The leading network of Health, Human Service and Public Sector Leaders.
Our Executive Search & Recruitment network is unrivalled, and by engaging HG we connect our clients to the best talent from around the world. As the competition for talent intensifies, domestically and globally, our clients trust in our ability to secure a successful and timely appointment, the first time, every time.
Recent Key Appointments
Organisations trust HardyGroup
to find great talent to deliver on their mission.
Jessica Stearnes
Principal Manager Business Services | Women’s and Children’s Health Network
Michael Douglas
Chief Executive Officer | Equip
Alice Steeb
Clinical Practice Director | CaFHS Women’s & Children Health Network (SA)
Prof. Sunny Collings
Chief Executive | Health Quality & Safety Commission New Zealand
Jessica Stearnes
Principal Manager Business Services | Women’s and Children’s Health Network
HG is pleased to announce the appointment of Jessica Stearnes as Principal Manager, Business Services at Child and Family Health Service (CaFHS), Women’s and Children’s Health Network (WCHN).
Jessica brings extensive experience in business operations, financial management, workforce planning, and service delivery within complex government environments. She joins CaFHS from TAFE SA, where she most recently served as Acting Business Operations Manager, leading business services across a diverse education faculty.
Jessica has led significant operational initiatives, including streamlining administrative processes, implementing system-based solutions to enhance compliance and cybersecurity, and managing large budgets and capital projects. She holds qualifications in leadership, business, project management, and information technology.
HG is delighted for Jessica as she steps into this role with Child and Family Health Service (CaFHS), Women’s and Children’s Health Network (WCHN) team.
Michael Douglas
Chief Executive Officer | Equip
HG is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Douglas as Chief Executive Officer of Equip, commencing early December 2025.
Michael brings over 27 years of experience with The Salvation Army, including more than 18 years in senior leadership roles supporting regionally and nationally managed mental health and addiction services across the motu. Most recently, he has served as the National Director of Addictions and Health for The Salvation Army New Zealand. His leadership journey also has included serving as a former CEO of Stepping Stone Trust Canterbury, where he oversaw the delivery of regional mental health services, including planned crisis respite.
Throughout his career, Michael has demonstrated a strong commitment to health service innovation, leading complex multidisciplinary teams and launching collaborative, culturally responsive, and evidence-based initiatives. He is passionate about embedding sustainable change and improving outcomes for vulnerable and diverse communities.
Michael is a current Board member of the Atamira Platform Trust Board and is deeply committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. His leadership is grounded in inclusive workforce development and a practical Christian faith, supported by theological training and active membership at Blockhouse Bay Community Church.
HG is delighted for Michael as she steps into this role with Equip.
Alice Steeb
Clinical Practice Director | CaFHS Women’s & Children Health Network (SA)
HG is pleased to announce the appointment of Alice Steeb as Clinical Practice Director – Child and Family Health Service with Women’s & Children Health Network (SA).
With over two decades in Child and Family Health, Alice brings proven expertise in workforce strategy, governance, and service innovation. Her leadership, grounded in advanced nursing qualifications, will further strengthen our commitment to improving health outcomes for children and families.
HG is delighted for Alice as she steps into this important role with Women’s and Children Health Network (SA).
Prof. Sunny Collings
Chief Executive | Health Quality & Safety Commission New Zealand
HG is pleased to announce the appointment of Prof. Sunny Collings as Chief Executive at Te Tāhū Hauora|Health Quality & Safety Commission New Zealand.
Prof. Collings brings a depth of experience in public health, research, and executive leadership. She is currently Chief Executive of the Health Research Council of New Zealand and previous roles include Dean and Head of Campus at the University of Otago, Wellington. She is also a Professor of Psychiatry and has made significant contributions to health equity, mental health, and the evidence base supporting improved outcomes for all New Zealanders.
HG is delighted for Professor Collings as she steps into this role with Te Tāhū Hauora|Health Quality & Safety Commission New Zealand.
HG’s Panel Partnerships
HG is a trusted advisor and provider of permanent and interim recruitment solutions for clients across Australia and New Zealand. In circumstances which require it, HG can also be your partner of choice by engaging us through the following government panels.
WA Country Health Service Panel
SA Recruitment Agency Services Panel
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Panel
Executive Recruitment Panel
Central Australia Health Service Panel
All of Government Talent Acquisition Services (TAS) contract.
