We bring together consultants who not only have niche expertise in your field, but who are committed to developing a long term partnership with you.

We focus on quality, not quantity, on relationships over cold calls, and on understanding rather than quick turnover.

In return, we provide a creative and flexible workplace. Our consultants are trusted to manage their own time, rather than be tied to a desk.

Information Technology Team

Peter Zonnevylle
Director – Information Technology

Peter began his recruitment career with McGregor Boyall Associates in 1997, specialising in sourcing IT professionals for clients working in the London and Frankfurt financial markets.

He relocated to Australia in 1999, managing several high-profile accounts for Candle IT, including Westpac. During his time as Candle’s general manager, NSW, the business experienced its three most profitable years of growth. Peter established SustainAbility Consulting in partnership with Martin O’Donnell in 2008.

Bachelor of Law, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Steve Gilles
Consultant – Information Technology

Steve is different to the regular recruiter. He comes from a technical background and before starting his career in recruiting, ran an IT services business. He also studied BSc. IT Innovation at UTS.

Thanks to his technical nature, he asks the right questions and has a sharp eye for talent.

He is passionate about emerging technologies and is active in Sydney’s tech community. You’ll usually find him at the Ruby on Rails, JavaScript and Agile meetups.

To find out more, check out Steve’s blog: www.stevegilles.com

Accounting Team

Martin O’Donnell
Director – Accounting

After graduating from Bath University with a Bachelor of Science, Martin entered the recruitment industry in 1997 with Badenoch and Clark. He specialised in the recruitment of accounting contract staff for a wide variety of corporate commerce and industry clients in London.

Martin moved to Australia in 1999 and joined Hamilton James and Bruce and was responsible for the management of a number of their Accounting divisions including the Commerce, Financial Services and Government teams.

In 2003 he joined Charterhouse Partnership as an Associate Director with the mandate to assist the start-up organisation grow to become a leading recruitment brand within Australia and Asia. As a Director he successfully ran the Commercial and Financial Services teams and was integral to the strategic and operational development of the organisation.

Benjamin Sawkins
Consultant – Accounting

Benjamin graduated with an Hon’s Degree in Business & Economics from Kingston University. He spent 2 year working for a boutique IT recruitment business in England before moving to a specialist financial recruitment firm in London. Here he was responsible for recruiting a wide range of contract finance staff in the commercial sector with a focus on the qualified market.

After 4 successful years in London Benjamin joined SustainAbility in 2010 as an Accounting Contracting Consultant in the commercial division. He is responsible for maintaining and establishing sustainable relations with a variety of commercial clients. His time in London has enabled him to develop strong network’s at the qualified level, which gives him access to candidates that are not available via the normal recruitment processes. Benjamin is an experienced consultant who offers a consultative and honest approach to candidates and clients alike.

Paul Roberts
Consultant – Accounting

Paul has spent the best part of 10 years sourcing Senior Finance professionals into permanent roles in both the UK and Australia, with the last 7 years in Sydney. Focusing on clients in the Commercial sector, he is passionate about his subject matter as well as ensuring a positive, professional experience for everyone he works with.

Having completed a BSc in Applied Psychology at John Moores University he spent 5 years with Hays that incorporated relocation to Sydney in 2004. Subsequently Paul worked for Link Recruitment, a mid-sized Australian business, to assist in developing their permanent Senior Finance desk before being approached by Charterhouse Partnership to join their expanding Senior Finance team. He spent 3.5 successful years with them building an expansive network of candidates and clients. A short break for the birth of his first child was followed by a 15 month hiatus in Project Management with Ethos Corporation. Paul joined SustainAbility Consulting in May 2011, returning to his specialisation of Permanent Senior Finance recruitment. He brings with him a wealth of market experience allied to an ethical, professional approach.

Financial Services Team

Paul Jenkins
Associate Director – Financial Services

With over 10 years recruitment experience in banking & financial services, Paul is equipped to recruit even the most complex of roles. Entering the recruitment industry immediately after graduation from the University of Manchester, Paul recruited finance, risk & operational professionals within the UK and European markets for six years before moving to Australia in 2005.

Paul has spent the past few years focusing on the growth of Charterhouse Partnership’s financial services division before joining SustainAbility Consulting in 2009. Having developed many successful partnerships with global insurance businesses through to boutique asset management firms, Paul is able to tailor recruitment depending on each companies specific requirements. Paul will be focused on continuing to provide high quality recruitment solutions to the financial services industry.

James Fulton
Consultant – Financial Services

After graduating with a Masters in International Business and Communications from Macquarie University, James entered the recruitment Industry with a move to London in 2006, specialising in placing senior interim finance change and project specialists within Banking and Financial Services. James worked for Investigo for 3 ½ years helping the business rank within the Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 for the fastest growing companies in the UK.

James moved back to his home town of Sydney in 2009 and continues in the recruitment of senior interim finance and project specialists within banking and financial services.

Karen Gregory
Consultant – Financial Services

Holding a BA majoring in Psychology Karen has recently returned back to Sydney having worked in the London Financial Services recruitment market. She is a tenacious, results driven recruiter with over 10 years experience, predominately recruiting finance / project professionals. During her time in London, Karen worked exclusively with Poolia (formerly known as Parker Bridge) as General Manager. The role combined managing a successful team as well as maintaining and servicing a variety of clients directly. Prior to returning to Sydney she enjoyed a 6 month contract at Bank of America Merrill Lynch on an internal recruitment project.

Karen joins SustainAbility to supply contract, project and interim management professionals to financial services clients. She specialises in mid-senior accounting and finance professionals.

Dexter Cousins
Consultant – Financial Services

Dexter Cousins Graduated from Newcastle University with a Bachelor of Arts and commenced his recruitment career in 1999 joining Select. Moving to Australia in 2004 (with Select), Dexter has since built a strong network in Banking, Financial Services, Insurance, Property and Infrastructure. Dexter’s background includes 4 years with Executive Search firm Carmichael Fisher where he led the Accounting/Financial Services Division. Joining Sustainability in 2011, Dexter compliments the financial services team focussing on mid-senior assignments including Head of Finance, CFO and Financial Controller. In addition to traditional finance roles Dexter offers expertise in specialist areas such as Strategy/M&A, Treasury, Risk & Audit and Finance Transformation. Dexter takes pride in representing high calibre individuals, building long standing relationships and acting as trusted advisor to clients and candidates.