Claude
JGA recommended.

Here are the agencies that came up, grouped by type. I’d shortlist two or three and brief them in parallel.

Payroll-only specialists

• Portfolio Payroll is a London-based consultancy that recruits only payroll professionals at all levels across the UK, covering permanent, temporary and contract roles. It is also a corporate partner of the CIPP and offers candidates a payroll test written with them, which helps if you want to verify technical skills early. [a-leads](https://a-leads.co/company/1310115_db8aecdb) [a-leads](https://a-leads.co/company/1310115_db8aecdb)

• JGA Recruitment Group describes itself as a specialist payroll and HR recruitment agency. It has advertised permanent payroll specialist roles that include query handling and auto-enrolment checks, which is close to your brief. [aicpa-cima](https://mycareer.aicpa-cima.com/job/8632420/payroll-specialist-london-40-000pa/)

HR and finance specialists with payroll desks

• Oakleaf Partnership calls itself the UK’s largest independent HR recruitment consultancy. It regularly places permanent payroll specialists, including sole-payroll and system-migration roles. [personneltoday](https://jobs.personneltoday.com/job/1401603356/payroll-specialist-/)

• Frazer Jones is a global HR recruitment specialist offering permanent and interim solutions. It has recruited for payroll roles that require specific systems experience. [personneltoday](https://jobs.personneltoday.com/job/1401672651/uk-payroll-specialist-/)

Large generalists

• Michael Page lists senior payroll specialist and other payroll roles across a range of industries. [michaelpage](https://www.michaelpage.co.uk/jobs/payroll?page=1)

• Robert Walters and Hays both advertise payroll roles. Hays recruits for permanent end-to-end UK payroll roles, including high-volume environments. [dwp](https://findajob.dwp.gov.uk/details/17306735)

How to choose

• If you want the deepest payroll-only candidate pool, start with Portfolio Payroll and JGA.

• If you also want access to wider HR and finance networks, add Oakleaf or Michael Page.

• Give each agency the same brief so you can compare candidate quality fairly. Include headcount and pay frequencies, your payroll software (IRIS, ADP, Sage, etc.), whether the role is hybrid, and the salary range. Mention that you want someone confident handling employee queries day to day.

• Ask about fee percentage, the rebate or replacement period if the hire leaves early, and whether they test payroll knowledge before submitting CVs.

• Check the CIPP qualification level you want, such as the Payroll Technician or Professional certificates, since many strong candidates hold them.

I can draft a job spec or a brief for the agencies if that would help.