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SPECIALIST AI & DATA TALENT SOLUTIONS
Talent Locker connects organisations with high-impact AI, Machine Learning and Data Science professionals who enable businesses to innovate, automate and make better decisions with data.
We support start-ups, consultancies, enterprise organisations and insurance businesses, including global insurers, Lloyd’s syndicates and health insurers, building artificial intelligence and advanced analytics capability. We provide high-quality permanent and contract professionals across AI engineering, machine learning and data platforms.
From AI engineers and machine learning engineers to data scientists, MLOps specialists and senior AI leadership roles, our experienced AI recruiters help organisations hire the talent needed to develop intelligent systems and unlock the value of data.
Looking for your next role?
Looking to hire specialist talent?
SPEAK WITH OUR TEAM TODAY
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COMMON AI HIRING CHALLENGES
Hiring experienced AI engineers and machine learning specialists is increasingly difficult as organisations compete for a limited pool of highly skilled talent.
Common challenges we help organisations overcome include:
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Shortages of experienced AI and machine learning engineers
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Rapidly increasing salary and day-rate expectations
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Assessing genuine technical capability and practical experience
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Competition from global technology companies and AI startups
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Balancing research expertise with real-world commercial delivery
Through deep market insight, structured recruitment processes, and established AI talent networks, Talent Locker helps organisations secure the specialist professionals needed to build and scale successful AI capabilities.
Need help hiring specialist talent?
Arrange a short call with our team to discuss your hiring requirements and next steps.
Different hiring challenges require different recruitment approaches. At Talent Locker, we offer three flexible recruitment solutions designed to help organisations secure the right technology talent quickly and effectively.
Contingent
Need recruitment support without long-term commitment?
Our contingent recruitment model is ideal for organisations hiring for mid-level roles or time-sensitive vacancies. You gain access to Talent Locker’s expert sourcing, screening and candidate networks when you need it, with no exclusivity required.
Why choose Contingent?
Benefit from Talent Locker’s specialist technology recruitment expertise while maintaining the flexibility to hire without long-term commitment.
Exclusive
Need your role prioritised to secure candidates faster?
Our exclusive recruitment partnership provides a more proactive search for urgent, niche or hard-to-fill roles. We dedicate focused delivery, headhunting and targeted market mapping to identify and secure high-quality permanent or contract professionals.
Why choose Exclusive?
Exclusive partnerships allow us to prioritise your search, giving you faster access to highly relevant candidates and a more structured hiring process.
Retained
Hiring for a senior or strategic role?
Our retained search service is designed for senior leadership and executive hires. Acting as an extension of your organisation, we manage the entire process from role definition and market mapping through to shortlist delivery and final hire.
Why choose Retained?
A bespoke, end-to-end executive search partnership designed to secure senior talent within a clearly defined timeframe.
AI, ML & DATA SCIENCE HIRING RESOURCES
Access expert insights and practical guidance to support your AI, machine learning, and data science hiring strategy.
Understanding current salary trends, market rates and skill demand is essential for building competitive offers and securing the right talent.
Understanding current salary benchmarks, market demand, and in-demand skills is essential for building competitive offers and securing the right talent in today’s fast-moving AI market.
Our 2026 UK AI, ML & Data Science Salary Guide provides the latest insights based on real hiring data and specialist market expertise.
Inside the salary guide you’ll find:
- Salary ranges for key roles including Data Scientists, Machine Learning Engineers, AI Architects, and Data Engineers
- UK contractor day rates and permanent salary benchmarks
- The most in-demand AI and data skills employers are hiring for
- Regional salary variations across the UK
- Key AI and data hiring trends shaping the market
Download the 2026 AI, ML & Data Science Salary Guide to understand current market expectations and attract the talent your organisation needs to build successful AI capabilities.
Download NowMEET OUR AI, ML & DATA RECRUITMENT SPECIALISTS
Jake Rickman
Senior Recuitment Consultant, AI, ML & Data Science
Jake specialises in building teams and placing senior candidates across AI, Machine Learning and Data Science, supporting recruitment across Start-ups, Scale-Ups, Technology Consultancies, Finance, and Professional Services from briefing to placement.
Mark Burgess
Head of Delivery
Mark manages Talent Locker's resourcing function, filling roles across our specialist market sectors: Business Change & Technology, Defence & Security, Dynamics 365, ERP & CRM, AI, Machine Learning & Data Science, and Workplace Change.
JOIN OUR AI & DATA TALENT NETWORK
Not seeing the right role today? We regularly support organisations across the UK hiring AI, machine learning, and data science specialists.
Join our talent network to hear about new opportunities that match your experience, interests, and career ambitions.
We work with professionals including: Machine Learning Engineers, Data Scientists, AI Engineers, NLP Engineers, Computer Vision Specialists, Data Engineers, AI & Data Leaders
Submit your CV and stay connected to future opportunities.
We treat every registration with complete confidentiality and your CV will only be shared with organisations after we’ve spoken with you first.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do you recruit for contract AI and Data roles?
Yes. Talent Locker supports both permanent and contract hiring across AI engineering, machine learning, data science, and data architecture roles.
Do you support senior data leadership searches?
Yes. We recruit for senior leadership positions including Chief Data Officers, Heads of AI, Data Directors, and other roles responsible for enterprise data and AI strategy.
Can you support team build-outs?
Yes. We support organisations with both individual hires and full team build-outs, helping scale AI, data engineering, machine learning, and analytics teams to meet programme and product delivery goals.
EXPLORE OUR OTHER SPECIALIST SECTORS
Technology & Transformation
We are experts in the supply of experienced programme leaders, business analysts, architects and transformation specialists who have delivered large-scale digital change before.
AI, ML & Data
Our AI and data network covers experts including machine learning engineers, data scientists, MLOps specialists and data architects actively shaping AI-enabled platforms.
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ERP & CRM
As a trusted specialist supplier to many leading UK consultancies and end users, we deliver exceptional talent across D365, Oracle and SAP.
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Defence & Security
We provide niche SC and DV-cleared experts operating across secure technology, cyber and mission-critical programme delivery.
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READY TO STENGTHEN YOUR AI, ML OR DATA SCIENCE CAPABILITY?
Whether you’re building advanced AI capability, scaling a data science team, or exploring your next career move, Talent Locker connects organisations and professionals with the expertise driving innovation, intelligent systems, and real-world impact.