Retained Search Success: How One Firm Planned for the Future
December is a whirlwind, isn’t it?
There’s Christmas light switch-ons, carol services, office trees that are half-lit, and a steady stream of mince pies being offered in every meeting.
In our house, things are very festive - the twins are in full glitter mode (and so is the dog, thanks to a tinsel-related incident), and we’ve got Christmas performances, nativity prep and school fairs coming out of our ears.
Meanwhile at ProTalent HQ:
It’s Sally’s final week before she heads off on her epic trip to New Zealand (cue envy from the whole team),
Matt’s been busy with Rachel and their dog Zola, who may or may not be auditioning for a canine Christmas calendar...
All that to say - it’s December chaos in the best way. But even with the festivities in full swing, we’re still having big, meaningful conversations with our clients. Especially about long-term hiring.
Future-Focused Firms Think Differently
One of the most valuable pieces of work we’ve done this year has been a retained search project for a Corporate Tax Director in London.
What made this search different?
This wasn’t a “someone just left – panic!” scenario.
It was a strategic move.
This client came to us looking ahead. They were thinking about:
They weren’t waiting until a gap appeared. They were proactively building the team they wanted to have in 12–24 months.
Why Retained Search Was the Right Fit
When it comes to senior or strategic hires, contingency recruitment often doesn’t cut it. Why?
Because the best people aren’t always looking.
They’re not trawling job boards.
They’re busy doing great things - and it takes a targeted, trusted approach to reach them.
By using retained search, we were able to:
✅ Deeply understand the firm’s long-term vision
✅ Develop a discreet and strategic candidate attraction plan
✅ Engage high-quality, passive talent that aligned culturally
✅ Deliver a refined shortlist with no time wasted
And most importantly - the hire was made with confidence, not compromise.
The Role: Corporate Tax Director – London
If you’re reading this and thinking “I want to be part of something like that”, this role might just still be open.
It’s a brilliant opportunity to step into a people-first, future-focused firm that genuinely invests in its leaders.
Don't Forget – Christmas Jumper Day is Coming!
Thursday 11 December is Christmas Jumper Day in support of Save the Children.
Team ProTalent will be donning our loudest, most glittery jumpers (the twins are very excited about this, obviously).
If you’d like to support this amazing cause, or just wear something ridiculous to work in solidarity - do it!
Donate or find out more here: Save the Children – Christmas Jumper Day
Final Thoughts
There’s a lot of talk about slowing down in December - but for forward-thinking firms, it’s often when the most important conversations start.
If you’re thinking about building your team for 2025 and beyond -whether through growth, succession, or strategy - don’t wait until January. Let’s talk now and start shaping what’s next.
And if you’re a professional quietly planning your next move, especially into a leadership role - let’s explore what’s out there for you, too.
Wishing you a warm, wonderful build-up to Christmas - chaos and all.
With sparkle (and possibly tinsel),
Lydia x