PeopleIN

This morning, PeopleIN was proud to host the latest East Coast Forum, a defence networking gathering that brought together leaders across government, infrastructure and private enterprise. The conversation was led by Major General (Ret’d) Adam Findlay AO, PhD, who unpacked how rising global tensions are reshaping Australia’s defence priorities, and why forward planning has never been more critical. With key decision-makers in the room, including leaders from GIICA, Brisbane 2032, NIOA, Wagner Group, McNab and the Queensland Government, this was more than a briefing. It was a call to think critically, act early and collaborate across sectors to strengthen Australia's sovereign future. As a workforce partner already supporting critical national projects, PeopleIN was proud to host the discussion and keep the focus where it matters, capability, readiness and action.

From paddock to native habitat in 12 weeks. At a recently completed site near Forest Reach Estate, Timberwolf Planting, our environmental management brand, led the full land rehabilitation: 754,000 plants 20,000 tree guards 63,000 square metres of jute matting All delivered on time, despite asbestos, heritage constraints and weeks of rain. When you need scale, speed and full-service delivery from start to finish, we’re ready. Read the case study below.

Former Matilda Amy Chapman didn’t see herself as a salesperson. Then she realised influence, connection and trust weren’t just part of the job, they were the job. Once she owned that, her results changed. For anyone leading client facing teams, the takeaway is clear: Help your people identify the strengths they already have and show them how to use them in the market. Full episode dropped in comments.

In a recent article by The Australian, our Managing Director Ross Thompson spoke to a growing challenge for the Australian Defence Force, a shortage of qualified personnel in critical support roles. We’re talking about logistics. Maintenance. Engineering. The workforce behind the frontline. Ross outlined how PeopleIN is ready to help fill this gap, recruiting up to 1,000 job-ready candidates from Papua New Guinea each year, trained to meet Australian standards through our existing infrastructure and partnerships. We’re not new to this. As one of Australia’s largest Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme employers, we’ve helped thousands of Pacific workers contribute to essential industries including agribusiness, food manufacturing and logistics. Now, we’re ready to support Defence with the same practical, people-first approach, delivering capability where it counts. Read the full article in the comments (subscription required).

In high trust industries, access matters. Amy Chapman entered MedTech without the “locker room” connections others relied on, but she still had to deliver. Her approach? Get crystal clear on the value you bring, then find creative ways to show it. It’s a reminder for leaders: if you can’t remove the barriers, make sure your people have the tools and confidence to perform anyway. Full episode in comments.

Today marks the finalisation of our healthcare agency consolidation, as NNA Nursing officially joins First Choice Care, uniting our teams and clients under one trusted, national brand. This milestone marks more than a structural change. It means greater benefits for the people who matter most – our clients, our candidates and our people. The consolidation gives clients streamlined access to skilled healthcare professionals, a consistent service backed by PeopleIN, and candidates more opportunities nationwide with one trusted brand, all supported by our people - a team dedicated to their success and wellbeing. And it’s only possible thanks to the exceptional teams who’ve navigated the change with passion and commitment. Thank you. One brand, one incredible team – First Choice Care.

From the Matildas to MedTech and now to the couch. Amy Chapman has led in two high performance arenas. On the field, she represented Australia more than 20 times. Off it, she’s founded Australia’s first fully online MedTech training program, building the next generation of clinical sales and support leaders. In this 20 minute episode of Convos on the Couch, Amy joins PeopleIN Founder Thomas Reardon to share the leadership principles sport gets right and the mistakes business keeps making. They dig into why feedback is a performance signal, not a formality, how to structure teams around individual strengths and why daily habits outperform chasing the “big win”. High pressure lessons. Straight talk. No fluff. Watch the podcast in the comments.

We’re excited to welcome Anton Roe to PeopleIN as the new Managing Director of Halcyon Knights. Anton will lead the next chapter of growth for Halcyon Knights, guiding the agency’s growth across Australia and building on its strong reputation as a leader in Technology & IT recruitment. With a proven track record of scaling high performing teams and delivering for clients in fast-moving sectors, Anton brings both strategic vision and hands on leadership. Under his direction, Halcyon Knights is set to sharpen focus and create even more opportunities for clients, candidates and our people. Welcome to the team, Anton - we’re looking forward to what’s ahead.

This morning our Regional Workforce Management agency hosted its annual RWM Think Tank alongside sister brand Perigon Group as part of the Ekka Agribusiness Networking Event. The topic was 'Energy v Agriculture: Who’s Planning for the People?' Moderated by our Founder and Executive Director Thomas Reardon, the panel featured Brent Finlay, Cye Travers and Andrew Chapman and sparked a powerful conversation about how the shift from farmland to energy infrastructure is reshaping regional jobs, land use and community life. For our guests, it was a rare opportunity to hear directly from agribusiness leaders on what is happening on the ground, the policy gaps impacting progress, and the practical workforce strategies that are helping some businesses stay ahead. The session also unpacked real-world examples of long term workforce planning, including Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme and backpacker programs and blended workforce models, offering attendees insight into the tools available to strengthen and future proof their operations. Thank you to everyone who joined us. We're proud to create space for these conversations and support the businesses shaping regional Australia.

Listening is not weakness. Tom Court unpacks how he handled competing voices, alpha personalities and tough calls on the field and why the same thinking applies in business. Being right is less important than getting it right. Full episode with Tom Court and Thomas Reardon in comments.