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THE SIX DEGREES STORY

photo of Six Degrees Executive founders: Nick Hindhaugh, David Braham & Paul Hallam in 2004 vs 2024

OUR

STORY

In the space of 20 years, Six Degrees Executive has grown from a small start-up founded by three recruiters looking to do things differently, to a thriving business with offices across Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.

This growth journey has been made possible by our investment in our people and by ensuring that our evolution continues to align with the founding values first established in 2004.

illustration showing the six degree story over the years, from 2004 to 2023.

Inception

Back in 2004, Melbourne-based recruiters Nick Hindhaugh, Paul Hallam and David Braham came together with a determination to break the rules of "big recruitment". 
With a shared vision of a business which prioritised a personalised, relationship-based approach, Six Degrees Executive – from Six Degrees of separation - was born.
Growing quickly to a team of eight people in Melbourne, Nick Hindhaugh temporarily relocated to start up a NSW office in the Sydney CBD.  By 2009 the business was 22 strong with big plans ahead.

Expansion

The relationships built by the specialist recruitment team continued to bear fruit as the business experienced stable growth in both Melbourne and Sydney. 
By 2015, Six Degrees Executive had doubled in size to 50, and focused on corporatisation and succession planning to guarantee a long-term, sustainable business. Paul Hallam was appointed the first CEO, and state directors and a chairperson were appointed.
In the same year, Six Degrees Executive established Marketing and HR functions, and the Executive Search and Talent Consulting divisions were set up to offer clients a complete service.
Finally, a re-brand was commissioned to better represent the evolution of the business, resulting in our current logo.

Growth

In 2017, Six Degrees Executive expanded its coverage of the Eastern states by venturing into Brisbane.
The following year marked a new era with the appointment of long-term employee Suzie McInerney as CEO, leading the company towards a remarkable revenue growth of 40%.
With a dedicated team of over 80 staff spread across three states, Six Degrees embarked on a three-year strategy and invested in an even more robust corporate services function, paving the way for future expansion.

Sustainability

Taking a bold step forward, Six Degrees Executive is now in an exciting phase of digitally-enabled recruitment, aiming to unlock even better service and provide an unrivalled customer experience. 
Under the guidance of Suzie, the company has nurtured a highly engaged culture, with nearly 120 passionate team members.  Our founders David, Paul and Nick remain actively involved, playing a vital role in the continued success of the business. 
What sets Six Degrees Executive apart in the market is the extensive experience and expertise of its specialist consultants and leaders, who are backed by a best-in-class corporate services team offering high-quality support in marketing, digital solutions, technology and systems.
As our name suggests, our reputation and success has been built around high-touch human connection and long-term relationships. We operate with nationwide capability and candidate reach while maintaining local expertise. Specialist Recruitment, Contracting Solutions, Executive Search and Talent Consulting. 
As Six Degrees Executive continues to evolve, our strong commitment to the founding principles, purpose, and values remains the secret to our ongoing success.

illustration showing six degrees headcount across melbourne, sydney and brisbane.
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