Allura Partners Continues Melbourne Growth: Ian Branch Joins to Focus on Tech Recruitment

Ian Branch has joined Allura Partners’ growing Melbourne team as a Principal Consultant, strengthening its technology recruitment expertise. With an impressive track record in mid to senior-level recruitment across diverse sectors, Ian will contribute his knowledge, particularly in software engineering for health, government, ASX-listed companies, and private equity. His appointment reinforces Allura Partners commitment to delivering top-tier talent – in both permanent and contract roles – in the dynamic technology space.

A Proven Specialist

Ian’s recruitment career began at Adecco, where he honed his skills in permanent recruitment within the healthcare industry. This experience established Ian's understanding of client needs and strength in building relationships, qualities that remain central to his approach today.

Ian’s transition into technology recruitment came with his move to Launch Recruitment, where he managed technology searches for roles within the Victorian government, before transitioning into private sector recruitment, where he focussed on building out software engineering functions for ASX-listed companies across diverse industries.

Ian said he has lived and breathed technology for most of his life.  “My family has a background in tech – my father was a CIO – so technology is in my DNA… I get a great deal of satisfaction from building relationships with people in technology, learning about new areas in the space and helping companies grow by identifying the most skilled and knowledgeable talent,” he said.

A Changing Landscape

Over the past 12 to 18 months, Ian has observed significant changes in recruitment trends, and he’s excited about the opportunities these changes present.

“From the beginning of last year, we saw a lot of innovation projects put on hold, especially in the Melbourne market,” he said. “Companies were focussing more on replacing and improving existing technology rather than embarking on new ventures.” However, he said, innovation is back.

“The market is shifting again. We’re starting to see more innovation projects come back online, particularly in sectors like financial services and consulting, which were previously cautious about investing in new technologies.”

This resurgence of innovation means both clients and candidates need to be prepared. “For candidates, the key is to be specific about your skills and how they align with the industry you’re targeting,” Ian advised. “It’s no longer enough to be a generalist in technology – you need to show that you understand not only the technical requirements but also the broader business context.”

Explaining further he said, “In software engineering, clients have become very precise about the kind of talent they need. It's essential to understand not just what the company is building, but why, and how it will impact their staff, customers, and broader operations.”

For clients seeking top talent in a saturated market, he said a focussed approach is mandatory. “When there are too many options, it can be overwhelming. So, clients need to be specific in their search criteria and they need to streamline their processes. This is where partnering with experienced recruiters and executive search consultants can make all the difference. We act as a sounding board, helping clients narrow down their search to ensure they secure the best fit for their needs.”

To help clients navigate this increasingly complex landscape, Ian keeps his finger on the pulse of the industry, closely following news and developments. “I’ve also built a referral-based network of candidates and clients, allowing me to connect with professionals who are not only skilled but also the right fit for specific roles,” he explained adding “Matching candidates with the most suitable opportunities is what I thrive on”.

Building the Melbourne Team

Having joined Allura Partners, Ian said he is looking forward to contributing to the expansion of the new Melbourne office.

“Allura Partners is well established in Sydney and has a strong reputation in the market… Having the opportunity to build and shape the Melbourne team while leveraging such a trusted brand is a fantastic challenge. We have some great people in place, and I’m looking forward to collaborating with them to grow the business.”

If you work in technology and are looking to speak about your next career move, or a leader seeking to build a top-tier technology team, please reach out to Ian