Our people
Oryx People Automotive boasts an exceptional team with both hands on industry experience at senior levels, as well as long experience in the Automotive Recruitment field.
Our depth of industry insight, our detailed knowledge of all brands and sectors and our successful track record, enable us to build meaningful and productive relationships with our business partners.
Our point of difference is our specialist Consultants using tailor made professional recruitment processes.
Kris de Jager - Managing Director
Kris de Jager founded de JAGER Executive Search, now one of Asia Pacific’s premier retained executive search firms, in 1990.
To supplement the de Jager Group offering, in 2005, Kris formed Oryx People as an automotive recruitment firm specialising in the automotive and related sectors.
Then in 2016, Kris combined the Automotive Practice Group of de Jager Executive Search with Oryx People to form Oryx People Automotive enabling this new entity to work across all levels and functions.
As Managing Director, Kris brings a wealth of general management and search experience with world class brands to the business. He plays a pivotal role in the firm, utilising his extensive global networks, instinctive people skills and passion for the business to generate and execute search mandates - as well as providing invaluable input and support to all work undertaken by the firm.
Prior to establishing de JAGER Executive Search, Kris enjoyed a successful international career in the automotive industry at a senior executive level with BMW and Jaguar.
Ross Imray - Director
An Economics Graduate, Ross has spent his entire working career in the Automotive sector. He has the unique experience of working in senior roles across all key areas of the industry.
Firstly with the manufacturer, Ford Motor Co, in Australia and the Asia Pacific region, then as General Manager, Sales & Marketing, with an importer, BMW Australia, as it established prestige market leadership. Then followed three years as Dealer Principal of BMW Melbourne. Ross was then appointed Group General Manager of the independent distributor, Ateco Automotive.
Ross joined the de JAGER Group in 2001, firstly in contracted Consulting roles, before setting up the Melbourne office in 2005.
In that role, he successfully identifies and secures top level talent for a wide variety of automotive clients in all sectors of the industry.
He draws on his extensive industry knowledge and experience, which is vital to understanding and filling key roles.
Sharon Henderson - Director
Sharon’s career in recruitment and executive search spans over 25 years, and includes senior roles with leading recruitment brands, both in domestic and international markets. Her expertise covers senior roles across the C-Suite including the NFP, Life Sciences, Industrial and FMCG.
Sharon previously spent 17 years as Co-Director of a national automotive recruitment business. It was here that she developed an impressive reputation for her honest, transparent and collaborative approach to client and candidate relationships; a refreshing and sought-after management style welcomed by the industry.
As a Director of Oryx People, Sharon is responsible for the business operation, growth and development of the Oryx People brand. Sharon manages client strategy, candidate engagement and is directly involved in all sides of Oryx People's business consulting services.
Sharon’s intention is to establish Oryx People as a world-class hiring firm, empowering organisations to achieve tomorrow’s strategic growth and development by identifying and delivering the exceptional talent of today.
Pam Ashcroft - Head of Finance
Pam joined Oryx People Automotive in May 2011 and brings extensive financial knowledge to the team. A Chartered Accountant trained by a Big 4 firm, Pam has used her initial business services background and broad commercial experience to assist in operating many companies over her career.