cost-in-the-uk-a-complete-pricing-breakdown", "label": "HVAC FM Recruitment: UK recruitment cost breakdown", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.michaelpage.co.uk/employer-centre", "label": "Michael Page employer centre", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.perrettlaver.com/services/", "label": "Perrett Laver services", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://mrgglobal.com/weve-been-awarded-to-the-crown-commercial-services-recruitment-framework/", "label": "MRG on the CCS recruitment framework", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.hireful.co.uk/pricing/", "label": "Hireful pricing", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/en/about-us/freedom-of-information/recently-released-information/permanent-recruitment-fees", "label": "The Pensions Regulator FOI: permanent recruitment fees", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.gca.gov.uk/agreements/RM6290", "label": "CCS RM6290 Executive and Non-Executive Recruitment Services", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://headhunters.co.uk/guides/headhunter-costs/", "label": "headhunters.co.uk headhunter costs guide", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.chameleoni.com/pricing-models", "label": "Chameleon i: UK agency pricing models", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://on3works.com/resources/recruitment-agency-fees-uk", "label": "On3 Works: UK recruitment agency fees", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.futurefill.ai/blog/how-much-do-recruitment-agencies-charge-uk", "label": "FutureFill: UK agency fee breakdown", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.glozo.com/blog/recruitment-agency-fees", "label": "Glozo: recruiting fees 2026", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://recruitly.io/resources/recruitment-agency-fees-2026", "label": "Recruitly: recruitment agency fees 2026", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://fractional.quest/executive-search-firms", "label": "Fractional Quest: UK executive search firms compared", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://kitalent.com/executive-search-fees", "label": "KI Talent: executive search fees", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.jrgpartners.com/retained-search-pricing-roi-guide/", "label": "JRG Partners: retained search pricing", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://cowenpartners.com/the-two-types-of-executive-search-firms-fees/", "label": "Cowen Partners: two types of search firm fees", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.hirecruiting.com/newsroom/how-much-do-executive-search-firms-charge/", "label": "Hunter Recruiting: what search firms charge", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://tgsus.com/executive-search-blog/executive-search-fees-search-firm-pricing/", "label": "The Good Search: search firm pricing", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://pyck.cc/signals/executive-search-fees", "label": "Pyck: executive search fees", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://ikonsearch.com/feeds/blog/ea-ceo-recruiter-pricing", "label": "Ikon Search: CEO recruiter pricing", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.staffingadvisors.com/blog/what-do-executive-search-firms-charge/", "label": "Staffing Advisors: what search firms charge", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" } ], "methodology": "Every row is a verbatim sentence read from the named source's own page through our fetch service on the date shown, hash-pinned to the stored read (the sha of the page's visible text; the raw page is mirrored to R2). 5 of the 41 named sources that could be read published a usable figure; 36 published none and are recorded as not published, never filled in; 0 could not be read (blocked, dead or unreachable) and count nowhere. The headline figures (median, minimum, maximum, quartiles) are over ONE figure per source in % (a source's median where its page yielded several accepted sentences), so N counts sources, never sentences; 396 candidate sentence(s) were refused by a reviewer with the reason recorded. The fuller derivation this dataset is chartered to grow into (not yet what the figures above are; they are each source's own published figure as read): the distribution of PUBLISHED UK search fees - the median, low and high percentage, what base it is taken on (first-year base salary versus total first-year compensation, which is the difference nobody prices out), the instalment pattern, the minimum fee floor and the rebate window - computed across every UK firm that publishes one, beside the share of the market that publishes NOTHING, which is the finding this index exists to produce: how many named UK firms quote only on request, and how a stated percentage converts to pounds at each salary band once the base and the minimum fee are applied", "embed": "

30 percent

median published figure, UK Executive Search Fee Index, across 5 sources, read 11 November 2026

Source: executivesearchfees.co.uk UK Executive Search Fee Index
" }