--- title: Retained Search Recruitment | Executive Hiring | Talent Locker description: Retained search recruitment for senior and specialist hires. Executive headhunting, market mapping and proactive search to secure hard-to-reach talent. --- Retained Search Recruitment | Executive Hiring | Talent Locker [![Talent Locker](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/hubfs/raw_assets/public/talent-locker/images/talent-locker.svg)](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/) - [Hire Talent](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/employers) - [Hire a contractor in 48 hours](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/hire-a-contractor-in-48-hours) - [Submit a vacancy](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/submit-your-vacancy) - [Industries](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/employers) - [ERP & CRM](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/sector/erp-crm-recruitment) - [Technology & Transformation](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/sector/technology-transformation) - [AI, ML & Data](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/ai-ml-data-science-recruitment-talent-locker) - [Defence & Security](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/defence-and-security-recruitment) - [Solutions](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/our-recruitment-solutions) - [Retained Recruitment](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/retained-search-recruitment) - [Exclusive Recruitment](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/exclusive-recruitment) - [Contingent Recruitment](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/contingent-recruitment) - [Projects](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/talent-locker-projects) - [Jobs](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/job-seekers) - [Job Search](https://jobs.talentlocker.co.uk/?hsCtaTracking=b83c9071-2a1d-4515-99ab-96e6223ad2ec%7C47e61f8d-0ae1-4727-8229-369adefad01b) - [Upload your CV](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/submit-your-cv) - [Insights](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/insights-talent-locker) - [Case Studies](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/case-studies) - [Blog posts](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/blog) - [Salary & Rate Guidance](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/insights/salary-rate-guidance) - [Webinars & Insights](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/insights/webinars) - [SALARY SURVEY 2027](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/salary-survey-2027) - [About Us](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/about-us) - [About](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/about-us) - [Awards & Acceditations](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/awards-accreditations) - [Community](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/community) - [DE&I](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/dei) - [Meet the team](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/team) - [Join the team](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/join-the-team) - [Contact Us](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/contact) - [Submit a vacancy](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/submit-your-vacancy) [![Search Jobs](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/8110437/b83c9071-2a1d-4515-99ab-96e6223ad2ec.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/8110437/b83c9071-2a1d-4515-99ab-96e6223ad2ec) Menu ![IT recruitment services](https://8110437.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/8110437/hubfs/Animals/mountain-goat.jpg?width=1800&name=mountain-goat.jpg) # Retained search **recruitment** ![](https://8110437.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/8110437/hubfs/transformation%20butterfly%20(2).jpg?width=800&name=transformation%20butterfly%20(2).jpg) ## EXECUTIVE & SPECIALIST HIRING FOR CRITICAL ROLES   For senior, niche, and high-impact appointments, Talent Locker’s retained search provides a focused, strategic approach to hiring. Working as an exclusive partner, we deliver a structured search process combining market intelligence, competitor mapping, and proactive headhunting to identify and engage the strongest talent in the market — including candidates not actively seeking new roles. **Speak with our team to discuss your search.** [speak with our team today](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/submit-a-vacancy) # HOW RETAINED SEARCH TRANSFORMS YOUR HIRING PERFORMANCE #### **Secure high-impact senior talent** Designed for leadership and strategic hires, retained search helps you attract professionals who drive transformation and measurable business outcomes. #### **End-to-end recruitment ownership** A fully managed process from role definition and market mapping to shortlist delivery and final hire, reducing internal workload and complexity. #### **Access a wider, hidden talent pool** Proactive search and market mapping give you access to high-quality candidates not actively applying on the market. #### **Structured, time-bound delivery** A defined process and timeline ensure efficient delivery with full visibility, control, and accountability at every stage. ## IS RETAINED SEARCH RIGHT FOR YOU? For high-impact, hard-to-fill roles, a retained search approach ensures a focused, strategic, and outcome-driven hiring process. **Retained search is typically the right choice when:** - The hire is critical to business performance or transformation success  - The talent you need is rare, niche, or difficult to access  - The search requires discretion and confidentiality  - You need a guaranteed, high-quality outcome — not just speed  If the quality of hire is critical to success, retained search offers a more controlled, lower-risk route to securing the right talent. [![Talent Locker](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/hubfs/raw_assets/public/talent-locker/images/talent-locker.svg)](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/) - [Hire Talent](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/employers) - [Hire a contractor in 48 hours](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/hire-a-contractor-in-48-hours) - [Submit a vacancy](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/submit-your-vacancy) - [Industries](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/employers) - [ERP & CRM](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/sector/erp-crm-recruitment) - [Technology & Transformation](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/sector/technology-transformation) - [AI, ML & Data](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/ai-ml-data-science-recruitment-talent-locker) - [Defence & Security](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/defence-and-security-recruitment) - [Solutions](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/our-recruitment-solutions) - [Retained Recruitment](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/retained-search-recruitment) - [Exclusive Recruitment](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/exclusive-recruitment) - [Contingent Recruitment](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/contingent-recruitment) - [Projects](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/talent-locker-projects) - [Jobs](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/job-seekers) - [Job Search](https://jobs.talentlocker.co.uk/?hsCtaTracking=b83c9071-2a1d-4515-99ab-96e6223ad2ec%7C47e61f8d-0ae1-4727-8229-369adefad01b) - [Upload your CV](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/submit-your-cv) - [Insights](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/insights-talent-locker) - [Case Studies](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/case-studies) - [Blog posts](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/blog) - [Salary & Rate Guidance](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/insights/salary-rate-guidance) - [Webinars & Insights](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/insights/webinars) - [SALARY SURVEY 2027](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/salary-survey-2027) - [About Us](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/about-us) - [About](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/about-us) - [Awards & Acceditations](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/awards-accreditations) - [Community](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/community) - [DE&I](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/dei) - [Meet the team](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/team) - [Join the team](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/join-the-team) - [Contact Us](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/contact) - [Submit a vacancy](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/submit-your-vacancy) [![Search Jobs](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/8110437/b83c9071-2a1d-4515-99ab-96e6223ad2ec.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/8110437/b83c9071-2a1d-4515-99ab-96e6223ad2ec) Menu # WHO WE'VE HELPED ![vitality logo](https://8110437.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/8110437/hubfs/vitality%20logo.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=vitality%20logo.png) ![harrods logo](https://8110437.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/8110437/hubfs/harrods%20logo.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=harrods%20logo.png) ![ESTEE LAUDER LOGO (2)](https://8110437.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/8110437/hubfs/ESTEE%20LAUDER%20LOGO%20(2).png?width=1200&length=1200&name=ESTEE%20LAUDER%20LOGO%20(2).png) ![supercell365 logo](https://8110437.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/8110437/hubfs/supercell365%20logo.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=supercell365%20logo.png) ![altrad logo](https://8110437.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/8110437/hubfs/altrad%20logo.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=altrad%20logo.png) ![delaware](https://8110437.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/8110437/hubfs/delaware.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=delaware.png) ![dynavics](https://8110437.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/8110437/hubfs/dynavics.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=dynavics.png) ![TSG](https://8110437.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/8110437/hubfs/TSG.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=TSG.png) ![hitachi](https://8110437.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/8110437/hubfs/hitachi.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=hitachi.png) ![seasalt logo v1](https://8110437.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/8110437/hubfs/seasalt%20logo%20v1.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=seasalt%20logo%20v1.png) ## SECURE THE TALENT YOUR COMPETITORS CAN'T REACH For critical, high-impact hires, retained search gives you access to talent beyond the open market. Speak with our team to discuss your hiring needs and explore whether retained search is the right approach — a short, no-obligation conversation. **Complete the form below and a specialist consultant will be in touch.**   ## MARKET INSIGHTS ### TOP 5 TIPS FOR HIRING CONTRACTORS QUICKLY (FOR TECH AND TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMMES) When a technology or transformation programme needs specialist skills quickly, contractors can be... [Read more](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/blog/top-5-tips-for-hiring-contractors-quickly-for-tech-and-transformation-programmes) ### THE COST OF A BAD HIRE: WHAT HIRING MISTAKES REALLY COST TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMMES How much does a bad employee cost? [Read more](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/blog/the-cost-of-a-bad-hire-what-hiring-mistakes-really-cost-technology-programmes) ### ARMED FORCES DAY 2026: WHY MORE EMPLOYERS SHOULD BE HIRING VETERANS At Talent Locker, we've seen first-hand the value that former Armed Forces personnel bring to... [Read more](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/blog/armed-forces-day-2026-why-more-employers-should-be-hiring-veterans) ![Talent Locker](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/hubfs/raw_assets/public/talent-locker/images/talent-locker--compact.svg) - [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-talent-locker/) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/talentlocker) - [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVQVNdpDLZ9Gq_HyZanYFg) The Talent Locker Ltd Anchor house, School Ln, Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh SO53 4DY [01962 659398](tel:+441962659398) [hello@talentlocker.co.uk](mailto:hello@talentlocker.co.uk) ![Great Place To Work Certified](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/hubfs/raw_assets/public/talent-locker/images/great-place-to-work-logo.jpg) ![REC | Recruitment & Employment Confederation](https://www.talentlocker.co.uk/hubfs/raw_assets/public/talent-locker/images/REC-logo.jpg) [5.0 1 2 3 4 5](https://www.google.com/search?q=talent+locker&oq=talent+locker&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i61l3.1328j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#lrd=0x487412731b251681:0x5a26d53d5b66f114,1,,,) © 2026 The Talent Locker Ltd. 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