Authoritative UK executive search data points — market benchmarks, timelines, and industry standards.
Estimated cost of a bad hire at £200k salary (3–5× annual salary)
Source: CIPD / Harvard Business Review
Most common retained search fee as a % of first-year total compensation in the UK
Source: Industry consensus / AESC
Average duration of a UK director-level retained executive search
Source: Elliot Marsh / Executive Headhunters EMA Partners data
Proportion of senior talent not actively seeking a new role at any given time
Source: LinkedIn Talent Trends
Completion rate of retained searches at quality executive search firms
Source: AESC Global Research
Proportion of senior appointments that face a counter-offer from current employer
Source: Executive search industry data
Standard guarantee period offered by retained executive search firms
Source: Industry standard
Proportion of senior talent pool accessible via job advertisements (active market only)
Source: LinkedIn Talent Solutions
Minimum retained search fee in the UK market regardless of percentage calculation
Source: Market rate data
Active mandates typically held by a retained search consultant at any one time
Source: AESC operational standards
Candidate names typically identified during market mapping phase of a senior search
Source: Executive search practice
Range of retained executive search fees as percentage of total first-year compensation
Source: UK market data 2026
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