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Who we are

Andrew Staite
Managing Director

Andrew has more than fourteen years’ experience in executive search and selection. He spent ten years with Morgan & Banks/Hudson, resigning his position of Managing Director to found SHK. Andrew commenced his career as a lawyer.

At SHK Andrew recruits senior executive level assignments (CEO, Executive Director and GM). He maintains a long held executive search and selection specialisation in the fields of communication, corporate affairs and human resources.

Andrew holds Arts and Law degrees from the University of Melbourne, supported by post-graduate study within the University of Melbourne Masters of Commerce (HR) programme. 



Luke Henningsen
Director

Luke has consulted in executive search since 1996. His career was developed initially as a lawyer and subsequently within banking. Prior to founding SHK, Luke was Executive GM A/NZ for Chandler Macleod Ltd. He also established the Melbourne office of boutique Investment Banking search firm, Jon Michel Executive Search.

At SHK Luke recruits Senior Executive level assignments across a wide range of industry sectors including Mining, Financial Services, IT&T, Clean Technology and within early and expansion stage Venture Capital/Private Equity Funded businesses. In addition to CEO, COO, Executive Director and General Manager level positions, Luke has a strong track record in executing search and selection assignments for senior technical specialists and difficult to find experts.

Luke holds Commerce and Law degrees from the University of Melbourne, supported by post-graduate study within the Macquarie University Masters of Applied Finance and the Melbourne Business School MBA programmes. Luke is a member of the Australian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association. 



Dalia Klein
Director

Dalia has more than fourteen years' experience in executive search and selection including eleven years with Morgan & Banks/Hudson. Before entering recruitment, Dalia worked as a Chartered Accountant for Grant Thornton. Prior to founding SHK, Dalia was Senior Manager of Hudson’s Marketing & Communication practice.

At SHK Dalia recruits senior and executive level roles typically general manager, director and business management levels. She maintains a long held executive search and selection specialisation in marketing, product, strategy, communication and sales. Her experience spans multiple industry sectors.

Dalia holds a Commerce degree from the University of Western Australia and completed a post graduate Professional Year program with the Australian Institute of Chartered Accountants.



Justin Bender
Director

Justin has more than twenty years’ finance and accounting experience. In 2006, Justin was appointed Chief Financial Officer with a leading Australian law firm. Prior to this, he was employed as Financial Controller (Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia) for the global, high value management-consulting firm, A. T. Kearney. At that time, he lead international finance teams covering six countries across Asia Pacific.

Justin has been involved as a focus session leader for the Chartered Accountants Program and has held volunteer finance roles in the not-for-profit sector before settling in Melbourne.

Justin is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Newcastle.



Ann Baldwin
Director (Sydney)

Ann has more than ten years' experience in the executive search & selection and contracting markets. She has consulted in Sydney and the UK, specialising in Accounting & Finance, Human Resources & CEO/COO/Executive Director Appointments - Ann’s extensive recruitment experience also includes project managing and recruiting teams for projects and national team expansions.

Prior to joining SHK, Ann was the Sales & Service Director for one of the world’s largest recruitment & consulting firms. Ann led the A/NZ sales & account management team responsible for assisting key clients in the development of their recruitment strategy and partnering with them to assess, develop and implement their desired recruitment model/solution.

Ann provides her clients with specialist knowledge and expertise on key issues around the attraction and retention of talent . She has established a strong reputation for building long term strategic partnerships with her clients and for her commitment to delivering an outcome driven, truly consultative service.

Ann holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree from the UK.



Peter Gurney
General Manager, Perth

Peter has broad experience across both the public and private sectors which includes work in government, corporate affairs and information technology. He started his career at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade before leaving to start his own company, where he worked with clients in the corporate affairs and risk management areas. He subsequently became the Director of a West Australian based company which specialises in facilitating research and development opportunities in the information technology area.

Peter primarily recruits executive level assignments in the information technology area, but with his depth of experience has also worked across other industries.

Peter holds a BA (Hons) from the University of Western Australia, and is currently an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at Edith Cowan University in the School of Computer and Security Science.



