Kevin Chappell - Principal Director

0295-974739
kevin@talentnow.co.nz

Prior to this, I spent nearly fifteen years as Managing Director of a high profile and respected group of recruitment companies which had a strong market presence. I sold the company in 2006 and sadly in the recession, this well-known brand disappeared.

My history is that I spent many years with recruitment organisations in Australia and New Zealand, a total of nearly 30 years industry experience. In the mid-1980's, I saw a gap in the market and pioneered the concept of professional contracting in New Zealand and led a strong market change to adopt a new way of staffing organisations with flexible resource.

I think "outside of the square" - it is one of today's requirements to be successful - and through this type of thinking, introduced new services such as recruitment on a time and materials basis and other innovations that have now become mainstream in the recruitment sector. I utilised radio as a medium to promote my previous company very successfully. People still remember years later some of the stories and the message.

In an industry usually plagued by high turnover, I was able to keep people for ages, and some of those relationships endure today - John for one. I also recognised that there are two "customers" - clients and candidates - and introduced general registration of candidates well in advance of what is now standard industry practice.

I established talentnow! in recognition of the increasing skill shortage in New Zealand's fast growth regional areas (and because I couldn't operate in Auckland post sale), with the view of developing it into a fully fledged national recruitment business with North and South Island representation. We have achieved this and introduced a new philosophy to recruitment - fair value supported by highly experienced and "aligned thinking" Associates.

I'm very proud to have some of New Zealand's most experienced and professional Associates to work alongside.

John Keesing - Consulting Associate

021-649920
john@talentnow.co.nz

I entered the recruitment industry in 1997 with the specialist professional contracting firm established by talentnow! Principal Director Kevin Chappell.

I'm a qualified accountant with a Diploma in Business (Finance). On being accepted into the Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand I joined KPMG in London for a two-year stint doing auditing work mixed with the compulsory overseas experience. Accepting a senior accounting role for Ford Motor Company in Bermuda, I had responsibility for the co-ordination of a major part of Ford's worldwide insurance coverage. After several years I joined an independent management company on the island and managed the insurance, reinsurance, and treasury functions of several large captive companies for large US corporations - including a pool of Fortune 500 companies with difficult to insure casualty risks.

Returning to New Zealand I enjoyed a 10-year period with major New Zealand office equipment companies Fuji Xerox and Blue Star Group. My roles included National Administration Manager at Fuji Xerox with special responsibility for the finance company. I was then approached by the owners of Blue Star Group and became General Manager of the Groups finance company - a position I held until early 1997 when I joined the recruitment industry.

My focus is on providing relationship based solutions to the recruitment process and to seek to ensure lasting outcomes for both clients and candidates. I am a specialist in the recruitment of both permanent staff and professional contracting talent in the areas of HR, finance and administration, logistics, sales and marketing, project and general management. And I believe I'm effective in the range of positions from support staff to GM/CEO.

Murray Ramsay - Consulting Associate

027 4849493
murray.ramsay@talentnow.co.nz

I commenced in IT Recruitment in 1985 when I joined Wilson & White Associates Ltd. In 1987 with two others, we formed Qube Associates and I was a co-owner and Director through until 2005. During my time with Qube, I specialised in Operations, Technical, Functional Consultants as well as Development, and also recruited for the Administration and Financial functions. I was also responsible for the marketing and selling in the IT Recruitment industry here in New Zealand, as well as overseas in South Africa, Britain and Australia. I formed Ramsay & Associates in 2006 specialising in IT Recruitment and have had associations with two Auckland based Companies.

Like the other Murray, I’m a Southerner, and was born and bred in Southland, attending Southland Boys High School and continuing my education at Lincoln University in the 1960’s attaining an Agricultural Diploma in Wool Management. I played cricket for 43 years and was a playing member of the Howick Pakuranga Cricket Club for 16 years, one of the largest clubs in Auckland.

My belief is that recruitment has to offer clients fair value and highly competent service as we source and secure your most valuable asset – your people.

Neville Aitchison - Consulting Associate

021 816713
neville@talentnow.co.nz

I've had nearly thirty years experience in recruitment and it's exciting to throw my hat in with a group of experienced industry professionals delivering quality solutions with integrity and cost effectiveness. I'm big on ethical approaches and like to bring a strong relationship approach to assignments with clients and candidates.

I've accepted instructions in all areas of recruitment, in recent years primarily focused in the areas of local government and infrastructure (and a category called "other"!). I've spent time as an elected member in local government and that first sparked my interest. That and the fact that the roles are so varied and interesting. Which means working hard to find the best people. "Best "meaning those outstanding men and women who fit the requirements of the role and the culture of the organisation.

I spent six years as the Recruitment Manager for J.Wattie Canneries, then came to Auckland as Sales Manager for the New Zealand Business School, promoting human resources consulting and staff training. They grew rapidly to thirty staff and 12,000 enrolments annually. My Management Consulting career began with Price Waterhouse in 1986, developing a strong interest in recruitment, organisational development and human resources management.

