London Seminar Programme 2026

Traditional contingency and percentage-based fee models are no longer delivering the predictability, margins, or client commitment many recruitment agencies rely on. In this session, we explore why these models are failing — and what agencies actually face when they try to move away from them. Drawing on real-world experience transitioning from contingency into fixed-fee, staged and retained work, this session looks honestly at what works, what doesn’t, and the mistakes that commonly stall progress. We’ll cover how to avoid the grey zone between contingency and retained, how to handle pricing and salary pushback, and what needs to change in delivery, client behaviour and team mindset to make alternative models sustainable. Attendees will leave with a clearer way to assess their current commercial model, practical language for client conversations, and realistic next steps towards more predictable revenue and stronger client relationships in a changing recruitment market.