Alan Simpson
Head of Outplacement

Alan is one of Australia’s leading experts in career transition and outplacement with over seventeen years experience in the field.

Prior to joining SHK, he managed Australia’s largest outplacement consultancy and during this time directed many of the Country’s largest restructuring and downsizing projects. He is also highly skilled at program delivery and has successfully assisted over one thousand executives with their career transitions.

Alan’s early career was with Shell where he held various senior petrochemical marketing roles. He then moved to Human Resources where he was the Director of HR for a major US graphics company.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts [honours] from Monash University and has a wide variety of interests including; classic cars, wine, antiquarian books, travel and military history.



Tim Morden
Head of Accounting & Finance

Tim has more than six years’ executive recruitment experience, specialising in the disciplines of accounting and finance. Prior to the founding of SHK, Tim was employed by one of the world’s largest executive recruitment firms where he won numerous awards for high performance and service delivery.

Tim has fostered strong industry networks and excellent working relationships with clients and candidates alike. He has a proven record of successful delivery in the Accounting & Finance discipline, both for executive permanent positions, and interim management solutions.

With a well-deserved reputation as one of the industry’s most successful consultants, Tim leads SHK’s Accounting & Finance practice.

Tim holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Melbourne.



Mike Brissenden
Principal Consultant, Outplacement

Mike has worked in the Career Management and Outplacement field in Sydney for over seven years. Before joining SHK, he worked most recently in the Employee Assistance field as NSW State Manager for a leading provider and prior to that he was involved with a small HR Consulting and Recruitment business and worked primarily as a Career Coach. Before then he spent 5 ½ years with another leading Career Transition provider where he held Practice Leader and Senior Consultant roles. Mike has been involved with many high profile and large scale change projects with a number of blue chip clients in the finance and professional services; consumer goods; pharmaceutical and healthcare and industrial sectors.

Mike’s earlier career was in the UK, in the HR, recruiting and training fields and he worked for twelve years for a major direct marketing business, part of the Bertelsmann publishing group where he was responsible for remuneration and reward, policy development, organisational change and employee relations.



Helen Cassidy
Principal Consultant

Helen has a strong track record recruiting within the financial services sector in Australia and the UK with a particular focus on the placement of Superannuation and Insurance professionals over the past 4 years.  Working with a range of SME and bluechip organisations, she is well networked within the Melbourne market and well known for providing considered consulting advice to her candidates and presenting outstanding talent to her clients.

Helen graduated with a BA Hons degree (Marketing major) from Strathclyde University in Scotland.



Gene Crowe
Principal Consultant

Gene joins SHK with extensive experience in executive recruitment, specialising in Accounting and Finance. With a demonstrated focus on providing beneficial outcomes for both clients and candidates, he brings a thorough knowledge of current market and industry trends that he has used to successfully recruit executive level roles for a broad range of large corporate and SME businesses.

Having had a successful global career as a Project Manager, and spending several years with one of the world’s largest recruitment agencies, Gene possesses a wealth of hard won business expertise that he uses to tailor his service to each individual client’s needs.

Gene holds a Bachelor of Arts (Politics) from the University of New South Wales.



Tracey Curro
Principal Consultant

Tracey, a former 60 Minutes Reporter and Al Gore Climate Change Ambassador, has over twenty years’ experience in the media and communication industries. Prior to joining SHK, Tracey was Head of Communication for Sustainability Victoria.

At SHK Tracey conducts assignments in corporate and public affairs, government relations, internal communication, digital/online communication and sustainability. Tracey’s network spans multiple sectors including banking and finance, sustainability and environment, automotive, health, government and media.

Tracey holds a Bachelor of Business (Communication) from the Queensland University of Technology. She is a graduate of the Institute of Strategic Leadership, New Zealand.



