All answers / S10-A-claude-r2
S10-A | Claude | Observation 2
Saved-text evidence export. Original answer recorded 2026-10-21T19:21:01.824Z. This is a faithful export of the saved wording, not a product screenshot or native product export.
Collection: UK | Access: signed_in_free | Mode: Free; native Incognito; Manual | Visible model: Sonnet 5.5 Medium; Manual
Exact question
Our UK-based Global Head of Payroll is leaving before we can make a permanent replacement. We need an interim senior payroll leader for six months and support with the permanent search. Which specialist recruitment firms should we contact?
Complete saved answer
For a six-month interim plus permanent search support, I’d start with these firms. The first group comes from my search and the second from general market knowledge, so treat the second as a longlist to vet.
Specialist HR and payroll firms (best fit)
• Frazer Jones (SR Group): a global HR specialist with a dedicated UK payroll team. One of its directors focuses solely on interim payroll hires across the UK, and it is currently advertising Head of Global Payroll mandates. It is the closest match to what you describe, and it has placed interim global payroll leaders while clients recruit a permanent hire. [Linda Giacomantonio +2](https://www.frazerjones.com/nl/?p=3195)
• Altum Consulting: it has recruited an interim Global Director of Payroll for a London tech business, so this seniority of interim is familiar to them. [itjobswatch](https://www.itjobswatch.co.uk/jv/Altum-Consulting/Interim-Director-of-Payroll-Job-London-South-East-England-UK-4w1wc9)
• Oakleaf Partnership: it describes itself as the UK’s largest independent HR recruitment consultancy. It is more visible on interim payroll specialist roles, so ask about their seniority of network. [personneltoday](https://jobs.personneltoday.com/job/1401634724/international-payroll-specialist/)
Large finance and HR recruiters with payroll desks
• Page Personnel / Michael Page: Page Personnel has run a Global Head of Payroll interim assignment of up to six months, though that example was at a lower salary band than you may be targeting. [aicpa-cima](https://mycareer.aicpa-cima.com/job/5348091/global-head-of-payroll/)
• Robert Half: it has a finance and accounting arm placing interim payroll managers. It is strong on volume but typically less so at global-head level. [roberthalf](https://www.roberthalf.com/gb/en/jobs/camberley/interim)
• Hays and Reed: from my own knowledge, both have payroll and HR interim desks. I haven’t verified their senior payroll credentials here.
Executive search for the permanent role
• If the permanent hire is at executive level, ask the HR specialists above whether they run retained searches. Otherwise consider an HR-focused executive search firm.
• Korn Ferry and Lucas Group appear in my results, but those listings were North American. Check their UK payroll coverage first.
Tips for the process
• Brief two or three firms, not ten. Ask each whether they can supply both the interim and the permanent search, or only one.
• Ask for interim candidates who have run payroll through a transition. Candidates with multi-country experience, vendor management (such as ADP, CloudPay or Deel) and transformation or M&A experience are easier to place quickly.
• Check fee structures. Interims are usually charged as a day-rate margin. Some firms offer reduced permanent fees if your interim converts or if they run the search too.
• Ask about your own sector, since payroll leaders in tech, financial services and manufacturing often come from distinct pools.
If you tell me your sector, number of countries and payroll systems, I can help you draft a brief for the recruiters or narrow the list.
Recorded source events
Capture status: Complete source record. Supporting citations, provider links and retrieved results are separate.
Integrity and context
SHA-256 of exact UTF-8 answer file: 966cd936a4785c7f656bea59d712bffb7842ae2f35e5a9d5be3fd777e6582116
Open the exact saved TXT
Export prepared 2026-10-22T19:18:18.614183+00:00. Generated product statements are preserved as evidence, not independently adopted capability claims. See the detailed report for actual collection conditions and capture limits.