Hobson Leavy vs Korn Ferry:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Hobson Leavy had more branded searches than Korn Ferry among executive search firms in New Zealand. Hobson Leavy had about 600 branded searches, while Korn Ferry had 480. Hobson Leavy made up 10.7% of all executive search firm searches we track, and Korn Ferry accounted for 8.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about executive search firms, Korn Ferry appeared in two of the three answers and Hobson Leavy in none.
Who do people search for more?
Hobson Leavy, about 25% more searches than Korn Ferry
Who does AI mention more?
Korn Ferry, mentioned in 2 of 3 answers, Hobson Leavy in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Korn Ferry, the only one of the two named
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Top executive search firms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions, Korn Ferry was mentioned in two out of three: in two of the three ChatGPT answers. Hobson Leavy did not appear in any of the three answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
JacksonStone & Partners3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Robert Walters2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers- Kerridge & Partners2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Korn Ferry2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Sheffield2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers- Johnson Partners2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Farrow Jamieson1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Ichor Leadership Search1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Hobson Leavy0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Inside Recruitment0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
See every answer about executive search firms
3 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which executive search firm should I hire in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best executive search firms in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best executive search firm in New Zealand for senior leaders?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“director search nz”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“executive search firms nz”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 20, 2026.
Is Hobson Leavy or Korn Ferry more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Hobson Leavy and Korn Ferry by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 13 executive search firms we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Hobson Leavy, Korn Ferry. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Robert Walters | JacksonStone & Partners | Hobson Leavy | Inside Recruitment | Kerridge & Partners | Korn Ferry | Sheffield | Alexander James | Sprout People | Decipher Group | Farrow Jamieson | Johnson Partners | Ichor Leadership Search |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 27% | 8.9% | 10.1% | 8.3% | 8.1% | 8.1% | 5.6% | 7.9% | 3.9% | 4.6% | 4.6% | 2.4% | 0.67% |
| Nov 2025 | 26.6% | 9.4% | 10% | 10% | 9.8% | 8% | 4.5% | 7.8% | 3.3% | 3.1% | 3.7% | 2.9% | 1% |
| Dec 2025 | 28.5% | 8% | 9.4% | 7.4% | 9.1% | 9.1% | 5.1% | 7.7% | 2.8% | 3.1% | 7.7% | 1.4% | 0.57% |
| Jan 2026 | 24.7% | 8.2% | 9.3% | 9.3% | 9.1% | 7.4% | 5.1% | 8.9% | 3.4% | 6.3% | 4.2% | 2.7% | 1.3% |
| Feb 2026 | 29.4% | 7.3% | 11% | 9% | 10.8% | 7.2% | 5% | 8.6% | 2.8% | 3.1% | 3.3% | 2% | 0.55% |
| Mar 2026 | 24.2% | 8.5% | 13.4% | 11% | 8.9% | 8.9% | 4.1% | 7.1% | 4.2% | 2.6% | 4.2% | 2.6% | 0.3% |
| Apr 2026 | 28.2% | 9.9% | 10.7% | 8.6% | 8.5% | 8.5% | 4.8% | 6.9% | 4.8% | 3.2% | 3.9% | 1.9% | 0.35% |
| May 2026 | 27.4% | 9.1% | 8.6% | 10.3% | 8.2% | 8.2% | 5.8% | 6.9% | 3.9% | 3.1% | 5.7% | 2.4% | 0.34% |
| Jun 2026 | 27.2% | 11% | 10.2% | 10.2% | 6.6% | 8.1% | 5.6% | 8% | 3.2% | 3.6% | 3.1% | 2.9% | 0.34% |
| Jul 2026 | 27.4% | 13.7% | 8.4% | 6.7% | 6.7% | 10.1% | 3.8% | 9.6% | 3.2% | 3.1% | 3.8% | 2.9% | 0.85% |
| Aug 2026 | 22.7% | 11.4% | 8.6% | 8.6% | 8.4% | 8.4% | 7% | 8.9% | 4.2% | 3.8% | 4.9% | 2.4% | 0.7% |
| Sep 2026 | 23.1% | 11% | 10.7% | 10.7% | 8.5% | 8.5% | 7.1% | 6.4% | 5% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 2.5% | 0.18% |
How has the Hobson Leavy and Korn Ferry comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Korn Ferry took it in July 2026, Hobson Leavy took it in August 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Hobson Leavy’s share of searches among executive search firms in New Zealand moved from 10.1% to 10.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 600.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Korn Ferry’s share of searches among executive search firms in New Zealand moved from 8.1% to 8.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 480.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand executive search firms in September 2026?
2 changes

In September 2026, Hobson Leavy overtook Alexander James to rank 3rd among executive search firms in New Zealand, with 10.7% of the searches.

In September 2026, Korn Ferry rose from 7th to 6th among executive search firms in New Zealand.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Hobson Leavy’s and Korn Ferry’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Hobson Leavy
2 branded search terms
- Hobson Leavy
- hobson leavy jobs
Korn Ferry
1 branded search term
- korn ferry
Other head-to-heads among executive search firms

Robert Walters vs JacksonStone & Partners: compare popularity
Robert Walters vs Hobson Leavy: compare popularity
Robert Walters vs Inside Recruitment: compare popularity
Robert Walters vs Kerridge & Partners: compare popularity
JacksonStone & Partners vs Hobson Leavy: compare popularity
JacksonStone & Partners vs Inside Recruitment: compare popularity

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