Mercury Hampton

What Mercury Hampton does

Mercury Hampton is a UK-headquartered global talent consultancy established in 2018 that delivers end-to-end human capital solutions — pre-hire assessment, executive and permanent search, contract/interim staffing and post-hire performance development — to clients in engineering, manufacturing, consumer goods, infrastructure, energy, automotive, aerospace, defence, medical and technology sectors across 23 countries. The firm operates through two UK-incorporated private limited entities: Mercury Hampton Ltd, with headquarters in Newton-le-Willows and regional offices in London, Houston and Singapore, for permanent, executive and performance work; and Mercury Hampton Contract Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary dedicated to contract, interim, IR35 and payroll solutions.

The technical core is the proprietary Mercury Hampton IQ (MHIQ) recruitment platform, built on Softools' zero-code application stack and integrating McQuaig Institute psychometric testing, video assessment, competency questioning and behavioural reporting. Pre-hire products include cultural surveys with Cultural Differential reporting, mental agility and mechanical aptitude testing, salary benchmarking, skills gap analysis and market/competitor analysis. On-hire services comprise executive search and headhunting, permanent and international recruitment, embedded talent/RPO, and the MHC contract line. Post-hire offerings span the PAX Performance Accelerator Programme delivered with Henley Business School, Excellerate 90-day 1:1 executive coaching with 360-degree feedback integration, high-performing team programmes, sales transformation and onboarding fast-track, supported by a 12-month placement guarantee.

Revenue is generated on a quote-based professional services model — retained executive search fees, permanent placement commissions, contract/interim mark-up, and RPO/embedded engagements — sold primarily to enterprise and PE-backed mid-market clients through a sales-led GTM with a dedicated Sales Director (John Myatt), Calendly-booked discovery calls, content marketing via the Mercury Machine / Optimal Code podcasts and a 10k+ LinkedIn following, plus affinity partnerships with the Northern Automotive Alliance, North West Aerospace Alliance and Northern Powerhouse. Verifiable enterprise references include Rolls-Royce, McLaren, JLR, Schneider Electric, Babcock, Meggitt, Ineos, Daikin, Flowserve, Kier, Telefonica, Cairngorm Capital and HIG Capital. Pricing is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Mercury Hampton

Legal name

Mercury Hampton Ltd

Website

https://mercuryhampton.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mercury Hampton is a UK-headquartered global executive search and talent consultancy founded in 2018, serving engineering, manufacturing, aerospace, defence, infrastructure, technology, and private equity clients across 23 countries via its proprietary MHIQ recruitment platform and a full pre-hire to post-hire service suite.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Search & Talent Acquisition Consulting

NAICS

Employment Placement Agencies (561311)

akta.pro primary industry

Learning Management (LMS) & Talent Development (BPACAPAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Recruiting & Talent Acquisition Training (EDABAIAA), Interviewing & Selection Skills (Behavioral, Technical, Assessment Centers) (EDAAAKAD)

Keywords

• Executive search services
• Talent acquisition consulting
• Psychometric assessment services
• Recruitment software platform
• Leadership development coaching

Headquarters

HQ city

Newton-le-willows

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Talent Acquisition / Recruitment Services: Executive search, headhunting, permanent recruitment, international recruitment, contract recruitment, interim management, and embedded talent/RPO services.
2. Pre-Hire Talent Intelligence: Cultural surveys, behavioural profiling, psychometric testing, aptitude testing (mental agility, mechanical), salary surveys, skills gap analysis, market and competitor analysis.
3. Post-Hire Talent Development: Onboarding fast track, career coaching, 1:1 executive and performance coaching, high performing team programmes, sales transformation, PAX Performance Accelerator Programme, strategic consulting.
4. 12-Month Replacement Guarantee: Free replacement guarantee for hires that do not work out within the first year, backed by 96% success rate claim.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Mercury Hampton is a global talent consultancy providing executive search, recruitment, and strategic people consulting for STEM, manufacturing, and private equity clients. Its offering spans pre-hire talent intelligence (cultural surveys, psychometric and aptitude testing), on-hire executive search and headhunting, and post-hire performance transformation (executive coaching, team programmes, the PAX Performance Accelerator). The proprietary Mercury Hampton IQ (MHIQ) platform underpins end-to-end recruitment campaigns, while Mercury Hampton Contract handles contract, IR35 and payroll workforce solutions.

