Brandwave

Hobson Leavy vs Robert Walters:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Robert Walters had more branded searches than Hobson Leavy among executive search firms in New Zealand. Robert Walters had about 1,300 branded searches, while Hobson Leavy had 600. Robert Walters made up 23.1% of all executive search firm searches we track, and Hobson Leavy accounted for 10.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about executive search firms, Robert Walters appeared in two of the three answers and Hobson Leavy in none.

Among executive search firms in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Robert Walters, about 2 searches for every 1 for Hobson Leavy

Robert Walters 1.3K searchesHobson Leavy 600 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Robert Walters, mentioned in 2 of 3 answers, Hobson Leavy in 0

Robert Walters in 2 of 3Hobson Leavy in 0 of 3

Who does AI recommend more?

Robert Walters, the only one of the two named

Robert Walters first in 2Hobson Leavy never named

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Top executive search firms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, Robert Walters 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.

  1. Kerridge & Partners1st
  2. Johnson Partners2nd
  3. Sheffield3rd
  4. Korn Ferry4th
  5. Robert Walters5th
  6. JacksonStone & Partners6th
  7. Farrow Jamieson7th
  8. Ichor Leadership Search8th
  9. Hobson Leavy–
  10. Inside Recruitment–
  11. +3 more

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

+3 more

See every answer about executive search firms

3 answers

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 Robert Walters more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Hobson Leavy and Robert Walters 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.

Hobson Leavy and Robert Walters among executive search firms in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Robert Walters, Hobson Leavy. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthRobert WaltersJacksonStone & PartnersHobson LeavyInside RecruitmentKerridge & PartnersKorn FerrySheffieldAlexander JamesSprout PeopleDecipher GroupFarrow JamiesonJohnson PartnersIchor Leadership Search
Oct 202527%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 202526.6%9.4%10%10%9.8%8%4.5%7.8%3.3%3.1%3.7%2.9%1%
Dec 202528.5%8%9.4%7.4%9.1%9.1%5.1%7.7%2.8%3.1%7.7%1.4%0.57%
Jan 202624.7%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 202629.4%7.3%11%9%10.8%7.2%5%8.6%2.8%3.1%3.3%2%0.55%
Mar 202624.2%8.5%13.4%11%8.9%8.9%4.1%7.1%4.2%2.6%4.2%2.6%0.3%
Apr 202628.2%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 202627.4%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 202627.2%11%10.2%10.2%6.6%8.1%5.6%8%3.2%3.6%3.1%2.9%0.34%
Jul 202627.4%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 202622.7%11.4%8.6%8.6%8.4%8.4%7%8.9%4.2%3.8%4.9%2.4%0.7%
Sep 202623.1%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 Robert Walters comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for New Zealand executive search firms in September 2026?

2 changes

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

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Robert Walters in New Zealand fell 18.8% over 12 measured months, from 1.6K to 1.3K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Hobson Leavy’s and Robert Walters’ 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

Robert Walters

1 branded search term

  • Robert Walters

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

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