All answers / S01-B-perplexity-r1

S01-B | Perplexity | Observation 1

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Collection: UK | Access: signed_in_free | Mode: Free Search; native Incognito | Visible model: Search; automatic/default Model

Exact question

Who are the best recruiters for our first global payroll lead? We are based in the UK and growing in Europe and North America, and the hire will be UK-based.

Complete saved answer

For a UK-based  first Global Payroll Lead , I’d shortlist specialist payroll recruiters with proven international/EMEA mandates rather than general HR agencies. The strongest starting point is a two-firm search:  JGA Recruitment  for global payroll leadership networks and  Frazer Jones  for senior payroll/HR search; add  Portfolio Payroll  and  Middlemore  depending on whether you want volume access or a more executive-search-led process.

gpa +3

Recommended recruiters

| Recruiter | Why they fit | Best use |
| JGA Recruitment | A UK payroll and HR recruitment specialist that says it supports clients across the UK and EMEA; its team highlights UK and global payroll specialisms, including leadership-level talent and HR-tech/payroll-platform experience. jgarecruitment +1 | First call. Strong for a hands-on Global Payroll Lead who can build processes, manage vendors, and scale across markets. |
| Frazer Jones | Has a dedicated payroll practice with global networks and payroll specialists at every level; its UK payroll team includes a Director of Payroll. [frazerjones](https://frazerjones.com/areas-of-expertise/) | Strong second search partner , especially if the role is strategic and needs access to senior payroll leaders in larger or multinational businesses. |
| Portfolio Payroll | Positions itself as a large UK specialist payroll recruiter, with London and Manchester coverage and a dedicated executive-search offer for Heads of Payroll, Global Directors, and interim leaders. theportfoliogroup +1 | Use for market mapping, salary benchmarking, and access to UK-based global payroll leaders ; also useful if you may need an interim while hiring permanently. |
| Middlemore | A London-based specialist executive search and recruitment firm focused on Global Payroll, HR, HRIS, Finance, and Reward; it explicitly covers strategic payroll leadership, global payroll transformation, compliance, vendor management, and international growth. [Trusted domain gpa](https://gpa.net/blogs/directory/middlemore) | Best if this is a founding leadership hire with transformation, multi-country implementation, and vendor-consolidation responsibilities. |
| Handle Recruitment | Currently recruiting international payroll lead and international payroll manager roles covering UK, Europe, and selected international markets, indicating active exposure to the exact candidate profile. handle.co +1 | Worth including as a contingency/search firm , particularly for media, retail, consumer, and international operational payroll backgrounds. |

My recommended approach

Run a  retained or exclusive search with one primary firm , rather than opening the role to five agencies. For this hire, I would make  JGA the primary  because of its narrow global-payroll focus, then use  Frazer Jones or Middlemore  as a secondary senior-search channel if the first two weeks do not produce a credible shortlist. gpa +2

Ask each firm to evidence:

• Recent placements for Global Payroll Lead, Global Payroll Manager, EMEA Payroll Director, or Head of International Payroll

• Candidates who have built payroll operations across the UK, EU/EEA, and North America

• Experience with in-house payroll, EOR, local payroll vendors, and consolidation onto platforms such as ADP, Dayforce, Workday, SAP, or UKG

• Familiarity with UK employer obligations, cross-border payroll compliance, currency/FX, and payroll data governance

What to specify in the brief

Make clear that this is not simply a UK payroll manager role. The successful person will likely need to:

• Own payroll strategy and operations across the UK, Europe, and North America

• Select and manage payroll providers, EORs, and local in-country partners

• Build controls, calendars, compliance processes, and reporting

• Lead payroll transformation or system implementation as the company scales

• Partner closely with Finance, HR, Legal, Tax, and external advisers

Practical shortlist

1. JGA Recruitment — primary specialist search. [jgarecruitment](https://jgarecruitment.com/)

2. Frazer Jones — senior payroll leadership access. [frazerjones](https://frazerjones.com/areas-of-expertise/)

3. Middlemore — executive search if transformation/global build is central. [Trusted domain gpa](https://gpa.net/blogs/directory/middlemore)

4. Portfolio Payroll — market mapping, benchmarking, and interim cover. [theportfoliogroup](https://theportfoliogroup.com/payroll/executive-search/)

5. Handle Recruitment — contingency option with live international payroll mandates. handle.co +1

For a first global payroll leader, prioritise candidates who have  built  multi-country payroll capability, not only managed an established function. The recruiter should be able to distinguish between a strong UK payroll operator and someone who can own vendors, compliance, integration, and international scale-up.

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