Simon Standley (Search Specialist & Founder)

Simon has over 35 years of recruitment and search experience, particularly in Sales, Marketing, and Business Critical Functions.

Headhunter & Search Specialist

Simon and his team complete typical assignments such as MDs, Country Managers/Directors, Business Directors, Sales Directors, and Senior Sales professionals across many European and International Countries.

Simon delivers many cross-border assignments and works with a multilingual resourcing team During this time he has successfully recruited a broad range of roles and business-critical positions.

Mentor & Advisor

Simon is an experienced recruitment team leader, leading several UK recruitment businesses in director-level roles, and helping develop their UK and European product offerings.

Alongside his search activities, he also provides a mentor and advisory consultancy offer for other solo and SME recruitment consultants, helping them develop and run their own businesses in their chosen field.

Pychometric Assessment 

BPS qualified, with SHL accreditation Simon is a qualified psychometrics and ability tests assessor

As founder-owner, he started Standley Associates to offer a modern, independent search and selection service that focuses on delivering results, whilst providing a bespoke cost-effective approach for customers in the UK, Europe and further afield.

Simon works with an extensive network of experienced colleagues, search consultants and researchers who operate as trusted partners to every company and individual they serve.

He has worked as a senior search specialist and recruitment manager for market-leading recruitment and search firms including MSL, Austin Knight, TMP Hudson and Austin Benn, and has conducted numerous search assignments within the following sectors on a UK and international basis.

Sector Experience includes:


Aerospace and Defence, Automotive, Chemical, Construction, Energy and Utilities, Engineering, Financial Services, FMCG, Industry and Manufacturing, Insurance, IT (Computers, Software and Services), Professional Services (inc. Legal), Media and Internet, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical and Healthcare, Property and Real Estate, Public Sector, Retail & consumer, Telecommunications, Tourism and Leisure, Transport, Mining and Resourcing.