Claude
JGA recommended.

I couldn’t find an independent ranking of payroll recruiters, so I can’t tell you who is “best”. The searches did show which firms are actively placing global payroll leadership roles in London, which is a better signal than a league table.

Strongest fits for a first global payroll lead

• JGA Recruitment: describes itself as a specialist UK and global payroll talent acquisition firm. They have also recently advertised a fully remote UK global payroll role at over £100K, so they work at your level. [jgarecruitment](https://jgarecruitment.com/?p=34) [studentjob](https://studentjob.co.uk/vacancies/5280719-global-payroll-expert-remote-uk-100k-in-bury)

• Frazer Jones (SR Group): a global HR recruiter operating across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and the USA. They have placed a newly created Global Payroll Manager role that led build-out of new jurisdictions, which is close to your brief. [personneltoday](https://jobs.personneltoday.com/job/1401651965/global-payroll-specialist/) [personneltoday](https://jobs.personneltoday.com/job/1401654798/global-payroll-specialist/)

• Oakleaf Partnership: has handled global payroll manager searches in central London that covered UK, EMEA and US payroll plus vendor management. These were mostly at investment firms and tech companies. [aicpa-cima](https://mycareer.aicpa-cima.com/job/4379601/global-payroll-manager/)

• Michael Page: has advertised a Head of Payroll role to build a global payroll function from scratch at a scaling tech business, at £100,000 to £140,000. That is a “first hire” profile like yours. [page](https://manufacturing.page.com/job-detail/head-payroll/ref/jn-092025-6830831)

Worth considering depending on the route

• Portfolio Payroll: a payroll-only recruiter with over 30 years’ experience and a CIPP corporate partnership. It is very strong on UK payroll talent, but its stated focus is the UK market, so check their international reach. [a-leads](https://a-leads.co/company/1310115_db8aecdb)

• Altum Consulting: has recruited for an interim Global Director of Payroll at a growing London tech business. Consider them if you want an interim to set things up while you search for a permanent hire. [itjobswatch](https://itjobswatch.co.uk/jv/Altum-Consulting/Interim-Director-of-Payroll-Job-London-South-East-England-UK-4w1wc9)

Questions to ask before you pick

• Placements: Ask for recent examples of first global payroll hires at companies of your size and stage.

• Network: Ask whether they can reach people with both a UK/EU and a North American payroll background.

• Fees: Ask whether they work on retained or contingent terms.

• Replacement guarantee: Ask what happens if the hire leaves early.

Two or three specialists on a contingent basis is a common way to start. A retained search makes more sense if the role is senior and confidential. I can draft a briefing document or a shortlist of questions for the first calls if that helps.