Our consultants

Mary Farag is a highly skilled recruitment professional with over 5 years of industry experience in both the Government and Commercial sectors. Currently, she serves as the Business Manager of the Business and Corporate Support Division at Ignite within NSW.

Mary is known for her wide range of knowledge in various sectors, specifically within NSW Government and Federal Government. She enjoys networking and drives exceptional results to always deliver to client needs.

Her strong work ethic and passion of learning and development is shown through her leadership.

Nicole Henry is a highly experienced professional with over 13 years of experience in recruiting. Currently, she serves as the team manager of the IT and digital department at Ignite, where she oversees a team of skilled recruiters in Canberra.

Throughout her career, Nicole has gained a reputation for her contract and technical recruiting expertise. Her strong work ethic and dedication to her clients have earned her a loyal following among both employers and job seekers alike.

Michael Knight is a seasoned recruitment professional with over 30 years of experience in the industry. He joined Ignite in 2012 and has since played an instrumental role in the company’s success. Prior to his tenure at Ignite, Michael worked at several other large recruiting companies in Australia and internationally.

Throughout his career, Michael has gained extensive experience in all recruitment sectors, including accounting, human resources, and IT. As a business development manager, he was responsible for encouraging change management, developing new business, and executing 360-degree recruitment strategies.

He is process-driven, results-focused and values resilience. 

John Murphy is a highly experienced and commercially-aware manager with nearly two decades of successful international and Australian experience in business analysis, workforce management, staff augmentation, and future talent projects.

At Ignite, John has served as a business manager overseeing NSW, VIC, and QLD, where he has developed new client acquisition strategies across all market sectors. He also leads a team of sales and account management consultants, driving exceptional results through his leadership and management skills.

Surabhi Mishra is an accomplished account director in IT recruitment for Ignite. With more than 20 years of experience in the technology sector and nearly a decade at Ignite, she possesses in-depth knowledge of the industry and its hiring trends. She uses her unique blend of technical expertise and business acumen to connect top talent with numerous government departments, statutory authorities, and commercial government entities.

As Treasurer for Women in ICT and Alo-Enlightened Women, Surabhi is community-minded and involved in volunteer work, crucially promoting diversity and inclusivity across the technology industry. 

Suresh Malepati is a highly skilled recruitment consultant with two decades of international and Australian experience across IT, Defence, oil and gas, mining, and construction.

At Ignite, Suresh specialises in Defence, IT, and engineering recruitment and keeps updated on market trends within the ever-moving technology space to ensure all clients have access to the most current knowledge. 

He is committed to excellence and dedicated to delivering the best outcomes for his clients and candidates alike.

Catherine Hill is a highly experienced senior leader and recruitment consultant with specialist knowledge in the information, library, records, and knowledge management industries in Australia. With impressive perseverance and experience, Catherine has been with the business since 1985, helping it to become a market leader in the industry.

Catherine is known for her profound market knowledge and listening to her clients’ needs, and is solution-focused.

With post-grad studies in librarianship and memberships in Australian Library and Information Association and Records and Information Management, Catherine brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her work.

Michael Higgins is a highly practised senior recruitment consultant at Ignite, specialising in architecture, construction, and engineering temporary and permanent recruitment since 2005. 

Before his career in recruitment, Michael spent 12 years in the hospitality industry, establishing, operating, and managing hotels and restaurants. This experience has given him a unique perspective on customer service and client management, making him a trusted partner to businesses and job seekers alike.

As a member of The Recruitment, Consulting & Staffing Association (RCSA), Michael is committed to upholding the highest standards in the industry. He is personable and known for his exceptional service, building long-lasting relationships with clients and candidates. 

Lorena Solar is a highly skilled recruitment professional with over 20 years of industry experience. She has been the account manager in business and corporate support at Ignite for nearly a decade but infuses her work with nearly three decades of market experience. 

Throughout her career, she has specialised in federal government roles and has developed a deep understanding of the sector. As a trusted account manager, Lorena looks after all roles ranging from APS 3 to EL 2, providing her clients with exceptional service and delivering successful outcomes. 

She is also known for her enthusiasm in mentoring staff moving into recruitment, helping to develop the next generation of recruitment professionals.