I like people, sports, reading, and fundraising for charities. My home has been Auckland for over twenty five years but I'm still a Canterbury lad at heart. I grew up there, went to school and university and learned the lasting value of friendship.

I have worked with and learned from some of the best people in the business, in a couple of great recruitment companies. I'll be delighted to put my services, and those of the team at talentnow! at your disposal, making sure you win from day one.

Cathy Draper - Consulting Associate

021-608380
cathy@talentnow.co.nz

I began my recruitment career in 1995 while working within a human resources environment for a large utility service provider in Auckland. This exposed me to all aspects of HR and management recruitment activity at all levels within the business.

I then joined a human resource consultancy by the name of Management Technology (The Zone). During my time there, I developed extensive experience within the telecommunications, utilities and airline industries which included recruitment and development of talent management and sourcing solutions.

When I founded Purpose Recruitment in 1993, I was determined to create a strong, values-based agency committed to quality and service. I introduced a values based recruitment model which focused on selecting people who were aligned to the recruiting organisation’s values. This meant the right talent being employed to align with business success. Purpose established a unique place within the industry.

I chose recruitment as a career as everyday is exciting and rewarding; it opens new possibilities to make an immediate and lasting impact on people’s lives. I coach managers and candidates on a daily basis, and am passionate about helping others identify their strengths and achieve their full potential.

Joining talentnow! was a natural step in my development, bringing my own skills and values to an aligned, successful and experienced team.

When not working I bring balance to my life with my young son Johnny and my family and enjoy spending time maintaining my health and well being.

Murray Carter - South Island Managing Associate

029-2007821
murray@talentnow.co.nz

Welcome to the Mainland!

It’s great to be part of a company blazing a new trail in cost effective and value for money recruitment. I reckon we must be the most experienced "young" recruitment company in New Zealand!

Speaking of experience, I’ve spent eight years in HR, recruiting great people for great companies in Auckland, Dunedin and Christchurch.

In Auckland I was National Sales Manager for the largest recruitment company on the planet managing a sales budget of $45m culminating in the total staffing for the Americas Cup 2000. It was also a privilege to serve for four years on the Board of the Sales and Marketing Institute.

In the 80’s I completed a post graduate Diploma in Business Administration at the University of Canterbury and spent four years as a Business Consultant working with the owners of small to medium sized businesses advising on succession planning – developing exit strategies from the business. This has given me real insights into the challenges of business ownership and the critical importance of having the right people in the right positions on your "bus" as Jim Collins calls it in his highly recommended book on business management; "From Good to Great”.

And for all you wonderful Southern people, I’m one of you! Brought up in St Clair, Dunedin and an Old Boy of Kings High School...

In talking to business owners and senior managers one thing is plain, the second decade of the 21^st Century will be radically different to the first. "Productivity", "Cost Effectiveness" (read that as "Value for Money"), and "Accountability" are words that I hear used frequently. The same goes for us in the way we work with our clients and candidates. Lean, value add, and very results driven you could say…

We are getting more and more clients and candidates contacting us via Skype and are finding it a great way to meet "face-to-face". It’s just one of the ways we connect across the country in a way to deliver outstanding service to both clients and candidates.

Inge Chappell - Director Marketing & Technology

0295-622511
inge@talentnow.co.nz

I began my career in the recruitment industry in 1993, working as a Marketing Consultant to Morgan & Banks. After gaining my degree in marketing and international business, I extended my experience in the professional services sector working in the non-for-profit, telecommunications and travel sectors as a Marketing Services Specialist before joining Kevin in his group of recruitment companies, where I held the position of Marketing Manager and subsequenty Marketing Director.

Today, I'm responsible for the Marketing and Technology side of the Talent Group business and have helped develop some of the cutting edge technology we have utilised in the talentnow! business model. And alongside this, I am also establishing myself as a Glass Artist in my spare time.

Brian Magill - Alliance Partner, Wellington

021-2601706

Brian has operated under the PeopleSearch brand in Wellington since 1996 and is highly respected by both cleints and candidates in this market.  He has had a long association with Principal, Kevin Chappell, though both talentnow! and his previous company, Executive Taskforce.  Brian subscibes to the same values as the talentnow! team - huge experience, top value service!

Apart from that, Brian brings huge experience in the recruitment sector - some 20 years - so possesses strong networks and an acute understanding of the recruitment market in Wellington.

He has recruited for a diverse range of positions including Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officers, General Managers, Marketing and Sales Managers, Market Manager International Business, Project Managers, all types of Senior Accountant roles, Human Resources Managers, Advisors, HRIS professionals and all disciplines within the Information Technology areas.  Brian is a Member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors, a Fellow of the Human Resources Institute, an Associate of the Institute of Management, and an Associate of the New Zealand Computer Society.

We are delighted to welcome Brian as part of our national network and look forward to his valued contribution to both Wellington and other national clients.