Sydney’s premier executive search agency

Based in Sydney, Craig Bernhardt is a Senior Managing Director at Robert Half’s executive search division, where he leads retained searches for C-suite and senior executive appointments across Australia and New Zealand. His expertise spans finance, technology, human resources, marketing, sales, and executive management roles.

With more than 25 years of global experience, Craig has worked across mature, emerging, and high-growth markets, partnering with private equity firms, family-owned enterprises, ASX-listed companies, multinational corporations, and dynamic middle-market organisations. His strategic insight into leadership and organisational design has made him a trusted advisor to boards and executive teams navigating complex transformation, growth, or succession challenges.

Precision in every placement

Craig takes a bespoke, partnership-first approach to every search, investing the time to deeply understand his client’s strategy, culture, and leadership needs before recommending candidates. His track record of building high-performing leadership teams has earned him a reputation for discretion, effectiveness, and long-term impact.

"Great executive search isn't just about finding top talent, it's about delivering leaders who align with your vision, drive results, and fit your culture from day one."

With a bespoke approach to every search, Craig aims to ensure his clients build superior leadership teams, thus enabling them to create sustainable and competitive advantages in their respective markets.

Experience

Having joined Robert Half in London in 1999, Craig has held senior leadership roles across the firm in both the UK and Australia, bringing a well-rounded, globally informed perspective to executive search. Today, he brings a rare blend of global search expertise and regional insight to clients seeking to attract transformational leaders in competitive and fast-changing markets.

Areas of expertise

• C-suite and senior executive recruitment
• Private equity-backed leadership hiring
• Organisational transformation
• End-to-end, tailored search delivery
• Region: Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore

Case studies

• CFO placement for a high-growth technology company undergoing transformation
• CEO appointment for scaling, private equity–backed e-commerce business
• Appointing a GM for founder-led business

Explore insights and articles from Craig Bernhardt, our expert in executive recruitment and talent strategy in Sydney and Perth.

Based in Sydney, Jennifer leads the Execution Team for Robert Half’s Executive Search practice, specialising in sourcing and placing C-suite and senior executives across all industries in the Asia Pacific region. A trusted partner to the firm’s Managing Directors, she has successfully completed many highly confidential search assignments across finance, sales and marketing, operations, technology, legal, and HR functions.

Strategic, discreet, and human-centred executive search

With over 25 years of experience in London and Sydney, Jennifer brings deep institutional knowledge and a rigorous, consultative search methodology. She is highly skilled in headhunting, succession planning, and engaging passive candidates, often for business-critical roles. Known for her discretion, influence, and emotional intelligence, she builds trust quickly with both clients and senior leaders.

Jennifer’s collaborative approach, process discipline, and attention to detail make her a valued advisor who consistently delivers results in complex leadership search mandates.

"Executive search is equal parts strategy, psychology, and precision. It’s not just about who you know, it’s about how you engage them, earn their trust, and align their potential with the future of your client’s business."

Experience

Jennifer joined Robert Half in 1997, starting her career in the Financial Services practice of the company. Over the past 25+ years, she has held a variety of operational and leadership roles in both London and Sydney, giving her a comprehensive understanding of the international Robert Half business.

Gareth Whalley is a Managing Director at Robert Half’s executive search division, specialising in retained search for C-suite and senior leadership roles across finance, technology, human resources, marketing, sales, and executive management in Australia and New Zealand. His approach is defined by deep market insight, strategic thinking, and a genuine commitment to aligning leadership capability with business transformation.

With a career spanning multiple countries, Gareth has more than twenty years of experience in human capital, executive search, and recruitment. He partners with mid-market to enterprise organisations - many of them private equity-backed or undergoing significant change - to place senior leaders who can drive growth, lead through complexity, and deliver measurable impact.

A relationship-driven approach

Gareth is known for his ability to immerse himself in the culture and strategy of each organisation he works with. He takes the time to understand not just the technical requirements of a role, but also the company’s broader vision, leadership dynamics, and the change agenda at play - whether it’s a transformation program, cost optimisation, M&A integration, or business-as-usual leadership.

“The best part of my role is getting to know an organisation from the inside out, understanding where they are today, where they want to go, and finding the right leader to take them on that journey. Cultural fit is just as critical as technical capability, and I genuinely enjoy helping clients define what that means for their unique environment.”

His reputation is built on long-standing relationships, rigorous process, and a strong track record of delivering outcomes in high-stakes, business-critical hires. Clients often describe working with Gareth as a collaborative, transparent, and highly professional experience.

Experience 

After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with Ernst & Young in London, Gareth joined Viacom in an International Business Process Analyst role where he travelled around the world working in Viacom’s international operations. In 2006, Gareth joined Robert Half in Sydney and has specialised in facilitating senior placements across a variety of functions and industries. 

Areas of expertise

• C-suite and senior executive recruitment
• Transformational leadership
• Leadership consulting
• Culture-first search methodology
• Region: Australia and New Zealand

Case studies

• CEO appointment for a private equity-backed agribusiness
• HR Director appointment for a PE-backed consultancy undergoing expansion

Explore insights and articles from Gareth Whalley, our expert in executive recruitment and talent strategy in Sydney and Perth.

Karen Flanagan is an experienced business leader and Senior Associate at Robert Half’s executive search division, working closely with clients to source and place senior executives and C-suite leaders across a wide range of industries, including technology, manufacturing, healthcare, professional services, mining, and agriculture.

Shaped by extensive experience across large corporates and high-growth businesses, Karen’s recruitment expertise gives her a deep appreciation for what strong leadership looks like at every stage of a company’s journey. She understands the pressures her clients face and the kind of leaders who can make a real difference, not just on paper, but in practice.

Placing leaders who deliver, not just impress on paper

Karen draws on Robert Half’s bespoke tools and networks, along with her open, honest communication style and commitment to making the process as smooth and transparent as possible.

Karen brings energy, empathy, and expertise to every search. She is deeply collaborative, taking the time to understand each client’s strategic goals and leadership needs. She doesn’t just deliver a list of candidates—she presents a thoughtfully curated group of individuals who are capable of driving meaningful, long-term impact.

"I follow a ‘no surprises’ philosophy. By the time an offer is made, both sides should feel fully informed, aligned, and genuinely excited about what’s ahead. It’s not just about matching skills; it’s about aligning values and culture. That’s what leads to lasting, successful placements."

Experience

With more than 20 years of leadership and commercial experience across the Australian business landscape, Karen joined the executive search division of Robert Half in 2022 and has since been instrumental in ensuring smooth and effective search processes across the team. Her recruitment expertise is shaped by a career that spans both large corporates and fast-moving, high-growth businesses. Originally from Northern Ireland and calling Sydney home since 1999, Karen brings a warm, grounded, and insightful approach to every executive search engagement.