Brien Keegan

Brien is the heart of Sprout People. With over 30 years of experience spanning executive recruitment, leadership development, and business transformation, Brien brings deep expertise but it’s his genuine care for people that makes him stand out.

Brien is a natural connector, he seems to know everyone, and he’s the kind of leader who lifts others up and creates space for people to do their best work.

Despite his long list of accomplishments - including international leadership roles across New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, Canada, and Asia-Pacific, and most recently, as 2025 RSCA Recruitment Leader of the Year he is humble, values-led, and fiercely committed to seeing others succeed. He plays a pivotal role in shaping growing businesses, through leadership coaching and organisation design. As well as the recruitment industry itself, where he’s championed the RCSA recruitment leader community and mentored the next generation of talent.

At Sprout People, Brien works with founders and senior leaders to solve meaningful problems, build strong teams, and unlock potential at every level. If you’re lucky enough to work with Brien, you’ll see why we say he’s the perfect mix of hungry, humble, and smart.

Brien is an exceptional leader for his company, further highlighted by the significant contribution that he has made to the Industry as a whole over a significant period of time in a very senior role (30 years). This is what separates Brien from his colleagues in a category which exhibits the very best of the best Leaders in the Recruitment Industry in New Zealand, all finalists of whom deserve commendation for their leadership skills.

RSCA industry award judging panel, 2025