JGA STUDY · SAVED-TEXT EVIDENCE EXPORT
Original answer wording and recorded date preserved.

Answer ID: S01-B-claude-r1
Recorded UTC: 2026-10-18T21:34:00.776Z
Product: Claude
Observation: 1
Collection country: UK
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Model label: Sonnet 5.5 Medium
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EXACT QUESTION
Who are the best recruiters for our first global payroll lead? We are based in the UK and growing in Europe and North America, and the hire will be UK-based.

FULL SAVED ANSWER
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.


SOURCES
S01-B-claude-r1-C1 | supporting_citation | https://jgarecruitment.com/?p=34
S01-B-claude-r1-C2 | supporting_citation | https://studentjob.co.uk/vacancies/5280719-global-payroll-expert-remote-uk-100k-in-bury
S01-B-claude-r1-C3 | supporting_citation | https://jobs.personneltoday.com/job/1401651965/global-payroll-specialist/
S01-B-claude-r1-C4 | supporting_citation | https://jobs.personneltoday.com/job/1401654798/global-payroll-specialist/
S01-B-claude-r1-C5 | supporting_citation | https://mycareer.aicpa-cima.com/job/4379601/global-payroll-manager/
S01-B-claude-r1-C6 | supporting_citation | https://manufacturing.page.com/job-detail/head-payroll/ref/jn-092025-6830831
S01-B-claude-r1-C7 | supporting_citation | https://a-leads.co/company/1310115_db8aecdb
S01-B-claude-r1-C8 | supporting_citation | https://itjobswatch.co.uk/jv/Altum-Consulting/Interim-Director-of-Payroll-Job-London-South-East-England-UK-4w1wc9