Welcome to EQ8 Recruit

At EQ8 Recruit we specialise in recruitment services for:-

Shore based Shipping & Marine | ENERGY | SUPPLY CHAIN & LOGISTICS

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP | MINING | ENGINEERING

We Are Ready!

Who We Are?

At EQ8 Recruit, we’re redefining recruitment with a human-first, expert-led approach. Led by Tracey Shearer, a seasoned recruiter with over 20 years of global recruitment experience, we deliver strategic, high-impact placements in specialist global maritime, shipping, energy solutions, and SC&L talent acquisition services. Say goodbye to the outdated recruitment lottery of multiple agencies and rushed hires. We offer exclusive, consultative partnerships that prioritise emotional intelligence (EQ) and smart technology to match exceptional talent with your vision.

Based in South Africa, EQ8 Recruit combines cost-effective agility with a proven track record of placing top executives in hubs across Africa (including South Africa), Brazil, Canada, the UK, UAE, Norway, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Australia.
Our personalised service ensures you get the right hire, every time—without the clutter of traditional models.

We’re people just like you. Diverse, talented, friendly, and dedicated; all with a similar mission!

Ready for a recruitment experience that puts you first?

Contact Tracey today for a consultative partnership that delivers results.

Services Offered

Executive Search: Exclusive, hands-on recruitment for C-suite and leadership roles in specialist global maritime, shipping, energy solutions, and SC&L talent acquisition services.
Global Talent Solutions: Strategic placements across continents, leveraging our worldwide network and South Africa’s time zone advantage.
Consultative Partnerships: Tailored recruitment strategies to align with your organisation’s goals, built on trust and transparency.

EQ8 Recruit Securing the best talent—globally, through expertise and care.

EQ8 Recruit Candidate Services

the eq8 Recruit mission

Our clients want the best talent and our candidates want the best opportunities. At EQ8 Recruit our mission is to link our clients talent requirements with the ambitions of our candidates through hard work, smart technology and delivering results that are extraordinary.

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Our business is all about people!

At EQ8 Recruit we strive to meet the expectations of our clients and candidates in every way possible.

Client Commendations

Tracey Lee and her team are seasoned talent sourcing specialists and highly professional in executing recruitment assignments. The engagements she has with both her client and candidates are exceptional. She is very supportive and works proactively to deliver within the required timelines. She understands the requirements from her clients well and applies a recruitment strategy that ensures sourcing of the best talent in the market. I would highly recommend her for any talent sourcing requirements a company might have. Head of Human Resources.

Its my pleasure to offer my unreserved recommendation to Tracey Lee a Principal Recruitment Consultant at EQ8 Recruit. For the past few months that I have done business with her, she has been exceptionally professional and has always provided me with swift and efficient recruitment services.
I now have the most dedicated and hard-working employees because of her, Tracey Lee would be of great asset to any organisation whether big or small. I am confident that she will do her utmost best to assist and see that you recruit that right person for your business.

Thabo Makhetha - Kwinana, Award-winning fashion designer and owner of the leading South African women’s wear label.

A truly pleasant experience with EQ8 Recruit. Love the name and how truly appropriate the EQ part of it is when it comes to how Tracey manages her stakeholders. After more than 25 years in the energy industry and having worked with several Executive Search Consultants, I can honestly and wholeheartedly say that Tracey has been a breath of fresh air and has rejuvenated my confidence in professional search consultants. From the get go through to the final stages of the process, Tracey has always been there. Even on days when things got quiet, Tracey would call and proactively update and reassure me of the happenings in the background. A true professional who cares for the client and the candidate. I have no hesitation in strongly recommending Tracey and her team. She has to be the best professional executive search person I have come across to date. From an SVP in the Energy Industry. Sandeep Mahawar

“EQ8 Recruit quickly understood our hiring needs and once the recruitment campaign started, they kept me up to date with detailed status reports which was extremely helpful. Once EQ8 Recruit presented the list of potential candidates the consultant's insight how each of the candidates matched the job requirements was very insightful. EQ8 Recruit are a small team, but they delivered better than many other large recruitment companies have delivered in the past. I look forward to working with them again.”

HR Director, Singapore

"I highly recommend EQ8 Recruit as a professional recruitment service provider. Their service has been efficient, friendly and professional and they always send through good candidates who match our specifications. Due to their speed and enthusiasm EQ8 Recruit is one of a few recruitment companies that I always enjoy working with."

Elise R (HR Manager) Johannesburg SA

Candidate Commendations

Tracey is an outstanding recruiter. I had the pleasure of being a candidate for one of her executive recruitment searches. Tracey kept all the stakeholders focused on the human aspect of the recruitment process while keeping everything very professional and efficient. Tracey always kept me informed of the progress and she was also forthcoming with new information and advice. Unlike other recruiters, she did not make me feel like a commodity but rather as an important stakeholder in her recruitment efforts. I highly recommend Tracey if you need an international search for a qualified executive and will certainly use her services in the future given the opportunity.

