ABOUT CHIFLEY
For leadership decisions that matter.
Chifley People (previously Chifley Global) was established in 2003 as a specialist executive search and leadership advisory practice.
Founded by Ken Patteson, Chifley has built its reputation on values-led executive search, long-term relationships, discreet service and careful leadership judgement.
Today, Chifley works with boards, CEOs and senior leaders across Australia and selected international markets, helping organisations appoint leaders who can strengthen culture, performance and long-term impact.
Our work is grounded in a simple belief: senior appointments matter.
The right leader can influence staff, clients, communities and the future direction of the organisation for years to come.
Our philosophy.
Traditional executive searches can sometimes amount to little more than a box-ticking exercise: a search for qualifications and experience.
But at Chifley, we know there is much more to it than that. While a candidate may have the skills required to complete a task, they will not be a success if they do not understand the organisation’s culture, philosophy and governance structure. And importantly, it cannot just be a theoretical understanding of the organisation’s values – the right candidate must be personally aligned with them. In this way, the leader and the organisation can move forward and grow in lock-step.
For the past 23 years, Chifley People, led by founder and principal Ken Patteson, has put the utmost care and consideration into matching value-based organisations and leaders across a range of sectors and industries. Whether it’s schools or corporations, we know that when it comes to these appointments, values, integrity and trust are non-negotiable.
Our model, which puts professionalism, integrity and care at the centre of everything we do, is based on Ken’s vast experience and strong track record of success – not just in human resources, but in senior leadership positions in organisations around the world. He has been where his clients are, so these principles are not just a slogan: they are behaviours firmly embedded in the organisation’s DNA.
Our People.
Chifley brings together experienced executive search, leadership, coaching, assessment and advisory professionals. Our team combines senior executive experience, board insight, education expertise, leadership assessment, mentoring and practical organisational transformation capability.
Ken Patteson
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
Advising Chairs, Boards, CEOs and senior leaders on people, leadership and succession. Ken believes the right people, in the right roles, can transform an organisation.
His work goes beyond executive search. He takes time to understand an organisation’s purpose, culture and aspirations, then identifies leaders with the character, capability and vision to make a lasting difference.
The approach is personal, relational and grounded in integrity, discretion and trusted relationships. His Christian faith shapes who he is and how he serves.
People matter. Leadership matters. Purpose matters.
Gerard McMullan
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER / SHAREHOLDER
A senior executive and strategic leader at Chifley People, bringing extensive commercial, operational and leadership expertise to the firm and its clients.
As Chief Operating Officer, Gerard works alongside the Executive Chairman, clients and senior leaders to shape strategy, drive execution and strengthen organisational performance. He is recognised for his sound judgement, commercial pragmatism and ability to build trusted relationships at Board, CEO and executive level.
He is instrumental in shaping Chifley People’s growth, capability and distinctive Chifley Way — delivering every engagement with insight, discretion and integrity.
Dr Helen Wright
CHIEF LEADERSHIP & ASSESSMENT STRATEGIST
Dr Helen Wright brings exceptional international expertise in executive leadership, assessment, governance and organisational transformation. A distinguished executive coach, Board Chair and Non-Executive Director, she advises CEOs, Principals and Boards on leadership and organisational performance.
At Chifley People, Helen leads executive assessment and leadership advisory, providing discerning insight into character, judgement, capability, potential and cultural fit.
Her rigorous approach enables clients to identify and develop leaders capable of delivering lasting organisational impact.
Dr Ian Walker
SENIOR ADVISER | LEADERSHIP, GOVERNANCE, EDUCATION – SCHOOLS & COLLEGES
Dr Ian Walker brings exceptional depth of leadership, governance and educational experience across schools, universities and residential colleges.
As a Senior Adviser to Chifley People, Ian draws on decades of executive experience to provide discerning insight into leadership, succession and senior appointments.
His deep understanding of institutional culture, character and organisational purpose strengthens Chifley’s ability to identify leaders’ character, judgement, values and capability to strengthen organisations and shape their future.
Our values
01
Integrity
Integrity is central to how Chifley works. We act with honesty, discretion and professionalism in every engagement, recognising that senior leadership appointments carry real consequences for organisations, candidates and the communities they serve.
We are committed to giving clients clear advice, treating candidates with respect, and managing sensitive processes with care. Our role is not simply to complete a search, but to help clients make well-considered decisions they can stand behind.
04
Impact
Chifley focuses on appointments that create meaningful, long-term impact. The right leader can strengthen culture, lift performance, improve confidence and help an organisation move into its next chapter with clarity.
This is especially important for values-led and community-serving organisations, where strong leadership can influence not only internal outcomes, but the people and communities they exist to serve.
Our work is ultimately about helping organisations appoint leaders who can make a lasting difference.
02
Care
Care shapes the way we work with both clients and candidates. We understand that leadership transitions are significant moments, professionally and personally, and we approach them with empathy, attention and respect.
Our commitment continues beyond the appointment. We remain invested in the long-term success of the people we place and the organisations they lead, offering guidance and support so new leaders can settle, build trust and perform with confidence.
05
Commitment
We are committed to finding the right person, not simply the available person. Senior appointments deserve more than a familiar shortlist or a quick market scan, which is why we take the time to understand the organisation, refine the brief, search widely and assess candidates carefully.
This commitment shows up in the detail of the work: looking beyond the obvious networks, testing fit from multiple angles, and going further when the role requires it.
We believe the right leader is worth the effort, because the right appointment can strengthen an organisation for years to come.
03
Collaboration
We build trusted, long-term relationships with clients and candidates. Our work is collaborative from the beginning, shaped by a deep understanding of each organisation’s context, culture, challenges and ambitions.
We see executive search as a partnership, not a transaction. That means working closely with boards, executives and candidates before, during and after the search to support confident decisions, smooth transitions and lasting outcomes.
Chifley People Foundation
Chifley’s commitment to leadership extends beyond commercial appointments.
Over its 23-year history, the firm has supported charitable and not-for-profit organisations through pro bono executive search, recruitment support and reduced fee arrangements, helping mission-led organisations access the expertise they need to strengthen leadership, governance and long-term impact.
In the past 24 months alone (as at June 30, 2026), Chifley has forgone $224,308 in professional fees through pro bono work and fee reductions, reflecting a practical commitment to giving back and supporting organisations that serve the community. For Chifley, this is not a separate CSR initiative, but an expression of the values that guide the firm: integrity, care, commitment and a belief that strong leadership can create lasting benefit beyond the organisation itself.
