Rick Helliwell

Throughout his career, Rick has built deep expertise in identifying and hiring C-suite and senior executive leadership talent across a diverse range of sectors, including Aviation & Airports, Travel & Hospitality, Human Capital, Corporate Functions, and Technology & Innovation. He has helped rapidly growing organizations navigate their talent challenges, guided companies rebuilding after periods of underperformance and employee disengagement, and optimized M&A transformations by aligning leadership integration, talent management, culture, and performance management strategies. Before commencing with August Leadership , Rick was involved in a start-up in the executive leadership team as Vice President and Senior Advisor to the CEO, successfully building from inception a VVIP Head of State Aviation operation and team with large multi-engine jet aircraft, executive jets, and head of state helicopters operating regionally and globally. 

Previous to this , Rick was Global Head of People and Performance at a world-leading SME designer, manufacturer, and seller of high-tech critical communications solutions, and Vice President of HR for a rapidly growing global airline group, leading both Recruitment and Corporate Leadership Development globally. Rick has also supported a Board for a Tech Start-Up, advising on People, Performance & Culture, and was one of three Board Directors elected for the Technology Holding Company representing over 100 Shareholders. Rick holds a university degree in Economics from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, and he has worked closely with Warwick Business School in the U.K. building together a world-leading Executive Leadership Development Programme. He began his career as an Officer in the New Zealand Air Force, flying internationally as a military pilot and leading recruitment across the country before transitioning into the commercial world as a senior human resources consultant. Outside of work, he enjoys staying active through sport and giving back to his community.