Industry Insights

What Strong Engineering Leadership Looks Like Over the past few months, we’ve spoken with senior engineering professionals from Tesla, Schneider Electric and several other well-regarded industrial organisations. Those conversations have covered different industries, products and technical disciplines, but the same leadership qualities come up time and again. The professionals we’re currently representing give a good indication of the calibre...

The AI Statistics Every CEO should be paying attention to AI adoption is moving quickly. The returns are not. PwC’s 2026 Global CEO Survey found that 56% of CEOs had seen neither increased revenue nor reduced costs from AI over the previous 12 months. Only 12% reported achieving both. So why are some organisations getting more from AI than others? The answer may have less to do with the AI itself and more to do with what businesses build around...

Land Forces 2026 : Innovation, Sovereign Capability and the People to Deliver it Land Forces 2026: Innovation, Sovereign Capability and the People to Deliver It Land Forces 2026 comes at an important time for Australia’s defence sector. The Australian Government’s 2026 Defence Innovation, Science and Technology (IS&T) Strategy has sharpened the focus on autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, hypersonics,...

Executive Search Is Evolving : What Australian Businesses Need to Know The global executive search market is growing—and the way organisations identify senior and specialist talent is evolving with it. According to research published in 2026, the global executive search market was valued at approximately US$20.57 billion in 2025 and is forecast to reach US$39.91 billion by 2035. This growth reflects increasing demand for specialist leadership,...

Onshore vs Offshore Manufacturing : The Real Challenge Isn't Cost - It's Capability For decades, Australian manufacturers have balanced the benefits of local production against the cost advantages of offshore manufacturing. Today, the conversation has shifted. Across defence, electronics, advanced manufacturing and critical technologies, we're seeing a renewed commitment to sovereign capability and onshore manufacturing. Organisations are...

Five engineering skills we simply cannot hire fast enough in Australia Despite softer hiring conditions in some parts of the market, demand for specialist engineering talent remains strong. Across defence, advanced manufacturing, energy and critical infrastructure, employers continue to compete for a relatively small pool of experienced professionals. These are the engineering disciplines where we are seeing the greatest supply constraints....

The Myth of the Perfect Hire This is something we see far too often. Clients holding out for the “perfect” candidate, or reading too much into a CV alone, rather than taking the time to understand the full story behind the person. At TESS Search Partners, we don’t just send through CVs. Every candidate is assessed against the brief, and we only put forward candidates we’re confident can do the role, and add value to the business. There’s always...

Clearance sponsorship in the Australian Defence industry In Australia’s defence sector, security clearance sponsorship is not a simple formality. It is a core part of how you hire, onboard and staff projects. Done well, it supports faster hiring and protects delivery. Done badly, it stalls projects and creates risk. What is clearance sponsorship? An individual can only hold a security clearance if they are sponsored by: A government agency, or...

  Is Prioritisation a Superpower? In executive search and permanent recruitment, success is often measured by speed, precision, and the ability to deliver exceptional outcomes for clients and candidates alike. But behind the scenes, the real driver of consistent results isn’t just hard work or long hours, it’s the ability to prioritise effectively. Our industry is full of competing demands: sourcing top talent, managing client expectations,...

When 40 Hours Isn't Enough First, we wanted employees returning to the office a few days a week, then came the push for full-time office presence. Now, we're witnessing something even more dramatic: some business leaders are advocating for workweeks well beyond 40 hours.  As someone who's been in the recruitment industry for over two decades, I've observed a particularly interesting development in recent weeks. A prominent tech founder publicly...

Unlock Leadership Excellence with Cognitive Diversity: A TESS Perspective At TESS, we recognise that leadership excellence is not just about individual achievements or past performance—it’s about the ability to navigate change, adapt to evolving challenges, and drive forward-thinking innovation. As industries face disruption from AI advancements, climate change, and shifting global markets, the need for cognitive diversity in leadership has...

Navigating the Transition: Strategies for Success in the Hybrid Work Environment  Recent research indicated that 74% of surveyed Chief Financial Officers express intentions to maintain a portion of their workforce in remote capacities even after the conclusion of the COVID-19 crisis. This inclination is attributed to the perceived advantages and opportunities associated with remote work, such as enhanced flexibility, heightened productivity,...

Transformative Leadership through Community Driven Executive Search In the dynamic landscape of business and executive search, building a community has never been more relevant. The traditional approach of relying on contingent transactional recruiters is evolving and more and more businesses are recognising the importance of establishing meaningful connections in their industries. This shift is evident as companies increasingly choose to...

Mastering Networking in 20 Minutes: A Cheat Sheet for Candidates In today's fiercely competitive job market, mastering the art of networking is essential for professionals seeking career advancement or landing their dream jobs. However, the prospect of networking can often feel overwhelming. Enter "The 20-Minute Networking Meeting" by Nathan Perez and Marcia Ballinger, two seasoned professionals from an executive search firm, who unveil a...

Is A Four Day Work Week Practical?  In the aftermath of widespread lockdowns worldwide, the concept of a four-day work week has gathered significant attention. Scotland's announcement of its trial in September 2021 brought the idea to the forefront, while there were successful experiments in various countries, such as Iceland and Microsoft's Japan subsidiary, showcased potential benefits, including improved productivity and employee...

Strategic Planning in the Resources Sector In the fast-paced realm of resources, strategic planning serves as the bedrock for ensuring enduring success and sustainability. Within this dynamic landscape, senior financial executives emerge as pivotal architects, wielding significant influence not only in financial management but also in shaping strategic decisions crucial to driving growth and innovation. MTE (formerly Mine Tech Engineering)...