Recruitment Agencies in the UK 2025

What is the Recruitment Agency worth? 

The recruiting agency in the UK is worth £141 billion, demonstrating that its influence goes beyond finding a job; in fact, it is now essentially the backbone of the economy. However, modern recruitment is more than just volume and pace. The best organisations of today recognise this and strive towards a larger objective, which includes staff skill development and adaptability. The recruiting agency is no longer only about filling open positions; it is currently the primary focus, and it is identifying applicants who possess the ideal combination of abilities and flexibility to thrive in a changing environment.

15 Top Recruitment Agencies in the UK

• PageGroup 

PageGroup was founded in 1976 and specialises in engineering, real estate, and sales through its three main brands. However, its divided brand structure has led to criticism for communication problems. Additionally, PageGroup operates in 36 countries, employs over 7,400 individuals through specialised recruitment agencies teams, and achieved a gross profit of over £1,006 million in 2023.

• Gini’s Ability

 Gini Talent’s staffing and recruitment agency services aid businesses in expanding globally. They have more than 400,000 candidates in their database. Additionally, they match applicants to various kinds quickly and precisely using AI. Also, they have evaluated more than 250,000 businesses to enhance their practices.

• Hays Hiring 

With a focus on engineering, accounting, and information technology, Hays Recruitment agency is well-known for its wide network and in-depth knowledge of local markets. However, it is occasionally thought to be more expensive than other smaller recruitment agencies. Experts in expanding markets, Hays Recruitment offers assistance at every level to meet a range of organisational requirements.

• Propel 

It was founded in 2001 and is located on the Third Floor, Propel, 55 Greek Street, London, UK. Propel takes pride in selecting and training the top personnel consultants who can help their clients overcome any obstacles. Building enduring partnerships and productive teams that have a global impact is the firm’s strength.

• UK’s Reed.co 

Reed has been in business since 1960 and operates in a wide range of industries, including insurance, health care, and education. Although their size may occasionally affect how their services are, they are popular for their complete approach and provide a wide range of job openings. Along with a variety of courses and assistance with job applications, they also provide a host of career services. 

• Brite Hiring 

It was established in 2006 in Gloucestershire’s Cheltenham. They stand on three core values: enthusiasm, honesty, and simplicity. They have a sizable database of candidates throughout the UK and a devoted clientele. Brite Recruitment guarantees to forward qualified applicants to a client’s job posting. They match them based on their understanding of the needs of both businesses and prospects.

• Adecco PSD

With more than 50 consultants globally, Adecco PSD Group has been providing executive recruitment services across many industries since 1991. Additionally, they have a reputation for providing exceptional recruitment services and quickly identifying qualified applicants.

• Morgan Hunt 

Morgan Hunt, which specialises in positions in the public, private, and non-profit sectors, has been a leader in the UK since 1994. Their acclaimed service assists in connecting job seekers with positions that advance both their professional and organisational goals. 

• Nolan Hiring 

Sean Neary founded this recruitment agency in 2016 to enhance engineering hiring. They concentrate on the engineering and energy sectors. These are popular for their strong industry knowledge and efficient communication.

• The ManpowerGroup

 Well-known for providing creative workforce solutions for production, administrative, health, and safety positions, ManpowerGroup fits in nicely with fast-paced corporate settings. But because of their size, they may react more slowly. However, they possess the exceptional ability to blend local expertise with a dedication to applicants’ and clients’ success. 

• Page Michael 

As a member of PageGroup, Michael Page has over 45 years of international hiring experience and provides positions in a range of industries to meet the demands of expanding markets and hierarchical organisations.

• Michael Page, UK 

It was established in 1976. Located at Physical offices around the United Kingdom, including Birmingham, Glasgow, London, Nottingham, and others. For a variety of verticals, Michael Page UK offers specialised solutions in 25 disciplines. They match companies of all sizes with permanent, contract, temporary, and interim employees. The UK offices of Michael Page have a proven track record of managing hiring and job searches for companies and applicants all around the country.

• The Huntress Group

The goal of the independent, neighbourhood recruitment agency Huntress Group is to swiftly link businesses and prospects. The company has been bringing together hundreds of businesses and workers annually since 2000. Huntress Group is committed to creating enduring relationships with its customers. This encouraged them to provide everyone with the best services and solutions possible. It was founded in 2000. 

• Reed 

It was founded in 1995 and is located at London WC2B 5LX, GB, 27-29 Macklin Street. With thousands of fresh applicants every week. Reed is a top recruitment agency in the UK. They help firms and recruiters in the UK grow their brands and find top talent. With Reed, businesses may search for employees by browsing through thousands of resumes or posting a job opportunity on their website. They serve a broad spectrum of verticals and roles in every part of the nation.

• Randstad UK 

It was established in 1960 in Bedfordshire’s Luton, Randstad UK. Another top international recruitment agency is made up of experts with knowledge of the regional market. In the UK, they have more than 70 branches. Randstad UK’s strength rests in its people, offering clients first-rate support while assisting consultants and contractors in realising their full potential.

How Do Recruitment Agencies Operate?

Although recruitment agencies serve as a conduit between employers and job seekers, it’s crucial to remember that businesses, not applicants, usually hire and pay recruitment agencies. For you as a job seeker, this means that their services are typically free. The agency receives a thorough description of the position and the type of candidate the company is seeking when it needs to fill a position. After that, the agency interviews all of its applicants, including those who have previously registered, and may advertise the position online to draw in additional individuals.

