At Next Level Recruitment, we’re not here to just “fill roles.” We’re here to call time on the box-ticking, CV-flinging circus that’s been passed off as recruitment.
Because in creative, PR, marketing and digital, it’s never just about hiring someone. It’s about finding the right someone. The ones who challenge, disrupt and actually shape culture.
We know this because we’ve been there. We’ve built a business. We’ve felt the pressure, the pace, the need for people who do more than keep the seat warm. And here’s the truth: no one will care more about your team than someone who knows what it takes to build one.
That’s why we bring more than recruitment expertise - we bring a founder’s mindset. We question. We push back. We refuse to accept “good enough.”
While traditional recruiters treat people like numbers, we treat them like the spark that makes a brand and company come alive. We work with ambitious employers to uncover untapped potential, ignite fresh thinking and shape teams that break moulds, not just meet recruitment briefs.
This isn’t just recruitment. It’s brand-to-brand. Culture-to-culture. Founder-to-founder.
We know you’re not chasing “just another job.” You’re building a career, a legacy, a life that actually matches your ambition. You want to create, to disrupt, to grow and you deserve a recruiter who gets that.
We won’t throw your CV into the void. We won’t ghost you. What we will do is listen, challenge, champion and connect you with opportunities that don’t just keep the lights on, but light the fire.
Whether you’re a creative powerhouse, a strategic thinker, or a digital game-changer, we’re here to back your ambition with honesty, clarity and the kind of support the industry should be offering.
Built on trust. On mutual respect. On the belief that culture comes first and everything else follows.
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.
Drop me an email Find me on LinkedinClaire 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!
Drop me an email Find me on LinkedinWe dig deeper, ask the awkward questions, and challenge “the way it’s always been done.” Innovation comes from curiosity, not complacency.
We give straight talk, no fluff, no ghosting. Transparency isn’t optional. It’s how trust is built and great teams are made.
We win together. No egos, no silos. Just honest collaboration that puts people and culture first.

