The Recruitment Agency That
Tells You What's Actually Possible
Howard James Recruitment places Finance, IT, Engineering, Sales, HR, and Marketing professionals across the UK. We work fast, we're honest about the market, and we don't waste your time with candidates that don't fit.
Who We Are
A Recruitment Agency That Works the Way Your Business Actually Needs
Howard James Recruitment is a multi-sector agency with offices across the UK. We work with businesses of all sizes — from ambitious SMEs building their first finance team to large employers running complex, multi-hire programmes.
Our consultants are sector-specific, not generalists. They know their markets, they know the candidates, and they'll tell you what's realistic rather than just what you want to hear.
More about us →
Fast Shortlists
We move quickly without cutting corners. Every candidate is screened before you see them.
Sector Specialists
Our consultants recruit within defined disciplines — deeper networks, better placements.
Honest Advice
We'll tell you when a salary is too low or a role will be hard to fill. That saves everyone time.
Local Knowledge
Offices across the UK — we combine national reach with genuine local market insight.
How We Help
Support for Employers and Candidates Across the UK
For Employers
Finding the right person takes more than posting a job. We run targeted searches, pre-qualify every candidate, and only send CVs we'd genuinely stand behind.
- Permanent, contract, interim and executive recruitment
- Sector-specific consultants who know your market
- Full candidate screening before any CV reaches you
- Salary benchmarking and honest market advice
- Retained, contingency and RPO models available
- High-volume hiring solutions for rapid scaling
For Candidates
The best roles don't always appear on job boards. We give you access to unadvertised opportunities alongside honest career advice and real support throughout.
- Access to exclusive, unadvertised roles across the UK
- CV advice and honest feedback on your market positioning
- Interview preparation and offer negotiation support
- Guidance on salary expectations in your sector
- Regular contact — you'll always know where you stand
- Career advice tailored to your discipline and goals
Sectors We Cover
Specialist Recruitment Across 12 Sectors
Our consultants recruit within defined disciplines — not across everything at once. That depth means stronger networks, sharper insight, and better placements.
Why Howard James
What Makes Us Different From Other UK Recruitment Agencies
We only recruit in sectors we know
Our consultants don't switch between finance one week and IT the next. They build deep expertise in one area.
We tell you what the market actually looks like
If your salary is below market rate, we'll tell you. That honesty saves time and leads to better hiring decisions.
We qualify candidates properly
Every CV we send represents a candidate we've spoken to and assessed. We don't forward applications.
We work at the pace the market demands
The best candidates don't wait around. Our processes move quickly from brief to shortlist without sacrificing quality.
We have genuine local market knowledge
With offices across the UK, our consultants know their local hiring markets inside out.
We stay involved beyond the offer stage
A placement isn't finished when an offer is accepted. We stay in contact through notice periods and early employment.
Our Locations
Recruitment Offices Across the UK
We combine national reach with genuine local market knowledge — our consultants are based in the areas they recruit across.
Ready to Get Started?
Submit a vacancy and we'll be in touch to discuss your hiring needs — or send your CV and let us find the right role for you.
Quick Reference · At a Glance
| Agency Type | Independent UK recruitment agency |
| Specialisms | Finance, IT, Engineering, Sales, HR, Marketing, Cyber Security, Supply Chain, Property & Construction, Business Support |
| Recruitment Types | Permanent, contract, interim, executive search, RPO, high-volume, Flex Fee |
| Locations | 16 UK offices — Manchester (head office), Birmingham, London, Leeds, Liverpool, Chester, Crewe, Northwich, Knutsford, Wilmslow and more |
| Phone | 0161 641 2550 |
| hf@howardjames.co.uk | |
| Hire Staff | howardjamesrecruitment.co.uk/hire-staff/submit-a-vacancy/ |
| Find a Job | howardjamesrecruitment.co.uk/find-a-job/submit-cv/ |