Product overview

Mercury Hampton is a global talent consultancy offering a unified platform (MHIQ - Mercury Hampton IQ) with integrated assessment and recruitment tools, supplemented by performance transformation services. The core MHIQ platform supports end-to-end recruitment campaigns with psychometric testing (via McQuaig), video assessment, competency questioning, and behavioural reporting. Supporting products include the Bad Hire Calculator for cost analysis, Salary Survey tools, and Cultural Surveys for organisational assessment. Post-hire services include the PAX Performance Accelerator Programme (Mini MBA experience), 1:1 Executive & Performance Coaching (Excellerate), High Performing Team Programme, and Sales Transformation. The company also operates Mercury Hampton Contract (MHC) for workforce, IR35 and payroll solutions. The product ecosystem is built on Softools no-code platform and integrates McQuaig Institute reports for behavioural testing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mercury Hampton IQ (MHIQ): Award-winning recruitment software platform that supports end-to-end recruitment and selection campaigns, including psychometric testing, video assessment, and behavioural reporting tools.
• Executive Performance
• YourHR
• Mercury Hampton Contract (MHC)

Products and services

• Mercury Hampton IQ (MHIQ) - Recruitment Software Platform Proprietary online platform supporting end-to-end recruitment and selection campaigns, from reviewing applications to coordinating decision-making, including advanced psychometric testing, video assessment, competency questioning, and behavioural reporting tools.
• Bad Hire / Staff Attrition Calculator Free calculator that uses Oxford Economics and SHRM data to quantify the true cost of bad hires (3.5x annual salary), supporting data-driven hiring decisions.
• Mercury Hampton Contract (MHC) Contract, workforce, IR35 and payroll solutions for engineering, IT, and technology projects, operated via subsidiary Mercury Hampton Contract Ltd.
• PAX Performance Accelerator Programme Residential Mini MBA experience delivered across three intensive 2-day sessions over three months, covering essential business processes, tools, and best practices for leaders.
• Excellerate 1:1 Executive & Performance Coaching A 90-day personalised coaching journey delivering real-time challenge resolution, integration of 360-degree feedback, and alignment with business objectives and OKRs.
• High Performing Team Programme Programme building cohesive, aligned leadership teams through team dynamics analysis, conflict resolution, and cross-functional alignment.
• Sales Transformation Equips sales teams with advanced skills in complex deal management, client psychology and negotiation, and pipeline management.
• Onboarding Fast Track Programme for individuals navigating probation or early career stages, focusing on goal setting, communication, adaptability, resilience, and professional development.
• Cultural Surveys / Cultural Assessment Data-driven view of organisational culture through individual and wider employee perspectives, assessing leadership alignment, empowerment, respect, and collaboration; includes Cultural Differential reporting.
• Psychometric / Behavioural Profiling Uses McQuaig's psychometric tools to gain objective insights into candidates' personality traits, cognitive abilities, and cultural fit during pre-hire assessment.
• Sales & Technical Aptitude Testing Mental agility and mechanical aptitude testing to assess candidate suitability for technical and sales STEM roles.
• Salary Survey Industry-standard employee salary benchmarking covering basic salary, bonus schemes, allowances, benefits, and notice periods.
• Market & Competitor Analysis Comparative analysis including organisational structures, pay benchmarking, experience and tenure, and regional comparisons versus competitors.
• Skills Gap Analysis Assessment of current workforce capabilities against future skill requirements to identify skills gaps and inform talent strategy.
• Executive Search & Headhunting Senior and executive-level direct search and headhunting for STEM, manufacturing and private equity clients.
• Permanent Recruitment Permanent placement recruitment across STEM verticals, managed through the MHIQ platform with a 12-month replacement guarantee.
• International Recruitment Cross-border permanent and executive recruitment supporting clients across 23 countries.
• Embedded Talent / Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) Embedded talent acquisition and RPO engagements providing dedicated recruiting resources within client organisations.
• Strategic Consulting / Talent Strategy Strategic consulting on talent, succession planning, leadership development and 3-5 year business strategy alignment.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% placement success rate - candidates remaining with client companies for 5-10 years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers26 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• McQuaig InstitutecoreTechnology or IntegrationMercury Hampton utilises the highly regarded McQuaig psychometric tools for behavioural testing integrated within the MHIQ recruitment software platform. This partnership provides objective insights into candidates' personality traits, cognitive abilities, and cultural fit.
• SoftoolscoreTechnology or IntegrationSoftools provides zero-code application platform powering Mercury Hampton's business operations, MHIQ platform and data, and cultural assessments. Mercury Hampton offers 10% discount on Softools services.
• Northern Automotive Alliance (NAA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMercury Hampton supports NAA's vision to develop and build upon the North's rich automotive heritage through services to member companies, providing tailored talent acquisition support.
• North West Aerospace Alliance (NWAA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNWAA enables sustainability, growth and competitiveness for North West Aerospace, Advanced Engineering, Manufacturing and Defence Industry. Mercury Hampton provides specialist recruitment services to members.
• Northern PowerhouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK government initiative working to boost economic growth, foster collaborations, and support innovation in the North of England.
• YourHRcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerComprehensive HR management solution in partnership with a regulated HR & employment law firm, providing seamless and compliant HR experience. Mercury Hampton offers this service as part of their talent management portfolio.
• People Professionals (PCA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPCA aligns with Mercury Hampton's values promoting innovation, research and collaboration in culture change, systems thinking, behavioural science, transformational HR and leadership.
• Sales GeekminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSales Geek provides accessible sales leadership and training for SMEs. Mercury Hampton has exclusive discount code for 20% off their services.
• YOLO WellbeingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerYOLO Wellbeing helps improve employee performance with a human approach to health and wellness, complementing Mercury Hampton's talent development services.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Broad incumbents

