Specialist Search
Six senior-led search teams, one simple fixed-fee model. We help you hire specialist technology talent without the retained-search premium.
Specialist Search
Specialist recruitment without the retained search cost
We support technology teams that need niche or business-critical mid-level hires. Each search is led by a senior recruiter who understands the market, maps the talent pool and manages the process for you.
What makes our search different
Senior-led delivery
Your role is managed by an experienced recruiter, not handed down to a junior recruiter.
Focused market mapping
We identify active and passive candidates across the exact skill set, salary band and location.
Shortlist quality
Every profile is interviewed by our senior recruiter before it reaches your team.
Fixed-fee certainty
Clear pricing keeps specialist hiring predictable, even for niche skill sets.
How It Works
A simple process for niche skill sets
From role calibration through to offer management, we keep each search structured, visible and focused on the right candidate pool.
Consult
Full Vacancy Consultation
Audit
Audit & Align Expectations
Map
Talent Mapping & Pipelining
Contact
Candidate Sourcing & Selection
Manage
Interview Management & Client Coaching
Secure
Offer Management & Candidate Onboarding
Fixed Fees
Simple pricing for specialist hiring
Senior-led specialist search. Designed for specialist technology hires where quality, speed, and market knowledge matter. One transparent fee structure — no percentage of salary, no moving goalposts.
Up to £40k £4,995+VAT
Fixed placement fee
Typical roles
Book a Hiring Call - Junior specialist roles
- Analysts and Engineers
- Support and delivery roles
Most Common £40k to £60k £6,995+VAT
Fixed placement fee
Typical roles
Book a Hiring Call - Specialists and Junior Managers
- Senior Consultants and Engineers
- Project and Team Leaders
£60k to £80k £9,995+VAT
Fixed placement fee
Typical roles
Book a Hiring Call - Technical Experts and Managers
- Lead Consultants and Engineers
- Project and Programme Owners
Hiring Above £80k? Bespoke Senior Search
Hiring for a Director or specialist role above £80k? We can introduce you to Silverdale Partners, our specialist search partner for high-impact cyber, data, and AI talent across the UK and Europe.
Success Stories
View Case Studies
Specialist hiring outcomes
Explore examples of how focused search helped teams secure specialist talent.
Data Analytics
Case Study
Ocado Retail
- Role Placed
- Customer Insight Analyst
- Skill Area
- Data Analytics
1
The Challenge
As Ocado Retail continues to grow its online grocery customer base, the business needed stronger customer insight capability to support marketing performance and commercial decision-making.
The team required junior data talent who could analyse customer behaviour, campaign performance and segmentation, helping turn customer data into practical insight for targeting, retention and growth.
2
Candidate Strengths
Henry brought a strong analytical foundation from his Natural Sciences degree, supported by practical data experience. He had worked with large datasets, Python, machine learning models and automated data pipelines – giving him the technical base to move quickly into a customer insight role.
3
Newto's Added Value
Newto helped Henry turn his analytical background into a credible customer insight profile.
He completed Newto's Data Analyst programme, achieving Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Associate, Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals and CompTIA Data+.
Newto's specialised coaching helped him present his technical projects in a commercial way – linking data analysis, automation and machine learning to business decision-making.
4
Employer Outcome
- Ocado Retail hired Henry as a Customer Insight Analyst within its Customer Insight function, adding junior data capability at no recruitment cost.
- The hire gave the business a cost-effective way to strengthen its junior data bench, bringing in an early-career analyst with the technical foundation and commercial awareness to develop inside the team.
Cyber Security
Case Study
Darktrace
- Role Placed
- Security Operations Analyst
- Skill Area
- Cyber Security
1
The Challenge
As Darktrace continues to scale as an AI cybersecurity business, there was demand for increased SOC capacity.
With a large global customer base and broad security coverage, the business needed three junior analysts to support first-line monitoring, triage, investigation, and escalation – helping the SOC maintain speed, consistency, and coverage without relying only on senior analysts.
2
Candidate Strengths
Jonathan brought real-world operational experience from customer-facing, logistics and management roles. He had worked in fast-paced environments where clear communication, process discipline, prioritisation, and escalation mattered.
3
Newto's Added Value
Newto helped Jonathan turn that experience into a credible cyber security profile.
He completed structured cyber security training, achieving CompTIA Security+, CompTIA CySA+ and Microsoft Azure Fundamentals.
He then received specialised coaching to help him explain his transition clearly and show how his previous experience could translate into a SOC environment.
4
Employer Outcome
- Darktrace hired Jonathan as one of three SOC Analysts, adding trained entry-level talent to its security operations team at no recruitment cost.
- The hire gave Darktrace additional capacity while bringing in someone with the maturity, work ethic, and development potential to grow within the business.
Cyber Security
Case Study
Control Risks
- Role Placed
- Associate Consultant in Cyber Advisory
- Skill Area
- Cyber Security
1
The Challenge
Control Risks needed additional junior advisory capacity within its Digital Risks team as client demand increased for cyber risk assessment, digital resilience, and advisory work across EMEA.
The role required someone who could support consultants by analysing security information, researching threats, preparing client-ready reports, and helping translate technical cyber issues into clear business risk.
2
Candidate Strengths
Stephan brought a strong analytical background from intelligence, OSINT, and corporate risk. He was used to working with incomplete information, identifying patterns, and turning complex issues into clear findings for senior stakeholders.
3
Newto's Added Value
Newto helped Stephan translate his intelligence and risk background into a credible cyber advisory profile.
He completed structured cyber security training, achieving CompTIA Security+ and CompTIA CySA+.
Newto's specialised coaching included a deep dive into his previous experiences, mapping his OSINT, analysis and reporting experience against Control Risks' advisory work, and helping him present that experience clearly in the interview.
4
Employer Outcome
- Control Risks hired Stephan within its Digital Risks team at no recruitment cost.
- The hire gave the team additional support on cyber risk assessment and client delivery across EMEA, with a candidate who could bring structured analysis and clear communication into the role.
FAQ
Common Questions
What roles are best suited to specialist search?
Business-critical, niche or senior technology roles where the right candidates are not actively applying and need to be proactively approached.
How quickly can a shortlist be produced?
Most searches start with market mapping and outreach immediately after the role brief. Timelines depend on seniority, location and availability in the candidate market.
Is the fee always fixed?
Yes. We agree the fee structure before the search begins so you know the cost before interviews, offers or salary negotiation.
Can you support confidential searches?
Yes. We can approach candidates discreetly and control how much company information is shared at each stage.