Our story
Moxie began with a simple belief: clients shouldn’t have to compromise when making critical hires.
Ben Kershaw, saw this first-hand in London in 2004. Recruitment firms often pushed the candidates they already had on their books. Ben wanted better. In 2007 he launched what would become Moxie, built on proactive search and the commitment to find exactly who each client needed.
Since then, hundreds of projects and thousands of conversations have shaped our approach. Search isn’t just about filling a role — it’s about helping leaders define what their business truly needs, and finding the people who can make that future possible.
From our base in regional New Zealand, we connect ambitious companies with exceptional talent nationwide. We listen carefully, search deeply, and deliver with honesty and precision.
Because the right people in the right seats don’t just fill jobs — they transform businesses.
ABOUT US
Our philosophy
Nothing moves the needle more than having the right people in the right seats.
It’s too important to leave to chance. Too important to rush. Too important to treat as a task.
At Moxie, we believe hiring should be strategic, not reactive.
It should serve the business you’re becoming, not just the one you are today.
Some things we have learned
01.
A great hire starts with a well-defined seat.
02.
Fit matters more than experience. Values matter
more than pedigree.
03.
Most hiring mistakes aren’t about people — they’re about unclear thinking upfront.
04.
The right person in the wrong seat still won’t work.
Our purpose
To help innovators and business leaders build high performing teams, creating stronger businesses, communities, and a better future for New Zealand
Our values
Smart
We think clearly, move thoughtfully, and look beneath the obvious. No shortcuts. Just sharp, grounded thinking that leads to better outcomes.
Bold
We don’t follow the crowd. We ask better questions, back ourselves, and make confident calls when it counts. Quiet courage beats loud bravado.
Principled
We do what’s right, even when no one’s watching. We treat people with respect, own our decisions, and hold the line—consistently and without fuss.
Real
We’re straightforward, sincere, and human. No spin, no ego. Just the real work of showing up and doing what we said we would.
Ben Kershaw
Ben has enjoyed a 20 year recruitment career across the UK, Australia, Singapore and New Zealand. Ben is a recognised expert in financial leadership positions but is also a trusted advisor to business owners, CEOs and people leaders across New Zealand. Based in the Taranaki region, Ben leads Moxie’s Search and Advisory capability and is focused on executive, leadership and technical positions.
Sheree Kershaw
Sheree has more than 20 years experience in executive support, administration and operations within the financial services, property and accounting industries. Sheree is also an award winning professional photographer which makes her the perfect person to ensure Moxie's operations, marketing & finance run smoothly.
Carleen Thomson
Carleen is Moxie's Principal Consultant with more than 18 years recruitment experience, 7 years with Moxie. Carleen's experiences includes Executive, Leadership and Specialist roles across Finance, Accounting and Project Management as well as leading Moxie's Sales & Marketing practice. Carleen is based in Cambridge, ensuring our Waikato & Bay of Plenty clients are well looked after
Lauren Thompson
Lauren is a Senior Consultant and leads Moxie's Operations & Technical practice nationally, from our Taranaki office. Lauren joined Moxie in 2023 having started her career in the Oil & Gas industry working in HR and Health & Safety. Lauren 's core focus is Technical and Leadership positions across Operations, Supply Chain and Engineering including government, manufacturing and industrial clients.
Behind the name
Moxie means determination, courage, and grit. That’s the energy we bring — without fuss, and consistently.
It also means doing hard things with care. Thinking before acting. Making decisions that stick.
We help leaders make hiring decisions with more Moxie, and fewer regrets.
"Carleen was able to understand our specific vision for the role rather than simply running a generic approach based on similar roles and industries. This included identifying and challenging some of the flaws in out thinking to ensure there would be no compromise to matching the perfect candidate to our role. We were quickly connected with a clear contender for our “perfect fit” candidate along with securing a strong shortlist of other back up applicants."
Scott
General Manager, Finance & Commercial
"Carleen was able to understand our specific vision for the role rather than simply running a generic approach based on similar roles and industries. This included identifying and challenging some of the flaws in out thinking to ensure there would be no compromise to matching the perfect candidate to our role. We were quickly connected with a clear contender for our “perfect fit” candidate along with securing a strong shortlist of other back up applicants."
Scott
General Manager, Finance & Commercial
“There’s other recruitment consultants that are just there to do a quick sale
-that’s not Moxie.
You’re real, your grounded, you’re authentic and you want the best outcome for the candidate and the business.”
Julia Stockman
Revel
01. We talk
You tell us what’s going on — the role, the structure, the concerns.
02. We think together
We bring structure and clarity
to the seat or the team.
03. We act
Whether we search, advise, or plan. We move with care and confidence.