I find the people others said didn't exist.
I'm Chris Henderson, and I lead the AI and data practice at Aspirante. I work the hard briefs: the niche roles, the “we've tried everything” roles, and the teams that bring AI to life, by looking beyond the job description to the people who actually fit.
Grow further.
Recruitment is a relationship business. Everything else is detail.
I've always been someone who seeks out new connections. Recruitment lets me meet genuinely interesting people who are solving complex problems, and play a small part in where they're heading next, whether that's building a team or taking the next step in a career.
Originally from Ireland and now based in Brisbane, I work exclusively across AI and data. I'm drawn to the technology and I'm constantly learning.
I get a sense of satisfaction from helping people realise their potential and discover employment opportunities they might not otherwise have found. Whether it is through work, family, or the people around me, I like being able to make a positive impact in small but meaningful ways.
What I'm known for
I've spent my career in technology recruitment, from placing software and digital talent at a previous organisation, to now leading the AI and data practice at Aspirante. The work I'm proudest of rarely starts with an open role. It starts with a relationship.
The world of AI is moving quickly. The people driving the market today aren't always the same people shaping it tomorrow. Staying close to the market, understanding emerging capabilities and building genuine relationships allows me to identify the right talent as demand evolves and opportunities emerge.
Where I go deep
From individual specialists to entire project teams, I help organisations build AI & Data capability across strategy, delivery and operations.
AI Engineering & GenAI
The engineers building intelligent systems, from LLM-powered applications and copilots to production AI products that deliver real-world outcomes.
AI Product Engineer
AI Automation & Integration
The specialists embedding AI into business processes, systems and workflows to improve productivity, decision-making and customer experience.
Workflow & Agentic AI
Data Science & Applied AI
The people turning data, models and experimentation into measurable business outcomes.
Decision Scientist
Data Engineering & AI Platforms
The platforms, pipelines and architectures that power modern data and AI ecosystems.
Platform & Streaming Engineer
MLOps & AI Infrastructure
The engineers responsible for deploying, scaling, monitoring and governing AI in production environments.
AI Infrastructure
Data & AI Leadership
The leaders defining strategy, building capability and guiding organisations through AI adoption and transformation.
Chief Data & AI Officer
A brief is a starting point, not the answer.
The hardest roles I've solved started with a broad brief and a narrow market. My job isn't sending CV's. It's helping you understand the market, challenge assumptions and solve the actual hiring problem.
Unpack the real brief
I separate what's genuinely essential from what's simply familiar, helping clients identify the capabilities they need rather than the job title they think they want.
Map the market properly
I work out where that capability actually sits, then have targeted conversations with people who aren't actively looking but could be open to the right opportunity.
Understand what's changing
AI and Data moves quickly. I stay close to emerging technologies, skill sets and market trends so hiring decisions are based on where the market is heading, not where it has been.
Hire for fit, not a checklist
The best people rarely tick every box. Technical skills matter, but cultural fit, attitude, motivation and values matter most, and a lot of the rest can be trained and developed over time.
“I'm willing to walk away from a placement if that's the right thing to do. Long-term trust is worth more than a short-term win.” Chris Henderson
Conversations shaping the future of work
Over the last two years I've brought together Talent Acquisition leaders, technology executives and workforce decision-makers to have honest conversations about what's changing and what's coming next. With AI reshaping how organisations hire, build teams and think about capability, those conversations have never been more important.
The insights from those conversations help me stay close to how organisations are thinking, where demand is emerging and how the talent market is evolving.
Let's talk about the role others couldn't fill.
Whether you're building an AI or data team, weighing up your next move, or you'd like a seat at the table, I'd genuinely like to hear from you.