General Manager, International Ship Management company

“It is with much enthusiasm that I am writing to recommend the services of EQ8 Recruit and recruitment consultant Tracey Lee. I have had the pleasure of dealing with the best recruiter that is employed with this company.
She has shown me compassion and provided me with the best possible advice regarding my HR career and always maintains professionalism. She always provided me with constant feedback regarding my application process and this consultant is always on top of her game
I would recommend Ms. Tracey Lee without any reservation and I am confident that she will establish productive and fruitful relationships with all individuals she comes across in her journey
Sincerely,
Gerwin Africa Alroy

EQ8 recruit Blog

Featured

Why We Built EQ8 Puls8: A More Human Way to Stay Visible

Traditional databases are static. But careers aren’t. That’s why we built EQ8 Puls8 — a living, breathing ecosystem that evolves with you. It gives candidates a voice in the market, keeps profiles active, and helps us connect people with the right opportunities at the right time — even before the job goes live.

Embrace Your Inner Elphaba | Especially in the Boardroom

What if the qualities women are told to tone down are the very things that make them powerful leaders? In this bold guest post, resilience coach Gillian Campbell invites you to embrace your inner Elphaba, and lead without apology.

The Future of Talent Strategy: How AI Is Redefining Workforce Trends

AI is reshaping the world of work—altering how companies attract, engage, and retain talent. In this article, EQ8 Recruit explores why traditional hiring models no longer meet the demands of a changing global workforce, and how a strategic, data-informed approach to talent pipelining is becoming essential for future-ready organisations.

The Feedback Void: Why Silence Shouldn’t Be Part of the Hiring Process

In today’s global job market, silence isn’t just discourteous—it’s damaging. On Workers’ Day, we’re calling time on the outdated “no feedback” approach to recruitment. In this blog, EQ8 Recruit unpacks why feedback matters, how it shapes employer brand, and what forward-thinking companies must do to raise the bar.

🌊 Collabor8: Where Bold Female HR Leaders Come Together to Build What’s Next

We don’t need to keep doing things just because that’s the way they’ve always been done.

It’s time to shake things up — and that starts with reimagining how we recruit, onboard, train, and retain talent in South Africa’s most demanding industries.

At EQ8 Recruit, we’ve seen firsthand how smart, experienced women are driving incredible impact inside their organisations — but often doing it in silos, without the space or support to share what's working (and what isn't).

Navigating the Return-to-Office Shift: How Companies and Candidates Can Find Common Ground

The world of work is changing again. After the mass adoption of remote work, many companies are now calling employees back to the office, citing collaboration, productivity, and cultural benefits. But what happens when candidates still value the flexibility of remote work?

At EQ8 Recruit, we see both sides of the debate. Companies want engaged teams in the office, but top talent is increasingly prioritising work-life balance and flexibility. The key is to strike a balance that works for both employers and employees.

Embracing Skills-Based Hiring in Shipping, Maritime, Energy, SC&L & Mining

The recruitment landscape is evolving. As industries face increasing demand for specialised skills, organisations are shifting from traditional qualification-based hiring to a more dynamic, skills-based approach. This transformation is particularly relevant in the shipping, maritime, energy, supply chain & logistics (SC&L), and mining sectors, where the right competencies often matter more than formal education.

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Why intangible costs in HR can have a negative impact on business

Intangible costs in HR refer to costs that are not directly measurable in financial terms but still have a significant impact on an organisation's productivity, culture, and overall success. Discover how intangible HR costs, such as low morale, poor leadership, and knowledge loss, can silently impact your organisation’s productivity and profitability. Learn proactive strategies to mitigate these hidden challenges.

Redefining Recruitment: How EQ8 Recruit Is Building a Community, Not Just Filling Roles

In the world of business, some of the most iconic brands didn’t invent their industries—they transformed them. Harley-Davidson didn’t invent the motorcycle, but it created a community of riders. Starbucks didn’t invent coffee, but it reimagined the coffeehouse as a place for connection, making it a daily ritual for millions. And Netflix didn’t invent streaming; it redefined how we consume entertainment by connecting us with stories we love.

A Career as a Recruitment Consultant: Is It Right for You?

Recruitment is a profession often overlooked, but for those who excel, it opens up vast opportunities. Recruitment Consultancy is not an HR role—it’s a fast-paced, consultative, and sales-driven career that requires a unique skill set. Recruitment consultants are connectors, advisors, and problem solvers, building relationships and shaping careers while delivering value to hiring companies.