Business Details
25 Years
experience
Your Recruitment Partner for Strategic Talent Acquisition
Better Placed has been connecting exceptional talent with forward-thinking businesses for over two decades. Established in 2001, we have grown to become one of the UK's leading independent recruitment consultancies, operating from offices in Leeds, Manchester, and London. Our expertise spans Marketing, Digital, Technology, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), and Executive Search, supported by a network of clients and candidates built on trust and deep industry understanding. Unlike traditional agencies, we prioritise real-world relationships over superficial CV matching, investing time to understand both organisational culture and individual aspirations.Our values of pride, care, fearlessness, collaboration, and insight drive every placement, ensuring long-term success for both employers and professionals. Recognised as a Sunday Times Top 100 Company to Work For in 2023, we remain 100% employee-owned, reflecting our commitment to shared success and continuous improvement. With specialist consultants across all disciplines, we deliver tailored solutions that transcend transactional recruitment, focusing instead on creating meaningful career and business transformations.
Services
Marketing Recruitment
Digital Recruitment
CPG Recruitment
Finance Recruitment
Executive Search
Tech Recruitment
Interim Recruitment
Leadership Appointments
Board-Level Recruitment
Career Transition Support
Details
- Year established: 2001
Highlights and features
- We have over 20 years of experience in specialist recruitment sectors
- Our 100% employee-owned structure ensures shared commitment to excellence
- We prioritise real-world relationships over superficial CV matching
- Recognised as a Top 10 Best Place to Work by The Sunday Times
- Specialist consultants provide deep market insights across all disciplines
Associations and certifications
- Sunday Times Top 100 Company to Work For 2023
What people say
Understands our business
Quality shortlist
Seamless process
Exceptionally reliable
Career transformation
Services
Marketing Recruitment
Specialist marketing recruitment covering brand management, digital marketing, CRM, and communications. Our consultants deliver candidates with proven track records in both agency and client-side roles. We understand the evolving marketing landscape and match professionals with organisations requiring innovative strategies and measurable results. Our network includes emerging talent and seasoned leaders across all marketing disciplines.
Executive Search
Board-level and senior leadership appointments through our dedicated bpe search division. We partner with high-growth consumer, services, and private equity-backed businesses across the UK, Europe, and North America. Our partner-led model combines deep sector expertise with a commitment to finding leaders who drive organisational transformation and sustainable growth through strategic vision and operational excellence.
Digital Recruitment
Digital and technology recruitment specialising in e-commerce, software development, DevOps, and digital product roles. Our consultants have established networks across both agency and client-side digital teams. We place professionals with expertise in emerging technologies and digital transformation initiatives, supporting organisations to build future-ready technology capabilities that drive competitive advantage.
CPG Recruitment
Specialist recruitment for consumer packaged goods sector covering supply chain, logistics, sales, and marketing roles. We connect FMCG businesses with professionals who understand brand management and consumer behaviour dynamics. Our consultants deliver leaders who drive product innovation, optimise distribution networks, and implement successful go-to-market strategies in competitive retail environments.
Finance Recruitment
Senior finance professional placements delivering clarity, control, and commercial insight to ambitious businesses. We specialise in mid to senior-level roles including Finance Director, Head of FP&A, and CFO positions. Our consultants understand the pivotal role finance plays in strategic decision-making and place leaders who build scalable infrastructure and drive data-led business growth across all sectors.
People
Paul Bendelow
Partner - bpe search & Board Director - Better Placed
Founding Partner of bpe search with 25+ years' experience in executive recruitment across fintech, insurtech, and consumer sectors. Specialises in connecting high-growth businesses with transformational leadership talent while championing diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Andy Young
Partner - bpe search
Consumer Practice lead with expertise in FMCG recruitment, delivering leadership talent to global brands and private equity-backed businesses. Combines commercial insight with deep market knowledge to secure strategic appointments that drive business growth and innovation.
Andrew Gibson
Joint Managing Director
Co-founder with 20+ years' experience building Better Placed into a leading recruitment consultancy. Focuses on senior executive and board-level appointments while maintaining the company's commitment to employee ownership and continuous improvement.
