IT recruitment agency in London for data, AI and cyber
Specialist IT and tech recruitment in London since 1999.
Xist4 is a specialist IT recruitment agency in London, filling data, AI, cyber, cloud and technology leadership roles for employers across the capital and the UK. We work with a handful of clients at a time, by choice, so when you brief us on a role, it gets our full attention from the first conversation until your new hire is settled.
Got a data, AI, cyber or tech leadership role in London? Tell us about it, and we'll agree with you the best way to find the right person.
Hiring tech talent in London
London's tech employers are spread across the capital, from the City and Canary Wharf to Shoreditch and King's Cross, alongside government departments and some of the country's best-known museums and cultural institutions. They all compete for the same data, cloud and security talent. Good tech recruitment in London means knowing where those people are, including the ones who are not looking, and shaping the approach to what each role needs.
IT and tech recruitment across our specialisms
For cyber security recruitment, we recruit security-cleared roles at all levels (BPSS, SC, DV and eDV) and run retained or exclusive searches for CISO-level roles. We recruit mainly for permanent roles, with some contract work.
How we work
1Briefing
A real conversation about what the role must achieve, what success looks like at twelve months, and what would put the right people off.
2Honest market view
Salary benchmarking and frank feedback on the brief before anything goes to market.
3Reaching the whole market
The strong people who are looking, and the many more who aren't but would move for the right role.
4Direct outreach
Where the right person isn't looking, an individual approach that starts with why your role is worth a move.
5A considered shortlist
Context behind each name. The first shortlist typically arrives in one to six weeks, depending on how scarce the skills are.
6Offer and beyond
We manage both sides of the offer and counteroffer risk, then check in at Day 1, Week 1 and at one, three, six and twelve months.
Full detail: our recruitment process.
Case study: London heritage institution
Applications and Database Engineer
A public sector heritage organisation in London needed an Applications and Database Engineer with SC clearance. We checked SC eligibility at the first stage, tightened the technical screening and filled the role in 46 days.
Hiring in London? Brief us on your role.
Tell us about the role and we'll come back to you to talk it through and agree the best way to fill it. Upload a job description with the form below, or email business@xist4.com.
Looking for a job instead? Visit our candidates page.
Recruiting it yourself?
Our Hiring Campaign Diagnostic is a two-day review of your brief, salary, advert and process before you go to market. £1,500 fixed, with a written readout you can act on.
About the Hiring Campaign Diagnostic
Frequently asked questions
Is Xist4 an IT recruitment agency in London?
Yes. Xist4 is a specialist IT and tech recruitment agency with our London office and a base in Bristol. We recruit data, AI, cyber security, cloud and technology leadership roles for employers in London and across the UK.
What areas of London do you recruit for?
We recruit for employers across London, and we look beyond the capital when a role is hybrid or remote.
What IT and tech roles does Xist4 recruit in London?
We recruit data scientists, AI and machine learning specialists, data engineers and architects, BI and insights professionals, cyber security specialists, cloud and infrastructure engineers, and senior technology leaders.
Does Xist4 recruit security-cleared roles?
Yes, at all levels, including BPSS, SC, DV and eDV.
Does Xist4 handle CISO and senior security searches?
Yes. For CISO and other senior or scarce roles, we'll often agree a dedicated search with you.
Does Xist4 recruit permanent or contract roles?
Mainly permanent roles, with some contract recruitment.
How quickly will I see a shortlist?
Typically within one to six weeks, depending on how scarce the skills are.
How do I register a vacancy with Xist4?
Use the Register your vacancy form on this page, where you can upload a job description, or email business@xist4.com.
Who we work with in London
London’s employers compete hard for the same data, cloud and security talent. These are the kinds of organisations we know best.
Greentech
We work with selected greentech firms electrifying transport, energy and the built environment. That includes public EV charging networks, smart charging and energy flexibility, battery technology and analytics, fleet electrification software, smart buildings and commercial IoT. These organisations sit where software, data, infrastructure, hardware and operations meet. They need people who can build systems, improve platforms, make sense of complex data and lead teams through growth and change. That is where we help.
Learn more
Mission-Led, Cultural & Heritage Recruitment
Museums, galleries, archives, charities and heritage organisations are modernising, often with small teams and limited resources. They need data, technology and leadership people who can improve digital access, modernise systems, protect critical information and help the organisation evolve without losing sight of what it exists to do. That is who we help them find.
Learn more
Startups & Scale-ups
For many startups and scale-ups, hiring is the biggest brake on growth. You need engineers, data specialists, cyber professionals and leaders who can build from scratch, move quickly and make good decisions under pressure, while competing against larger organisations with stronger brands and deeper pockets. Get the recruitment partner right and you secure the people who move the business forward. Get it wrong and you lose them to someone who did. We treat startups and scale-ups as a type of organisation rather than a sector: ambitious businesses that cannot afford a key hire going wrong.
Learn moreThe roles we place in London
Data and AI
Cyber security
Cloud, platform and engineering
Technology leadership
Recently filled roles
Applied AI Engineer
Cambridge
£85-110,000
Systems & Data Manager
Bristol
£50-55,000
iOS Software Engineer
London
£75-95,000
Member of Technical Staff
London
£100-150,000
Lead Engineer - Machine Learning
London
£110-140,000
Android Software Engineer
London
£70-90,000
Head of Data
London
£100 – £115,000
Digital Programme Manager
London
£60 – £75,000
Enquire
Register your vacancy
Let’s start building your winning team – contact us now to begin.
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