When to bring in top aides (8)
I believe the answer is:
abetters
'aides' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I don't see?
'when to bring in top' is the wordplay.
'when' becomes 'as' (eg 'when I walked' means 'as I walked').
'to bring in' indicates putting letters inside.
'top' becomes 'better' (I've seen this before).
'as' placed around 'better' is 'ABETTERS'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for abetters that I've seen before include "they have helped" , "They help or incite others" , "fellow criminals?" .)