NSW Government Talent Acquisition Scheme
LGA Procurement – Labor hire and recruitment Services
Recruitment and Immigration Agency Panel Primary Agency – Canberra Health Services
Local Buy Pre-qualified Supplier
The Management Advisory Services (MAS) Panel
Industries we serve
Public Health
Private Health
Primary u0026 Community Care
Aged Care
Disability Services
Public Sector
Meet our Principal Consultants
HG’s Principal Search Consultants have held Chief and Senior Executive roles within the industries we serve. Their extensive leadership profiles enable them to swiftly establish trust and rapport with both clients and candidates, clearly understand the roles they have been asked to recruit to and importantly, the organisational and environmental context in which they exist.
Our evidenced based search methodology, extensive networks and talented team have led to the successful placement of 4,000+ executives.
Lynette Taylor
Executive Director, Search & Recruitment
A senior executive leader with experience in private and public sectors across health, logistics and human resource sectors. With nearly two decades of experience as a senior executive in a multinational company, Lynette brings a comprehensive global and commercial perspective to her role, focusing on the attraction, retention, and development of executive-level candidates.
Paul Ingle
Chief Executive Officer
Paul Ingle is the Chief Executive Officer of HG. In addition to his leadership responsibilities, he conducts senior executive and board recruitment assignments and facilitates HG’s Executive Learning Sets. Paul has been a Chief Executive in both the public and private sector for over 20 years, having worked in New Zealand, the UK and Australia. He brings a wealth of experience in supporting organisational leadership, reform, employee wellbeing, and cultural transformation.
Christine Leahy
Executive Director Leadership and Learning
Christine Leahy is a seasoned executive Human Resources specialist with over 25 years of experience in prestigious national and international corporations. Armed with a Bachelor of Commerce, she has played pivotal roles in HR, aiding companies in recruiting and retaining top-tier talent, thereby enhancing organizational culture and business performance. In addition to her leadership responsibilities, Christine conducts senior executive recruitment assignments and facilitates HG’s Executive Learning Sets.
Sarah Buckler
State Manager, Queensland
Sarah Buckler has an extensive background and in-depth understanding of the public sector in Australia and New Zealand. She has over twenty-five years of experience in executive leadership roles and appointments to advisory and governing boards across public, private and quasi-government boards and authorities. Sarah is a recipient of the Australia Day Honours and was awarded the Public Service Medal for her contributions to regional development, investment attraction, public sector administration, leadership, and governance.
David Price
National Manager, New Zealand
David Price is the National Manager of HG New Zealand. He is an internationally experienced senior leader and healthcare innovator known for pioneering system design, co-design, and patient experience reform across New Zealand, Australia, and the UK.
Rhodie Miller
Principal Search Consultant
Rhodie Miller is Principal Search Consultant at HardyGroup, with over a decade of experience in health recruitment. Rhodie has conducted executive searches across all jurisdictions of Australia and New Zealand. With a key focus on sustainable outcomes, Rhodie strives to ensure a match between client and candidate.
Liz Hlipala
Principal Search Consultant
Liz Hlipala has an in-depth understanding and knowledge of the healthcare sector in Australia today. She brings more than three decades of experience working in the healthcare sector at senior executive levels to any consultancy she undertakes. Liz has participated as an Executive Director of the governing boards and senior leadership teams of large health networks and the department of health in South Australia, given her an understanding of these complex organisations’ leadership and performance requirements.
Dr Karen Bridgewater
Senior Researcher
Karen is an academic researcher with experience investigating, designing, recruiting, conducting and reporting. Through her career, Karen has not only finely honed her academic and population-relevant research skills, but also forged relationships in the public and private health sectors, multiple universities, and non-government organisations. Consequently, Karen brings to HardyGroup a unique combination of established research excellence, and industry-relevant, highly valuable interpersonal relationship insights and skills.
Janine Hammat
Principal Search Consultant
Janine is a versatile senior human resources executive with many years’ experience at the executive level in both the public and private sectors. She is a proactive leader of people strategy and cultural alignment in diverse and complex organisations. Her knowledge across all facets of human resources and her ability to partner with other senior executives and staff, and to translate organisational strategy into pragmatic and operable outcomes, enables her to deliver quality results.
Philip Best
Client Relationship and Sales Manager
Philip Best, our Client Relationship and Sales Manager. A senior executive leader with experience in servicing major industry providers across Australia, New Zealand and the Asia Pacific.
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