We’re excited to have Hamish McCombie on board at LEAD Executive Search as our Executive Search Partner – and after a few months with us, he already feels like a natural part of the team.
Hamish has joined LEAD with a wealth of New Zealand and international senior recruitment experience and a future-focused mindset that aligns with our values. Since joining the team, he’s already bringing energy, clarity, and a shared belief that it’s time for executive search to evolve.
Here, Hamish shares his reflections on what brought him to LEAD and why he believes now is the moment for a more transparent, responsive, and relationship-led approach to leadership recruitment.
A fresh chapter in executive search
12 weeks ago, I embarked on a new chapter in my working career joining LEAD Executive Search. A business that is founded on finding transformative leaders for the future today.
What has impressed me so far is the genuine authenticity that the LEAD leadership team have projected. Headed up by Angela Cameron, who has a wealth of experience building and leading her own recruitment company, she truly believes that change is needed in the Executive Search industry.
Too often branded by “smoke and mirrors”, executive search has been slow and secretive without genuine transparency and speed. This is about to change as we head into the future. The once relied on networks and old school ways of thinking are outdated and a fresh approach is required. Welcome LEAD Executive Search.
Our core principles at LEAD are :
- Performance + purpose – Seeking leaders who deliver strong results and build enduring value.
- Proactive engagement – Identifying and connecting with purpose-aligned leaders beyond the active candidate pool.
- Future-focused thinking – Partnering with organisations that are building for tomorrow, not just today.
- Impact leadership – Prioritising leaders who champion inclusion, innovation, and sustainability -and who navigate complexity with clarity and purpose.
At LEAD we aim to change the executive search space. We identify and know high-potential talent well before traditional recruitment timelines. It’s not just about talent pooling, it’s more than that. How often have senior leaders been mandated for a role and then forgotten at a drop of a hat once the successful candidate has been found? We aim to change this by an integrated approach of building those relationships on an ongoing basis. This proactive approach ensures our clients have access to exceptional leaders who can drive lasting organisational change. Our integrated executive search and leadership focus means we’re already connected with exceptional leaders well before opportunities emerge – ensuring our clients have access to executives who can meet both current needs and future succession requirements.
Another aspect that will change the old paradigm of lengthy searches is the advancement of AI in the industry. Identifying and selecting talent that takes 2-3 months has to change. It’s genuine feedback I hear from clients. “You are very good, just too slow”. Search firms that cannot start delivering at a faster pace will be left behind. At LEAD we are embracing AI and new technology to work at pace and shorten delivery times.
I’m loving the journey here at LEAD and super excited about 2025 and beyond.
Whether you’re looking for the right leader or ready to take the next step in your own leadership journey, we’re here to help you move forward with purpose.
Connect with LEAD
Hamish is already partnering with organisations and leaders across New Zealand and beyond who are ready to shape what’s next. Whether you’re searching for the right leader or ready to take the next step in your own leadership journey, feel free to reach out to us.
You can reach Hamish directly at [email protected], or get in touch with the wider team at [email protected].
To stay in the loop with what we’re up to – including insights, opportunities, and updates from LEAD – follow us on LinkedIn or sign up to our newsletter below.
About LEAD
LEAD | Executive Search | Impact Leadership | New Zealand
At LEAD Executive Search, we believe transformative leadership starts well before leadership roles become available. Our integrated approach to executive search and impact leadership means we’re already connected with exceptional talent before opportunities even arise, giving our clients access to leaders who are ready to meet today’s needs and tomorrow’s succession plans.
We specialise in finding the kind of executive talent that’s hard to reach: the leaders who can truly help a business grow, evolve, and thrive.
And we’re proud to play a role in advancing impact leadership across New Zealand and beyond.
LEAD — Tomorrow’s Leaders. Today.
