CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF
STELLAR RECRUITMENT
20 years of people, partnerships and opportunities.
Established 2006
2 school friends. 3 clients. 1 idea.
Shaun McCambridge and Robbie McIlraith first met at King's High School in Dunedin in 1996.
Ten years later, they opened Stellar Recruitment's first office in Brisbane with three founding clients and an idea for a recruitment business built around strong relationships, industry expertise and doing what you say you'll do.
There were challenges along the way, including months without salaries in those early years. But the foundations were there from the beginning - good people, strong partnerships and a belief they could build something that would last.
Twenty years later, one of Stellar's first clients is still with us today.
From 3 clients to 20 years in business.
From an Idea to an Industry Leader
In 2006, Co-Founders Shaun McCambridge and Robbie McIlraith launched Stellar Recruitment with a simple vision: build a recruitment business that put relationships, expertise, and trust at the centre of everything it did.
Armed with industry experience, a strong partnership, and three clients who believed in them from day one, they opened their first office in Brisbane.
The early days weren't easy. There were months without a salary, countless challenges, and moments where resilience mattered more than results. But there was always confidence in the vision and a commitment to building something that would stand the test of time.
Twenty years later, that vision continues to guide us.
Many of our clients, candidates, and team members have been with us for years, including our first client who is still with us today.
But for us, the most important number isn't measured in revenue, offices, or placements. It is the thousands of careers launched, businesses strengthened, projects delivered, and families supported along the way.
We have a number of team members who have been with Stellar for 10+ years including Scott Alexander (18 years), Andy Marsland (16 years), Lucas Eyers (14 years), Nicole Picone (14 years), Matt Pratt (10 years), Caroline Nairn (9 years), Kymberly Tupai (8 years) and many more.
Our People. Our Story.
Companies don't build 20-year histories. People do.
Across Stellar, there are people who joined in the early years, people who've built careers here, people who've left and returned, and people just beginning their Stellar story.
To mark 20 years, we asked 20 of them to share what Stellar has meant to them, the moments that have stayed with them and their own 'why'.
Meet the people behind Stellar.
Shaun McCambridge | Managing Director & Co-Founder | 2006
Robbie McIlraith | Managing Director, NZ & Co-Founder | 2006
Michael Majendie | COO & CFO | 2015
Andy Marsland | Business Manager | 2010
Georgia Mackie | Division Manager | 2015
Sally Paris | Business Manager | 2023
Roald Badenhorst | Business Manager | 2013
Andy Stead | Manager | 2018
Jordan Honess | Principal Consultant | 2019
Marie Choquette | Senior Consultant | 2024
Nicole Picone | Marketing Manager, Group | 2010
Kymberly Tupai | General Manager, Northern Region | 2015
Caroline Narin | Senior People & Culture Manager | 2017
Elyse Ryan | Division Manager | 2020
Kirsty Porton-Delaney | Senior Payroll Specialist | 2024
Cade Winter | Associate Consultant | 2026
Hayden Gladish | General Manager, Maintenance | 2025
Blair Stewart | Division Manager | 2017
Paul Miller | Business Development Manager | 2024
Bodie McNaught | Business Development Manager | 2024
20 years, in Shaun & Robbie's own words.
To celebrate our 20-year milestone, Co-Founders Shaun McCambridge and Robbie McIlraith sat down for a candid conversation about the journey so far.
Listen to 20 years in the making
Learn about the beginning
Throughout the journey
Then and Now
Giving back along the way
$800,000+ contributed. Countless people and communities supported.
For 20 years, Stellar has been part of the communities where our people live and work. Giving back has been an important part of that journey.
Through charities, grassroots sports clubs and community organisations across Australia and New Zealand, Stellar has contributed more than $800,000 to date.
In the 2024/25 financial year alone, more than $200,000 was contributed to organisations making a difference in the communities we work alongside.
Recognition along the way
2026
RCSA’s Winner Outstanding Large Agency NZ
RCSA’s Winner Recruitment Leader, Kymberly Tupai
RCSA’s Winner Rising Star, Paul Miller
RCSA’s Finalist Excellence in Safety and Wellbeing Culture (NZ)
RCSA’s Finalist Recruitment Professional of the Year, Sally Paris
2025
SEEK SARAs WINNER Large Recruitment Agency of the year, NZ
RCSA WINNER Recruitment Professional of the Year, Katie France
RCSA Finalist Excellence in Safety Culture (NZ)
Recruiter Insider Award Finalist for Client Experience Excellence, Lucas Eyers
Recruiter Insider Award Finalist for Overall Service Excellence, Lucas Eyers
2024
RCSA Finalist Large Recruitment Agency of the Year (NZ)
RCSA Finalist Rising Star of the Year, Elyse Ryan and Victoria Franklin
Recruiter Insider Award Finalist for Best Consultant Candidate Experience, Tamika Brown
2023
RCSA Finalist Outstanding Large Recruitment Agency of the Year (NZ)
2021
RCSA Finalist Outstanding Large Agency (NZ)
2020
RCSA Finalist Large Recruitment Agency of the Year (NZ)
RCSA WINNER Recruitment Leader of the Year, Kymberly Jones
RCSA WINNER Excellence in Safety Culture (NZ)
RCSA Finalist Recruitment Professional of the Year, Denise Kaitu
2019
SEEK WINNER Recruitment Leader of the Year, Penni Halca
SEEK SARA Finalist Recruitment Consultant, Blair Stewart
2018
RCSA Finalist Community Service (NZ)
RCSA Winner Operations of Excellence (Aus)
RCSA Finalist Marketing Campaign of the Year (Aus)
RCSA Finalist Rising Star, Justin Campbell
2017
SEEK Finalist Mid-Size Recruitment Agency of the Year (NZ)
2016
SEEK Finalist Most Innovative Agency (Aus)
What hasn't changed
Be a part of what's next
Twenty years of Stellar has been shaped by our people. There’s plenty more still to come.
