HR Leadership Recruitment

At Ashdown Group, we specialise in recruiting senior HR leaders across London and the UK, helping organisations build effective, commercially focused people functions.

Home » HR Recruitment » HR Leadership Recruitment

HR Leadership Recruitment Specialists

Strong HR leadership is essential to organisational success. HR Directors and Heads of HR shape culture, drive performance, manage risk, and align people strategy with business goals.

As HR expectations evolve, organisations need leaders who combine strategic vision with operational excellence.

With over 25 years of experience partnering with HR teams, we understand what sets high-performing HR leaders apart. Our consultants are skilled HR recruitment specialists, recruiting senior HR professionals and recognising the balance of leadership, commercial insight, and technical expertise needed for success.

Our extensive network of senior HR professionals, across diverse industries and organisation sizes, allows us to identify leaders who deliver immediate impact and long-term value. And our HR job market insights allows us to offer unparalled hiring advice.

HR Leadership Roles We Recruit

We recruit across the full spectrum of HR leadership roles, including:

  • HR Directors
  • Heads of HR
  • Chief People Officers
  • People & Culture Directors
  • Senior HR Managers and Transformation Leads

Our candidates bring experience across:

  • Developing and delivering people strategy
  • Organisational design and transformation
  • Leadership and culture development
  • Workforce planning and talent strategy
  • Governance, risk management, and compliance

We identify leaders who operate effectively at board level and drive measurable business outcomes.

Contract & Interim HR Leadership

In addition to permanent recruitment, we provide experienced interim HR leaders to support organisations during change and transition.

Our interim HR leadership network can assist with:

  • Organisational transformation and restructuring
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Leadership gaps and succession planning
  • Establishing or evolving HR functions
  • Delivering strategic HR initiatives

We recognise the need to secure the right leadership quickly, ensuring a prompt and effective match with professionals who lead with confidence and credibility.

Why Choose Ashdown Group for HR Leadership Recruitment?

We understand that hiring the right HR leader is a crucial decision that shapes organisational performance, culture, and long-term success.
Our approach combines:

Over 25 years experience recruiting HR professionals
A strong network of proven HR leaders
Insight into market trends and leadership hiring challenges
A consultative, partnership-led approach

We work closely with clients to understand their business and introduce leaders who align with organisational goals and deliver sustainable impact.

To support your hiring strategy, explore our HR Recruitment Insights and HR Salary Guide for additional context on market trends, leadership demand, and salary benchmarks.

HR Recruitment Agency

Rapid Results

With a dedicated HR recruitment team working on your behalf, we will work hard to source the best HR candidates for your organisation, and will introduce high quality, vetted HR professionals to your business within three days of receiving your vacancy. From the moment you send us the job details, we will be there to ensure a swift and rewarding outcome.

HR Recruitment Services

Guaranteed Success

Our recruitment services are amongst the highest rated in the UK, with 85% of jobs registered by returning customers. In the unlikely event that your new hire does not complete their three month probation we will continue to search to find you a replacement, free of charge, without any compromise in service level.

recruitment services

Competitive Terms

Our 15% recruitment fee and 100% rebate terms are more competitive than any other specialist HR recruitment agency in the UK. Providing a cost effective recruitment service, we succeed in helping employers with their search by delivering expert Human Resources talent where other recruitment agencies have failed.

HR Professionals

Largest HR Network

Over 25 years, Ashdown have developed one of the largest networks of HR professionals and consultants across London and the UK. With access to a wide range of HR experts, we help organisations with specialist recruitment requirements, from advice on recruiting into stand-alone HR jobs London to expertise in building entire HR teams.

HR Salary Guide

Our Salary Guide focuses on the IT, HR, marketing and accountancy sectors, created from data analysed from over 3,550 organisations, 22,000 registered jobs, 314,000 recently active candidates, ONS data and other external data sources. Explore industry specific salary data and salaries for individual job roles, based on experience and location.

Trusted by

  • Mercedes Benz Logo
  • wolters kluwer logo
  • GSK logo
  • sony logo
  • Surrey County Council logo

"We have been working together for years now. The consistency of dealing with the same team is crucial, and we’ve had the same person look after us throughout. It’s always been about Ashdown understanding our business, not superficially, but in greater depth than I’ve ever experienced before.

"I'm only introduced to people whom I’m actually interested in meeting. I never feel people are pushed across to hit a number. It’s a genuine partnership, we work together to find the right person and why we will continue to be successful for years to come."

Support & HR Manager, Ramsac

More reviews

Fees and Rebates

  • 1

    Permanent

    We charge a 15% fee for your first vacancy and future HR vacancies provided we are given a 10 day head start over any other agencies.

    Register a vacancy
  • 2

    Protection

    It is rarely the case that we need to refund our placements but the security is there should you need it. If someone we place leaves your company within their first 13 weeks, will deliver the entire recruitment process again, without compromise in service level. If unsuccessful in finding a replacement, we will refund your fee in full.

  • Fixed Term Interim
    3

    FTC / Interim

    Covering maternity, long term sickness, a staff shortfall or secondments, our fees are aligned to our permanent fee structure on a prorated basis.

    Register a vacancy
  • Interim Contractor
    4

    Contract

    Working to your budget, we will quickly find you skilled professionals to deliver your project.

    Register a contract

Would you like to know more?

We will work with you to solve your HR recruitment needs

Get in touch

Latest HR Jobs

HR & Recruitment Coordinator – 3 month contract- Islington, London

London - North / £23 p/h

HR & Recruitment Coordinator – 3 month contract- £23 per hour – North London, Islington   We are looking for a proactive and highly organised HR & Recruitment Coordinator to support a busy HR team during a temporary assignment of up to 3 months. This role is ideal for someone with strong recruitment coordination experience...

Read more

Payroll Consultant – Compensation & Benefits – 6 month FTC – London, Hybrid

London - Central / £90,000

Payroll Consultant – Compensation & Benefits – 6 month FTC – £80,000 – £100,000 plus benefits Central London, Hybrid – 3 days per week in the office Please note – candidates need to be available to start within 2 weeks. Salary on offer is £80,000 – £100,000 depending on experience.  Role Purpose The Compensation &...

Read more

HR Advisor – Heathfield, Devon

Devon / £35,000

A specialist technology company is looking for a proactive HR Advisor to join the team. Please note, this role is based in Heathfield, Devon and would suit candidates living within a commutable distance. The business is ideally looking for someone to work Monday to Friday, however reduced hours will also be considered, with flexibility for...

Read more
More jobs