About Universe
Our team of talent solutions specialists are highly experienced and passionate about diversity, inclusion and equality.
Our Story
Universe is a consulting business which operates and delivers projects across the world. We offer professional tailored talent solutions for our clients who range from SME’s to leading global blue chip companies.
We share the passion and dedication of our clients who strive to attract and retain the very best people now and into the future. Our talent solutions, diversity projects, employer branding strategy, market analytics and executive search offerings put our clients ahead of their competition as we work with clients who believe that the right people and culture is the key to taking any business to the next level.
Our team of specialists are highly experienced in leading domestic and international projects at all levels and are highly experienced across all functional areas and industry sectors.
Kane King
Director
Kane has over 15 years consulting experience, working in Australia and the UK, leading complex local and international search projects across a broad range of industry sectors. He has worked with a number of organisations from start-ups, to SME’s, government, universities to large ASX200, Fortune 500 and FTSE250 companies.
Kane founded Universe in 2015 and now enjoys working with a great team of professionals who partner with HR, Talent and business leaders within prominent domestic and international organisations.
Kane and the team are experts delivering strategic solutions including talent mapping, pipelining, succession planning, competitor intelligence, executive search and market research & insights. Kane is proud to be a leader in promoting diversity and inclusion. He assists companies to create diverse and inclusive workforces, irrespective of cultural background, age, gender, sexual orientation or disability.
Kane has a Bachelor of Commerce (Management & Marketing) from Monash University. Outside of work, Kane enjoys music, travel, sport and running. He recently joined the Fitzroy Football Club as Assistant Coach working with the U19 and Development teams.
Ben Gaskell
Director
Ben has joined Universe Search after 14 years of working in recruitment management roles in Australia and overseas. After forging a successful career working with specialist recruitment firms Ben moved into client-side roles, most recently as Pacific Staffing Manager for a Fortune 100 global engineering and technology organisation, managing a team and recruitment function across Australia and NZ.
During his career Ben has worked across a diverse range of industries including engineering, construction, transport, technology, ICT, government, property, FM, infrastructure and utilities and has specialised in delivering complex search assignments for challenging to fill, business critical roles. Ben has also led and delivered EVP, employment branding and diversity projects and is passionate about helping businesses grow and achieve success through such initiatives.
Ben has a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) from Monash University majoring in management and undertook a research study thesis for his honours year examining expatriate recruitment strategies for Australian organisations. On weekends Ben enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife Laura and their black lab Lily. He is an avid AFL and football/soccer fan as well as an amateur runner, and completed his first marathon in Melbourne in 2016.
Kym Matthews
Director
Kym has over 10 years’ experience across many facets of talent acquisition including recruitment, strategic sourcing, marketing insights, channel management and employer brand content development. Her industry experience includes ICT, telecommunications, oil & energy, professional & financial services, industrial, retail, pharmaceutical, healthcare, FMCG and defence.
Kym has managed market mapping, insights and analytics projects for high profile roles, developed and delivered comprehensive strategic sourcing plans and training and has also ensured the effective use of recruitment systems.
Most recently Kym was the Strategic Sourcing, Channel & Content Lead for a FTSE100 company, where she led mapping projects, managed channel partners and played a critical role in the launch of a new EVP strategy; developing written content for all major employment brand channels.
Kym is passionate about providing businesses with meaningful insights to enable the development of informed, best-practice talent sourcing and acquisition strategies.
Kym has a Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts from La Trobe University and The University of Melbourne. Her interests include cycling through parks, bushland walks and exploring the wonderful wineries of Australia with her fiancé, Nick.
Amy King
Business Manager
Amy is a skilled Business Manager, Graphic Designer and Accountant with extensive experience in Finance teams at large blue chip companies including Cadbury and most recently General Mills. Amy joins the Universe Search team after 7 years with General Mills in various Finance roles that included forecasting, continuous improvement, project management and implementing new processes and programs.
Amy graduated from Swinburne University with a Bachelor in Communication Design and has over 3 years working in Design houses specialising in collaboration and end to end delivery. Amy also has a strong technology background including over 10 years experience using SAP for accounting and finance at Cadbury and General Mills and as Business Manager is responsible for all design, finance, accounting and technology.
Amy loves design and visiting art galleries and museums, Melbourne’s great selection of restaurants, enjoys film and tv, travel and politics.
Want to partner with us?
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