Terms of Business.
A plain-language summary of how Gilbert Lennard works, what we charge, and what we commit to. The full Terms of Business document is available on request before any search begins.
Model
Contingency
Fee Range
18–20%
Payment Terms
14 days
Guarantee
3 months
We work on contingency.
Gilbert Lennard operates exclusively on a contingency basis. We charge no retainer, no registration fee, and no upfront cost to begin a search. Our fee becomes payable only when a candidate we have introduced accepts a role with your organisation and starts employment.
If we do not make a successful placement, you pay nothing. Our interests are completely aligned with yours.
We take a maximum of six active mandates at any time. Your search is a genuine priority — not one of forty on a shared pipeline.
What a search includes.
A mandate with Gilbert Lennard covers the full search lifecycle — from brief and market mapping through to offer management and post-placement check-ins. The following is included within our fee, at no additional charge.
Brief & Criteria Setting
Full Market Mapping
We identify and approach the full candidate universe — active and passive. We map the market fresh for each mandate.
Blind Match Scoring
Structured Reference Checks
Psychometric Assessment
Offer Management & Check-Ins
What we charge.
Our fee is calculated as a percentage of the successful candidate’s first-year total fixed compensation — base salary plus guaranteed allowances. Variable, discretionary, or equity compensation is excluded unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Level
Typical Scope
Fee
Manager / Senior Manager
Team lead to department head
18%
Director / Head of
Senior leadership, business unit level
18–20%
VP / MD / Partner
P&L ownership, partnership track
20%
C-Suite
CEO, CFO, CTO, GC and equivalent
Bespoke
All fees are subject to applicable taxes. Payment is due within 14 days of the candidate’s confirmed start date.
What happens if it doesn't work out.
Three-Month Replacement Guarantee
We stand behind every placement.
If a candidate placed by Gilbert Lennard leaves for any reason within 90 days of their start date, we will conduct a replacement search at no additional fee.
The guarantee applies where the original fee has been paid in full and the role has not materially changed. We do not offer cash refunds — if a replacement is not viable, we issue a credit against a future search valid for 12 months.
How we expect to work with you.
We do not require exclusivity as a condition of taking a mandate. We ask only that clients notify us if another firm has been briefed on the same role, so we can manage the process transparently.
We will not approach, represent, or submit candidates from your organisation to third parties during an active mandate, or for 12 months following placement, without your prior written consent.
All candidate information shared with clients is provided in confidence solely for the purpose of the relevant search. It may not be used to approach candidates independently without our written consent.
The complete Terms of Business.
This page summarises our key commercial terms. The full Terms of Business — signed before any mandate begins — contains additional detail on liability, data handling, dispute resolution, and jurisdiction. We welcome questions or negotiation on any term before signing.
To request a copy, contact us at [email protected].
Ready to begin?
Start with a conversation.
No obligation. No retainer. An honest discussion about whether we are the right firm for the search you need to run.