I'm hoping this "standout" is just that, whoever it is must have put one hell of a case forward - I'm not certain any of the names we've mentioned would count as a standout..
Yes suspect it's someone pretty newish to the conversation mix. I'm gonna have a stab at Paul Nevin (yes others mentioned him first) - only because it seems all on the shortlist had a NZ connection. He has a pretty good CV, if he did apply.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Nevin
But really who knows.