Naomi Barker | Taking the reins of leadership

Horse-mad Naomi Barker thought she’d have a very different career from the one she ended up in as Aspeq’s Head of Candidate Services, where she looks after nearly 140 casual and full-time team members working to ensure exam-takers have the best possible experience.

After graduating with a degree in equine business management, she spent the first decade of her career working on thoroughbred breeding studs in Australia’s Hunter Valley.

“I loved it, but it was a physically exhausting job. I knew once I had kids that it would be unsustainable. It was time for a career change.”

After moving to Canberra to start a family, Naomi joined Aspeq in a part-time admin role she could do from home while on maternity leave. A few months in, she joined as a Candidate Services Representative, and soon became manager of the Australian-based team before becoming responsible for the global Candidate Services Team. During her time as manager, she also earned a double diploma in Leadership & Management and Business.

Although the worlds of assessment services and horse breeding couldn’t be more different, Naomi’s untraditional background has served her well at Aspeq.

“A very high work ethic was instilled in me from a young age. I’ve loved horses all of my life but I had to work hard to be able to afford lessons, so my parents wouldn’t be out of pocket.”

Naomi brought the same drive to Aspeq, working however hard and long was necessary to get the job done, with stunning results.

“Aspeq is really good at rewarding hard work and celebrating success,” says Naomi, whose own work has been continuously rewarded with a series of promotions.

In her 14 years at Aspeq, Naomi has developed a distinct leadership style based on trust, empowerment and a respect for her peers that comes from having been in the shoes of Candidate Service Reps she now leads.

“I’m still very much one of the team. My team members know I’m always here if they need me, but I try to empower people to back themselves.”

As someone who is used to empowering others, Naomi didn’t expect to need the same support herself until she joined Aspeq’s senior leadership team in 2023, the only female, at the time, and person outside of New Zealand to do so.

“I doubted myself for quite a while in this role. It was such a big step going from being responsible for my department in Australia, to being responsible for Aspeq globally.”

Luckily, Aspeq’s Chief Executive, Hamish Findlay, was there to offer reassurance and connect Naomi with a mentor.

“It helped realise that I wouldn’t have been given this role if I hadn’t proven that I could do it. Once I started to trust myself, everything began falling into place.”

Two years in, Naomi is feeling comfortable and confident, and has even started to enjoy the global-scale challenges that come with leading a team spanning many countries.

As for what’s next, Naomi is dedicated to making the most out of her current role. “I’ve never sought out a high-flying job, and being the Head of Candidate Services goes beyond my expectations, so I’m very happy here. There is a lot to do to make a difference.”

On her list of tasks is creating the best possible candidate experience and seamlessly integrating the New Zealand and Australian sides of the business. 

Hamish says that Naomi is a fantastic addition to the leadership team, bringing passion and dedication to the quality of Aspeq’s candidate experience to the table.

“With Naomi in this role, I hope that every candidate will have the best chance to demonstrate their abilities in what is often one of the most important days of their lives, sitting down to take an exam that they’ve been working towards for months if not years,” says Hamish.

Despite, or perhaps because of, juggling two teenage kids and a high-powered job, Naomi has stayed true to her love of horses and staying fit. Every morning, she runs with her two german shepherds and goes horse riding with her daughter most afternoons and weekends.

“It’s still challenging,” says Naomi of her role, “but it’s all good challenges. I certainly don’t have any time to be bored or get into trouble.”