Penny Edmondson
Engagement Consultant

Penny Edmondson (Co-Head Engagement Service) has more than 15 years’ experience in helping organisations to more effectively engage with consumers and employees gained across a wide range of sectors both in London and Australia. In Australia she has worked with BHP Billiton, Ansett, Minter Ellison, Beaurepaires and Mt Buller, and in London with Betfair.com, AutoPlanet, Carnival Group (Swan Hellenic cruises), Totaljobs.com and 4Less Group (currency exchange).



Virginia Henningsen (nee Keeghan)
Senior Psychologist

Virginia is a registered psychologist who has worked as an assessment and development based psychologist within organisational settings in Melbourne and Sydney for over 10 years.

Before SHK, she was a senior psychologist for PDI, a leading global organisational psychology firm, where she gained broad industry experience managing assessment and development programs for small emerging enterprises to the top 100 Australian companies and Fortune 500 Global corporations in finance, banking, manufacturing, advertising, education, utilities, FMCG, automotive, professional services, retail, IT & T and health.

Earlier in her career, Virginia worked as a Human Resources Manager and was an Executive Recruitment Consultant for 4 years.

Virginia holds a Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) degree and a Post Graduate Diploma in Psychology, both gained from La Trobe University, Melbourne. She is a member of the Australian Psychological Society and is registered as a full psychologist with the Psychologists Registration Board of Victoria.



Tom Jeffs
Team Leader

Tom commenced his executive recruitment career at Harrison Willis in London before joining Michael Page in 1999. Tom moved with Michael Page to Melbourne in 2001. In total he spent eight years with Michael Page International, managing teams and conducting executive search and selection assignments in the Technology field, predominantly in the Banking & Finance sector.

At SHK Tom specialises in the placement of senior delivery/consulting or operational management roles with a heavy Business/Technology & Transformation bias. His practice encompasses search assignments for Heads of Business, Practice Leads, and Programme Management, Senior Project Management and senior change/transformation roles for some of the largest corporates in Australia.

Tom graduated from the University of London with a Psychology degree.



Aaron Mathieson
Team Leader

A qualified lawyer, Aaron has more than ten years’ executive search experience in the legal sector. Prior to joining SHK, Aaron was Associate Director of Dean & Ling. His legal recruitment experience had been earlier honed with Mahlab.

At SHK Aaron specialises in the search and selection of Lawyers and Partners into law firms as well as legal counsel and compliance professionals into Australian banks, superannuation funds and fund managers.

Aaron holds Law and Commerce degrees from Deakin University, majoring in management and marketing.



Rob Meek
Principal Consultant

Rob has more than four years’ recruitment experience specialising in senior sales and sales management positions. Supported by his ability to source premium talent through search & selection, are his strong industry networks and corporate knowledge across a variety of markets. Rob has recruited senior sales roles including General Managers, National Sales Managers, State Managers and National Business Development Managers.

Prior to joining SHK, Rob worked with a boutique sales recruitment firm where he managed a small team and was consistently heralded as a top performer in Melbourne for the last three years.

Prior to recruitment, Rob had a successful sales and marketing career in Melbourne and the UK.



Tony Megally
Principal Consultant

Tony has significant experience in executive search & selection and has consulted in the Banking, Financial Services & Insurance markets since 1999.

He partners with major local banks, multinational & boutique firms and is backed with strong capabilities recruiting senior leaders and specialists across operations, credit, credit risk, risk & compliance, relationship banking and sales.

Tony joined SHK in November 2007 and previously managed the Melbourne Financial Services & Banking practice for Chandler Macleod.

Prior to his recruitment career, Tony gained over eight years’ Banking experience at both the Bank of Melbourne and ANZ.

Tony is renowned for delivering an exceptional level of service and is committed to forming and maintaining long term relationships.



Tracy Melonie
Principal Consultant

Tracy has over twelve years' experience in executive search and selection, specialising in the recruitment of sales and marketing professionals within the Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices markets. Her strong networks and depth of experience ensures she provides a proactive approach to sourcing talent for the Healthcare sector.

Tracy has experience in recruiting positions at all levels from Specialist Sales Representatives & Product/Sales Managers to Senior Divisional Directors, General Managers and CEO’s. She has successfully conducted large national recruitment campaigns and led sales force team builds for new product launches.

