Julia Ross Human Resources was Australia’s largest independent recruitment and HR services company
For over three decades, Julia Ross has redefined talent innovation — connecting great people with great opportunities.
As founder of one of Australia’s most trusted recruitment organisations, she expanded across Asia and the UK and took the company public on the ASX.
Known for her people-first approach, agile strategy, and deep understanding of talent, Julia transformed the recruitment landscape.
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The History
Founded: 1988 (Sydney, Australia)
ASX listing: September 2000 (ASX code: RHD)
Founder: Julia Mary Ross, Executive Deputy Chair & Managing Director (1988–2011)
Founded in 1988 by entrepreneur Julia Ross, the Julia Ross Group—later known as Ross Human Directions (ASX:RHD)—grew from a single Sydney office into Australia’s largest independent recruitment and HR services company.
Listing on the ASX in 2000, it became the largest female-owned float in Australian history. By 2007 the group generated A$354 million in revenue and operated across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the UK, and Ireland, expanding into HR outsourcing and technology solutions.
Milestones included the A$31 million acquisition of Spherion Australia (2004) and the 2011 sale to Chandler Macleod in a US$62 million transaction. The company became a benchmark for scale, governance, and innovation in professional staffing.
Julia Mary Ross is a British-born entrepreneur who built one of Australia’s most successful recruitment and HR services groups from a single office to a public company with international reach.
Julia Ross is a pioneering entrepreneur whose vision transformed the Australian recruitment industry. Born in the UK, she began her career with Taylor Woodrow before moving into international recruitment, later founding Julia Ross Recruitment in 1988.
Over two decades she built the business into a global enterprise, leading its ASX listing in 2000—the first of its kind led by a woman in Australia.
A Times / Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year finalist and Telstra Business Woman of the Year award winner, Ross became one of the nation’s most respected self-made executives.
Following the 2011 sale of her company to Chandler Macleod, she continues to advise and invest in ventures promoting leadership, women in business, and corporate integrity.