Co-Founder, Hurren & Hope
Mark Hurren
Mark Hurren is Co-Founder of Hurren & Hope. He has 26 years in recruitment, in-house and agency side, including 22 years of contract recruitment, and he places senior engineers, architects, CTOs and technical leaders. He is based in London.
BackgroundFrom big agencies to genuine consultancy
Mark started his career at major agencies including Hays and Adecco, and quickly saw the gap between what technology companies needed and what traditional recruitment delivered.
He went on to work both internally and as an RPO partner director with international recruitment agencies, which gave him a close view of the problems companies hit when they scale technical teams.
That led him to co-found Hurren & Hope in 2013, built on genuine consultancy rather than transactional CV sending. In 2025 he introduced Pay While They Stay, so clients pay the fee monthly and the payments stop if the hire leaves.
“My goal is to be part of your internal team with common aims and a collaborative approach to recruitment strategy.”
- Role
- Co-Founder
- Based in
- London
- In recruitment
- 26 years, in-house and agency side
- Contract recruitment
- 22 years
- Specialisms
- Senior engineers, solution architects, CTOs and technical leaders
- Hurren & Hope placements
- 6,906 since 2013
SpecialismsWhat Mark hires for
Clients Mark has worked with include De La Rue, Penguin Random House, Finch Capital, Capita and Deloitte.
Senior engineering and architecture
Senior developers and solution architects for venture-backed startups through to established software companies.
CTOs and technical leaders
Executive search for CTO, VP and technical leadership roles, paid at 25% of base salary with the balance spread over 12 months.
Contract hiring in the UK
22 years of contract recruitment. A shortlist with paperwork raised within 3 days, on a day rate with a fixed margin agreed up front.
Building whole teams
Complete development teams for more than 12 startups, and repeat clients whose average time to hire has come down from around 8 weeks to around 3.
In their own words
“Hurren & Hope are a preferred supplier for Penguin Random House and gave excellent, personable service through a challenging, complex integration. The team goes the extra mile, with a high degree of integrity.”
Penguin Random House
“If you’re looking for a true partner in executive hiring, one who prioritises long term success over quick placements, I highly recommend Hurren & Hope.”
Talent Acquisition Manager, Saffron Building Society
“Simply put, Hurren & Hope are the benchmark of how recruiters should act.”
Chief People Officer, One Beyond
Hiring now? Brief Mark directly.
A 20 minute call about your role, your team and your timeline. You get a salary benchmark and a clear quote, with no obligation.
The teamTwo recruiters, one standard
Hurren & Hope was set up in 2013 by two recruiters who had worked in-house, agency side and in RPO. Clients speak to Mark or Mike directly.
About Hurren & Hope
About Mark Hurren
Who is Mark Hurren?
Mark Hurren is Co-Founder of Hurren & Hope, a London technology recruitment firm set up in 2013. He has 26 years in recruitment, in-house and agency side, including 22 years of contract recruitment.
What roles does Mark recruit for?
Senior developers, solution architects, CTOs and other technical leaders, for companies from venture-backed startups to established software businesses. He also leads our executive search and UK contract work.
Where did Mark work before Hurren & Hope?
He started at major agencies including Hays and Adecco, then worked internally and as an RPO partner director with international recruitment agencies before co-founding Hurren & Hope in 2013.
Can I speak to Mark directly about a hire?
Yes. Book a call through this page, ring 020 3833 0334 or email [email protected]. Clients speak to Mark or Mike directly.
Does Mark recruit in the US?
Yes, for permanent and executive roles in New York and San Francisco, run from London. Contract hiring is UK only.
Why did Mark introduce Pay While They Stay?
Lavanda, a proptech client, was paid by its own customers only while those customers stayed, and Mark thought recruitment fees should work the same way. Since 2025 clients can pay our 20% fee monthly, and the payments stop if the hire leaves.
Talk to Mark about your hire
Why clients stay with us