About Murdoch Mason
EXECUTIVE SEARCH THAT DELIVERS RESULTS IN DAYS, NOT MONTHS
Murdoch Mason is a retained executive search firm specializing in C-suite and VP leadership hires across Consumer, Retail, eCommerce, Healthcare, Food & Beverage, and Private Equity sectors.
We help companies move fast without compromising quality by combining speed, precision, and transparency to deliver exceptional results.
Our Story
Our founder, Aaron Cleavinger, often introduces himself as an anti-recruiter.
Before launching Murdoch Mason, he spent years leading high-growth teams inside Fortune 500 and consumer companies. He saw firsthand how broken the hiring process had become: talented people rejected or lost in bureaucracy, recruiters overpromising and overselling, and companies frustrated with long, stale searches.
He built Murdoch Mason to be the opposite of that — a firm that treats both companies and candidates with honesty, candor, and respect.
The mission was simple: deliver exceptional leaders quickly while restoring trust in the hiring process.
Meet Our Team
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Aaron Cleavinger
Founder & Managing Partner
Aaron Cleavinger is a transformational executive and founder of Murdoch Mason, a retained search and consulting firm that bridges business strategy with talent execution. With more than two decades inside multi-billion-dollar consumer and retail companies, he understands firsthand what it takes to build high-performing teams and deliver results at scale.
His background spans supply chain, strategic sourcing, procurement, finance, corporate strategy, and eCommerce, giving him a rare ability to see beyond job descriptions to the capabilities that drive business performance. Aaron founded Murdoch Mason to bring speed, transparency, and integrity back to executive search — helping companies hire exceptional leaders and helping leaders find work that matters.
He holds CPSM and C.P.M. certifications, Lean Six Sigma credentials, an MBA from the University of Notre Dame, and a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University.
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Simon Brocklehurst
Commercial Counseling Practice Leader
Simon has worked with many of the world's leading companies across virtually every sector to solve their commercial challenges. He is passionate about working with clients to build high-performing strategies that are simple and flexible and engage all stakeholders. He then supports implementation with the team based on the premise that if the results don't follow, why did we bother?
He coaches senior executives using his innovative Commercial Coaching methodology, which was developed with leaders to help them step change their impact in real-life situations.
He held many commercial roles within large global CPG/FMCG companies in the UK, including Johnson & Johnson and Unilever. Simon then led the Americas business for The Gap Partnership negotiations training and commercial strategies consulting firm before launching the CommercialSolutions company and partnering with Murdoch Mason to deliver extraordinary performance to our clients.
Simon graduated from Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd in Wales with an honours degree in Business Economics.
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Rebecca Worthen
Recruiting Consultant
Rebecca brings over a decade of experience in recruitment strategy, executive branding, and career consulting. She partners with clients to clarify hiring needs, strengthen employer branding, and position leaders for long-term success.
Before joining Murdoch Mason, Rebecca built a nationally recognized executive resume and LinkedIn branding practice, helping senior professionals and C-suite leaders communicate their value with clarity and precision. Her background in recruiting gives her a unique ability to bridge both sides of the hiring process—helping organizations attract top talent and professionals present their strongest stories.
Rebecca earned her B.A. in Humanities, graduating with honors from Brigham Young University.
Liz White
VP, Admin & Project Coordination
Co-founder of Murdoch Mason, Liz oversees operations, administration, and research coordination, ensuring every search is executed with precision and care. Her expertise in business efficiency, process design, and team leadership enables the firm to deliver the responsiveness and quality of a boutique partner at enterprise scale.
Dr. Howard Cleavinger, PhD
Principal Psychologist, Exec & Team Assessments
Dr. Cleavinger leads Murdoch Mason’s executive and team assessment practice, helping organizations select leaders who align with their culture and strategy. A licensed psychologist with clinical and academic experience at Dartmouth Medical School, he brings deep expertise in testing, measurement, and neuropsychological evaluation to every engagement.