Hobson Leavy Executive Search

What Hobson Leavy Executive Search does

Hobson Leavy Executive Search is a New Zealand-based executive search firm founded in 2006 by Carrie Hobson and Stephen Leavy, headquartered in Auckland with an additional office in Wellington. The firm specialises in retained executive search at the CEO, Non-Executive Director (NED), and senior executive levels, serving a client base that spans large New Zealand enterprises, central and local government agencies, and non-governmental organisations. Its delivery model rests on a proprietary 27-step search process in which a dedicated researcher is assigned to every mandate, distinguishing it from firms that rely solely on consultant-led sourcing.

The firm's commercial model is built on retained executive search fees, with engagements typically tied to senior leadership and board-level appointments. To extend reach beyond the small New Zealand market, Hobson Leavy is a founding member of Panorama, a global executive search network spanning more than 25 countries and 400+ experts, enabling participation in cross-border mandates. It also holds membership in the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) and BlueSteps, and sponsors the Deloitte Top 200 Visionary Leader Award, anchoring its positioning among the country's largest organisations and their leadership benches.

The firm pursues selective ecosystem partnerships that double as growth signals: a Foundation Partnership with Chapter Zero New Zealand for climate governance, Toitū carbonreduce certification to meet public-sector and ESG procurement criteria, and ongoing content investment through a Leadership Series. Revenue is not publicly disclosed; the firm remains founder-owned with a team in the 11-50 range, and growth is incremental rather than venture-scaled.

Name

Hobson Leavy Executive Search

Legal name

Hobson Leavy Executive Search

Website

https://hobsonleavy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hobson Leavy Executive Search is a New Zealand-based executive search firm founded in 2006 that places CEOs, Non-Executive Directors, and senior executives for enterprises, government agencies, and NGOs using a proprietary 27-step process, with international reach via the Panorama global network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Search Services

NAICS

Executive Search Services (561312)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

C-Suite & Board Search (BPACAAAA)

Keywords

• Executive search services
• CEO recruitment
• Board evaluation services
• Leadership assessment
• Non-executive director search

Headquarters

HQ city

Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Executive Search Retainer Fees: Traditional executive search services typically billed on a retained search basis, with fees based on the seniority and complexity of the position being filled. Services include CEO, NED, and executive level appointments (permanent and interim), Board Evaluation, and Leadership assessment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Hobson Leavy provides retained executive search services for CEO, Non-Executive Director, and senior executive appointments (both permanent and interim), supplemented by Board Evaluation and Leadership Assessment services. Each search is delivered through a proprietary 27-step methodology in which a dedicated researcher is assigned solely to one assignment, ensuring deep understanding of client culture, strategy, and candidate fit. The firm combines New Zealand market expertise with international reach through its founding membership in the Panorama global network of executive search firms.

Product overview

Hobson Leavy Executive Search operates as a single-service executive search firm rather than a multi-product platform. The core offering centers on executive search services for CEO, Non-Executive Director, and executive-level appointments (permanent and interim), delivered through a proprietary 27-step search methodology with dedicated researchers. Additional services include Board Evaluation and Leadership Assessment. The Hobson Leavy Leadership Series provides thought leadership content through interview-based programming with NZ business leaders. Global reach is enabled through Panorama membership, providing access to executive talent across 25 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Executive Search Services Full-service retained executive search and recruitment for CEO, Non-Executive Director, and senior executive positions in both permanent and interim arrangements. Delivered through a proprietary 27-step search process with a dedicated researcher assigned solely to each assignment to ensure in-depth understanding of client needs and thorough candidate assessment.
• Board Evaluation Board assessment and evaluation services to help organisations assess board effectiveness, composition, and governance practices, supporting both incumbent board reviews and recruitment of independent and Non-Executive Directors.
• Leadership Assessment Senior executive and leadership candidate assessment services to evaluate candidate fit, capability, and potential for executive and Non-Executive Director roles, supporting both standalone assessments and integrated executive search engagements.

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PanoramacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of Panorama, a global community of over 400 executive search and leadership experts. Provides Hobson Leavy with global reach across 25 countries, enabling international candidate sourcing for New Zealand clients and cross-border executive search mandates.
• Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProud members of AESC, the global association for executive search professionals. AESC members must meet rigorous standards for professional conduct and quality.
• BlueStepsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated with BlueSteps, AESC's executive career management service, providing access to senior executive candidates.
• Chapter Zero New ZealandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation Partner of Chapter Zero New Zealand, an organization focused on board-level climate governance. Hobson Leavy contributes through thought leadership, pulse surveys on climate capability, and leadership interviews with climate leaders.
• Toitū EnvirocareminorOthersHolder of Toitū carbonreduce certification, demonstrating commitment to environmental sustainability and carbon emission reduction.
• Executive Search ConnectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Executive Search Connect, a network connecting executive search professionals and sharing industry resources.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Korn Ferry: Global organizational consulting firm with a major executive search and leadership advisory practice, plus broader talent management services. Comparable in executive search offerings but operates across many adjacent consulting verticals.
• Egon Zehnder: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with a strong reputation for board, CEO, and senior executive placements plus leadership assessment. Closely aligned to Hobson Leavy's C-suite/board evaluation offering.
• Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with deep C-suite and board practice. Comparable to Hobson Leavy in service offering (CEO, NED, board evaluation) but operates at vastly larger scale across many geographies.
• Spencer Stuart: One of the world's largest executive search firms with a strong board and CEO practice and leadership advisory services. Directly comparable offering to Hobson Leavy's C-suite and board focus, but with global scale and broader service breadth.
• Odgers Berndtson: Global executive search firm with strong presence in Australia/NZ and UK, focused on senior executive and board placements. Closely comparable offering to Hobson Leavy with overlapping Australasian geography.
• Russell Reynolds Associates: Global executive search firm focused on CEO, board, and senior executive placements with leadership advisory services. Same core offering as Hobson Leavy, with global infrastructure and broader functional practices.

Regional players

• Fisher Leadership: Executive search and leadership consulting firm operating in Australia and New Zealand, focused on senior executive and board appointments. Direct regional competitor to Hobson Leavy across Australasia.
• Jackson Stone & Partners: Wellington-based executive search and leadership advisory firm focused on senior executive placements in the New Zealand public, private, and NGO sectors. Closest direct NZ-based competitor to Hobson Leavy.
• SEQEL Partners: New Zealand-based executive search firm focused on C-suite, board, and senior executive appointments across the NZ market. Operates in the same niche and geography as Hobson Leavy.

Direct peers

• Amrop Australasia: Global executive search partnership with strong Australasian presence, focused on board, CEO, and senior executive search. Comparable retained-search offering and a partnership model similar in structure to Panorama's network role for Hobson Leavy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hobson-leavy

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hobson Leavy Executive Search