Recruitment agencies to acquire in the UK

Name: Recruitment agencies to acquire in the UK
Creator: Firmbase
License: https://firmbase.co/terms

Updated 9 November 2026

Looking to acquire a recruitment agency in the UK? Firmbase ranks 5,841 recruitment agencies using public company information to help buyers prioritise firms for research and potential outreach. The Approach Score ranks firms using public signals including director age and tenure, ownership, business scale, financial strength and recent changes. These firms are not listed for sale, and the ranking does not indicate that an owner is considering a sale.

The median firm has 12 staff and has been in business for 10 years; 57 firms are owned by groups that have acquired several firms in this sector.

Permanent recruiters introduce candidates to employers, while temporary staffing businesses engage workers and remain responsible for paying them even before a hirer pays. This list includes permanent recruitment, executive search and temporary staffing, so buying a recruitment agency requires separating introductions from ongoing worker supply. Review the terms agreed with hirers alongside worker payment commitments, rather than comparing all recruitment income as though it follows the same model.

Combine recruitment teams with compatible obligations

A recruitment acquisition works best when the agency's sectors and candidate networks complement yours. Firmbase covers 5,841 UK limited-company and LLP recruitment agencies with five or more staff. Use that breadth to identify firms whose roles, clients and delivery model fit your plans, rather than treating every agency as the same business.

Ownership signals can help you decide which firms deserve closer research. Within recruitment, 37% have one person holding 75% or more. The median firm has operated for 10 years. Company records do not show what an agency owner intends. Look for regional clusters and examine the public facts behind each score before you make contact.

AI can support candidate matching, document handling and administration, but the obligations differ sharply between introductions and supplying workers. Review the agreements with hirers, worker payment commitments and the systems used to keep records. Ask how a firm wins assignments and who manages the employer relationships, since those details determine whether a combined operating model makes sense.

You can build a regional pipeline and prioritise outreach around the type of recruitment work you know how to operate. This recruitment list is a sourcing tool, not a list of businesses for sale. Qualify each agency directly, including conduct requirements and any specialist labour licence needed for the work it undertakes.

5,841

Firms

17%

Every director 55+

37%

Held 75%+ by one person

Median years in business

Median headcount

£500k to £1m

Median turnover band

includes our estimates

57 firms owned by 12 groups that have bought several firms in this sector. That is 1% of this list. Groups that own firms on this list include Operam Education Group. To have a group's name removed, email dave@firmbase.co.

Key facts

An employment business finds workers for other businesses and pays those workers itself. GOV.UK

Some labour providers need a Fair Work Agency gangmaster licence for work in specified industries. GOV.UK

A recruitment agency can charge a transfer fee when a hirer directly employs a worker, subject to conditions in its contract. GOV.UK

