About 1to1 Recruitment

Why we exist

Personal recruitment is unlike any other kind of recruitment. Skills matter. So does judgement, temperament, discretion, chemistry and the quiet ability to hold a room while your principal is elsewhere. Most agencies treat personal roles as another vertical to fill by volume. Ours is the only vertical we work.

1to1 Recruitment was set up around the reality of how principals and executives actually appoint their most trusted staff: quietly, carefully, with references chased, chemistry tested and a partner on both sides of the conversation. We take the time the role requires and we tell you which it will be at the intake call. No CV storms. No unranked stacks. No candidates who did not know they were being introduced.

What we do, plainly

We place personal, executive and private-office professionals for UK principals, founders, executives, family offices and private-holding structures. Personal assistants, executive assistants, chief of staff, house managers, private household staff, family-office administrators and the bespoke roles that do not fit a job title. Every search is confidential, partner-led, and closes with a shortlist ranked on chemistry as much as competence.

How we vet

Every candidate on a 1to1 shortlist has been assessed against the same standard before introduction:

• Right-to-work confirmed and identity verified before we start referencing
• Full employment history reviewed with previous employers where the candidate has given permission
• References taken from two prior principals or hiring managers, not just line managers
• Salary and package expectations captured against the full remuneration structure, including bonus, benefits and any non-standard arrangements
• Notice period and start-date realism confirmed against the role timeline
• Discretion tested through the interview: how the candidate discusses past principals is a signal we take seriously
• For household and family roles, DBS status and safeguarding history confirmed before the match
• Chemistry conversation at final stage: a candidate is only introduced once we believe the fit will settle

Who we work with

Our clients include founders, C-suite executives, family principals, single- and multi-family offices, private-holding structures, and the hiring managers who support them. Discreet by default, references-driven, and comfortable with a search that takes the time it needs to take.

How we think about a placement

A placement is not a signed offer letter. It is the moment six or twelve months later when the assistant is trusted implicitly, the principal has stopped thinking about backup plans, and the working relationship has settled into rhythm. That is the outcome we measure ourselves against.

Our standards

• Discretion by default. Every approach is confidential. Every principal is protected. Employer identity is withheld until you say otherwise.
• Considered, not fast. Some searches take two weeks. Some take two months. We take the time the role requires and we say so at the intake.
• Chemistry-tested. Skills and references are basics. Temperament, judgement and fit are what we screen for beyond that.
• Two-sided care. We look after the candidate as attentively as the principal. Long-term matches only happen when both sides feel seen.
• Stand behind the work. Replacement window on every direct-hire placement. No clawback games.

Want to talk?

Use the contact form and we will come back within one business day. We are available Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm.