Allura Partners is growing its Executive Search practice, and we're excited to welcome two experienced search professionals to the Sydney team. Sarah Curran and Karen Flanagan have joined us as Engagement Managers, bringing more than 30 years of combined experience across executive search, recruitment and commercial leadership.  

Their arrival is a deliberate step. It deepens our research and engagement capability at a time when clients are needing more from their search partners than ever before.

Investing in Executive Search

Allura was founded to help private equity firms place the C-suite leaders who drive transformation and scale portfolio companies. That work remains at the heart of what we do. Over time, our Executive Search practice has grown to partner with ASX-listed businesses, private enterprises and purpose-led organisations across Australia.

Great search outcomes are built on great research. Knowing the market inside out, mapping talent thoroughly and engaging candidates with care is what separates a strong shortlist from a long list of names. Bringing Sarah and Karen on board further strengthens our already robust methodology.

For our clients, it means more depth, more reach across sectors and a team with the capacity to give every search the attention it deserves. It also reflects a simple commitment: we will keep investing in the people and capability our clients rely on to make their most important appointments.

Meet Sarah

Sarah joins Allura with almost eight years of recruitment experience, the last several focused on executive search. She supports the appointment of C-suite executives and senior leaders, with sector expertise spanning NDIS, Child and Family, Aged Care, Health, Government and Education.

Most recently, Sarah was a Senior Researcher in the Executive Search practice at Orchard Talent Group, supporting senior appointments across government, higher education and community-facing organisations. Before that, she spent more than two years in healthcare and academic research, including a period as Acting Head of Research. Earlier roles in medical recruitment and compliance gave her a strong grounding in candidate care and getting the detail right.

Sarah's approach is people-centred and research-led. She works closely with clients to deliver values-aligned leadership outcomes and takes real pride in making the process a positive one for candidates and clients alike. She holds a Bachelor of Business and Management from Maynooth University, Ireland.

"What drew me to Allura is how seriously the team takes the research behind every search. In sectors like health, aged care and community services, the right leader changes outcomes for the people those organisations serve. I'm looking forward to bringing that lens to our clients and making sure every candidate has a positive experience along the way."
- Sarah Curran, Engagement Manager, Executive Search

Meet Karen

Karen brings a rare combination of executive search expertise and senior commercial leadership. She joins Allura from Robert Half's Retained Executive Search practice, where she spent more than four years sourcing and placing senior and C-suite executives across APAC. As a Senior Associate, she qualified and interviewed candidates, shortlisted for clients and deputised for the Managing Director when needed.

Before moving into search, Karen built a long career in media sales with some of Australia's largest media organisations, including News Corp Australia and Fairfax Media. As Group Sales Director at Fairfax, she led a geographically dispersed team through a major business transition and developed an award-winning sales function. That experience of leading people and delivering through change gives her a genuine understanding of what clients need from their leaders.

Karen specialises in senior management and executive placements across Technology, Manufacturing, Legal, Travel and Hospitality, Health and Aged Care, Professional Services, Heavy Industry and Mining, and Agriculture. She is known for her consultative, empathetic approach and for building trusted, transparent relationships with clients and candidates.

"Having led teams myself, I know how much one senior hire can shape a business. That's what I love about executive search. Allura's growth and its focus on doing search properly made this an easy decision, and I'm excited to help our clients find leaders who make a lasting difference."
- Karen Flanagan, Engagement Manager, Executive Search.

Looking ahead

Sarah and Karen's experience covers a broad mix of sectors, from health, community services and government through to technology, industrials and professional services. Together, they strengthen our ability to run rigorous, well-researched searches for clients across Australia.

Please join us in welcoming Sarah and Karen to Allura. If you're planning a senior appointment and would like to talk through your search, get in touch with our Executive Search team.