About Three™
A new business with a long track record.
Three was founded on a simple belief: deep industry expertise and long experience deliver better results for clients. We've been on the delivery side of technology transformations ourselves, so we understand the pressure our clients are under. Based in Brisbane, we recruit for clients across Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and regional Australia.
Our story
Three founders, one shared belief.
Joe Pilling, Tom Peard and Chris Young had worked together long before Three. Chris was first a client of Tom and Joe, and later ran a sister consultancy from the same office. The name Three comes from the three of us.
Tom and Joe bring deep experience in technology recruitment. Chris brings experience leading large-scale, technology-driven transformations. Together we combine real market knowledge with first-hand experience of delivering complex change, including many of the roles we recruit for every day.
We launched Three in June 2024. With the post-Covid hiring boom over and competition rising, the market had become increasingly transactional. Running our own business means we choose the clients we work with and focus on quality over quantity, without the short-term pressures that drive so much behaviour in our industry.
We never set out to be the biggest. We measure success by outcomes in our chosen markets.
How we're different
A boutique firm by design, with the people who started it still doing the work.
Still on the tools
Our directors run searches themselves. When you call Three, you speak to someone who knows your market, not someone who passes the brief on.
Placed from our own network
We don't advertise roles; clients can do that themselves. They come to us for people who aren't on the market.
Of our placements are women
We've deliberately built strong networks of women in technology, and we give every candidate an equal shot.
Looking after candidates
When we can't place someone, we still help: CV reviews, LinkedIn feedback and suggestions of suitable roles, often with other agencies. It's the right thing to do.
Human first. AI-enabled.
Technology handles the process. People handle the relationship.
As more of the world becomes automated and human contact gets outsourced, we're going the other way. Three is a human-first business: easy to reach, quick to respond, and led by experienced people who pick up the phone.
We use AI where it makes us better for you. It handles the repetitive admin and process work, so our consultants can spend more time on what matters: talking to clients, getting to know candidates, and giving honest, considered advice.
Every AI decision we make starts with one question: does this help us offer more to our clients and candidates?
- Easy to reachYou deal directly with an experienced consultant, by phone or email, not a chatbot or a call centre.
- Quick to respondAutomating our admin means faster replies, faster shortlists and less waiting around.
- People make the decisionsAI supports our work, but every shortlist, recommendation and piece of advice comes from a person.
- Tools that give backOur free CV, LinkedIn and Job match tools put the same technology in candidates' hands.
Where we're heading
Growing deliberately, without losing what makes us different.
- Own our specialist marketsBe the obvious choice for financial services transformation, and for data and AI, while growing our work across the Queensland public sector.
- From filling roles to building teamsBe brought in when a program starts: helping clients map the market, plan capability and assemble the whole team, not just one role at a time.
- Scale through how we work, not just headcountAI takes care of the process, so each consultant can support more clients without losing the personal service.
- Boutique by designOur directors stay on the tools, and we grow with people who share our values. We have no plans to sell.
Our story so far
From three founders in June 2024 to a team of six and finalists in three national award categories.
Three launches
Founded by Joe Pilling, Chris Young and Tom Peard, with a focus on technology recruitment across the financial services sector.
Dedicated contractor care
With Three Contractors growing fast, Bek Williamson joins as our Operations & Contractor Care Manager.
Government division
Adam Beattie joins to grow our local council and state government division.
Double award finalist
TIARA Recruitment AwardsFinalist, Growth Recruitment Company of the YearFinalist, Best Company to Work For
SEEK SARA AwardsNational finalist, New Recruitment Agency of the Year
What you can count on
Five commitments that shape every brief we take on.
- High fill rateAbout 76%, because we work fewer roles with more care.
- Experienced teamNo rookies and no offshore consultants. You deal directly with experienced, Australian-based recruiters who know your market, for a consistently high level of service.
- Global searchesWe reach candidates across local, national and international networks.
- Quality over quantityWe find the three best candidates, not just the first three suitable ones.
- Win-win-win outcomesA balanced fee structure that works for you, the candidate and us.
More than a placement
The extras that come with working with Three.
Contractors
Contractor Care Program
Every contractor we place is looked after by Bek Williamson, from onboarding and compliance through to timesheets and pay.
Risk
De-risked recruitment
Thorough screening, honest market advice and tailored solutions that reduce the risk of a bad hire.
Permanent
6-month guarantee
Our permanent placements are backed by a six-month guarantee.
Any role type
Flexible scope
From one specialist to whole project teams, permanent or contract.
Tools
Modern sourcing
We use SEEK, LinkedIn, AMS and AI-assisted search to reach the whole market quickly.
Partnering
Support for your team
We work alongside internal talent teams rather than around them.
Giving back
Proud supporters of Open Haven
Open Haven is a registered charity helping women and children in Brisbane and Logan break the cycle of domestic violence. Its team provides practical support, counselling, and pathways into housing, employment and independence, so families can rebuild their lives for the long term.