ConnorPrincipal
About Pivotal People
A trusted team of specialists helping New Zealand businesses thrive.
Built by a Business Owner Who Needed Something Better
Pivotal People was created by Connor Brady after experiencing firsthand the challenges many New Zealand business owners face. When Connor started his first business, he discovered something frustrating. There was no single provider offering all the services a growing business needs. Instead, he had to work with multiple different providers:
HR advisors
Accountants
Payroll providers
Health and safety consultants
Business coaches
Designers and digital experts
Each provider operated independently. Every time something came up, he had to explain his business all over again. Advice often conflicted. Nobody truly understood the full picture of the business. And the relationships often felt transactional rather than supportive. Connor realised there had to be a better way. So he created Pivotal People— a consultancy designed specifically to support New Zealand small and medium businesses with everything they need under one roof.
Our Mission
Our mission is simple:
To champion New Zealand businesses by providing practical support, honest advice and real solutions. We believe business owners deserve partners who:
Genuinely care about their success
Understand the realities of running a business
Provide practical help, not just advice
Operate with transparency and integrity
Call now for a free 15‑minute scoping chat
Our Culture
At Pivotal People, our culture is built around a few simple principles.
Be Genuine
We believe in honesty, transparency and straight-forward advice.
Be Practical
We focus on solutions that work in the real world.
Be Approachable
We’re down-to-earth people who speak your language.
Be Supportive
We work alongside our clients as trusted partners.
Champion SMEs
Small and medium businesses are the backbone of New Zealand’s economy. We’re proud to support them.
Our Approach
We don’t believe in complicated systems, confusing contracts or one-size-fits-all solutions.Instead we focus on:
Building genuine relationships
Understanding each client’s business
Providing practical support
Delivering real value
Our clients know that when they call us, they are speaking topeople who know their business and are ready to help.
Who We Work With
We work with small and medium businesses across New Zealand who want:
Reliable support
Practical advice
Less stress
More time to focus on growing their business
Call now for a free 15‑minute scoping chat.
Meet Our Team
Our people combine decades of hands-on business experience with genuine care for the people behind every enterprise. Led by Principal Connor Brady, the Pivotal People team works alongside business owners to solve challenges, seize opportunities, and build lasting success.
Meet the specialists behind Pivotal People — click on a photo to learn more about who we are and what we do.
Connor Brady
Principal
Connor is the Managing Principal of Pivotal People and has over 20 years’ experience in HR and immigration. He understands small business realities — and loves to champion the little guy.
Originally from Northern Ireland, Connor was educated in England and spent seven years in Paris working in training and development before moving to New Zealand in 1999. He has held senior HR roles at WelTec, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Department of Internal Affairs. Connor is also Chair of the Irish Business Network in Waikato and a mentor with Business Mentors New Zealand.
Fluent in French, a keen traveller, and an active part of the Irish community in Hamilton, Connor combines global experience with genuine local insight.
Catherine Neazor Brady
Licensed Immigration Adviser
Catherine leads our immigration team and is a Fully Licensed Immigration Adviser with over 20 years’ HR and immigration experience. After graduating from Victoria University, she worked in HR at the OECD in Paris before returning to senior HR roles in New Zealand and later specialising in immigration.
She loves working with small and medium-sized businesses and takes a holistic approach that looks beyond compliance to long-term business outcomes. Catherine is a member of NZAMI, NZAIP, and a Chartered Member of HRNZ.
A fluent French speaker and Secretary of the Alliance Française, Catherine brings warmth, precision, and international perspective to her work.
John Luxton
Business Advisory
With over 30 years in business leadership and ownership, John has guided companies through growth, transformation, and recovery. His experience spans engineering, manufacturing, distribution, and construction — across SMEs and major corporates alike.
He’s helped build businesses from the ground up, reignite growth, and navigate the personal and strategic challenges of succession.
Early-morning dog walks, a love of great fiction, and a deep commitment to supporting Kiwi business owners reflect John’s steady, thoughtful approach to leadership and life.
