Perplexity
JGA recommended.

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.