Recruitment Services

Whether you need cover for a busy period, maternity leave, or an unexpected absence, Harper can mobilise quality temporary staff quickly — often within 24 hours. Our pre-screened talent pool means you get reliable, work-ready candidates without the wait.

Our Approach to Temporary Recruitment

We manage every aspect of the temporary placement — right-to-work checks, payroll, holiday pay, and compliance — so you can focus on running your business. Temps can also transition into permanent roles if the fit is right.

What We Offer

• Fast Turnaround — Candidates ready to start within 24–48 hours for urgent requirements
• Pre-Screened Talent — Every candidate is referenced, right-to-work verified, and skills-assessed before we send them to you
• Fully Managed Admin — We handle payroll, tax, and compliance, so you don't have to
• Flexible Duration — From a single day to several months, we scale to your needs
• Temp-to-Perm Option — Trial candidates before committing to a permanent hire

Finding the right permanent hire is one of the most important decisions a business makes. At Harper, we don't just match CVs to job descriptions — we invest time understanding your culture, team dynamics, and long-term goals to find someone who will genuinely thrive in your organisation.

Our Approach to Permanent Recruitment

Our consultants use a combination of active headhunting, our established candidate network, and targeted advertising to source the best talent. Every candidate is thoroughly screened before you see them, so your time is spent on the shortlist that matters.

What We Offer

When you need senior or specialist talent for a defined period — a maternity cover, a transformation project, or a gap between permanent appointments — Harper's interim and fixed-term contract service delivers fast, high-calibre professionals who can hit the ground running.

Our Approach to Interim & Fixed Term Recruitment

We maintain a network of experienced interim professionals across our 9 specialist sectors. These are individuals who have chosen portfolio careers and bring immediate impact without the ramp-up time of a permanent hire.

What We Offer

• Immediate Impact — Senior professionals who contribute from day one
• Specialist Knowledge — Deep expertise in your sector without a permanent headcount commitment
• Speed of Deployment — Our interim network means we can respond to urgent requirements quickly
• Full Compliance — PAYE or contractor engagement handled correctly and transparently
• Flexible Structures — Fixed-term contracts from 3 months upwards, with extension options

For senior, executive, or business-critical roles where quality cannot be compromised, our Retained Search service offers a dedicated, confidential, and comprehensive headhunting solution.

Our Approach to Retained Search

Retained Search is structured as a partnership. We invest significant upfront resource — market mapping, competitor analysis, direct approach, and thorough assessment — to deliver a shortlist of genuinely exceptional candidates.

What We Offer

• Dedicated Resource — A named consultant committed exclusively to your search
• Discreet & Confidential — We approach the market carefully to protect your business and reputation
• Market Mapping — Full visibility of the available talent landscape before we make a single approach
• Thorough Assessment — Structured interviews, psychometric profiling, and detailed candidate reports
• Guaranteed Shortlist — We don't stop until we present candidates you're excited to meet

Our Payroll Bureau service is designed to take the burden of managing payroll off your shoulders, allowing you to focus on running your business while we manage the intricacies of payroll processing.

Our Payroll Bureau Service

Whether you're a small business or a large organisation, our payroll service is tailored to meet your specific needs. We offer a comprehensive payroll solution that covers all aspects of payroll processing, from calculating wages and tax deductions to providing payslips and handling compliance with HMRC regulations.

What We Offer

When you need to hire multiple people or fill a business-critical role, our Assessment Centre service delivers structured, fair, and legally defensible candidate evaluation — helping you make confident hiring decisions.

Our Approach to Assessment Centres

We design and run bespoke assessment programmes using competency-based interviews, simulation exercises, group activities, and psychometric testing. Every candidate receives structured feedback, and every decision is backed by objective evidence.

What We Offer

• Objective Evaluation — Remove unconscious bias from your hiring process with structured, evidence-based assessments
• Enhanced Decision-Making — See candidates in action, not just on paper, through realistic job simulations
• Save Time and Money — Identify the right people first time and reduce costly mis-hires
• Improved Retention — Better-matched candidates stay longer and perform better from day one
• Fully Managed — We handle design, facilitation, scoring, and post-assessment reporting

Recruitment Process Outsourcing allows you to outsource all or part of your hiring activity to Harper. Whether you face high-volume demand or specialist roles that stretch your internal team, we embed ourselves as an extension of your HR function.

Our Approach to RPO

Our RPO model is flexible and scalable. We manage everything from job briefs and candidate attraction through to interview scheduling, offer management, and onboarding coordination. We work under your employer brand, integrating seamlessly with your existing processes.

What We Offer

• Time — Faster hiring with a dedicated resource focused solely on your needs
• Cost — Reduced cost-per-hire compared to traditional agency models
• Results — Consistent quality with measurable SLA performance
• Scalability — Ramp up or down as your hiring needs change
• Employer Brand — We represent you, maintaining a consistent candidate experience

Our Managed Service Provision takes the complexity out of managing a flexible workforce. We act as your single point of contact, managing your entire temporary and contractor workforce — from sourcing and compliance through to timesheets and consolidated invoicing.

Our Approach to MSP

A dedicated Harper Delivery Partner sits at the heart of the relationship, overseeing day-to-day operations, supplier performance, and programme reporting. You gain complete visibility and control without the administrative burden.

What We Offer

• Cost Savings — Consolidated spend, reduced management overhead, and better rate control
• Centralised Control — One contract, one invoice, one relationship managing all your contingent labour
• Compliance & Risk Management — All workers fully vetted and legally engaged to protect your organisation
• Seamless Onboarding — Consistent, professional process for every new starter across your business
• Scalability — Adapt quickly to changing workforce demands without disrupting operations

We understand that large-scale recruitment projects require more than just finding the right candidates. They require efficient planning, a tailored approach and the expertise to handle high volumes without compromising on quality.

Our Approach to Project & Volume Recruitment

With decades of experience in recruitment, we specialise in managing high-volume, time-sensitive projects across a range of industries. Our approach is focused on understanding your unique needs, ensuring we deliver the right talent quickly.

What We Offer

Industries We Serve

Regulatory compliance is non-negotiable. Our Compliance & Onboarding service ensures every worker placed through Harper is fully vetted, legally compliant, and properly onboarded — protecting your organisation and giving your new starters the best possible start.

Our Approach to Compliance & Onboarding

We manage right-to-work verification, reference checking, DBS and criminal record checks, and sector-specific clearances as a standalone service or as part of your end-to-end recruitment programme.

What We Offer

• Mitigate Risk — Reduce exposure to employment law penalties and regulatory non-compliance
• Save Time — Outsource the admin-heavy compliance process to our specialist team
• Ensure Quality — Thorough, consistent checks on every candidate, every time
• Customised Solutions — Tailored to your sector, role type, and specific requirements
• Audit-Ready Records — Full documentation maintained and accessible whenever you need it