Sales and Business Development

Adlestrop Consulting.
A committed, thoughtful and a refreshingly different recruiter

Our client base spans the full spectrum of the professional services landscape from the Big 4, Top 10 and Top 20 accountancy firms to national and regional law firms, as well as boutiques within the Corporate Finance, Advisory, and Tax space across the UK.

We work closely with Managing Partners and Leadership Teams to strategically build and develop business development and deal origination functions, whether that’s by strengthening sector-focused teams or appointing regional specialists.

Through our deep relationships and network, we connect you with exclusive opportunities that rarely appear on the open market – ensuring access to roles that truly align with your long-term ambitions.

“We work with candidates to understand their personal and professional aspirations to provide them with tailored advice on their long-term career plan.”

Supporting Candidates Through Every Stage

We have a proven track record of guiding and mentoring talented business development professionals through multiple stages of their career journey. Many of those we once supported as candidates are now clients, trusting us to help them grow and shape their own teams.

In business development, timing is everything. We don’t believe in transactional recruitment – our approach is long-term and advisory. Often, we work with individuals over a 5–10 year period, providing ongoing career guidance and market insight until the right opportunity and timing align.

You benefit from first-hand market intelligence and strategic insight from our client base, giving you an unrivalled understanding of developments across the sector, helping you to make informed decisions about your next move.

Navigating a Changing Professional Services Market

The professional services landscape is evolving at pace. The introduction of new investment and ownership structures, particularly from private equity, is transforming the dynamics of business development – as well as the tax, audit, corporate finance, and corporate recovery functions.

This rapid change is reshaping how candidates approach careers and raising important questions about the type of firm and environment they want to be part of.

Private equity ownership can bring an exciting pace of delivery, investment in growth, and new opportunities for those who thrive in a fast-moving setting. However, for others, a traditional partner-led model may better suit their values and working style.

Whichever path you choose, we help you to understand your options, define your career strategy, and ensure you’re well-positioned for the next step in a changing and competitive market.