Evan Lyon
Payroll
Evan heads our payroll team and brings extensive experience in payroll management and IT systems. He works closely with business owners and HR teams to ensure payrolls are accurate, compliant, and stress-free — every time.
Evan’s team delivers efficient outsourced payroll solutions and practical advice to help business owners make confident financial decisions.
Away from the office, he’s a keen mountain biker and former competitive swimmer who now coaches athletes for the Special Olympics — bringing the same discipline and care to everything he does.
Tracey Stevenson
Health & Safety Consultant
Tracey leads our Health & Safety team and has over 20 years’ experience in the private sector. Holding a Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety and a NEBOSH International General Certificate, she’s also a Registered Professional of HASANZ.
Tracey’s focus is practical safety that works in the real world — helping businesses stay compliant while keeping people genuinely safe.
Outside of work, she enjoys DIY projects, relaxing out on the water, and spending time in nature.
Sheryl Richards
HR Specialist
Sheryl has over 25 years’ experience in Human Resources, Organisational Development, and Employment Relations. She’s worked across industries including education, manufacturing, FMCG, and tourism, with organisations such as the University of Canterbury, Wintec, Tegel Foods (HEINZ), and Ecolab.
She’s passionate about managing change, building capability, and resolving complex employment matters with empathy and skill.
Sheryl loves time with her children and grandchildren, skiing and surfing in beautiful places, and relaxing over good food and wine with friends.
Nikki Jones
Bookkeeping and Admin
Nikki heads our bookkeeping team and has a strong foundation in business operations and finance. After early roles in dental and engineering sectors, she co-ran a building company and later supported SMEs with bookkeeping, IRD compliance, and financial clarity.
She enjoys bringing order and accuracy to business finances so owners can focus on what they do best.
Away from spreadsheets, Nikki loves time with her husband and kids, designing her dream home on Pinterest, and re-watching Friends for the 276th time.
Eamonn Walsh
Graphic Design
Eamonn is a seasoned designer with more than 30 years’ creative experience. A graduate of Dublin’s National College of Art & Design, his career spans New York, Dublin, and New Zealand — including co-founding Verdict Communications and serving as Creative Director at MEA Mobile.
He’s worked with international clients such as Jameson Whiskey, Guinness, and Walmart, and leading NZ brands like DairyNZ, Waikato University, and Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
When not designing, Eamonn enjoys mountain biking, skiing, roller skating with his daughter, and unwinding with a good book or beach walk.
Nick Poninghouse
Digital Transformation
Nick is a transformation-driven digital leader with more than 15 years’ experience delivering major change programmes across industries including telecommunications, healthcare, manufacturing, and construction.
He’s held senior roles at Spark, Vodafone, SkyCity, Fletcher Building, JUCY, and Metlifecare, helping organisations modernise systems, improve efficiency, and bridge the gap between strategy and delivery.
Outside of work, Nick is passionate about music and classic film. He plays several instruments, keeps active, and enjoys carving out time for learning and the occasional jam session.
David Remmerswaal
Website Development
David is a digital strategist and website development specialist who’s passionate about helping New Zealand businesses thrive online. With years of experience supporting SMEs across the country, he builds websites that are clear, fast, and designed to drive real results, not confusion or complexity.
He brings a people-first approach to every project, guiding clients through the web process with transparency, practicality, and a focus on long-term success. David oversees the full website development journey, from strategy and structure to launch and ongoing improvement, ensuring every site is built with purpose and performance in mind.
Outside of work, David enjoys time with his family, exploring the outdoors, and supporting small business owners on their digital journey.
Here to Support Your Business
Running a business is challenging.
You shouldn’t have to do it alone.
Pivotal People is here to support you every step of the way.
Advice that helps
Practical HR, Immigration, Health & Safety, Payroll, Bookkeeping, and Business Advisory support for NZ SMEs. Based in Hamilton, Waikato, serving businesses nationwide.
Contact us
info@pivotalpeople.co.nz
0800 PIVOTAL (0800 748 6825)
526 Victoria Street, Hamilton
Office Hours: Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm
