To handle both an  immediate six-month interim deployment  and a  retained executive search for a permanent Global Head of Payroll , you should target specialist UK recruitment agencies that have dedicated international payroll desks and proven executive-level capabilities.

Here are the top UK specialist recruitment firms best suited for this requirement:

Recommended Specialist Payroll Recruiters

1. JGA Recruitment Group

Overview:  A leading specialist recruitment agency dedicated solely to Payroll and HR, with deep experience handling global and senior-level roles.

Why contact them: They offer both interim management and executive search solutions. They host the popular  Payroll Podcast  and maintain extensive talent networks across complex multi-country payroll environments.

Best for:  Speed to market for interim cover and active headhunting for global payroll leadership.

2. Frazer Jones (Part of The SR Group)

Overview:  A premier international HR and Reward/Payroll executive search consultancy.

Why contact them: They have a dedicated UK and global Payroll practice headed by specialist directors. They excel at dual-track assignments (supplying an immediate interim while concurrently conducting a global retained search).

Best for:  Global matrix organisations needing complex, multi-jurisdiction payroll leaders.

3. Middlemore

Overview:  A boutique executive search firm focusing specifically on Global Payroll, Reward, and HR Transformation leadership.

Why contact them: Unlike high-volume agencies, Middlemore operates on a retained, consultative basis tailored to senior leadership (Global Heads, VPs, Directors). They cover both interim executive contracts and permanent placements.

Best for:  High-touch headhunting when you need a leader with specific enterprise system experience (e.g., Workday, ADP GlobalView) or complex tax/compliance capabilities.

4. Portfolio Payroll (The Portfolio Group)

Overview: The largest dedicated payroll recruiter in the UK.

Why contact them: Corporate partners with the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP), they have a dedicated Executive & Senior Management division and an extensive database of immediately available interim directors.

Best for:  Rapid deployment of seasoned interim leaders within 24–48 hours.

Strategy for Managing the Transition

| Step | Action | Focus Area |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1. Briefing the Interim | Prioritise  handover/onboarding capacity  and  multi-country payroll stability  over transformation. | Immediate risk mitigation & global team continuity |
| 2. Dual-Track Engagement | Brief the same agency (or partner search boutique) for both interim and permanent roles to keep messaging aligned. | Seamless handover to permanent hire |
| 3. Interim Objectives | Task the interim lead with evaluating current operational risks and documentation before the permanent hire arrives. | Value-add during 6-month tenure |

Would you like advice on structuring the compensation or key competencies to specify in the brief for a Global Head of Payroll?
