By Dennis Howes, Co-Founder, and Membership/Association Recruitment Specialist
After more than fourteen years immersed in the membership sector, supporting professional bodies, trade associations, and commercial membership organisations across the UK, I’m pleased to share a new chapter in our story: Membership Bespoke's growth has expanded further in the United States.
To us, this is more than just entering a new chapter of our growth journey. We’ve long believed that recruitment for membership organisations should reflect the same principles those organisations are built on; purpose, accountability, community, and service. Yet too often, the recruitment experience - particularly in the US - is shaped by high-margin, retained search models that are out of touch with how associations operate.
That model tends to favour the agency, not the client. And more importantly, it doesn’t always serve the wider membership community.
We think there’s a better way. One that’s fairer, faster, and more aligned with what membership organisations and associations genuinely need.
Our approach: contingency, not compromise
At Membership Bespoke, we work on a contingent model - no retainers, no upfront fees. You only pay when we succeed.
It’s a model that feels logical, but in the US it remains surprisingly rare. For many associations and trade bodies, this offers real freedom: to engage a recruitment partner without financial risk, while still accessing high-quality, sector-specialist support.
We bring sector insight, not just CVs. Our team of dedicated account managers, using smart recruitment tech, can deliver accurate, values-aligned shortlists in as little as two weeks. No shortcuts - just consistent delivery, informed by our deep understanding of how membership bodies function, hire, and grow.
People, not just placements
What really sets us apart is how we measure success. Our consultants aren’t incentivised by revenue; they’re recognised for outcomes. We reward them based on fill ratios and the tenure of their placements, which is how we’ve built a team of passionate recruitment professionals who care about outcomes, not sales.
The result is a less transactional, more partnership-driven experience for both clients and candidates.
We are membership, and membership is us
For over 13 years, we’ve had the privilege of working with hundreds of membership organisations. We’ve learned their language, understood their pressures, and supported their ambitions. We know how vital it is to find people who don’t just fill a role - but who truly believe in your mission, values, culture and goals.
That’s the mindset we’ve brought to the US.
This expansion isn’t about launching something new, it’s about extending something that works. A model grounded in fairness, transparency, and respect for the unique demands of membership-based organisations.
Let us show you what’s possible when your recruitment partner shares your values and puts your mission first.
Get in touch. Let’s build something remarkable, together.