Davidson named a finalist in Australian industry awards

Davidson’s Top 50 Public Sector Women (Victoria) initiative has been named a finalist for this year’s RCSA Industry Awards for Marketing Campaign of the Year. Our General Manager of Executive & Boards in Victoria, Jarrod McLauchlan , has also been named a finalist for Australia’s Recruiter of the Year category.

The annual awards are one of the most important nights of the year for the recruitment and employment consulting sectors and Davidson is honoured to be named as a finalist for two categories for this year’s awards.

Davidson is a finalist in the Marketing Campaign of the Year category for our Top 50 Public Sector Women (Victoria) List initiative, which was launched in Victoria last year to a strong response from those working both within and external to the Victorian Public Sector.

The Top 50 list was launched to highlight the work of women at senior leadership levels within the State’s public sector in a bid to help redress gender inequality at leadership levels.

Data released by the Victorian Public Sector Commission shows that at June 2017, women accounted for 67% of the VPS workforce but held just 43.5% of executive level positions.

Clare McCartin 

The Top 50 Public Sector (Victoria) List was launched to provide a platform where the work of women who had attained a leadership position within the Public Sector could be recognised and honored,” Davidson’s Group General Manager – Executive Clare McCartin explained.

“Women who have reached leadership positions and who are able to share their story are strong and valuable role models for women who are ambitious and want a career in the Public Sector.

“We have had such a strong response to the Top 50 List that this year we extended it to develop a NSW Top 50 Public Sector Women list and we are finding the reaction just as overwhelmingly positive for that as we had for the first Victorian list.”

Clare explained that the Top 50 Public Sector Women (Victoria) list was an opportunity for Davidson to introduce itself to the Victorian market while championing diversity in the workplace.

“Davidson was new to Melbourne in 2015 so we needed to make a splash in this market by showing what we stand for as a brand and part of that is diversity in the workplace because we understand its impact on staff well-being and the company’s bottom line,” Clare said.

“We know a huge barrier for women applying for senior level positions is confidence. By showing them women who have backed themselves and applied for senior roles, secured those roles and then gone on to do their job well is a great way of encouraging women and showing men diversity is not a bad thing.”

Our General Manager for Executive & Boards (Victoria), Jarrod McLauchlan has also been named as a finalist for Recruiter of the Year for this year’s RCSA Awards.

Jarrod McLaughlan

Jarrod joined the Davidson team in January 2017 and has 16 years industry experience to his name.

Jarrod is a highly regarded executive search leader with a strong background working with clients across the public, private and not for profit sectors.

With a specialist expertise and passion for the public and not-for-profit sectors, Jarrod is an alumni of the Leadership Victoria Williamson Community Leadership Program and takes an active interest in community issues.

He is a current member of the IPAA Victoria People & Culture Community of Practice Committee and has also previously been a Non-Executive Director with the Old Haileyburian Association. Jarrod is an active corporate member of IPAA, LG Pro, MAV, AWA, CEDA, LASA and Procurement Australia.

Applications are still being accepted for the 2018 Top 50 Public Sector Women (Victoria) list. For more details on applications for the Victorian list, which close June 12, visit the website. of the RCSA Industry Awards will be announced at the awards ceremony to be held in Melbourne on June 14. For more on the awards, visit here.

Share this content

by Paula Price 27 April 2025
Senior executives are constantly navigating complex decisions, inspiring teams, driving results, and carrying the weight of corporate leadership. We are conditioned to lead — to solve, to direct, to deliver. But in this relentless drive to lead, we often forget the power of simply following. Over the years, one of the most transformative experiences in my professional development didn’t come from a boardroom, a leadership program, or a keynote at a summit. It came from volunteering. And more specifically, from being the manager of a number of high-performance rugby teams. At first glance, the role seemed simple: logistics, admin, support. Not exactly the stuff of strategic leadership. But there, on the sidelines, filling water bottles, washing jerseys, preparing paper work, and coordinating team meals, I rediscovered a truth that too many senior professionals lose touch with — the power of service, and the dignity of the roles that go unnoticed. These menial, often thankless tasks, were crucial to the team’s success. And in doing them, I was reminded of how often in our organisations we overlook the people who create the conditions for performance — the unsung operators, coordinators, assistants, and enablers. This experience fundamentally shifted the way I lead. I no longer see these roles as peripheral. I see them as the bedrock of any high-performing culture.  More importantly, stepping out of a leadership identity — even temporarily — gave me the space to remember who I am without the title. Not the CEO, not the CFO, not the strategist or the fixer — just a person in service of something greater than themselves. That humility is grounding. It makes you more empathetic, more observant, and more connected. And paradoxically, it makes you a better leader when you return to your day job.
A man and a woman are giving each other a high five in an office.
by Marketing Davidson 23 April 2025
Behind every high-performing organisation is a team of administrative professionals who keep everything running smoothly.
by Marketing Davidson 10 April 2025
In today’s fast-paced business environment, procurement and logistics professionals are the backbone of efficient supply chains. As global challenges reshape industries, organisations must adapt by recruiting top-tier talent to ensure resilience, innovation, and sustainability.