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Financial Services
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Public Sector & Not-for-Profit
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Technology & Digital
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Industrial, Manufacturing, & Construction
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Professional Services & Business Services
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Healthcare & Life Sciences
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Energy & Renewables
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Primary Industries
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Fintech
Board Executive Search New Zealand
Chair and Board Director Appointments
Finding the right people to sit around your board table is one of the most consequential decisions an organisation can make. Effective board executive search goes well beyond a simple candidate search. It requires a deep understanding of governance, board dynamics, skills gaps and the strategic direction your organisation is headed.
Robert Walters Executive Search specialises in board executive search across New Zealand, connecting listed companies, privately-owned businesses, SMEs, not-for-profits and public sector organisations with exceptional governance leaders, from experienced board directors to first-time appointees bringing fresh perspective.
Board director search tailored to your organisation
The best board director appointments are the result of a deliberate, research-led process that starts with a clear understanding of what your board needs and what it's missing.
Whether you are appointing a new Chair, recruiting an additional director to address a skills gap, or rebuilding your board from the ground up, we work alongside your nomination committee to identify leaders with the right governance capability, commercial acumen and cultural fit.
Our board executive search service covers:
- Chair appointments - identifying experienced leaders to set board culture, priorities and strategic direction
- Board director recruitment - sourcing directors who bring the skills, experience and independence your governance needs
- Board skills matrix review - assessing your board's current capabilities against what your organisation needs to succeed
- Succession planning - building a pipeline of future governance talent so your board remains effective long-term
- Diversity advisory - helping you build boards that reflect the full range of New Zealand's communities and perspectives
A search process built for governance
Board appointments require a different process to executive search. We understand the nuances of governance recruitment - from skills matrix analysis to managing nomination committees, stakeholder expectations and board dynamics.
Our process includes:
- Board needs analysis - We work with your Chair and nomination committee to understand your current board composition, strategic direction and the specific skills or perspectives you need.
- Candidate research and mapping - We conduct a thorough search across our global network and the local NZ market, surfacing both active candidates and those not publicly available.
- Assessment and shortlisting - We apply rigorous assessment to evaluate independence, governance capability, cultural fit and diversity - presenting a high-quality shortlist that gives you real choice.
- Appointment support - We support you through the final stages, from reference checking to offer and onboarding, ensuring a smooth transition to the board.
Industries we specialise in
Trusted Board Recruitment Expertise Across New Zealand
- Deep local networks - over 25 years recruiting in New Zealand, with established relationships across the governance community
- Global reach - access to a global candidate pool through Robert Walters' presence in 31 countries
- Genuine independence - we work only in your interests to find the best governance fit, not the fastest placement
- Diversity focus - we actively surface diverse candidates to help your board reflect the communities you serve
- Confidentiality - all board appointments are handled with absolute discretion
Our track record
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47
Years of combined executive search experience across our team
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80%
Of clients return to us for their next executive search
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10
Week average time to place an executive leader in a new role
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100%
Of executives we have helped would recommend our services
Our Board Executive Recruiters
Neil Munro
Executive Search Associate Director
Auckland, New Zealand
Neil brings more than 20 years’ experience in workforce solutions, underpinned by a strong foundation in business advisory, where ...
Sarah Mowbray
Executive Search Business Director
Wellington , New Zealand
Sarah is a Business Director in the Executive Search team at Robert Walters, specialising in senior leadership and c-suite appoint...
Samantha Stevens
Executive Search Business Director
Auckland, New Zealand
Sam is our national executive search lead specialising in Commercial, Customer, Sales, Marketing, Digital, and Strategy roles. She...
Chrissy Orman
Executive Search Researcher
Wellington, New Zealand
Chrissy is a Researcher in our national Executive Search team, specialising in identifying top-tier talent. She ensures a diverse,...
Chief Executive Officer
CEO
The CEO is the highest-ranking executive in an organisation, responsible for setting strategic direction, driving performance and representing the business to its board, stakeholders and the market.
Chief Financial Officer
CFO
The CFO oversees the financial health of the organisation, leading financial planning, risk management, reporting and capital strategy to support sustainable growth and commercial decision-making.
Chief Technology Officer
CTO
The CTO leads the organisation's technology strategy, overseeing infrastructure, digital transformation and innovation to drive competitive advantage and operational capability.
Chief Operating Officer
COO
The COO is responsible for the day-to-day operational performance of the business, translating strategy into execution and ensuring the organisation runs efficiently and at scale.
Chief People Officer
CPO
The CPO is responsible for the organisation's people strategy, encompassing talent acquisition, culture, leadership development, employee experience and workforce planning.
Chief Compliance Officer
CCO
The CCO ensures the organisation operates within legal, regulatory and ethical frameworks, managing risk, governance and compliance programs across the business.
Chief Marketing Officer
CMO
The CMO leads brand, marketing and customer strategy, driving growth through market positioning and the development of campaigns that build brand equity, deepen audience connection and deliver measurable commercial results.
FAQs
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What does a board executive search involve?
Board executive search is a structured, research-led process for identifying and appointing directors to a company's board. Unlike a standard recruitment process, it involves assessing board composition, mapping the governance skills your organisation needs, and sourcing candidates across both active and passive pools, including people who are not publicly looking for board roles. -
What types of board roles do you recruit for?
We recruit for the full range of board director positions, including Chair, Deputy Chair, independent director and skills-based director appointments. We work across listed companies, privately-owned businesses, SMEs, not-for-profits and public sector organisations. -
How is board executive search different from executive search?
Board roles carry governance responsibilities that are fundamentally different from executive management. Our search process accounts for this, assessing candidates on independence, governance capability and board dynamics rather than operational track record alone. -
How long does a board director search take?
A thorough board director search typically takes 8 to 14 weeks from brief to appointment, depending on the seniority of the role, the breadth of the search and the organisation's decision-making process. -
What makes a strong board director in New Zealand?
Strong governance capability, relevant industry or functional expertise, independence of thought and commercial acumen. Increasingly, New Zealand organisations are also valuing the currency and energy that emerging directors bring to the board table alongside more experienced governance leaders. -
Do you recruit board directors for not-for-profit and public sector organisations?
Yes. We recruit across all organisation types including listed companies, privately-owned businesses, SMEs, not-for-profits and public sector bodies.