The first 25 firms, in Approach Score order

Rank	Firm	Approach Score	The facts behind the score
1	Path Recruitment Sywell, Northamptonshire	Approach Score 90/100	1 director aged 65-69, 1 aged 60-64 · longest in post since 2002 2 individuals hold 75%+ · independent More about this firm 12 staff · turnover est. £879k Net assets £311k (Mar 2024) Company no. 04385291 · Companies House pathrecruitment.com
2	Sapphire Partners London	Approach Score 87/100	2 directors aged 60-64 · longest in post since 2005 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 12 staff · turnover est. £1.5m Net assets £821k (Mar 2025) Company no. 05336509 · Companies House sapphirepartners.co.uk
3	Jigsaw Business Gateshead, Tyne and Wear A director sits on 4 or more companies	Approach Score 87/100	2 directors aged 65-69, 1 aged 60-64 · longest in post since 2011 2 individuals hold 50%+ · independent More about this firm 14 staff · turnover est. £2.4m Net assets £133k (Mar 2025) Director resigned Nov 2025 · charge satisfied Oct 2026 Company no. 07833003 · Companies House jigsawbusinessgroup.com
4	FamousRecruitment London	Approach Score 87/100	Director aged 65-69 · in post since 2006 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 12 staff · turnover est. £168k Net assets £7k (Sep 2025) Director resigned Apr 2026 Company no. 05951461 · Companies House famousrecruitment.co.uk
5	B.M. Recruitment Agency Lincoln, Lincolnshire	Approach Score 86/100	1 director aged 70 or over, 1 aged 55-59 · longest in post since 2011 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 9 staff · turnover est. £499k Net assets £443k (Mar 2026) Company no. 07557555 · Companies House
6	ECO Green Contractors London A director sits on 4 or more companies	Approach Score 86/100	Director aged 65-69 · in post since 2010 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 6 staff · turnover est. £53k Net assets £7k (May 2025) Director resigned Nov 2025 Company no. 07255592 · Companies House
7	Clarence Recruitment Tamworth	Approach Score 85/100	Director aged 70 or over · in post since 2011 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 22 staff · turnover est. £663k Net assets £63k (Jul 2025) Company no. 07696857 · Companies House clarencerecruitment.co.uk
8	Peartreeservicesuk Coventry	Approach Score 84/100	Director aged 60-64 · in post since 2025 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 6 staff · turnover £3.3m Net assets £329k (Aug 2025) Director resigned Aug 2025 · PSC register changed Aug 2025 Company no. 12834588 · Companies House
9	Skillbase Group 19 Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent	Approach Score 84/100	Director aged 60-64 · in post since 2001 2 individuals hold 75%+ · independent More about this firm 7 staff · turnover est. £1.5m Net assets £1k (Jun 2025) Director resigned Apr 2026 Company no. 04266280 · Companies House skillbasegroup.com
10	Shoby Recruitment Nottingham A director sits on 4 or more companies	Approach Score 84/100	Director aged 70 or over · in post since 2016 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 7 staff · turnover est. £404k Net assets £53 (Oct 2025) Company no. 10415075 · Companies House
11	Thema Eastleigh, Hampshire	Approach Score 84/100	Director aged 55-59 · in post since 2013 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 5 staff · turnover est. £108k Net assets £10k (Jan 2026) Director resigned Apr 2025 · charge satisfied Apr 2025 · PSC register changed Apr 2025 Company no. 08350852 · Companies House
12	H M Training Bradford, West Yorkshire	Approach Score 84/100	Director aged 65-69 · in post since 2010 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 14 staff · turnover £263k Net assets £21k (Dec 2025) Company no. 07361284 · Companies House
13	P J Recruitment Derby	Approach Score 84/100	2 directors aged 60-64 · longest in post since 2007 2 individuals hold 50%+ · independent More about this firm 13 staff · turnover est. £416k Net assets £73k (Feb 2026) Director resigned Nov 2025 · PSC register changed Mar 2026 Company no. 06124773 · Companies House drivingagencyburton.co.uk
14	Allneeds Recruitment Stevenston, Ayrshire	Approach Score 84/100	Director aged 55-59 · in post since 1999 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 50 staff · turnover est. £746k Net assets £65k (Apr 2024) Company no. SC195044 · Companies House allneeds.co.uk
15	Brite Recruitment Worcester	Approach Score 84/100	1 director aged 60-64, 1 aged 55-59 · longest in post since 2006 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 5 staff · turnover est. £429k Net assets £168k (Oct 2025) Charge satisfied Dec 2025 Company no. 05983142 · Companies House briterecruitment.com
16	A. Jeffries Recruitment March, Cambridgeshire	Approach Score 83/100	In post since 2013 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 25 staff · turnover est. £675k Net assets £13k (Mar 2025) Director resigned Jul 2026 Company no. 08636088 · Companies House
17	Excel Passenger Services London	Approach Score 83/100	1 director aged 70 or over, 1 aged 60-64 · longest in post since 1996 2 individuals hold 75%+ · independent More about this firm 23 staff · turnover est. £634k Net assets £47k (Aug 2025) Company no. 03175207 · Companies House excel2go.com
18	Mattinson London	Approach Score 83/100	In post since 2004 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 22 staff · turnover est. £2.4m Net assets £767k (Mar 2025) Charge satisfied Feb 2025 Company no. 05100886 · Companies House mattinsonpartnership.com
19	Norfolk Recruitment Norwich, Norfolk	Approach Score 83/100	Director aged 65-69 · in post since 2009 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 31 staff · turnover est. £1.6m Net assets £54k (Mar 2026) Charge satisfied Aug 2025 Company no. 07068544 · Companies House norfolkitrecruitment.co.uk
20	Working Solutions (mercia) Craven Arms, Shropshire	Approach Score 83/100	2 directors aged 70 or over · longest in post since 1994 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 5 staff · turnover est. £145k Net assets £39k (Jun 2025) Company no. 03004060 · Companies House workingsolutions.co.uk
21	Forde Recruitment Sheffield A director sits on 4 or more companies	Approach Score 83/100	Longest in post since 1999 2 individuals hold 50%+ · independent More about this firm 5 staff · turnover est. £2.9m Net assets £1.1m (Nov 2025) Charge satisfied Feb 2025 Company no. 03729915 · Companies House forde-recruitment.co.uk
22	Blackfox Solutions Maidenhead	Approach Score 83/100	Director aged 55-59 · in post since 2010 1 individual holds 75%+ · independent More about this firm 22 staff · turnover est. £1.5m Net assets £1.4m (Mar 2026) Company no. 07197471 · Companies House blackfoxsolutions.co.uk
23	Gainpath Agencies Camberley, Surrey	Approach Score 82/100	Director aged 60-64 · in post since 2001 2 individuals hold 50%+ · independent More about this firm 31 staff · turnover est. £542k Net assets £52k (Mar 2025) Charge satisfied May 2025 Company no. 04180901 · Companies House gainpathagencies.com
24	Jorecruitment London	Approach Score 82/100	Director aged 70 or over · in post since 2000 1 individual holds 75%+ · held via a trust or firm · independent More about this firm 62 staff · turnover est. £910k Net assets £154k (May 2025) Company no. 04003423 · Companies House jorecruitment.co.uk
25	Arras Services Heywood, Lancashire	Approach Score 82/100	Director aged 65-69 · in post since 2002 2 individuals hold 50%+ · independent More about this firm 8 staff · turnover est. £324k Net assets £118k (Mar 2026) Director resigned Feb 2026 Company no. 04346971 · Companies House arrasservices.co.uk

5,816 more firms are in the list, in Approach Score order.