Prior to SHK, Tracy worked for one of the largest global recruitment organisations managing the Healthcare sales and marketing team in NSW. Tracy was a consistent high performer and the recipient of numerous awards. Tracy is renowned across the Healthcare industry for her expertise, passion and commitment to delivering the right outcomes for her candidates and clients.



Suzanne Morse
Principal Consultant, Outplacement

As a business professional, Suzanne has over twenty years’ experience in consulting, account management and business development working in both the private and government sectors. At SHK Suzanne brings her expertise specialising in executive and life coaching, career management, training and development, transition and outplacement services.

Prior to SHK, Suzanne worked as a Senior Consultant in Talent Management for one of the largest global recruitment organisations. Suzanne consulted to major industries across Australia providing specialised services in career management and outplacement services, coaching and development, assessments for selection for top employees and executives. Suzanne was a consistent high performer and the recipient of numerous awards. Suzanne is renowned across the Consumer and Industrial sectors for her expertise, passion and commitment to service excellence.

Suzanne commenced her professional career in the US. Prior to moving to Australia, she was a Senior Manager of operations for a municipal water treatment plant. Suzanne also worked as a Sales Engineer and Senior Account Manager with an International engineering company, working with major corporations within the Industrial, Consumer, Energy and Resources sectors. Additionally, Suzanne worked in business management for the US Government within the USDA Forest Service Unit. Whilst working for the USDA, she also was a trained specialist as a Fire fighter and Dispatcher, working with the Initial Attack teams.

Suzanne is certified in Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), Certified Performance Coach and is currently completing her Diploma of Coaching.



Laura Nord-Thomson
Principal Consultant, Outplacement

Laura has more than twelve years’ experience in human resource consulting and management in Australia and the UK. Laura has held senior leadership roles with two major global recruitment services groups, with responsibility for account management, operations and business management. As senior client partner in London with a national Human Resource Management consultancy, Laura delivered major client projects spanning the employment lifecycle from talent acquisition, management and development through to career transition.

Laura’s industry experience, spans both in-house and consulting roles in a wide variety of sectors, across all business functions from middle manager to executive level. Specialist expertise includes career coaching, executive recruitment and talent management strategy. Laura has worked with a wide variety of clients and candidates with a particular emphasis on middle management and senior executives. She is an experienced coach and mentor and has enjoyed success in transforming people’s careers.

Laura holds post graduate qualifications in Human Resources and Management and originally qualified as a General Nurse.



Nicholas Newby
Principal Consultant

Nicholas has more than twelve years’ of senior executive search and selection recruitment experience with a specialisation in senior sales appointments. He has extensive experience delivering to senior clients across manufacturing, energy, engineering and industrial market sectors.

Nicholas brings a high level of expertise, strong client management and professionalism to every assignment, with a deep understanding of how to source the best talent in the tight industrial and commercial markets, for his clients.

Prior to SHK Nicholas worked with leading executive recruitment firms in Australia and the UK.

Nicholas graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design and Advertising from Manchester University.



Corey Nixon
Principal Consultant

After beginning his career in recruitment within the public sector assisting the long term unemployed, Corey joined the highly successful, Australian owned SMS Management and Technology as part of their IT Recruitment division, M&T Resources.  Over twelve successful years, Corey focussed on leading teams, developing new markets and business, and delivering large projects of work.

Corey has now joined SHK as part of the Technology Practice.  Corey focuses on project based contract assignments in the areas of Project Management and Delivery, Change and Process Design, and Business Analysis. 



Rebecca Perrone
Team Leader

Rebecca joined the SHK team to manage the Marketing and Communication contacting team after a successful six years' recruiting in Sales, Marketing and a broad range of Healthcare roles.

Her recruitment and career management experience involved managing a team of dedicated consultants. Rebecca is a market specialist within the sector she focuses on and has developed subject matter expertise and a superb reputation amongst her key clients. Rebecca is considered a market leading executive recruitment consultant winning multiple awards for Excellence.

