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.
Executive Search & Recruitment Services
Board Chair and Director Appointments
As Boards navigate an increasingly complex operating and regulatory environment so too is the need to elevate and refresh boardroom capabilities. HG’s extensive track record in governance appointments includes the formation of inaugural Boards in response to major government reforms at scale at a whole of system level and at a multi-district level. We are also expert in supporting the timely refresh of existing Boards.
Chief Executive and C-Suite Appointments
With our extensive and current networks, built up over decades, and team of Principal Search Consultants from the sectors we serve, HG is the leading trans-Tasman agency for Chief Executive and C-Suite appointments. This also includes all key enabling services such as IT, Digital, Finance, Legal, People & Culture and more. Our tailored approach ensure a successful and sustained appointment every time.
Management Appointments
Our networks are not only extensive, they are also very deep and this gives great confidence to our clients we can know who tomorrow’s future executives are today. By engaging HG for management level appointments, we deliver a field of candidates already proven at a team leader, management or director level and who exhibit the capabilities to also aide your organisation in future succession planning.
Clinical and Medical Appointments
Sourcing and attracting top talent for leadership positions within clinical and medical specialties requires deep expertise and never more so then now given global workforces shortages in healthcare. To ensure your success HG adopts a team approach that includes specialist Principal Consultants and Senior Researchers who will work tirelessly and creatively on your behalf to achieve the result you need.
Public Sector Leadership Appointments
Public sector appointments at a Chief Executive and C-Suite level can and do attract significant political, stakeholder and media scrutiny and navigating that requires Search agencies to have a unique set of capabilities. HG is a trusted and proven partner to government for the most senior leadership appointments including Environment, Revenue, Ethnic Communities, Disability, Health, Internal Affairs and to Royal Commissions of Inquiry.
Diagnostics
HG is invested in the long term success of your organisation and has built a suite of diagnostic capabilities to support the ambition of executive leadership that is practical and grounded in real time, real world environments. These diagnostic options and tools mean you are working with evidence and reflective practice.
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 & 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 Hughes
National Manager, New Zealand
David Hughes is the National Manager of HG New Zealand. He is an experienced leader with significant healthcare experience across the public, private and non profit sectors, including in a range of specialty areas such as mental health and addiction, disability and primary care. In addition to his leadership responsibilities, he conducts senior executive recruitment assignments and facilitates HG’s Executive Learning Sets.
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.
Talk to a Consultant
Recruitment
Opportunities for You
Scroll through our jobs board below to find your next career defining opportunity.
Recent Key Appointments
Organisations trust HardyGroup
to find great talent to deliver on their mission.
Brad Ceely
General Manager | Nepean Hospital with Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District.
Mirella Vagnarelli
Director of Child and Family Health Service | Women’s and Children’s Health Network.
Natalie McMurtry
Chief Executive | Pharmac
Catherine Murdoch
Chief Executive Officer | Environment Protection Officer.
Brad Ceely
General Manager | Nepean Hospital with Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District.
HG is pleased to announce the appointment of Brad Ceely as General Manager, Nepean Hospital with Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District.
Brad is a highly experienced and future-focused health leader with an extensive career in the NSW public health system, most recently serving as General Manager of Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals. He brings deep operational, strategic, and clinical expertise across acute, subacute, community and specialty health services, developed through senior roles with Western Sydney Local Health District and the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network.
Brad has led major service developments and commissioning projects, including the endoscopy unit at Blacktown Hospital and paediatric services in the Acute Services Building at Westmead. His collaborative leadership style and strong focus on safety, quality, and cultural transformation have been instrumental in driving high-performing, patient-centred services.
HG is delighted for Brad as he steps into this role with Nepean Hospital.
Mirella Vagnarelli
Director of Child and Family Health Service | Women’s and Children’s Health Network.
HG is pleased to announce the appointment of Mirella Vagnarelli as Director of Child and Family Health Service at Women’s and Children’s Health Network.
Mirella Vagnarelli is a highly experienced healthcare leader with a strong background in strategic leadership, governance and the advancement of Allied Health services. Previously, as Director of Allied Health for the Women’s and Children’s Division at the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN), she oversaw a team of diverse professionals and managed a $5.5M budget across a range of service models.
Mirella has led innovative initiatives that improved patient care pathways, aligning with SA Health’s strategic priorities. At Calvary Healthcare, she led and contributed to nation-wide digital transformation and commissioning of a new private hospital. With a Master of Business Administration (Health) and as a Fellow of the Australasian College of Health Service Management, Mirella brings expertise in financial and resource management.
Her contributions to clinical governance, quality improvement, and stakeholder engagement have made a lasting impact on healthcare delivery and her committed focus going forwards is on improving outcomes for South Australian children and families.
HG is delighted for Mirella as she steps into this role with Women’s and Children’s Health Network.
Natalie McMurtry
Chief Executive | Pharmac
Hg is pleased to announce the appointment of Natalie McMurtry to the position of Chief Executive for Pharmac.
Natalie McMurtry is currently the Chief Transition Officer responsible for launching a new Acute Care Agency in Alberta, Canada. Prior to that she was the Assistant Deputy Minister for Pharmaceutical and Supplementary Health Benefits with the Alberta Government. She began her career as a paediatric critical care pharmacist at the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton and has since held a variety of strategic and operational roles across the health system. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy from Dalhousie University and an MBA in Innovation Leadership.
Ms McMurtry will replace Acting Chief Executive Brendan Boyle, who was appointed for a fixed term while recruitment was underway to fill the vacancy left by former Chief Executive Sarah Fitt. Paula Bennett thanked Brendan Boyle for his work in the interim.
Hg is delighted for Natalie as she joins Pharmac.
Catherine Murdoch
Chief Executive Officer | Environment Protection Officer.
HG is pleased to announce the appointment of Catherine Murdoch as Chief Executive Officer at Environment Protection Officer.
Catherine Murdoch is an accomplished executive leader with an extensive career in environmental regulation, public policy, and strategic leadership across the public sector. She brings a wealth of experience spanning agriculture, water management, infrastructure, and environmental governance. Throughout her career, Catherine has been committed to enhancing operational efficiency, fostering collaborative partnerships, and driving sustainable outcomes.
Most recently, Catherine served as General Manager of Agriculture and Water at the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. In this role Catherine oversaw the operations of a business unit where her responsibilities included advising Ministers on policy and regulation, managing permitting and compliance functions, and leading cross-agency initiatives.
HG is delighted for Catherine as she joins the Environment Protection Authority.
Ready to make people your organisation’s greatest asset?
