Agency Fees
Very Important Personnel is an international recruitment agency specialising in the appointment of professionals for private families, family offices, private residences, estates, yachts, private banking divisions and wealth management firms across the United Kingdom, Europe and worldwide.
To maintain a highly personalised and confidential service, we limit the number of assignments managed at any one time. Work begins once the position profile and terms of engagement have been agreed, the agreement has been signed and the payment required under the selected service plan has been received.
The recruitment fee, search timetable and assignment parameters are detailed in an individual proposal. If there is any inconsistency between the documents, the individual proposal and signed agreement shall take precedence.
What the Recruitment Service Includes
- Role assessment and candidate profile development;
- Market analysis and search strategy development;
- Searches through the agency’s database, referrals, and available sources;
- Direct approaches to potential candidates;
- Interviews and professional assessment;
- Verification of the references provided;
- Preparation of candidate profiles and the agency’s assessment;
- Organisation of interviews and trial days;
- Support throughout the offer acceptance and onboarding process;
- A guarantee replacement search within the selected plan.
Reference checks are conducted to the extent objectively available to the
agency and do not guarantee the accuracy of information provided by
candidates or third parties.
Security screening, polygraph testing, enhanced background checks, medical
examinations, and immigration, tax, and legal checks are not included in
the standard scope of services. These may be arranged separately with the
client’s written consent.
Client Privileges
The qualifying period runs from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2028. Your privilege level is determined by the total value of recruitment services paid for during this period.
For Services Paid From
£30,000
A professional course for one Estate Manager.
For Services Paid From
£60,000
Three days of on-site staff training, covering three different subjects or an in-depth three-day programme in one specialist area.
For Services Paid From
£100,000
An operational audit of the household staff team.
For Services Paid From
£200,000
A digital wardrobe creation project.
On-site training is delivered at the client’s residence using a bespoke programme. The programme takes into account the property’s interiors and facilities, the nature of the wardrobe, established table-setting and dining-service protocols, staff responsibilities and the family’s household standards.
The digital wardrobe project includes professional photography of individual items, descriptions prepared according to agreed criteria, the creation of a digital catalogue and the addition of all relevant information to the selected wardrobe-management system.
Privileges may be redeemed until 31 December 2028. They have no cash value and cannot be exchanged for cash or used as payment towards any other services.
Engagement Options
BASIC PLAN
This format is intended for a standard vacancy with clearly defined and stable requirements.
Key Terms
- The fee is equivalent to one month of the appointed candidate’s fixed gross salary, subject to a minimum fee of £3,500.
- Payment: 100% before the project begins.
- Active search period: 30 calendar days.
- Candidate presentation limit: up to ten candidates.
- Guarantee: one replacement within 30 calendar days.
The number of candidates is a maximum limit, not a guaranteed minimum. The project ends upon expiry of the search period, regardless of the number of candidates presented.
The payment covers the completed search stage, is credited towards the recruitment fee if a candidate is hired, and is non-refundable once the project has begun. A new search requires a new order.
PREMIUM PLAN
This format is intended for complex, international, and confidential appointments, as well as projects involving extended decision-making cycles.
Key Terms
- Overall support period: up to six months.
- Standard active search period: 30 calendar days.
- Standard candidate limit: up to ten candidates.
- Exclusive search: 20–25% of the candidate’s annual fixed income.
- Non-exclusive search: 25–30% of the candidate’s annual fixed income.
- Minimum candidate salary: £3,500 gross per month.
The specific percentage rate, minimum fee, and exclusivity arrangement are agreed upon before the project begins.
Payment Schedule
- Project launch: 30% of the fee. Payment is made upon signing the agreement and covers role assessment, market analysis, profile development, search strategy development, and reservation of the team’s resources.
- First package: 15% of the fee. Payment is made before preparation begins on a package of up to four candidates.
- Second package: 15% of the fee. Payment is made before preparation begins on a package of up to six additional candidates.
- Final settlement: the outstanding amount required to bring the total payment to 100% of the fee. Payment is due within three business days after a hiring event occurs.
A hiring event means the first of the following:
- the candidate accepts an offer of employment;
- an employment or services agreement is signed;
- the candidate actually begins work.
