Finding Purpose at the Edge of the World

Hi everyone,

It’s been quite a ride since I first got into search back in 1999. I started out as an accounting recruiter in Melbourne with Morgan & Banks, which feels like a lifetime ago now.

I actually trained as an accountant from the age of 18 through a cadetship with Deloitte. But I eventually moved away from the numbers and into the world of people, relocating to Singapore in 2002 to start recruiting HR leaders. From there, the rest is history.

In 2008, I co-founded ChapmanCG. It grew into what became the most high-profile HR-specific search firm in the world. I built it as a remote-first company from the start, mostly because of my love for flexibility and global travel. That passion was first sparked during my time as an ultra-marathon runner. Between 2004 and 2006, I completed four 250km ultra-runs across the Atacama, Gobi, Sahara, and Antarctica. It was then that I realised I wanted a life defined by freedom.

The years from 2008 to 2022 were honestly a bit of a blur. ChapmanCG exploded, eventually reaching a network of 150,000 HR leaders. What started as a business built on my personal reputation evolved into a global team of nearly 100 people. Even though I loved the search process, I eventually shifted into running the business and the network, and ultimately became the Chairman. I found myself as an entrepreneur, creating new global concepts across HR and hospitality while managing my own investment portfolio.

My personal focus was always on well-being, but as the years ticked by, I woke up one day and realised I needed a break.

From 2022 until now, I’ve focused on selling ChapmanCG and my other businesses. I’ve spent this time grounding myself back in New Zealand and building my next property Edge of the World, which is now nearing completion. Telepathy, the future anchor point of this place, is going to be one of the world’s most stunning homes. It’s been a process of grounding my virtual life into something physical (something I and my network can actually touch and be inspired by) and it’s something I hope will outlast us all.

Along the way, as my life has returned to a simpler version of itself, I’ve learned to reconnect with who I am. I’ve taken the time to understand my true interests and where my passions actually lie. In the past, it was just work, work, work. I loved that life, it’s what comes naturally to me, but I’ve finally learned how to stop and smell the roses.

As I turn 50 this year, my purpose has started to crystallise.

I love people and I love talent. To me, everyone has potential. I don’t just think about a person’s professional skills; I’m fascinated by their life skills, too. Every person I encounter is an "avatar" of sorts, and I can’t wait to learn what makes them tick. Through a deep understanding of a person, I can see unusual and powerful connections between people. I love matchmaking and connecting like-minded souls in any field.

When I specialised in HR, I was known for making accurate matches quickly and consistently. This accuracy and efficiency were the foundations of ChapmanCG’s success. I don’t quite know exactly how I do it, but I find immense joy in the process.

Over the last few years, while away from the search industry, I’ve continued to practice this craft with everyone I meet. My network outside of HR has grown to include tens of thousands of people from all walks of life. Bringing this all together in 2026, it became clear that I could either do something intentional with this gift or just let it evolve naturally. I think the answer is a bit of both: enjoy the journey, but give it some structure.

So, after years of thinking about what comes next, I’m launching MattChapman². This really is the second version of myself, so the "2" just fits. But more importantly, it stands for "squared," representing the exponential ripple effect of my network. Everyone has a "2," and everyone has a "squared."

At its core, MattChapman² will be a search firm surrounded by a vast network. I am going back to my roots and focusing on Global HR Leaders, HR Heads, and Chief People Officers. This is what I’m known and respected for. These are my peers; we’re likely all in our 40s, 50s, and beyond. But age is irrelevant. It’s about altitude, potential, and mindset. I also love the development of the next generation of human leaders rising through the ranks in this new era of AI and shifting trends.

Alongside HR Heads, I’ll be focusing on Chief Well-being Officers. I only want to work with forward-thinking leaders and teams who value well-being and want an HR agenda that aligns with optimal mental and physical health. I’ll be talking a lot more about this "well-being approach" as the journey continues.

With the HR search firm acting as the "emotionally intelligent dot" at the centre of the network, the space around it is filled by the well-being and HR-minded brains that make up my global life. I know that to find the best talent at the centre, you need the largest possible audience. This is a network that takes care of people regardless of what they do, because an "always connected" philosophy ensures an engaged collective.

MattChapman² is created from Edge of the World, my home, as a global, remote-first company connecting people in every corner of the globe. As we enter the future, talent is no longer confined to offices in major cities. It’s everywhere.

Welcome to MattChapman², MC².