Carter Ferris

Carter Ferris is a specialist recruitment firm that focuses exclusively on the public relations, communications, and digital sectors. Founded in 2013 and based in Epsom, Surrey, the agency serves a broad range of clients, from small consultancies and in-house corporate communications teams to large PR agencies and charities. Their work spans permanent, freelance, and contract placements, making them a flexible partner for organizations of all sizes—whether a startup needing its first PR director or a multinational seeking sector-specific talent for a complex campaign.

How Carter Ferris Helps

The core value Carter Ferris provides is connecting businesses with the right communications professionals across the full spectrum of PR and digital roles. Rather than being a generalist recruiter, they have developed deep expertise in areas such as consumer PR, B2B tech, property, corporate communications, and even niche sectors like faith-based organizations and education. This specialization means they understand the nuances of each discipline—for instance, a tech PR specialist requires different skills than a consumer health PR manager. The agency also handles contract recruitment and maternity cover, which is particularly valuable for agencies that need to fill gaps quickly without compromising on quality. Their approach is consultative: they work closely with hiring managers to define the role, culture, and required experience, then leverage their network to find candidates who are not just qualified but a good cultural fit. Carter Ferris also offers headhunting and search services for senior roles like PR director or account director, where passive candidates need to be identified and approached discreetly.

Services and Specializations

Carter Ferris covers a wide range of recruitment needs, from entry-level positions to senior leadership. Their services are tailored to the unique demands of the PR and communications industry, which often requires fast turnaround times and sector-specific knowledge. While the firm does not list every service publicly, based on their keywords and industry focus, the following are likely capabilities they offer:

• Permanent placement for PR and communications roles
• Freelance and contract recruitment (including maternity cover)
• Contingency recruitment for mid-level to senior positions
• Headhunting and executive search for PR directors and account directors
• Sector-specific talent sourcing in tech PR, consumer PR, corporate PR, property PR, and sports PR
• Recruitment for in-house communications teams and PR agencies
• Content creation and project management roles
• Networking and talent mapping for proactive hiring strategies

Their focus on sectors like food and drink, consumer health, and B2B PR means they can find candidates with the precise experience needed for specialized campaigns. For example, a tech PR account manager might need to understand SaaS or gaming, while a property PR specialist should know planning regulations and media contacts in the real estate beat. Carter Ferris’s recruiters are themselves knowledgeable about these industries, which helps them screen candidates more effectively than a generalist firm.

Location and Reach

While Carter Ferris is headquartered in Epsom, Surrey, their recruitment efforts are heavily concentrated in London and the surrounding regions. The agency has a strong presence in the capital, where the majority of the UK’s PR agencies and corporate communications teams are based. Many of their job listings specify London-based roles, and they regularly place candidates in agencies across the city, from Shoreditch to Soho. However, they also serve clients in the broader South East of England and occasionally nationwide. Their familiarity with the London PR market—including salary benchmarks, agency cultures, and career progression paths—gives them an edge in matching candidates to opportunities. For employers in the United Kingdom looking for PR and communications talent, Carter Ferris offers a focused, sector-specific alternative to large, impersonal recruitment firms.

Carter Ferris is a good fit for PR agencies, in-house communications departments, and consultancies that need to hire for specialist roles—whether permanent, freelance, or contract. Their expertise in areas like tech PR, consumer health, and property makes them particularly useful for organizations in those niches. Similarly, candidates seeking roles from account executive to account director, especially in the London area, will find them a knowledgeable partner. For businesses that value a recruiter who understands the nuances of PR and communications rather than treating it as a generic category, Carter Ferris provides a tailored, efficient service.