Richdata has always charged fixed fees which are independent of salary. This makes it possible to speak one's mind about candidates, salary levels etc. without having a financial interest in the outcome.

Fees will normally be in the region of 25% of guaranteed first year's remuneration.

Because we offer top quality service and commitment at competitive rates, fees are not normally quoted on a success basis. The agreed fee is invoiced in three equal parts, payment of which usually coincides with the key stages of a search. The only expenses passed to the client are the direct costs of candidates' or consultant's travelling to interview.

Fees are charged, as is the norm in search, on a retainer basis, i.e. the search consultant is contracted to conduct a search for candidates and to manage the process of arriving at the appointment of a candidate chosen from the shortlist by the client. (No-one can contract to supply a person who is perfect in the client's eyes; moreover the work can be done only to find the client gone, or the organisation no longer needing the appointment).

Fees are not below the above even for the less senior positions. All searches at any level require hard work, persistence and judgement. For example it can be harder to find a world leading young semiconductor designer tucked away in Europe, than a managing director; it can be harder to assess a young candidate who does not have the track record.