Mark Ashcroft has over 20 years of experience in the executive search sector. Before cofounding SEQEL in 2008, Mark spent eight years with Korn Ferry, most recently leading the firm’s Auckland office. Mark’s early career was spent with Lion Nathan, gaining functional and line management experience in Retail, Operations, Marketing and Trade Marketing as part of Lion’s Graduate Development Scheme, before moving into management consulting. He has assisted numerous publically listed companies, cooperatives and private equity firms to appoint or assess Executives and Non-Executive Directors. Mark holds Bachelor Degrees in Commerce and Arts, both from the University of Auckland.

Soné joined SEQEL in October 2022 and provides office administration support across all areas of the business. Soné brings wide-ranging administration experience within professional services and financial services orientated organisations. Originally from South Africa, Soné moved to New Zealand in late 2019 with her young family. 

Cilla joined the team at SEQEL in 2013 following 6 years at Heidrick & Struggles as an Associate in the Global Industrial Practice and Financial Officers Executive Search Practice. She has participated in a wide range of local and global executive searches, and gained broad industry sector expertise from her 13+ years in search. Cilla has demonstrated experience in “C-suite”, CEO and Non-Executive Director appointments within publicly listed, private and co-operative business models. Her earlier background includes experience in the professional services, technology and insurance sectors.

Gary Dick is one of New Zealand’s most experienced and successful executive search practitioners. Up until his retirement in 2013, he was a Partner at Heidrick & Struggles New Zealand. Gary co-founded Heidrick New Zealand in 2007 after the successful sale of Renton James to the leading NYSE listed global search firm. Gary has a 25+ year track record of facilitating some of New Zealand’s most significant Chief Executive, Senior Executive and Board appointment roles.

Kirsten joined SEQEL as a Senior Associate in 2022 having spent the previous 11 years with Fisher Leadership New Zealand as an Associate Partner, leading national and international searches for executives in the social impact sector. Prior to this, she worked for Expat Careers International focussing on the recruitment of global management talent into the mining, dairy, tourism and telco sector in the Middle East. Originally from Zimbabwe, Kirsten’s early career was in Southern Africa in Human Resources, initially with South African Breweries in Johannesburg and then with EY in Zimbabwe before immigrating to New Zealand in 2002. Kirsten holds a Bachelor of Social Science gained at the University of Cape Town. 

Lauren has been involved in executive search for over 13 years. She joined SEQEL in 2015 and has worked on numerous global, high profile searches for both publicly listed and privately held organisations. She was previously with Heidrick & Struggles in Auckland where she was an active member of the Financial Services, Industrial, Life Sciences and Consumer practices across New Zealand. Prior to joining Heidrick & Struggles, Lauren spent time with Westpac and SKYCITY Entertainment Group, both in New Zealand. She has previously worked in the United Kingdom with various financial institutions including Credit Suisse and Goldman Sachs.

Don is a well known Executive Search and Management Consultancy professional with more than 20 years experience in the sector. Don is a former commercial law Partner with both Simpson Grierson and Chapman Tripp, and originally a Partner of Patent Attorney firm Baldwins with a focus on Information Technology, Intellectual Property, and Brand Marketing.

Don moved into the Executive Search profession in 1995, leveraging his consultative business skills of corporate law into the Executive Search sector. He has helped identify and appoint hard-to-find leaders in sectors as diverse as Agribusiness, Distribution, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Services, Technology, Transportation and Utilities. Don established the New Zealand business of Swann Group in late 1999, before cofounding SEQEL in 2008. In October 2018 Don retired as a Partner, and continues his association with SEQEL Partners as a Board Member and Advisor.

Don is a Director of several private companies and community organisations. Importantly, Don has established a reputation in New Zealand for achieving outstanding results in Succession interventions for successful privately owned New Zealand businesses.

Charlotte joined SEQEL in April 2020. In the six years prior, Charlotte worked for the global firm, Korn Ferry, identifying and engaging New Zealand, Australian and International based talent for a broad range of clients including Fonterra, iCare, Becton Dickinson, Stockland, Nike, Jetstar and Dulux Group. Charlotte has experience partnering with clients to secure senior executives across areas including manufacturing, engineering, operations, supply chain and retail. At SEQEL, Charlotte works closely with our Client Partners, sourcing talent for Executive and Board appointments. Charlotte holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Classical Studies from the University of Auckland.

Jenny joined SEQEL in January 2021. As an Associate, she focuses on project administration and support. Jenny brings extensive experience within the professional services and C-Suite sector, having spent 12 years prior with ilume, a people development and executive coaching business. Her earlier career spans HR consulting and time in executive search with Amrop. Jenny is a certified ICC coach and a MBTI practitioner. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Auckland and a Diploma in Business Studies from Massey University. 

James Sleigh joined SEQEL as a Client Partner in 2016 after spending the previous four years with Egon Zehnder based in Sydney. Prior to joining Egon Zehnder, the majority of James' career was spent in the global pharmaceutical industry, including leading Eli Lilly’s New Zealand business and completing a series of expatriate assignments with the company in the United States. His early career was in BHP’s Graduate Programme and subsequent roles. James has extensive experience facilitating CEO, Executive and Board appointments across a range of sectors. He also has expertise in Executive Assessment and CEO succession. James holds a Master of Business Administration from Melbourne Business School and an Honours degree in Economics from Monash University.

Dion holds a MSc in Psychology and Post Graduate Diploma in Industrial Organisational Psychology with the University of Canterbury. Dion initially operated as a registered psychologist for a number of years, during which time he continually refined his craft and collected numerous certifications with a range of reputable psychometric test publishers. In 2002 Dion founded Shadow Consulting Ltd with the intention of bringing high fidelity, ethical, nonpartisan assessment solutions to the market.

As trusted associates of SEQEL Partners since 2012, Dion and his team apply an ethical high-touch methodology, leveraging 25 years’ experience using best in class psychometric assessment tools delivering deep insights within the executive assessment and on-boarding process. The integration of insights delivered through the partnership of SEQEL Partners and Shadow Consulting provides clients a high fidelity understanding of individual candidates and their relative merits. Dion undertakes 1:1 candidate feedback sessions, ensuring quality discussion, insight and learning.