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Media Release · Sydney, NSW · June 2026

Yarning Crescent Strengthens Workforce and Infrastructure Capability Through Strategic Acquisition

Yarning Crescent is pleased to announce the acquisition of the civil construction, workforce mobilisation, HR consulting, executive search, and workforce solutions capabilities developed by Big Fish Consulting Group — representing a significant milestone in the organisation's continued growth and diversification across New South Wales.

Developed over more than two decades by respected workforce and business leader Emal Hakikat, these capabilities have supported organisations across workforce strategy, executive search, talent acquisition, HR consulting, project mobilisation, and organisational growth.

Throughout this journey, these services have been trusted by some of Australia's and the world's most recognised organisations — including Samsung, Toshiba, Porsche, Lendlease, KONE, Olympus, Johnson & Johnson, AECOM, Aristocrat, Genea, World Vision, and JVC Kenwood, among many other leading national and international brands.

The acquisition also brings a strong history of supporting major telecommunications and infrastructure projects across Australia, including involvement in the Vodafone and Optus national 3G rollouts, as well as landmark projects such as the M2 Motorway, M7 Motorway, and Cross City Tunnel — supplying specialist engineering, project management, and technical workforce capability to support successful project delivery.

Further strengthening the acquisition is the legacy of more than a decade of publishing Inside HR Magazine, one of Australia's leading human resources publications, reflecting a long-standing commitment to leadership, workforce innovation, and industry advancement.

This strategic expansion enhances Yarning Crescent's ability to support clients across construction, infrastructure, transport, utilities, government, community services, and commercial sectors, while continuing to create meaningful employment, training, and participation opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and local communities.

"This acquisition represents the coming together of capability, experience, and shared ambition. The foundations built over more than twenty years through Big Fish Consulting Group complement Yarning Crescent's vision of building one of Australia's leading Indigenous organisations."
"By adding proven expertise in executive search, HR consulting, workforce strategy, recruitment, and project mobilisation, we are strengthening our ability to support clients with workforce solutions that are both commercially effective and socially impactful. Importantly, it enhances our capacity to create employment pathways, strengthen Indigenous participation, and deliver lasting outcomes for the communities we serve."
Matthew Norris— Director, Yarning Crescent

As Yarning Crescent continues its expansion across workforce solutions, Indigenous engagement, community services, security, facilities management, training, and technology, this acquisition reinforces the organisation's commitment to delivering practical solutions that create value for clients, industry, communities, and Country.

Expanding capability. Strengthening partnerships. Creating opportunity.

Acquired Capabilities

Proven expertise now available through Yarning Crescent.

Executive Search
Senior and specialist talent acquisition across all sectors
HR Consulting
Workforce strategy, organisational design and people solutions
Workforce Mobilisation
Project workforce planning, mobilisation and management
Civil Construction
Infrastructure, transport and utilities project delivery
Workforce Solutions
Talent acquisition, labour hire and workforce strategy
Inside HR Magazine
Over a decade publishing one of Australia's leading HR publications

Organisations Served Through Big Fish Consulting Group

SamsungToshibaPorscheLendleaseKONEOlympusJohnson & JohnsonAECOMAristocratGeneaWorld VisionJVC Kenwood

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Whether you need workforce solutions, executive search, HR consulting, or infrastructure project support — we're ready to help.