Retained, Exclusive Search That Actually Delivers

​If you’re serious about hiring the right person — not just the available one — you need a different kind of recruitment process.

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At Portman Financial People, we don’t play the numbers game. We run retained, exclusive searches for firms that want accuracy, quality and results.

This isn’t CV-chucking. It’s proper headhunting.

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What You Get

A committed, targeted search
We take on fewer roles so we can go deeper. That means direct outreach to high-calibre, passive candidates you won’t find on job boards.

First-mover advantage
Retained means your role goes to market first, and exclusively. You get early access before the competition even knows they’re looking.

Shortlist, not shortlist-length emails
You’ll only meet people we’d hire ourselves. Every candidate is pre-qualified, briefed, and genuinely suitable. No time-wasters, no filler.

Insight and control
We run the process from start to finish — briefing, shortlisting, interviews and offer stage — all managed clearly, professionally, and with total visibility.

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Why Retained Works Better

Most firms use contingent recruiters, and most get what they pay for: rushed searches, recycled candidates, and zero accountability.

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Retained search changes the equation. You get:

• A partner committed to filling your role, not just farming out CVs

• A process built around quality, not speed alone

• Better hires, longer retention, and less hiring pain

Fees and Structure

Our retained model is built on simple, clear terms:

• Initial engagement fee to commit the search and secure exclusivity

• Balance on successful placement — no hidden costs, no surprises

• Flat fees or percentage models available, depending on the role

We only work with firms we know we can deliver for. If we take your search on, we’ll fill it.

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Ready to Hire Properly?

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If you’ve got a gap in your team — Paraplanner, Adviser, Admin or Compliance — and you’re done wasting time on CVs that don’t fit, let’s talk.