Life At Raw Selection

Why join us?

Raw Selection is a genuine executive search firm, working exclusively with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies across Europe and the US, based right here in Leeds

We are recruiters, but not just any recruiters. We specialise in senior-level roles such as CEOs, Partners, and Managing Directors across top-tier companies in America. Why? These roles come with higher fees, so if you're a recruiter looking to earn more for the work you do, Raw Selection is the place for you.

Why our team likes working here:

  • No sharp elbows. Got a question? Just ask. It doesn't matter what level you're at; everyone supports each other here.
  • A focus on your goals. At Raw Selection, you’re building a career, but ultimately, you’re working for yourself and your dream, we want to help you get there.
  • Uncapped earning potential. Your fees are your fees. Managers don’t take a cut here, what you earn is yours.
  • Clear career progression. You’ll know exactly what steps to take to secure your next promotion. Across the business, we aim to promote associates to senior within 6 months. Check out our career progression stories below.

Established in 2017, we still have lots to learn, lots to do, and even more to achieve, and we need your help to get there.

Our Progression Stories

Haleema Hussain

Vice President

Haleema joined Raw Selection in 2020, two weeks before lockdowns hit. Haleema was previously in a research role but aimed to move into a Business Development role, winning, managing and developing clients. Haleema spent the early part of her career with Raw Selection, partnering directly with Alex Rawlings, the Founder & Managing Partner, on fulfilling a wide range of search assignments. 

Haleema then made the transition to the sales side, taking in the industry-leading training and development programme Raw Selection offers, and now is a regular at banging the gong for a new retainer sold. The success brought about the opportunity to enrol on the firm's management and leadership development programme, and I was promoted to a management role in 2023. 

Haleema has built the Private Equity division focused on the USA from scratch and has been self-crowned the Queen of Massachusetts and, more recently, the Queen of the East Coast for Private Equity appointments. 

Haleema has broken every record on Private Equity and in 2024 achieved a placement fee of £137,000 for a HR Operating Partner in Massachusetts. 

Haleema now has two goals

1. To become the firms first ONE MILLION pound biller 
2. To build the Private Equity division to the largest for revenue out of any firm globally

Haleema is widely regarded as the hardest working person in the business, is passionate about self-development and holds herself and those around her to the highest standards. 




2020
Associate
2022
Senior Associate
2023
Vice President
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History of Raw Selection

2017

Raw Selection was founded

Raw Selection was founded in 2017. The business started in the spare room of Alex's house, receiving no investment to grow the business. This was also the year the Raw Selection YouTube channel was created! It now has over 2000 subscribers.

Raw Selection was founded
Raw Selection was founded

Contact Us

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

Check out all the cool perks you get when you join our team!

Clear career path

Dedicated marketing team

Excellent L&D

External Training Sessions

No data entry or data research

No dress code

3pm Friday finish

Weekly incentives

Team lunches / breakfasts

Travel incentives

Conference visits

Open commission scheme

Company wide trips abroad

Pay Day 2pm finish

Beer fridge

Whole team lunches and early finish when we make a placement

Closed for two weeks over Christmas

25 days holiday plus bank holidays off

Who you'll be working with

At Raw Selection we are subject matter experts first, recruiters second. We work collaboratively behind the scenes to find exceptional talent for your Private Equity firm and Portfolio Company. All while removing the risk from Executive Search of course.

Alex Rawlings

Alex Rawlings

Founder and Managing Partner

Alex founded Raw Selection in 2017 and has been dedicated to growing the business and proving exceptional service for our clients ever since. On the off chance Alex takes a day off, he’ll be spending it with his son, his dog Toby, or on DIY projects that (sometimes) get finished. Ask Alex about: When his last day off was. Seriously. Nobody knows

Alice Chapman

Alice Chapman

Head of Operations

Alice joined Raw Selection in 2019 and quickly got to work on improving our brand, website, customer experience, offering, and company culture. Anything that goes wrong in the office (or in people’s personal lives) can always be traced directly or indirectly back to Alice, whether she was involved or not. Ask Alice about: How to break the most amount of company items in the shortest amount of time.

Andrew Thomson

Andrew Thomson

Vice President

Andrew joined us in November 2024, bringing 8 years of executive search experience to help Private Equity firms secure C-Suite and Senior Executives for their portfolio companies. He leads our resource team and made the move from Scotland to join us. Ask Andrew about: His cool James Bond jacket.

Jack Burns

Jack Burns

Principal

Jack joined us out of University at the start of 2020, and immediately took to the world of Private Equity. Since then, he has seen the quickest career progression of anyone in the business, joining us an Associate, he now heads up his own team, securing C-Suite executives in Aerospace and Defence, Industrial and Manufacturing. Ask Jack about: Cooking, Derby FC, being voted the most Italian in the office, and why he's not allowed to make recommendations on work nights out anymore.

DOWNLOAD OUR EXECUTIVE SEARCH E-BOOKS

EBook

How to convert more leads to vacancies

Learn how to effectively follow up with leads and convert them into opportunities. This guide provides actionable strategies to engage busy decision-makers.