Rise to the next level

A senior-led recruitment consultancy for ambitious brands and marketing agencies.

Next Level Recruitment is a commercially minded, insight-driven recruitment consultancy for marketing, digital and creative teams (and the talent that powers them) who want to grow. Led by senior partners Claire and Laura, who have decades of combined experience, we help ambitious brands hire with precision, purpose and confidence, while supporting candidates to make smart, career-defining moves. Delivering talent that has real commercial impact.

We don't delegate. We don't overpromise. We deliver precision hiring that moves your business or career forward.

Key differentiators:

Senior led: Claire and Laura personally manage every brief and candidate relationship
Outcome focused: hires and career moves that drive genuine business and professional impact
Insight-driven: market intelligence guides every client and candidate decision
Long-term retention focused: impact integration support that protects your investment and sets talent up for long-term success
Premium and modern: boutique, high-touch, consultancy-style experience for companies and candidates alike

Partner with us because your next hire should strengthen your team, drive growth, and deliver real business impact, while fitting your culture and reducing risk. For candidates, your next role should offer meaningful challenge, clear progression and the chance to make a difference.

Say hi to our senior partners Claire and Laura...

With 15+ years in recruitment, Laura has built trusted, long-standing relationships with both agencies and in-house companies. Her network in the creative and marketing world runs deep, and she’s helped talent at every stage - from fresh graduates to senior leaders - find the right move.

Laura co-founded Next Level with Claire Summerfield with a clear purpose: to take the industry they love and push it forward. Built on curiosity, honesty and collaboration, Next Level is about more than filling roles - it’s about shaping culture, championing talent and creating partnerships that last.

Away from work, Laura’s biggest motivation is her family - her husband, two young daughters and border terrier. Weekends are often spent on adventures big and small. Whether that’s in their favourite place The Lake District, or further afield, exploring different cultures and foods.

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Claire has over 18 years' recruitment experience, working as a trusted advisor and partner to agencies and brands across the Midlands. Partnering with start-ups through to global brands, independent agencies through to global networked consultancies, her knowledge of the marketing, digital and communications sector is extensive... and she has placed hundreds of candidates over the years from Assistant through to Board level!

Claire launched next level alongside Laura Mercer, with the ambition of creating an agency that would not only be a trusted partner but one that supports, promotes and develops the industry she loves. An agency that takes the sector to the next level.

Outside of work, Claire has 2 young children and 2 crazy dogs, who keep her busy at the weekends with rugby matches, bike rides and long country walks!

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