From Agency Recruitment to Talent Transformation in NZ's Financial Services Sector

After twenty years in agency recruitment, I was offered the opportunity last year to join Mosaic Consulting – a step that’s allowed me to look at talent and transformation through a different lens.

Since moving to New Zealand in 2016, I had worked as a permanent agency recruiter focused solely on risk and compliance, setting up the country’s first dedicated desk in this area. For a time, I was busy supporting the financial services sector in Auckland.

Then, in late 2017, the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry began in Australia. Over the next three years, the Reserve Bank and FMA in New Zealand responded by strengthening their own frameworks. Change accelerated – and so did the demand for talent that could keep up.

The rise of flexible and specialised talent

It quickly became clear that permanent recruitment alone couldn’t meet the moment. Roles evolved rapidly, and the skillset someone was hired for could become outdated within months. Generalists who could confidently step into new territory were rare, and increasingly sought after.

As the market shifted, we saw:

• A decline in demand for permanent, generalist risk and compliance hires
• A rise in Business Analysts and Project Managers to drive regulatory and operational change
• A broader need for professionals who could work across disciplines, adapt quickly, and bring both structure and insight to evolving requirements

Layer onto that the growing influence of technology, data, and cybersecurity, and the result is a clear need for resource augmentation – and for T-shaped professionals who can deliver depth and breadth in equal measure.

Mosaic’s focus on expertise and impactful talent solutions

In my current role as Talent Acquisition Manager at Mosaic, I work with a team of six partners who have held senior leadership roles at major banks and fund managers. Their deep understanding of the financial services landscape – often informed by direct engagement with regulators – shapes how we engage with talent and clients alike.

What’s particularly rewarding is Mosaic’s commitment to development and knowledge-sharing. Every consultant who joins us benefits from:

• Access to a library of industry-specific intellectual property
• An annual budget for personal development
• Pastoral care from one of our partners
• A team culture that supports continuous learning and collaboration

Because we hire people with lived experience in financial services, our clients consistently tell us that our consultants bring immediate value.

In a sector where the pace of change is constant, the ability to adapt intelligently and credibly is critical. At Mosaic, we aim to embed professionals who can navigate complexity and contribute from day one.

It’s a privilege to work with people who bring depth, curiosity, and professionalism to every engagement – and to support clients who are building for the future.

Whether you're facing change or leading it, resource augmentation – done thoughtfully and strategically – can be a powerful enabler.

Let’s keep the conversation going.