When you meet Ahamed, you quickly sense it: the calm presence, the thoughtful pauses, the steady optimism. He’s the kind of person who makes you feel like things are under control, even when they’re not. As the Business Manager for Enterprise Global Solutions, Ahamed plays a pivotal role in helping people from around the world settle into life and work in Aotearoa. It’s a big responsibility and one he doesn’t take lightly.
For Ahamed, this work is personal.
“I moved to New Zealand by myself at 17,” he says. “Being a migrant is a huge advantage in my role, I can relate to our candidates’ struggles because I’ve lived them. That lived experience helps me offer better support, better advice, and just… better presence.”
It’s not just about the practicalities of job placement. For Ahamed, it’s about showing up for people during one of the biggest transitions of their lives, with compassion, patience, and perspective.
“One of the best parts of my job is picking up recruits from the airport and spending time getting them settled. It never gets old.”
Philosophy in Practice
Ahamed is known for his calm, steady energy. The kind of energy that reassures and inspires. Ask him how he stays so grounded, and he’ll probably share a quote. Or two.
“My philosophy in life changes depending on the situation,” he says. “I think it’s important to stay fluid and open-minded rather than getting too attached to one idea or approach.”
Right now, he’s living by two seemingly contradictory mindsets: think hard, and think less.
“I used to believe that sheer persistence was the key to success, and it’s still important, but I’ve realised that thinking hard is equally powerful. Pausing. Reflecting. Planning. That’s helped me improve how I work.”
And on the other hand?
“Sometimes, you just have to trust your gut. If you don’t know what’s behind the door, sometimes the only way to find out is to kick it down and step inside. That’s only possible if you’ve done the work, know your strengths, and are aware of your limits.”
It’s that balance between preparedness and instinct that’s helped Ahamed guide others through uncertainty, from job offers to visa questions to settling nerves. It’s not about giving people a script, but helping them feel capable and confident to write their own.
As he puts it: “There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. You’ve got to find the right tool for the job.”
Or as Bruce Lee said, and Ahamed often quotes: “Be water, my friend.”
From Candidate to Community
After years in recruitment, Ahamed’s measure of success has evolved. Of course, placing people in roles is important. But what really matters?
“Watching people thrive. Seeing someone arrive as a nervous new recruit and turn into a confident team member, a leader, a part of the community, that’s what it’s about.”
That ripple effect of one placement, one relationship, one moment of trust, can go far. For Ahamed, it’s a reminder that the work isn’t just about hiring. It’s about transformation, belonging, and building a future.
Beyond the Office
Outside of work, Ahamed is a man of many interests: weightlifting, martial arts, motorcycles, travel, and coffee, lots of coffee. He’s a proud cat dad of four and is recently married. Balance, as you’d expect, is important to him.
“I recharge through movement, through learning, and through staying curious. That’s how I stay grounded and ready to give my best, at work and home.”
A Legacy of Support
Ahamed’s story is one of quiet determination. From arriving in New Zealand alone as a teenager to now leading a national business unit, he’s built a career rooted in empathy, resilience, and service.
He’s not in the spotlight often, but the impact he’s made shines through every successful settlement, every supported candidate, every team strengthened by someone he believed in.
And for the people he helps, that kind of leadership? It lasts a lifetime.
Ahamed doesn’t just open doors, he walks alongside you.
Get in touch to see how he can help make your next step the right one.