If a candidate is hired before all stages have been completed, the client pays the difference between the amounts already paid and the full fee. No security deposit applies under the published terms. If required, one may be included in an individual agreement, provided that its purpose and crediting procedure are stated unambiguously.
Payment for a stage that has already begun is non-refundable and is credited towards the full recruitment fee when a candidate is hired.
Timeframe and Scope
The standard search ends after 30 calendar days or upon the presentation of ten candidates, whichever occurs first.
During the remaining support period, the agency coordinates interviews and reference checks, obtains feedback, and supports offer acceptance and the onboarding of previously presented candidates. Any new search after the standard period is charged separately.
Candidate Profile Compliance
A candidate counts towards the limit if, on the date of presentation, the candidate:
- meets the mandatory criteria of the agreed profile;
- has been interviewed by the agency;
- has confirmed key information regarding their experience;
- has agreed on expectations concerning income, schedule, and location;
- has or can obtain the required right to work in the UAE or relevant jurisdiction;
- is interested in the vacancy;
- has consented to their profile being shared with the client.
The client’s decision not to interview a candidate does not, by itself, exclude that candidate from the limit.
Additional Services
- Package of up to eight additional candidates: 15% of the fee.
- Extension of the active search by 30 days: 15% of the fee.
- Vacancy recalibration and renewed market analysis: 5% of the fee.
- Relaunch of a substantially changed vacancy: 30% of the current fee.
Additional services are paid for in advance and in addition to the principal fee. The scope, timeframe, and deliverables of each additional stage are confirmed in writing before it begins.
RETAINER PLAN
- Programme term: 12 months.
- Service balance: £20,000.
- Recruitment fee: 15% of the candidate’s annual fixed gross salary.
- Minimum fee per placement: £3,500.
The recruitment fee is deducted from the balance after a hiring event occurs. If the remaining balance is insufficient, the client must replenish it before the candidate’s start date.
If the programme is renewed, any unused balance is carried forward for the following six months. If the programme is not renewed, the procedure for refunding or using the balance is specified in the individual agreement.
TEMPORARY RECRUITMENT PLAN
The minimum fee is £3,500. The fee is determined by the complexity and confidentiality of the search, not solely by the duration of the contract.
Rare, international, and confidential appointments may be charged under the Premium Plan. The terms for recruiting yacht crew under seasonal contracts are agreed separately.
Fees
The recruitment fee is calculated based on the candidate’s annual fixed income over 52 weeks.
Fee Rate
20%
- Nannies and maternity nurses
- Governesses and governors
- Housekeepers
- Laundresses
- Chefs
- House managers
- Household engineers
- Butlers
- Private chauffeurs
- Yacht crew on annual contracts
Fee Rate
22%
- Family office professionals
- Private banking professionals
- Wealth management professionals
Fee Rate
25%
- Multilingual nannies, governors, and governesses
- Internationally recruited nannies, governors, and governesses
- Governesses & Governors for school-age children
- Tutors
For yacht crew recruited under a seasonal contract, the fee is equivalent to six weeks of the candidate’s income.
Trial Days
Recommended trial period:
- 1–3 days for most positions;
- up to 7 days for Estate Managers and butlers.
The client pays the candidate for each day actually worked.
Before the trial period begins, the client pays the agency an organisational fee equal to 25% of the candidate’s estimated remuneration for the entire trial period. If the candidate is hired, this organisational fee is credited towards the agency’s final recruitment fee. Payment for the time actually worked by the candidate is not included in the agency fee.
Guarantee
The guarantee means a replacement search and does not provide for a refund of the fee.
Premium Search
Premium Search includes up to three replacement searches:
- within six months if the client terminates the engagement with the candidate;
- within three months if the candidate terminates the engagement on their own initiative.
Other Plans
- The Basic Plan includes one replacement within 30 days.
- A seasonal yacht contract includes one replacement within three months.
Getting Started
To assess the project, the client provides:
- the position title and scope of responsibilities;
- the workplace and schedule;
- the income level and structure;
- the expected start date;
- language and professional requirements;
- information about previous and concurrent searches;
- confidentiality and security requirements.
Following the initial assessment, the agency provides an individual proposal
specifying the plan, percentage rate, minimum fee, timeline, payment stages,
and scope of services.