He began his career with Adecco in Hamilton, quickly establishing himself as a top-performing consultant. After relocating to the UK, he joined Hays where he became a top permanent biller and was fast-tracked to Director, playing a key role in securing Hays’ first RPO contract.

Returning to New Zealand in 2002, Jason was tasked with transforming an underperforming Hays division. Under his leadership, the business grew to more than 100 consultants generating over $90M in annual revenue. His success led to his appointment to the Hays Australia/New Zealand Operational Board.

Following his departure in 2018, Jason launched his leadership and sales consultancy, supporting ambitious business leaders and their teams to build high-performing organisations.
As Co-Founder and Director of Walker Smith, Jason combines three decades of industry leadership with a consultancy mindset, helping clients strengthen leadership capability, access exceptional talent, and build teams that drive long-term growth.

I lead the strategic direction of Walker Smiths Technology division nationally, and I oversee the full operational performance of our South Island business where we provide specialist opportunities across Technology, Sales, Marketing, Communications, Finance, Supply Chain and Executive Recruitment.

With a background in technical recruitment, I’ve developed deep expertise across Software Development, Data & Analytics, and Digital Transformation. I’ve built, grown and led high-performing recruitment teams by fostering collaboration, trust and a shared commitment to delivering outstanding outcomes for clients and candidates alike.

My focus is on driving growth, elevating capability and ensuring the people and businesses we work with are set up to succeed.

That could mean revealing inefficiencies in how teams work, bridging gaps between systems and processes, improving how information and insights flow through the business, or shaping digital products and platforms so they deliver real value.

I’m a tech recruiter who likes to stay close to the community, tools, and trends shaping the industry. In my spare time I attend events, build apps, play with AI tools, and explore automation to better understand how things work. I’m not an engineer, but I’m curious enough to get hands-on and figure things out.

I work best with teams who see recruitment as problem solving. By partnering closely with hiring managers, I help identify what’s really needed and bring the right people and insight to solve it. I aim to be a trusted point of contact, someone who listens, advises, and delivers solutions that go beyond a job description.

Technical enough to keep up. Human enough to connect the right people.

I genuinely enjoy hearing about people’s positions and companies, and what makes them tick. I absolutely believe and thrive off the fact that there is a position and company for everyone. Walker Smith is one of NZ’s newest recruitment companies. The opportunity to help build and grow another recruitment business is an exciting next chapter.  

Throughout my career, I have helped grow boutique NZ-owned and operated recruitment company, Graham Consulting and worked with them for 16 years. Prior to that, I spent time in London, which gave me invaluable training in the world of recruitment on a large international scale. Most recently I have been at INSIDE Recruitment, and I have been part of NZ's largest Accounting & Finance recruitment team at Hunter Campbell.  

I have spent the majority of my career specialising in recruiting into Finance teams, primarily CFO's, Finance Managers & Controllers, Commercial Managers, FP&A Managers, Financial Accounting & Reporting, Management Accounting, Budgeting & Forecasting, Strategy & Planning, Analysis & Reporting. I recruit across permanent, interim, and contract. 

I am dedicated to adding lasting value to the commercial property sector through people. My goal is to connect exceptional talent with organisations where they can make real impact, ensuring every placement strengthens capability and aligns with broader business objectives. With decades of experience in strategic advisory and transaction management, and licensure as a Real Estate Agent, I deliver informed, commercially aligned workforce solutions grounded in credibility, expertise, and long-term partnership.

I take a people-first, solutions-focused approach to everything I do. For me, recruitment is all about relationships - getting to know what really drives my clients and candidates and finding the right fit that works for everyone.

Whether you’re looking to grow your cloud, infrastructure, or project teams, or you’re ready to take the next step in your career, I’d love to have a chat!

My recruitment career commenced when I began working for a large multinational in Auckland in 2006. After a few years I took the plunge and tackled the challenge of establishing my own recruitment consultancy from the ground up.

This business is committed to fashioning a truly global model sustainable through diversification and investment in key concepts and personnel. My desire to create a legacy and a truly global corporate footprint is a constantly evolving objective, and one that means no two days at work are ever really the same!

The cornerstone of my corporate ethos is that any organisation is nothing without successful interpersonal relationships, both internal and external. Whether you are client, candidate or supplier, I truly believe it’s all about the people.

Fundamentally, the recruitment industry is very simple – it’s about getting like-minded, high-calibre people together to produce great things.

Being a chartered accountant (CPA – Aus and CASL) and a chartered management accountant (CIMA-UK), my journey in finance has been diverse. Collaborating closely with leadership teams, I provide insights and strategic financial guidance to empower the mission of uniting talent with opportunities. I am dedicated to preserving financial health, safeguarding the future, and supporting growth.

Over the past six years, I have had the privilege of developing my career in operations, most recently serving as Operations Manager. I take pride in ensuring that everything behind the scenes runs seamlessly, enabling the business to operate efficiently and effectively.

Outside of work, you’ll often find me at the beach, immersed in a good book, or planning my next travel adventure.

I am a Dedicated Payroll Specialist driven by precision, passion, and a commitment to excellence. I have joined the Franklin Smith family as a detail-oriented Payroll Manager with 9 years of experience in payroll operations to contribute to a dynamic team and add value to the organization.

I am excited for the future, embracing growth, and learning. I trust in my abilities and am ready to thrive.

These diverse experiences, combined with my academic background in Psychology and Business, have strengthened my passion for leading initiatives that drive employee engagement and build high-performing workplace cultures.

When I’m not working, I love being outdoors—whether hiking, camping, or relaxing by the beach. I’m also an avid foodie, always on the hunt for new cuisines and hidden culinary gems.

I started my professional career in marketing and have a strong understanding of the digital landscape, eventually full-circling back to digital recruitment following 7 years in business. Business ownership allowed me to form deeper philosophies on successfully managing business and people which helps give me an edge in recruitment.

I do believe businesses, companies and organisations are influenced more so than any other factor in the direction they head, by the people they have working for them.

Today, I thrive on being involved in the process of building brilliant teams to achieve brilliant things.