Simon Stephens
Joint Managing Director
Co-founder instrumental in developing Better Placed's marketing industry network. Specialises in financial and business services recruitment while maintaining the company's entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to employee ownership.
Rachel O'Sullivan
Partner - bpe search & Board Director - Better Placed
Board Director with expertise in retail, e-commerce, and marketing recruitment. Recognised for challenging traditional thinking and promoting women's leadership in business through strategic appointments and inclusive hiring practices.
Questions
What sectors do you specialise in?
We specialise in Marketing, Digital, Technology, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), and Executive Search, with dedicated consultants across all disciplines.
How do you ensure a good fit between candidates and clients?
We invest time understanding both organisational culture and individual aspirations, prioritising real-world relationships over superficial CV matching.
Do you offer interim recruitment solutions?
Yes, we provide interim and contract recruitment support with market dynamics insights and IR35 advice across all specialisms.
Are you a UK-based agency?
We operate from three UK offices in Leeds, Manchester, and London, serving clients nationwide and internationally.
What makes your recruitment approach different?
Our 100% employee-owned structure and focus on long-term partnerships ensure tailored solutions that transcend transactional recruitment practices.
Reviews (7)
James Smallwood
Jan 11, 2022
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I can highly recommend Rosie as a recruiter. She has a fantastic professional attitude, making sure she understands the needs and requirements of both the candidate and company. In a profession often known for a lack of feedback, Rosie ensured complete honesty and transparency in the process. It is this focus on the human nature of job searching that makes Rosie's approach standout and confirms she is working to the best interests of all the individuals involved.
Diane Francis
Dec 26, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism
Shauna Penistone is a great recruiter! She is efficient, professional, knowledgeable and friendly taking time to understand my needs and match me to a fantastic role which I'm delighted to say I secured. I would recommend Shauna @ Better Placed Recruitment to anyone working in the data and analytics sector
Shauna Penistone is a great recruiter! She is efficient, professional, knowledgeable and friendly taking time to understand my needs and match me to a fantastic role which I'm delighted to say I secured. I would recommend Shauna @ Better Placed Recruitment to anyone working in the data and analytics sector
Laura Coull
Dec 13, 2021
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Recently had a great experience with Rosie @ BP in applying for a new role. Rosie really took the time to understand my aspirations and pain points to find the right fit for my next move. Always felt in the loop and really appreciated the detailed and honest chats we had throughout the process. Thanks!
Austin McCormick
Dec 06, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism
Rosie is a true recruitment lioness, she is super quick to chase up company's and relay the feedback to you. Friendly and polite, a lot of recruiters could learn from Rosie on how to progress in their own careers.
Rosie is a true recruitment lioness, she is super quick to chase up company's and relay the feedback to you. Friendly and polite, a lot of recruiters could learn from Rosie on how to progress in their own careers.
Rachel Konig
Oct 18, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness
I dealt with a recruiter called Rosie who was very professional, informative and helpful. Rosie was honest with salary expectations and helped me through the recruitment process. If I needed to contact her that wasn't an issue. I would thoroughly recommend.
I dealt with a recruiter called Rosie who was very professional, informative and helpful. Rosie was honest with salary expectations and helped me through the recruitment process. If I needed to contact her that wasn't an issue. I would thoroughly recommend.
Andy McLoughlin
Oct 10, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Responsiveness
Contacted by Will at the Manchester office, seamless & professional recruitment experience, super friendly and constantly kept updated. By a mile the best service I've had with an industry that doesn't always get much credit!
Contacted by Will at the Manchester office, seamless & professional recruitment experience, super friendly and constantly kept updated. By a mile the best service I've had with an industry that doesn't always get much credit!
Michael Swain
Sep 16, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism
Great recruiters! Shauna Penistone was fantastic to work with. She was very efficient and professional, and even too time to help me prepare for my interview, which ultimately helped to secure my new role. Clear communication throughout the process :)
Great recruiters! Shauna Penistone was fantastic to work with. She was very efficient and professional, and even too time to help me prepare for my interview, which ultimately helped to secure my new role. Clear communication throughout the process :)
