Professional services with social impact

Brisbane-based MuraConnect is a recruitment and consultancy firm that’s taking a fresh approach in how it does business.

Founded by Phil Ahmat and Ash Kumar, MuraConnect was established with a purpose – empowering outcomes for all people, no matter their background or starting point.

And its commercial success is creating a bigger ripple effect that’s generating more opportunities for all communities.
As a certified Supply Nation provider, MuraConnect delivers recruitment, First Nations advisory and coaching services to clients across Australia. The firm works mostly with Queensland Government agencies, universities, mining companies and aged care providers, but its bespoke approach sets it apart from larger recruitment firms.

Phil, a proud Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal man with family ties to Badu Island and connections to the Mudburra people of the Northern Territory, brings a strong sense of cultural identity and community responsibility to his leadership of MuraConnect.

Relationships come before transactions

Rather than focusing on transactional opportunities, MuraConnect prioritises long-term partnerships.

"We try to avoid conveyor-belt work," Phil says. "We'd rather work closely with four or five organisations, really understand their business, and create lots of meaningful touchpoints."

Phil built the firm around a boutique model that allows the small team of professionals to invest time in understanding the needs of both clients and candidates.

In a fast-paced automated world, he believes real relationships remain the key to delivering better outcomes.

"In the age of AI, relationship building is becoming a dying art," Phil says.

"We still try to meet people in person, have coffees, and understand who they are, what they want to do and get in depth with their business."

Focusing on talent and opportunity

Although MuraConnect is proudly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-owned, its recruitment services support all Australians. The company recruits across a range of disciplines, including ICT, finance, procurement, project management and policy.

The firm also aims to create a future where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are recognised for their skills and expertise.

"I am driven by the vision that one day Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will be recognised for their skills, experience, and qualifications, not just because of their heritage, but because they are the best candidates," Phil says.

That vision is increasingly important in the technology sector, where MuraConnect sees enormous potential to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation and leadership.

Turning profit into purpose

MuraConnect operates as a profit-for-purpose business, reinvesting some of its success into programs that support young people.
One of its newest initiatives is an esports program designed to encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school students to learn through play while exploring career pathways in technology fields.

"We're trying to get more Indigenous kids into technology careers," Phil says. "One initiative we're about to launch is an esports league for Indigenous high school kids."

The program is a way for MuraConnect to inspire different career choices and help young people see the possibilities beyond their everyday world.

Building a legacy through business

Phil says entrepreneurship is about creating lasting change.

"Running a business is always a challenge, but a good challenge, and one that makes a real difference," Phil says. "This is about leaving a legacy."

His advice to aspiring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entrepreneurs is to ‘trust your instincts and persevere’.

"You're never going to get everything right. You'll hear 'no' more often than you'll hear 'yes'. But if you persevere, believe in what you're doing and put the work in, you'll be successful."

Indigenous Business Month opportunities

Connecting business to opportunity is the aim of Queensland Government during Indigenous Business Month.
By helping to build relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses, buyers and industry, participation in Queensland's procurement market becomes stronger.

Learn more about buyer and supplier events.