Build the company around the people doing the work.

Permanent recruitment for Heads of People, People Directors, Talent Directors and Chief People Officers at UK startups and scaleups.

Start with the work

The first senior people hire should solve the company problem, not import a generic playbook.

The role may need to improve management, build the people foundations, lead hiring or help the company through a demanding period of change. We separate those needs before the search begins. That gives candidates an honest mandate and helps the founder recognise the experience that will matter in practice.

Typical mandates

Titles change. The work decides the level.

Head of People

People Director

Talent Director

Chief People Officer

Evidence we test

What needs to survive a proper conversation.

Business judgement

Evidence that people decisions were shaped by company priorities, not a standard programme copied from somewhere else.

Manager confidence

A record of helping managers make clearer decisions and handle difficult conversations with consistency.

Sound foundations

Experience building practical policies, data and operating routines that are proportionate to the stage.

Trust with range

The credibility to advise founders, support employees and stay useful when the answer is uncomfortable.

When the role is ready

Signals that the brief is worth writing.

People decisions are consuming too much founder or leadership time.
Managers need more support than an outsourced service can provide.
Hiring, performance and retention no longer work as separate conversations.
The company is entering a stage of growth or change that needs experienced people leadership.

Our initial target

Three to five people worth meeting.

We target an initial shortlist of three to five screened and interested candidates within seven working days of an agreed brief and signed terms.

See the full shortlist standard

Useful answers

Before you brief the search.

When should a startup hire its first senior people leader?

The right moment is usually when people decisions, manager capability or company change require sustained ownership that the founder and external advisers can no longer provide between them.

Which people leadership roles does Search Studio recruit?

We recruit permanent Heads of People, People Directors, Talent Directors and Chief People Officers for UK startups and scaleups.

Can the search include candidates from outside our sector?

Yes. We agree which context is genuinely essential and where a strong operator from an adjacent environment may bring more useful evidence.

Other functions

Search across the leadership team.

Permanent people leadership search for UK startups and scaleups.

Bring us the role. Leave with a clearer brief.

Book a discovery call