The agency may contact you personally if your profile fits their requirements. The agency will forward your information to the company and handle the interview process. This is if they select for further consideration. The recruitment agencies assist applicants in obtaining long-term jobs. They also give temporary or contract work, which is perfect for freelance jobs, short-term positions, or acquiring experience before moving on to a permanent position.

Read Also: Executive Assistant Jobs in the UK

How to Choose the Right Recruitment Agencies

Because you may be in a hurry to obtain employment, it may be tempting to choose the first recruitment firm you see. However, you should not pick the first agency that comes along if you want to work with companies that are a good fit for your skills and abilities. Following the establishment of your job search criteria, you can select and evaluate a reputable agency that specialises in that field.  

However, before you jump in, be sure to look into their working procedures, talk to a genuine person. Also, review the experiences of past applicants. When searching for rail positions, all of these components will work together to provide a comprehensive assessment of each recruitment agency. This allows you to choose the one that best suits your needs.

• Select an agency with a focus on 

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of recruitment companies in the world, many of which focus on particular sectors. Before you choose to pursue one, find out if they specialise in the field you are seeking employment in. The agency you choose should ideally be good in the business you select because, due to their contacts with leading brands in that area, they will be able to give you a better position.

• Select a Transparent Agency

Selecting a recruitment agency that will make the job search process easier is important because it’s not an easy one. But how do you do it? Select one that respects its applicants with dignity and honesty, and make sure they are transparent in their business practices. They will be open and truthful about the positions and businesses they have on file. Also, they will ensure your comfort at every stage of the process. Along the journey, they will be happy to address any queries you may have.

• Take into consideration testimonials

Nobody can speak more highly of a recruitment agency than its former clients. These individuals can provide advice on what it was like to work with the agency because they have gone through the process before you. The majority of reputable employment agencies ought to feature a special testimonial section on their website. You can read through the past candidates’ statements and highlight those that you believe are significant once you’re on the page. Be confident to contact the recruitment agency and request to see any testimonials if you are unable to locate any on the website.  Also,  you can ask to view any case studies they may have created, or even better, ask for a list of references you can contact by phone.

You may decide whether or not you want to work with this agency by listening to what they have to say about it while none of their recruiters are there. Finding out how well the agency manages the process and what their success rates are is crucial in this situation.

• Connect with a real Person

It’s time to step up and talk to a real person after you’ve established that an agency has strong ties to the field you want to enter and that their process is transparent. To choose a recruitment agency that you can work with and that will help you achieve your goals, you must get to know them and they must get to know you. In other words, a consultative consultant rather than someone who just distributes your resume to the public.

How Much Does a Recruitment Agency Cost?

The UK, which is well-known for its thriving economic environment, has fierce talent competition. There are thousands of recruiting agencies in the UK, which have a vibrant and varied job market. These agencies’ costs might differ significantly, mostly because of the industry sector and the degree of the position. In the UK, recruitment agencies usually take 15–25% of the candidate’s first year’s pay. However, for senior positions or jobs needing specialised abilities, this percentage may increase to as much as 30%.

Therefore, you may be looking at agency costs ranging from £7,500 to £15,000 for a position with an annual salary of £50,000. The average fee percentage that UK recruiting agencies charged in 2021 was approximately 18% of the first-year wage. This data is from the Recruiting & Employment Confederation (REC). Additionally, it is fairly unusual for UK agencies to offer a rebate period, typically lasting three months, during which a portion of the charge is reimbursed if the hired candidate quits the job within that time frame. Depending on the kind of employee and contract, staffing companies employ a variety of pricing schemes. They are: 

The markup

 In most cases, recruitment agencies mark up the hourly pay of temporary labour. The recruitment agency’s services have a coverage under this percentage. This might vary from 25% to 75%. For instance, if an employee receives £10 per hour, the agency may bill the company between £12.50 and £12.50. While each agency will have its formula, it will cost more to hire one specialist temporarily. Even more than it would to hire fifty forklift drivers over the Christmas season (based on a per-worker price).

A one-time cost

 There is a one-time flat fee charge by agencies when filling permanent positions. Typically, this is computed as 15% to 25% of the new hire’s yearly compensation. Hiring someone with a £40,000 salary, for example, might result in expenses for the company ranging from £6,000 to £10,000. Senior agencies may require a retainer fee for senior special positions. There are in phases, such as an initial payment at the beginning and a second payment upon successful placement; this cost frequently covers a thorough search.

Read Also: Warehouse Jobs in the UK

How Much Do Recruitment Agencies Charge Contractors?

The recruitment agencies usually charge a percentage of the employee’s base salary each year. This will serve as a fee when you hire a permanent employee through them. Once more, the agency and the role’s intricacy will determine this, although often, this amount falls between 10% and 25%.

Conclusion 

The function of recruiting firms in the UK job market is crucial and constantly changing. By serving as a liaison between employers and job seekers, they assist businesses in identifying applicants and give them access to possibilities that they might not otherwise discover. In a competitive and rapidly evolving job market, agencies offer invaluable experience in matching skills to positions, navigating market trends, and facilitating both temporary and permanent placements.

Recruitment agencies provide a practical and effective path to work for many job seekers. However, they are not a one-size-fits-all answer, and some may prefer a more direct approach. As the workplace continues to change due to factors like technology, remote work, and skills shortages, these agencies’ services will continue to be relevant and crucial in assisting people in locating fulfilling, long-term employment.