• Korn Ferry: Global organizational consulting firm with the largest executive search practice and a proprietary assessment platform; competes with Mercury Hampton across executive search, talent development, and assessment services, but at vastly larger scale.
• Hays: FTSE-listed global recruitment and workforce solutions firm with deep STEM and engineering practices; competes with Mercury Hampton in permanent and contract placement, though at materially larger scale.
• Michael Page: Global recruitment group specializing in professional placement across engineering, manufacturing, and technology verticals; overlaps with Mercury Hampton's permanent and executive recruitment offerings.
• Robert Half: Global specialized talent solutions firm with placement and consulting offerings for finance, technology, and engineering professionals; comparable business model and overlapping end-market focus.

Direct peers

• Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm; directly comparable in offering C-suite search and leadership advisory services to industrial and technology clients, with similar on-hire and post-hire consulting capabilities.
• Spencer Stuart: Privately held global executive search and leadership consulting firm; comparable on executive search focus and industrial sector specialization, with a similar culture of senior partner-led client engagement.
• Odgers Berndtson: UK-headquartered international executive search firm with strong industrial, engineering, and PE portfolio practices; directly comparable in serving mid-market and large-cap industrial clients across STEM sectors.
• Harvey Nash Group: Global technology and executive recruitment firm with strong STEM and digital transformation practices; comparable in serving industrial and PE-backed clients across the UK and internationally.

Emerging players

• BeecherMadden: Niche UK-based recruitment firm specializing in technology, cybersecurity, and engineering roles; comparable niche focus and STEM vertical specialization but with a smaller, technology-leaning footprint.
• TrueSearch: Boutique global executive search firm serving industrial, manufacturing, and technology clients; comparable in size, vertical specialization, and senior-led engagement model to Mercury Hampton.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCzzsYJG4cGGjKQNHXsh9RRw
• Facebookfacebook.com/mercuryhamptonltd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mercury-hampton-ltd
• Xx.com/mercury_hampton

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mercury Hampton