Our consultants

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. 

Aidan has consulted in the IT recruitment industry for fifteen years. This has seen him recruiting across almost all industries including government (federal, state and local), telecommunications, finance, construction, consultancy, retail and digital. Aidan has worked with clients on cutting edge technologies as well as business process / management, project delivery, change / transformation and the broad landscape of digital and cloud.

Over the course of his extensive career, Aidan has worked in a combination of large and boutique agencies. Working in both these worlds has given Aidan a balanced focus of cherishing each clients individual relationship and needs whilst using the national reach that Ignite has built over the last 40 years.

Jemma Rowe is a distinguished Account Manager at Ignite in Canberra, specializing in information management recruitment. Transitioning from entrepreneurship, she has carved a niche in recruitment by demonstrating adaptability, strategic insight, and a profound commitment to aligning talent with opportunity. At Ignite, Jemma leverages her expertise to understand client needs deeply and foster meaningful connections, ensuring the right fit between candidates and organizations. Her success stories and dedication to professional growth highlight her role as a trusted industry figure. Jemma’s passion for recruitment is driven by the positive changes she facilitates in individuals’ careers, making her a pivotal figure in canberra’s infomation management recruitment landscape

Melanie Macri is a skilled account manager at Ignite, focusing on information management recruitment. With an MA in German literature, her path evolved from the book industry to a key role at James Bennett, enriching her library sector insights. At Ignite, she applies this expertise alongside her notable interpersonal skills to adeptly match candidates with their ideal roles. Passionate about building meaningful relationships within the industry, Melanie excels in understanding client needs and market dynamics. Her involvement in professional associations underscores her commitment to staying at the industry’s forefront, making her an invaluable asset in recruitment.

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. 

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. 

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.

Nevien is an Engineering Consultant at Ignite with over 11 years’ experience supporting clients in highly technical, safety-critical and regulated environments. Having been with Ignite since 2014, she brings deep industry knowledge and a strong understanding of engineering delivery requirements across infrastructure, services and operational programs.

Prior to joining Ignite, Nevien worked as a Service Support Analyst and Project Coordinator within a global engineering and technology organisation, where she supported field service engineers and technicians, coordinated preventative maintenance programs, managed service contracts, and ensured effective communication between regional teams and stakeholders. This hands-on engineering operations background enables her to assess technical capability, compliance and cultural fit with precision.

At Ignite, Nevien partners closely with engineering leaders and candidates to deliver reliable, high-quality outcomes across permanent and contract engagements. She is known for her structured, detail-driven approach, responsiveness, and commitment to building long-term relationships that support project continuity and business performance