The Pond Recruitment, a familiar name in creative hiring circles for two decades, is closing on December 24 as its founder Leighton Howl leaves the industry to pursue a full-time career in global horse racing — a passion he says he’s finally ready to chase without compromise.
A Sudden Goodbye After 20 Years
The news landed with a mix of surprise and nostalgia across New Zealand’s creative and corporate sectors.
After all, The Pond has been a go-to agency for designers, marketers and digital talent for years, and its presence has shaped countless careers.
Howl’s announcement carried both warmth and finality.
He thanked clients, agencies, corporates, contractors, former staff and long-time business partner Will Gregory in an emotional message that hinted at both pride and bittersweet closure.
He said the past 20 years were “super,” but it’s clear he felt a pull too strong to ignore.
And actually, you could sense that from the way he described his next steps.
Why the Founder Walked Away
Howl explained that he wants to return fully to competitive sport — specifically, the horse racing scene he first connected with back in his university days in Waikato.
His words suggested a mix of excitement and nerves, the kind of energy that usually signals a big life shift.
He described the sport as more challenging and more cutthroat than recruitment.
That’s quite something considering the recruitment world is hardly known for being soft.
One small line in his statement spoke volumes: he said it was simply “time” for a personal change.
Sometimes one sentence can tell an entire story.
He’s been preparing quietly. Over the past 12 months he’s built a new company, Kingmakers, which will work with racehorse owners and investors. Its mission? Selecting and managing competition horses worldwide.
That’s a serious pivot — not a hobbyist move.
What Happens to The Pond Now
The Pond will stop trading on December 24.
But the company won’t be vanishing overnight.
Several contractors still have ongoing commitments, and The Pond says it will honour all booked work until March 31, 2026.
That helps cushion the transition for those relying on the agency for steady roles.
Here’s a snapshot of the final winding-down timeline:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Ceases trading | December 24, 2025 |
| Contractor commitments continue until | March 31, 2026 |
| Announcement of Gregory’s next move | Early 2026 |
The table looks simple, but for creatives who built years of trust with the firm, the closure marks the end of what many considered a “safe anchor” in the industry.
Will Gregory’s Next Move
Gregory, the company’s co-owner for a decade, isn’t following Howl into horse racing.
He’s staying in recruitment with a new venture on the horizon.
He said he is “energised for the next chapter,” hinting at an early-2026 announcement. His comments felt optimistic and forward-leaning, almost like someone itching to reveal something but needing to wait a little longer.
In a heartfelt nod, he thanked Howl for his mentorship and friendship.
One short sentence stood out because of its sincerity: “We’re more than business partners — we’re friends.”
The way he described his pride in The Pond’s evolution gave off the sense of someone turning a page, not closing a book.
A Business That Left a Mark
Over two decades, The Pond became a fixture in the creative sector.
It wasn’t a giant corporate; it was a specialist outfit people trusted because of the personal touch.
Candidates often said the firm “got” them in a way some larger agencies didn’t.
They placed designers, digital specialists, photographers, producers — lots of people who later credited the agency with kick-starting or reshaping their careers.
Howl and Gregory built a reputation for matching talent quickly and with, you know, a certain intuition that sometimes surprised clients.
Its longevity alone speaks for itself in a sector where agencies often come and go.
The closure leaves a space in the market, even if temporary.
Some clients will likely shift to larger players. Others might wait to see what Gregory launches next.
A Leap Into the Racing World
The most colourful part of this story is how dramatically Howl is shifting gears.
Recruitment to horse racing isn’t a common career jump.
But he’s been tied to horses since his uni years in Waikato, a detail he always referenced but never placed at the centre of his professional identity. Now it becomes the centrepiece.
Kingmakers, his new company, doesn’t sound like a small personal side project.
It aims to work with owners and investors on selecting and managing horses for global competitions — a more international and high-stakes world than the creative hiring space he’s leaving behind.
He spoke openly about wanting something more intense, more competitive, more cutthroat.
It almost sounded like someone craving adrenaline after years of corporate scheduling and CV reviews.
One thing is clear: he’s stepping into a field fueled by passion, not convenience.
What Industry Insiders Are Saying
People who know Howl describe him as someone who never does anything halfway.
That alone makes his shift into horse racing feel believable.
Some recruitment veterans have commented quietly that they’re sad to see him go.
Others say this might open the door for more market competition — or consolidation.
On social media, reactions ranged from “Wow, huge news” to long emotional thank-yous from past candidates.
It showed how The Pond wasn’t just a business; it was a connector in a fragmented sector.
And yeah, maybe that’s why the closure hits differently.
The Final Stretch For The Pond
As December 24 approaches, the firm enters its last few weeks of official operation.
There won’t be a dramatic send-off — no big industry event or farewell party has been announced.
But the emotional tone of Howl’s message suggested he’s saying goodbye with a full heart and no regrets.
A rare mix in business closures, honestly.
The company’s brand, memories and placements will live on through the thousands of creatives who passed through its doors.
And Gregory’s next business could carry forward part of that original spirit, depending on what he builds next.
The story feels like both an ending and a reboot — one man stepping into the racing tracks, another gearing up for a new chapter, and an industry adjusting to the sudden disappearance of a long-standing player.
Maybe that’s how two decades come to a close: quietly, sincerely and with a surprising twist.
