Strategy at the core.
Our approach
We are a founder-led retained executive search firm with an underlying focus on strategy. We look at the short, medium and long term, then approach the market with each stage in mind, to ensure the appointee can deliver results across the lifecycle of their role.
Short term
Purpose
Why does the role exist, and what does success look like? This forms the foundations of the search, and ensures your new partner is set up to perform.
Medium term
Direction
Clear growth milestones pave the roadmap for success, outlining the exact capabilities required of the incoming executive.
Long term
Legacy
Is this a 2 to 3 year succession plan for the CEO, or about building the next generation of leaders? Every hire is unique, and we take the time to understand each one.
It's about getting it right first time, for maximum impact.
Strategic hiring is rarely straightforward, and usually complex at its core. Business-critical hires are best led by a specialist with a retained mandate. This promotes accuracy over speed, with a superior outcome.
To achieve this we take a targeted approach, using deep market mapping and refined intuition. Tailored to the brief and calibrated with market insight before and during the search, to deliver with the rigour our clients expect of a critical appointment.
Our values
Precision
Every search rigorously mapped, ensuring total visibility.
Focus
Meticulous execution for your most critical appointments.
Discretion
Confidential by nature. Integrity by design.
Ingenuity
AI-accelerated market intelligence balanced with human judgement, for sharper outcomes.
Meet Martin
I started Shaw Talent to do one thing well: critical hires for the industries that have trusted me throughout my career, from manufacturing to construction. The business has evolved with the market, and what we offer now is something I'm truly excited about.
My career began in my family's manufacturing business, through to its acquisition. I then moved into specialist recruitment working alongside some incredibly inspiring people, placing executive and leadership roles across aerospace, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and life sciences in the UK.
I came to Australia nearly a decade ago and joined a market-leading recruitment business in the construction industry, initially working alongside building services consultancies, then civil, structural and architectural consultancies. Now, fully focused on executive search and retained mandates across the whole critical infrastructure ecosystem, it feels full circle, and supports what the market needs.
Everything I've learnt on the journey is what I now bring to Shaw Talent.
Watching senior hires go on to shape our clients' success is the most rewarding part.