Retrained Search

Retrained Search Helping recruitment agencies build retained search capability successfully. The contingent permanent recruitment model is unpredictable. Until Now. And It Works.

It causes unreliable forecasts, creates master/slave client relationships and demotivates talented consultants. So why don't recruitment agencies do more work on a retained basis? Usually, they lack the internal capability, and there hasn't been any consistently effective, accessible training available. I have developed a highly engaging, interactive training programme which teaches contingent recruiters how to sell and deliver retained search. As well as generating sales of retained projects straight away, it will give you the foundation on which to build a successful search division, team or brand and the platform to develop other strategic services such as Talent Pipelining and Insight Studies. Find out more, see what our clients say and book your free consultation call at: www.retrainedsearch.com

12/08/2026

Most recruiters should not be trying to sell into private equity. Paul Press explained why perfectly on the podcast.

PE firms are:
• Slow to trust
• Obsessed with quality
• Highly relationship driven
• Extremely demanding

You can't survive on sending 'good' candidates and hoping something sticks, and you can't fake expertise or rely on persistence alone.

Paul spent months building credibility before seeing meaningful results.
The recruiters who thrive in PE aren't the best salespeople, they're the most patient and curious.. the ones willing to become genuine experts.
Sometimes the opportunity isn't finding a better market, it's becoming worthy of the market you're already targeting.
🎙️ Full episode here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0xBW4Z0

Many agencies think they’re working “retained.” They’re taking deposits, they’re committing to deliver… but behind the s...
31/07/2026

Many agencies think they’re working “retained.” They’re taking deposits, they’re committing to deliver… but behind the scenes, the process looks suspiciously like contingent with a few extra bells and whistles.

The result? Roles that drag on too long, clients who still behave like they’re running a beauty parade, rework, rebates, stressed-out consultants, and in some cases, a retreat back to contingent.

In this session, Louise Archer will unpack why so many agencies stall in the “contained/retingent” middle ground, and what it really takes to run a profitable retained model with 95–100% fill rates.

Register here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0xm2bC0

23/07/2026

"Nobody has ever explained the retained process properly to me."
That came from a senior Head of Talent Acquisition who had spent years turning down retained recruitment proposals.
It wasn't because retained wasn't right for her organisation. It was because nobody had ever explained the process, why it works, or what the client experience would actually be.

That's one of the topics Louise discusses with Sean Anderson from Hoxo on his Podcast. They also explore:
• Why some of the world's largest contingent recruitment businesses are under pressure while executive search firms continue to grow.
• Why retained is about far more than getting paid upfront.
• The role of trusted advice, market insight, and expertise in a world where AI is changing recruitment.

Such a great conversation! Listen to the full podcast and let us know what you think:

YouTube: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0x716n0

Apple Podcasts: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0x71vC0

Spotify: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0x70y60

17/07/2026

Our members never fail to amaze us.
Vinko travelled all the way from Croatia to join us for our Manchester event last month and even brought gifts for the team as a thank you.
We have the best community. Thanks Vinko!

14/07/2026

"There's nothing this course doesn't cover. Contracts, positioning, pitch decks, every resource you need. If you can't make it work after this course, it's probably not the course's fault."

This is not the first time we've heard this!
So happy to have Ryan from the Lofthouse Group in our community!
10 months since joining our community:
→ Over a third of Lofthouse's revenue now comes from retained clients and fees
→ Ryan's got the confidence to drive every retained project to a result
→ Legally secure contracts mean he can offer the service properly, without the risk
→ A structured process has taken the hardest part of the job off his plate, so he can focus on what he loves: looking after clients

Buzzing for him!

If you'd like to find out more and take a peek inside our community, we're leaving our meeting link in the comments. Come take a look, ask questions, get advice. We'd love to help.

29/05/2026

We thought every recruiter already knew this. Turns out, they don’t.

Inside one of our Mastery sessions, Louise shared a strategy for developing accounts, not managing them. A practical way to create more opportunity, more influence, and more revenue with existing and dormant clients.

One member went on to bill her full annual target in the first half of the year.

Another found the strategy so effective he now has someone full-time focused on it.

That’s why Louise is teaching this session (amongst others) live in Manchester on 12th June.

To be able to do this too, you need to be in the room.

Alongside this session, we’ve got incredible workshops from David Wolstenholme, Sam Rathling, Sarah Chester-Nelson, Jordan Taylor and David Plummer.

Secure your seat, come learn, and stay for drinks afterwards.

Get your ticket here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0vJXnr0

📍 Manchester. 12th June 2026.We’re bringing together 120 agency owners, senior leaders, and high-performing consultants ...
19/05/2026

📍 Manchester. 12th June 2026.

We’re bringing together 120 agency owners, senior leaders, and high-performing consultants for an exclusive, one-off, one-day event: The Indispensable Recruiter

🎫 Get your ticket here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0vpY_t0

31/03/2026

They called us into a meeting and said:
“That overdraft you have… you don’t have it anymore.”
Just like that, our bank removed our working capital and cancelled our credit cards.
Overnight we went from operating normally to having zero capital and zero cash flow.
I remember saying in the meeting:
“This is going to kill us.”
And they replied:
“Yes… we know. We’re sorry.”
Moments like this force you to find out what your business is really made of.
Because when the safety net disappears, process, discipline, and resilience are the only things left.
Full story here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0sQk8x0

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