1. Registration
Expertise Partners
Pre-launch Founding Expertise Partners: No charge.
Those registering during the ExEx development and pre-launch period will have joining and, where applicable, initial vetting fees waived. Any engagements completed before the formal ExEx launch will also be free of ExEx commission unless otherwise agreed.
Following launch, an annual Expertise Partner membership fee may apply. Proposed annual membership: £95–£150. The final membership fee will be confirmed before launch.
Clients
Registration as an ExEx Client will be free of charge. Clients pay only when requesting services or entering into an engagement where an ExEx fee applies.
2. Search Fee
Where a Client asks ExEx to identify suitable Expertise Partners for a particular requirement, a search fee may apply.
Standard Search — indicative fee: £95–£250.
The fee will depend upon the complexity of the requirement and the level of search and matching assistance required. A more substantial or specialist search may be individually quoted. The search fee covers the ExEx search and matching process and does not guarantee that the Client will appoint an Expertise Partner.
3. Expertise Partner Engagements
Where an Expertise Partner is engaged through ExEx, the Expertise Partner and Client agree the professional rate for the assignment. ExEx will charge an engagement commission for providing and managing the engagement.
Proposed ExEx Engagement Commission: 10% of the professional fees charged through ExEx.
Example: Expertise Partner fee £1,000; ExEx commission £100; total Client cost before VAT, where applicable, £1,100.
The agreed commercial terms will be clearly stated before the engagement begins.
4. Longer-Term and Higher-Value Engagements
For substantial or continuing assignments, ExEx may agree a reduced commission reflecting the value and duration of the engagement.
- Up to £10,000 of Expertise Partner fees: 10%
- £10,001–£50,000: 8%
- £50,001–£100,000: 6%
- Over £100,000: By agreement
The applicable commission will be agreed before the engagement commences.
5. Interim Management
Where ExEx introduces an Expertise Partner for an interim executive, management or specialist appointment, fees may be based upon either an engagement commission or an agreed introduction fee.
Indicative ExEx fee: 10% of the interim professional fees. For substantial or long-term interim appointments, a reduced percentage or fixed fee may be agreed.
6. Permanent Recruitment
Where an introduction through ExEx results in an Expertise Partner accepting permanent employment with a Client, ExEx may charge a recruitment fee.
Indicative Recruitment Fee: 15% of first-year gross salary.
Example: annual salary £80,000; ExEx recruitment fee £12,000. The recruitment fee will be agreed with the Client before the recruitment process commences.
7. Sales Agency Opportunities
Where ExEx introduces a Sales Agent to a business and an agency agreement results, the Sales Agent and Client will agree their own commission or remuneration arrangements.
ExEx may charge an introduction or ongoing commission for creating and managing the opportunity.
Proposed ExEx Commission: 10% of the commission or other remuneration earned by the Sales Agent through the ExEx introduction.
Example: qualifying sale £50,000; Sales Agent commission at 10% £5,000; ExEx commission at 10% of the Agent's commission £500.
Alternative arrangements may be agreed for substantial, recurring or long-term agency relationships.
8. Business Sale Opportunities
Where ExEx assists in identifying a purchaser, investor, adviser or other Expertise Partner in connection with the sale of a business, the commercial arrangement will be agreed individually.
Fees may comprise an initial search or engagement fee, professional fees for Expertise Partners assisting with preparation for sale, an introduction fee, and a success fee payable upon completion.
Indicative ExEx Success Fee: 1%–3% of the completed transaction value where ExEx has played a material role in introducing the purchaser or facilitating the transaction.
The percentage will depend upon the transaction value, complexity and extent of ExEx involvement. No success fee will be payable unless it has been specifically agreed in writing before the relevant work or introduction takes place.
Legal, tax, accounting, valuation and regulated financial advice will be provided separately by appropriately qualified professionals where required.
9. Project and Fixed-Price Assignments
Some assignments may be better suited to an agreed project price rather than hourly or daily rates.
Indicative ExEx commission: 10% of the agreed project fee. Any variation will be agreed before the engagement begins.
10. Verification Management
Where screening, identity verification, qualification checks or other independent verification services are required, ExEx may arrange these on behalf of an Expertise Partner or Client.
The cost of independent verification will be passed on together with any clearly stated ExEx administration or Verification Management fee.
Indicative ExEx Verification Management fee: £25–£50. Third-party verification charges will be identified separately.
11. Young People's Forum and Ideas Forum
Participation in the designated ExEx Young People's Forum and ExEx Ideas Forum will be free of ExEx charges.
Expertise Partners may volunteer their time to these initiatives without charge. Where an introduction subsequently develops into a separate commercial engagement, investment, partnership, agency arrangement or other business relationship, the parties and ExEx will agree any applicable commercial terms before proceeding.
12. Expenses
Reasonable expenses incurred by an Expertise Partner in completing an assignment may be charged to the Client where agreed in advance. ExEx will not normally charge commission on genuine reimbursed expenses.
13. VAT
All ExEx fees and commissions are quoted exclusive of VAT where applicable. Expertise Partners are responsible for stating whether VAT applies to their own professional fees.
14. Payment Management
Where ExEx manages payment for an engagement, the Client will make payment through the ExEx payment process in accordance with the Engagement Agreement. Funds may be held securely pending agreed milestones or completion.
Once the appropriate payment conditions have been satisfied: Expertise Partner professional fee – ExEx commission = payment released to Expertise Partner.
The precise payment arrangements will be confirmed for each engagement.
15. No Hidden Charges
Before any chargeable ExEx service begins, the Client and/or Expertise Partner will be informed of the applicable ExEx fee, the basis upon which it is calculated, when it becomes payable, any continuing commission, any applicable VAT, and any third-party costs.
No success fee, commission or other material charge will apply unless it has been disclosed and agreed.
The ExEx Principle
Registration opens the door. ExEx earns its fees when it creates or manages commercial value.
Our intention is to keep the ExEx charging structure straightforward, proportionate and transparent.
Expertise Partners determine the value of their own expertise. Clients decide whether that expertise represents value to them. ExEx charges for bringing the two together and providing the platform, assurance and management necessary to make the engagement work.