EXECUTIVE SEARCH
The rarest thing in luxury is a leader who can actually close.
Retained search for senior sales appointments in the luxury sector. Because I train and assess luxury salespeople for a living, I can tell you within one structured interview whether a candidate can sell - not whether they interview well.
All successful candidates will have a pre-start coaching session and day one action plan in place.
OUR FEE
Transparent fees. Retained search.
We charge 20% of the placed candidate's base salary only, structured across three payments that align with the natural stages of the search process. This ensures our incentives are fully aligned with yours - we succeed when, collaboratively, we make the right hire.
The retained model means you get our full attention and commitment from the first brief. No hedging, no racing to fill a role with whoever is available. A thorough, dedicated search that finds the right person - not just an available one.
FEE STRUCTURE - 20% OF BASE SALARY ONLY
STAGE ONE - ON BRIEF ACCEPTANCE
Paid when we agree the search brief and formally begin the process. Confirms mutual commitment and activates the search.
STAGE TWO - ON SHORTLIST
Paid when we present your shortlist of qualified candidates. Typically three to five candidates, all briefed and prepared.
STAGE THREE - START DATE
Final payment on the candidate's confirmed start date - including their pre-start coaching session with Tom Luke.
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE- DIRECTOR LEVEL HIRE
EXAMPLE BASE SALARY OF £120,000
TOTAL FEE: £24,000
STAGE ONE: £8,000 ON BRIEF
STAGE TWO: £8,000 ON SHORTLIST
STAGE THREE: £8,000 ON START DATE
Includes pre-start coaching & strategy session
THE PRE START COACHING AND STRATEGY SESSION
Your new hire. Performing from day one.
Every candidate placed through Closers Ace receives a private coaching and commercial strategy session with Tom Luke before their start date.
This is included in every placement - at no additional cost. It's not onboarding. It's not generic career advice. It's a focused session built entirely around your business, your sales environment, and the specific role they're stepping into - so they arrive with context, confidence and a clear commercial plan from the moment they start.
BUSINESS, CULTURE
AND ROLE BRIEFING
Deep dive into your business, your clients, your sales culture and the specific expectations of the role - so nothing is a surprise on day one.
COMMERCIAL STRATEGY SESSION
Working through the commercial priorities for their first 90 days - what to focus on, how to approach key clients, and how to make an immediate impact.
MINDSET AND STANDARDS AND GOALS
Aligning their approach to the expectations of your business - your standards, your clients, and your culture before they step through the door.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Everything you need to know.
WHY RETAINED OVER CONTINGENCY?
Contingency recruiters are incentivised to place quickly - not carefully. Retained search means we're fully committed to your brief from day one, with no pressure to rush. The result is a better calibre of candidate and a longer-lasting hire.
IS THERE A REBATE IF THE HIRER DOESN'T WORK OUT?
Yes - we offer a rebate period on all placements. If the placed candidate leaves or is released within the rebate window, we will re-run the search at a significantly reduced fee. Full terms discussed at briefing stage.
WHAT DOES THE PRE COACHING SESSION INVOLVE?
A private session between Tom Luke and your placed candidate - covering your business context, their 90-day commercial plan, your sales culture and standards, and any specific challenges of the role.
Delivered before their start date.
DO YOU WORK WITH BUSINESSES OUTSIDE OF LONDON?
Yes - we work with luxury product businesses across the UK and internationally. The search process is largely remote, with in-person briefing meetings available for UK-based clients on request.
HOW LONG DOES A SEARCH TYPICALLY TAKE?
Most searches reach shortlist within 4-6 weeks and placement within 8-12 weeks of the brief. Senior searches occasionally take longer depending on the talent pool and notice periods - we'll give you a realistic timeline upfront.
CAN YOU HANDLE CONFIDENTIAL SEARCHES?
Yes - where a search needs to be handled discreetly (replacing an existing hire, for example), we are experienced in running confidential processes with full discretion from brief to placement.