Your dedicated talent partner for every hire that matters

Finding the right people consistently is not a one-off transaction. It is an ongoing commercial priority. Our retained partnership gives founders, CEOs and business leaders a dedicated talent partner who manages the entire hiring process, so every appointment is the right one.

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What Is A Retained Recruitment Partnership?

A retained partnership is a dedicated, long term hiring arrangement where Spencer & Trent manages your entire recruitment process over an agreed period. Unlike contingent recruitment, you have a committed talent partner focused exclusively on your business, delivering tailored hiring solutions that align with your commercial goals and protect you from the legal and financial cost of getting appointments wrong.
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Abi Demi, Managing Director

The legal and financial cost of a bad hire outlasts the person who made it.

Spencer & Trent’s retained partnership exists to make sure your business never has to find out how much a bad hire really costs. A single mis-hire at senior level can cost up to three times that person’s salary. Add a poorly managed exit, a tribunal claim and the impact on the team left behind and the financial damage compounds quickly.

A Spencer & Trent retained partnership is not an overhead, it is the commercial decision that protects your business from a far greater one. Every appointment is made with the rigour, legal understanding and commercial thinking that turns hiring from a risk into a strength.

Every hiring mistake carries a legal and financial consequence that will cost your business far more than getting it right from the start. If you are ready to make every hire a protected one, book a call with Spencer & Trent today.

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How Does A Retained Recruitment Partnership Work?

A retained partnership works by giving your business exclusive access to a dedicated talent partner over a set period. Spencer & Trent takes full ownership of your hiring process — from briefing and candidate sourcing through to assessment, offer management and onboarding support. Every stage is managed with your commercial priorities and legal obligations in mind.

Who Is A Retained Partnership Suitable For?

A retained partnership is suitable for:

  • Founders and CEOs of SMEs and scaling businesses who hire regularly and need a consistent, reliable talent partner
  • Businesses in tech, finance, property and architecture with multiple or ongoing hiring needs
  • Organisations that have experienced the financial and legal cost of mis-hires and want a structured process that prevents them
  • Leadership teams that want the confidence of knowing every appointment is the right one

What Is The Difference Between Retained And Contingent Recruitment?

Contingent recruitment means you only pay when a placement is made and the recruiter is not exclusively committed to your search. Retained recruitment means Spencer & Trent is dedicated to your business over an agreed period, giving you priority access, deeper understanding of your needs and a structured process that reduces the risk of costly hiring mistakes.

What Is The Difference Between Retained And Executive Search?

Executive search is typically used for senior and board level appointments where the search is highly targeted and confidential. A retained partnership covers a broader scope — managing multiple hires over an agreed period and giving your business a consistent talent strategy rather than a one off search.

Why Choose Spencer & Trent As Your Retained Recruitment Partner?

Spencer & Trent brings talent strategy thinking, legal understanding and commercial expertise to every retained partnership. We focus on protecting your business from the legal and financial consequences of filling them with the wrong person. A retained partnership with us means your hiring is never an afterthought. It is a deliberate, structured process built around your commercial goals, giving you the confidence that every appointment is the right one and every people investment delivers the return your business needs

What Are The Benefits Of A Retained Recruitment Partnership?

Guarantees dedicated attention to recruitment needs
Reduces the legal and financial risk of rushed decisions and ensuring a thorough recruitment process
Better quality hires as candidates are assessed against your commercial needs not just a job description
Faster time to hire when you have a partner who knows your business deeply and more accurately
Support with long-term recruitment and retention goals
Comprehensive market insights that highlight competitive landscapes
Great support for companies without an internal recruitment or hiring team
Long-term partnership that adapts to business needs, ensuring stability and peace of mind in hiring

The legal and financial cost of a bad hire outlasts the person who made it.

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Be the first to write a review.
Paul S - Marketing Executive, Client

We couldn’t be happier

We turned to Spencer & Trent to find a marketing assistant, and we couldn’t be happier with the result. They understood our requirements perfectly and presented us with a great selection of candidates. Their support has been invaluable!

Holly S - Head of Marketing, Candidate

You simply just won't find any better team!

From start to finish, the team at Spencer & Trent made the process seamless. They found me a role where the culture and values align perfectly with mine. I couldn’t be happier.

Ben F - CTO, Client

Life savers

What stood out most was Spencer and Trent’s ability to listen and translate our business needs into the right hire. They saved us valuable time and ensured we made the right decision.

Mike W - Director of Operations, Client

Highly recommend their services!

Spencer & Trent have been instrumental in helping us fill critical roles in our property management team. Their understanding of the industry and swift turnaround on candidate sourcing made all the difference. Highly recommend their services!

Olivia B - Executive Assistant, Candidate

I felt supported every step of the way!

I felt supported every step of the way! Spencer & Trent helped me secure my dream role as an Executive Assistant. They provided excellent guidance throughout the interview process and were always available to answer my questions.

Rupinda P - HR Manager, Client

Delivered excellent candidates

The team at Spencer & Trent exceeded our expectations! They took the time to understand our unique needs and delivered excellent candidates for the two back-office roles we were filling. Their dedication and professionalism are truly commendable. Thank you Abi and Vic.

Susan L - Head of Finance, Client

Personalised approach

Working with Spencer & Trent has been a fantastic experience. They provided us with a selection of highly qualified finance managers. Their personalised approach made the entire process smooth and efficient.

Funmi O - Financial Control Manager, Candidate

Very supportive team

It was a hard time after being made redundant. The Spencer & Trent team supported me through every stage of the process and matched me with a role that fits both my skills and ambitions. I felt supported, prepared, and valued throughout the journey.

Eve C - Operations Manager, Client

Pleasure working with Spencer & Trent.

Pleasure working with Spencer & Trent to find the perfect addition to our team. They are incredibly helpful in answering all my questions and making the entire process seamless. Exceeding all our expectations!

Raj B - Network Engineer, Candidate

The most remarkable recruitment agency

Spencer & Trent is truly the most remarkable recruitment agency out there! I honestly couldn’t be more pleased with my decision to work with them. Your consistent updates and exceptional attention to detail continue to impress me every time!

Jack G - Property Manager, Candidate

Thanks for a fantastic experience!

I can’t believe I didn’t reach out to these guys sooner in my job search! Their expertise in the property field is outstanding, and they went above and beyond my expectations. A big thanks to Abi for making this job hunt such a fantastic experience!