With proven experience across multiple business sectors, I bring an extensive understanding of organisational requirements.  This includes working with some of the most iconic New Zealand’s companies and global supply chains, including Mainfreight Transport Ltd, Carter Holt Building Supplies, AgriQuality, Zespri International and Comvita Ltd.

Originally from Auckland, I have also worked throughout regional New Zealand and into Europe, Asia, Australia and the US.

I have broad Commercial experience and have managed portfolios across marketing, project management, corporate social responsibility, customer and regulatory assurance programs, quality management, and people and culture.  I have also worked alongside many SMEs in my role as a consultant and trainer in developing and implementing business management systems.

My passion for recruitment has grown throughout my career. I have recruited for my own teams and business units, and also in my role as a Human Resources specialist.  I understand how important it is to get it right, and have a particular strength in understanding both the business needs and fit required for both the candidate and the organisation they will work for.   I have lived in Tauranga since 2006 and I have a deep interest in seeing this amazing region thrive.

Liz Kennedy

   

I have been fortunate enough to recently join the exceptional team at Ryan & Alexander as a Sourcing Consultant.  My role is to support Bernadette with her Executive searches; yet with my extensive recruitment background I have also been able to pick up and run my own roles.

Like many, my career in recruitment began on my OE in London. I enjoyed my time in London recruiting temporary and contract roles into the Legal field and there was no doubt in my mind that I would continue in the industry upon my return to New Zealand.  When I joined Robert Walters in Auckland, I got my first taste of permanent recruitment as I was Manager for the Finance Permanent division.  Working on Senior permanent roles within the greater Auckland area set me in good stead to make the next move in my career in-house, as Talent Acquisition Manager for ANZ.  Here I was responsible for the Executive recruitment and supported and managed a team of Talent Acquisition Specialists.  I was with ANZ for nearly eight years and by the end I had three children and had moved to Tauranga!  

Ryan & Alexander have offered me a great opportunity to return to work in a part time capacity which works well with my young family. I am loving getting to know the friendly people and successful businesses in the sunny Bay of Plenty and I look forward to working with more of you.

Bernadette Ryan-Hopkins

   

As head of Ryan + Alexander’s executive search function, I run a rigorous recruitment process. Over the past three years, we have placed recruits of the highest calibre in to a number of impressive roles across regional New Zealand. Our clients include Robotics Plus, Hancock Forest Management and Comvita.

Executive search is my speciality. I have developed a keen instinct for recognising individuals with international-standard expertise who will fit, and thrive, in regional New Zealand. Throughout my 16 year career, I have helped large corporates fill senior roles in London, Singapore, China, Italy, the US and various points between. I have specialised across a number of sectors, including financial services and agribusiness, and been tasked with responsibility for placing senior executives in roles such as CEO, operations and general management.

I was born in Invercargill and raised in Rotorua but have lived and worked around the world – from Japan, to the United Kingdom, to Holland. I returned to the Bay of Plenty in 2013, with my husband and two boys in tow, to work for Zespri International. I managed the company’s mid- to executive-level global recruitment and further honed my instinct for the attributes which set outstanding candidates aside from the pack. In 2016, I left Zespri, and Kiri and I founded Ryan and Alexander Consultancy.

Examples of local clients I have worked with:

• Zespri International
• Eastpack
• Planttech Research Institute
• Addiction Foods
• Jace Group