Prior to this, Rebecca enjoyed an accomplished career within Healthcare. Her domain knowledge gained whilst studying a Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing), Rebecca specialised in the Critical Care Clinical area. With her strong knowledge in a clinical environment Rebecca was then approached and spent three years with a pharmaceutical and orthopaedic company as a Sales Manager for a leading global business. Following this success the Australian Catholic University invited her to work in a clinical education and training capacity.



Suzanne Purcell
Principal Consultant

Suzanne has more than seven years’ experience recruiting HR Professionals in both the Melbourne and UK/Ireland markets.

After completing her Double Degrees in Commerce and Arts majoring in Human Resources at Monash University, Suzanne began her HR career working for a global Engineering organisation. After cutting her teeth working as a HR professional Suzanne moved into recruitment.

Suzanne has worked for some of the world’s largest recruitment organisations where she spent several years recruiting HR professionals in both the public and private sector.

Suzanne is passionate about HR and has very strong networks within the Melbourne HR community.



David Stuto
Principal Consultant

David has almost ten years’ experience recruiting across technology, media, marketing and communications.

Having graduated from The University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Economics, David started a successful career in media sales before changing careers to recruitment. David developed a strong reputation in the Sydney market through a combination of high-level service delivery and deep industry knowledge.

In late 2011, David took the decision to further his career in executive search and join SHK. David’s focus at SHK is the recruitment of senior technology professionals across various industries.



Jonathan Thompson
Principal Consultant

Jonathan has more than fourteen years’ corporate experience, specifically in brand and marketing strategy in New Zealand and Australia. Prior to joining SHK, he was a Senior Brand Strategy Manager for ANZ, covering the Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Pacific businesses as part of its global marketing team.

Jonathan’s achievements at ANZ included being part of the team responsible for repositioning and rebranding the bank as part of its goal of becoming a ‘Super Regional Bank’. He also led the introduction of a brand research programme for ANZ, covering eleven markets around the world.

At SHK Jonathan specialises in search and selection for a broad range of marketing and communication roles.

Jonathan is currently studying for his MBA at the Australian School of Business, The University of New South Wales.



Suzanne Walker
Engagement Consultant

Suzanne Walker (Co-Head Engagement Service) has close to 20 years’ experience in understanding and influencing employee behaviour and attitudes in change environments. Suzanne has a strategic communications background and her past clients include Telstra, BHP Billiton, NAB, Shell, Coles Group, Centrelink, CSC, the Environmental Protection Authority (Victoria), The Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development (Victoria), The Cancer Council (Victoria), The Department of Human Services (Victoria), and Ansett.



Steve Watton
Principal Consultant

Steve has more than seven years’ executive recruitment experience, specialising in human resources across both public and private sectors. He commenced his recruitment career in London at one of the UK’s most successful companies then joined one of the world’s largest executive recruitment firms when he moved to Melbourne in 2005.

Steve has developed a strong reputation in the Melbourne HR community through a combination of high-level service delivery, industry knowledge and a wide network across all sectors.

At SHK, Steve recruits executive permanent and interim roles.

Steve holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree in Management (Human Resources) from The Queen’s University of Belfast.



Carolyn Wilkinson
Principal Consultant

A specialist in interim finance and accounting roles, Carolyn is respected for her strong relationships and loyal network of clients and candidates across multiple industry sectors in the Asia Pacific region.

With more than fifteen years’ experience delivering talent solutions, Carolyn has built the interim finance and accounting practice for multinational listed recruitment firms. Her client service excellence has been recognized through many awards.

Carolyn developed her recruitment skills to International Standards at a boutique (ISO certified) consulting company that provided senior contracting staff to industry.

Carolyn’s history of successful placements delivering improved infrastructure and profitability includes the appointments of Chief Financial Officers, Finance Directors, Finance Managers, Project and Interim Managers within telecommunications, technology, financial services, industrial, manufacturing enterprises and consumer goods environments.



