SEQEL Partners' Mark Ashcroft and James Sleigh Weigh in on Bill English's Post-Politics Future

In a recent lunch at Rakino Island, Bill English was invited as a guest speaker for 27 ultra-high net worth individuals from the Table Club. At the exclusive lunch at Hurakia Lodge, partners from executive recruitment firm Mark Ashcroft and James Sleigh weighed in on possible career outcomes for New Zealand’s most recent former Prime Minister.

As reported by Sunday Star Times, Mark and James say that Bill has the proper credentials for an exciting life after politics. They gave consultant, adviser or thought leader as potential career options.

"He's not charismatic, or dynamic, but he has a proven track record," Ashcroft says. "Don't underestimate Bill's ability to understand a whole range of things. He knows policy and strategy. The big thing Bill can do is shift the dial and make things happen."

Due to his experience and performance history, people are keen to tune in on Bill’s insights, especially on how he got New Zealand through the recession when other countries struggled to perform.

Sleigh also asserted that Bill “has done a bloody good job” on being a key figure in politics for years, with members of the Table Club all in agreement.

During a recent Mike Hosking Breakfast podcast, Mark was again asked to weigh in on Bill’s future, where he echoed Bill’s strong employability, even from an international perspective.

“[Bill] has also obviously seen the country through really rocky times and displayed good judgement… His pioneering policy hasn’t gone unnoticed internationally,” Mark said. “Governments spend a lot of money on consultancy from experts, [such as] private think tanks. It’s often not very visible stuff but it’s stuff that goes in the shadows… It’s very valuable, strategic work.”

The entire country is looking forward to what Bill English’s future holds, with most people wondering where he will decide to apply the talent and knowledge he’s cultivated in his successful career in politics and finance. The SEQEL partners are confident that Bill will be getting calls very soon.

As leading experts in the executive and governance headhunting industry, the partners at SEQEL are trusted specialists at recognising leadership talent, especially within organisations in New Zealand. They have appointed CEOs, senior executives and boards for some of the leading organisations operating in the country.

With an uncompromising executive search philosophy for helping organisations find the best talent in the market, they seek to ultimately appoint that executive talent and see their knowledge and expertise take that organisation forward.

The SEQEL partners continue to anticipate the future of Bill English’s career, and are excited to see where he applies himself next, as the 56-year-old ex-Prime Minister has reportedly insisted that he has no intention of retiring.