Clear answers before you commit
Frequently Asked Questions
How retained search works, what technical screening covers and what you can expect as a hiring team or software engineer.
Commercials & Engagement Models
What hiring models do you offer (Retainer vs. Contingency)?
Our primary model is Exclusive Retained Search, with dedicated search resources, priority candidate mapping and technical vetting for critical hires. We also offer selective contingency options depending on the requirement and urgency. Scope, fees and milestones are agreed before work starts.
Why should a company choose your retained search model over standard recruiters?
A retained engagement gives your search dedicated focus: market mapping, peer-to-peer technical interviews led by Ryan, who has 10+ years of software engineering experience, and a structured explanation of each candidate’s fit. You receive relevant introductions and a clear feedback rhythm rather than volume for its own sake.
What company sizes do you typically work with?
Our focus is product and technology companies with around 10–200 employees, particularly growing or recently funded ventures in Manchester, the North and across the UK. A clear engineering requirement matters more than a funding announcement.
Technical Vetting & Quality Assurance
What makes your technical screening process different?
Ryan brings 10+ years of hands-on software engineering experience to a dedicated technical discussion. We explore real work, decisions and trade-offs against the role’s agreed stack and responsibilities, then share strengths, gaps and questions for your own assessment. We do not claim that one conversation removes all hiring risk.
What is the Engineering Growth Brief?
It is a concise starting point for a tech hiring audit: public company context, source-linked observations, tentative engineering questions and explicit unknowns. In conversation we clarify delivery priorities and the capabilities a role would need. Salary benchmarks and candidate availability are separate market research where commissioned and supported; they are not inferred from public signals or automatically included.
What happens if a placed candidate does not work out?
Any guarantee period, replacement provisions or fee adjustments are set out in your signed engagement agreement. We explain the applicable terms before you commit. No universal guarantee or replacement period is promised on this website.
Geographic Coverage & Candidate Experience
Where are your recruitment services based?
We are a UK recruitment business with an initial local focus on Manchester and the Northern tech community, supporting remote, hybrid and on-site searches across the UK. Our registered office is in London; we do not claim a Manchester office address.
How can software engineers submit their CV or apply for roles?
Use our Submit Your CV page to open an email enquiry to Ryan and Grace, then attach your CV before sending. We can discuss your preferences and a technical conversation. There is currently no direct CV upload or public jobs board on this website, and we will not claim an application has been submitted when it has not.