You're seeing the first 25. Buy all 5,841 for £5,640 + VAT, with the facts behind each score, director names, shareholders and financials.

Buy the list of all 5,841 firms, with director names, ages and shareholders

Each row comes with the facts behind its score, financials with dates and contact details.

What's in the file

One row per firm, in Approach Score order, as Excel + CSV.

The score and the firm

Approach Score

The facts behind the score

Points for each part of the score

Financials with dates

Website

Publicly available contact details, where identified

Directors and shareholders

Director names

Director birth month and year

Director appointment dates

Named shareholders with more than 25%, with ownership bands

Some people with significant control appear as Other individual, with no further detail. Director email lookups are not included.

Frequently asked questions

How can I approach an owner of a recruitment agency?

Begin by identifying yourself and the kind of recruitment work you want to learn about. Tell the agency owner that Firmbase helped you find their details on the public Companies House register. Explain how to object to your use of their data and stop if they object. Check phone numbers against the Corporate Telephone Preference Service and the Telephone Preference Service before calling. Distinguish permanent introductions from temporary worker supply in your enquiry, and leave the owner room to decline.

What should I check when acquiring a recruitment agency?

First establish whether the agency makes permanent introductions or pays workers it supplies to hirers. Review hirer agreements, payment obligations, transfer fees and any client concentration. For work in agriculture, horticulture, shellfish gathering or food processing, check whether a Fair Work Agency gangmaster licence is required. Compare the staff and systems needed for each service before assuming that another agency can use the same operating model.

GOV.UK · GOV.UK

How does the Approach Score help with recruitment agencies?

The score orders firms using public company signals, including ownership, scale and financial strength. It cannot show the quality of candidate relationships or what an owner plans to do. The methodology page explains how those signals are combined. Use the ranking to choose which agencies to research, then check their role specialisms, hirer contracts and worker payment responsibilities before considering an approach.

Which commitments follow a temporary staffing business?

Study the arrangements with hirers and workers together. A business that pays supplied workers may have payment duties before it receives money from a hirer. Review working time, pay records, insurance and any terms for replacing staff or ending assignments. Distinguish these commitments from the simpler introduction model used for permanent placements, because the same headline revenue can involve different responsibilities.

GOV.UK

How this list is filtered

Active on Companies House. Companies in liquidation, administration, receivership or a voluntary arrangement, or with a proposal to strike off, are left out.
Dormant companies are left out.
Firms whose owners asked to be removed are left out.
Private limited companies, public limited companies, LLPs and private unlimited companies only. Sole traders and partnerships are not covered.
Firmbase industry tag: Recruitment & Staffing, Executive Search or Temporary Staffing & Labour Supply.
SIC code 78109, 78200 or 78300.
5 or more staff, from filed headcount or our estimate where none is filed.
Registered office in the UK.

How this list is built

The Approach Score ranks firms mainly on public Companies House information about owner tenure and age, ownership, size, financial strength and recent register changes.

Firms with higher scores appear first in each list.

Use the ranking to order research, then check each business directly.

Read how the Approach Score works

What it does not mean

No firm here is for sale, and the score says nothing about any owner's plans.

At least 95% of the firms where we hold directors had them checked in or after November 2026.

What we do not cover

We cover limited companies, LLPs and private unlimited companies. Sole traders and ordinary partnerships are not on Companies House, so they are not here. Regulatory information is not included in this list. Buyers should check the relevant register as part of their due diligence. Check conduct requirements with the Fair Work Agency or Northern Ireland's Employment Agency Inspectorate. For work needing gangmaster licensing, check the Fair Work Agency's public register of licensed labour providers.

Why age bands but no people's names

Age bands come from the month and year of birth on Companies House. This page shows no exact ages and no people's names. Both come with the purchased list. The band edges from 45 to 65 are the ages where the score changes. A row shows no age bands when a director's surname is in the firm's name, its group's name or its website. Those directors' ages still count towards the score.

Is this your firm?

You can ask us to take it off every acquisition page, and out of every list we sell after that. Give us your name and work email, and we send you a link to confirm. If your email address is on the firm's own website domain, the firm comes off once you confirm. If it is not, a person reviews your request first. A list already sold stays with its buyer.

To have personal data erased, see our privacy policy.

Other areas

East Midlands East of England London North East North West Northern Ireland Scotland South East South West Wales West Midlands Yorkshire and The Humber

Related sectors

Marketing and creative agencies

The standard Firmbase list

Recruitment Companies in the UK

Buy the list of all 5,841 firms, with director names, ages and shareholders

Each row comes with the facts behind its score, financials with dates and contact details.