PRINCIPAL: Carrie Hobson

Carrie Hobson has over 15 years' corporate experience, initially in Banking & Finance and latterly in Executive Search. She held senior positions in corporate banking with major banks in both New Zealand and the United States and has worked with top-level executives optimising financial performance and implementing company strategy. She has held directorships in both the private and public sectors, with particular expertise in finance, health and human resources.

Carrie was a partner with another leading New Zealand executive search firm before founding Hobson Leavy with Stephen Leavy.

Carrie has a B Com (Hons) in Economics from Otago University and is also an approved Certified Finance and Investment Professional (CFIP) and a member of the Institute of Directors.

Carrie has also worked closely with not-for-profit organizations at a strategic level, was previously Chief Executive of the St Joseph's Mercy Hospice Foundation and is a visiting lecturer in Corporate Governance at the Auckland University of Technology.

PRINCIPAL: Stephen Leavy

Stephen Leavy has extensive international experience in senior-level executive recruitment.

Stephen began his career as a Solicitor with leading New Zealand law firm Russell McVeagh. Stephen then relocated to London where he joined the market-leading professional services recruitment firm Quarry Dougall. Stephen became an Associate Director of Quarry Dougall, and remained with the firm after its acquisition by Nasdaq-listed TMP Worldwide.

Stephen returned to New Zealand in 2002 and was a partner with another leading New Zealand executive search firm before founding Hobson Leavy with Carrie Hobson. In New Zealand Stephen has worked across a broad range of industry sectors.

Stephen has a BA/LLB (Hons) from the University of Auckland, is a qualified Barrister & Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand and a Member of the Institute of Finance Professionals of New Zealand, the Institute of Directors and the Northern Club.

Stephen is on the Board of Trustees for the First Foundation and also participates as a mentor in the First Foundation Volunteer Programme helping young New Zealanders achieve their potential.

He is married with three young children.

SENIOR CONSULTANT: Nicola Morris

Nicola Morris has significant international experience in senior level recruitment.

Nicola began her career as a Solicitor with leading New Zealand law firm, Russell McVeagh before moving to the United Kingdom. Here she worked as a lawyer at Sky TV prior to joining the market leading international recruitment company in London, Shilton Sharpe Quarry. At Shilton Sharpe Quarry Nicola worked for some of Europe's leading organisations sourcing high level candidates for senior roles. Nicola remained at Shilton Sharpe Quarry until returning to New Zealand to join Hobson Leavy.

Nicola has a BA / LLB from the University of Auckland and a post graduate diploma in Management from Birkbeck, University of London. Nicola is a qualified Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.

NON EXECUTIVE CHAIR: Elaine McCaw

Elaine McCaw is the Non Executive Chair of Hobson Leavy.

Elaine was a founder and principal of executive search firm Bell McCaw Bampfylde for nearly ten years, leaving the firm in 2009. In her earlier career she worked for Mitsubishi Motors NZ Ltd and Works and Development Corporation. Elaine has a MA (Applied) from Victoria University.

Currently, in addition to her consulting work Elaine is a member of the Nominating Committee of the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation, Chair of the Victoria University Foundation, a Board Member of Hockey New Zealand, a Trustee of the New Zealand Hockey Foundation and a Board Member of the Samuel Marsden School Management Board. She has been a member of the Institute of Directors since 2004.