Kenneth Willis
Principal Consultant

Kenneth Willis has several years experience recruiting for the legal sector and specialises in the search and selection of senior lawyers, risk and compliance managers, legally-qualified contracts/commercial managers and patent attorneys.

Kenneth recruits for partner and lawyer level roles for law firms nationwide as well as legal/corporate counsel and general counsel roles for large domestic and multinational corporations from a range of industry sectors including mining, construction, energy & resources, facilities management and banking. He is also responsible for the recruitment of senior risk and compliance professionals into large ASX-listed companies.

Prior to joining SHK, Kenneth was a consultant in the legal professional division at Randstad, a large multinational recruitment company. He gained prior experience in legal professional recruitment at a national specialist legal recruiter.

An experienced lawyer, Kenneth practised for several years as a Barrister in Ireland before entering the legal recruitment industry. He holds the degrees of Bachelor of Civil Law (honours) from University College Cork and Barrister-at-Law from the King’s Inns, Dublin.

Kenneth’s interests include music and film production, martial arts, rugby union, AFL and travel.



Kevin Winston
Principal Consultant

Kevin is an experienced Marketing Recruiter with expertise across B2B and B2C markets with particular focus in the areas of Technology, Telco and Media.

Having graduated from The University of Glasgow with an MA in Economic and Social History Kevin joined Michael Page Marketing and operated throughout a number of offices in London and the South East of England.

In 2010 Kevin took the decision to relocate to Sydney, Australia and had the opportunity to continue his Recruitment career with SHK. Known for his personal and enthusiastic approach Kevin’s focus at SHK is the recruitment of marketing professionals into Technology, Telco and Media organisations across NSW.



Sarah Zee
Principal Consultant

Sarah has experience within the legal sector both as a legal recruiter and a solicitor. Sarah worked primarily as a Commercial Litigation lawyer and IP lawyer in Sydney.

At SHK Sarah specialises in the search and selection of lawyers, partners and Legal Counsel both for private practice and In House across a variety of industries.

Sarah holds a Nursing degree from the University of Sydney, a Law Degree from the University of New South Wales and a post graduate certificate in Intellectual Property Law from University of Technology Sydney.



Kath Shaw
Operations Manager 

Kath has more than fifteen years’ experience in senior professional, corporate sponsorship and operational capacities. Prior to the founding of SHK, Kath’s employers included one of the world’s largest investment banks, a State Government ministry and an international executive recruitment firm. She has also been lauded for her role in managing the judging process for two of Australia’s most highly regarded business awards programs.

At SHK, Kath manages the professional support function and is responsible for office operations including technology, HR, supplier relationships and coordinating the development and implementation of business improvement projects. Kath also developed SHK’s quality management system gaining the business ISO 9001:2008 accreditation and ensures ongoing compliance across all areas of the business.

Kath is currently attending a Master of Business Administration program at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.



Ivana Calautti
Office Manager (Sydney)

Ivana has more than nine years’ experience in the areas of customer service, retail management and senior professional support. Prior to joining SHK, Ivana’s employers included an international lifestyle brand and more recently an international executive recruitment firm.

Ivana holds a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Marketing & Human Resource Management from Queensland University of Technology.



Jade Farrugia
Receptionist

Jade has over five years experience in customer service, support and bookkeeping roles.  Jade's previous employers include an electrical contracting organisation and hospitality and tourism organisations.

At SHK, Jade manages the front office and Executive Centre areas and provides outstanding customer service and support to SHK clients and candidates.



Carla Korkor
Research and Administration Coordinator

Carla has more than four years' experience in customer service and administrative roles.  Prior to joining SHK, Carla’s employers included an international furniture brand where she provided sales and administration support.  Prior to this she assisted in an event administrative role.

Carla is studying for a Bachelor in Psychology & Health at Macquarie University.  Carla also holds an Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design.



Kate Maher
Research and Administration Coordinator

Kate has more than four years' experience in administrative roles.  Kate relocated from Perth where she supported a senior executive recruitment team.  Prior to this she held support and event management roles in the media industry.

Kate holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies from Murdoch University in Western Australia.