UK hiring fees

20% of first-year base salary.

That is the whole fee for a permanent UK AI hire. No retainer, and nothing to pay unless you hire someone we introduce.

How the UK fee works

When you hire an AI developer, machine-learning engineer or researcher into your UK team through us, our fee is 20% of their first-year base salary. You employ them directly from day one; we are not in the middle of the employment.

Hiring remotely from China

The China route is priced differently. There is no placement fee: China-based AI developers are contracted and paid through our UK company, and you pay an hourly rate on one sterling invoice.

See the indicative China rates and how the engagement works.

Common questions

20% of the hire's first-year base salary — the guaranteed annual salary in their offer, before any bonus, equity or benefits.

No. There is no retainer: the fee is only due if you hire someone we introduce.

Invoicing and payment terms are set out in our terms of business, which we agree with you in writing before the search starts. There's no retainer: the fee is only due if you hire someone we introduce.

Talk to us about rebate terms before you sign. We would rather agree that up front than argue about it later.

Yes. Any permanent hire you employ in the UK, whether remote, hybrid or in the office, is charged the same way.

Differently: there is no placement fee. China-based developers are contracted through our UK company at an hourly rate, and you receive one invoice in sterling.

Hiring an AI developer?

Tell us about the role and we'll give you a straight view of the market and what it will cost.

Talk to us about a UK hire