Corporate Ladder: your weekly guide to executive appointments in South Australia
South Australia’s premier executive appointments column tracking the movements of those driving the state’s public and private sectors. Plus, the latest executive recruitment opportunities.
Former SA premier lands a new job
Former South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill has joined the Susan McKinnon Foundation, leading its democracy strategy.
Jay Weatherill
Jay Weatherill was the 45th premier of South Australia from 2011 until 2018 and for the past five years, he has led the Minderoo Foundation’s Thrive by Five campaign, advocating for early learning reform.
The Susan McKinnon Foundation said that its “democracy focus area incorporates a range of programs aimed at addressing threats to Australia’s democracy, including misinformation, polarisation and declining trust in institutions”.
Weatherill will work alongside former New South Wales premier Michael Baird AO, who joined as CEO of the foundation last year.
“During his long period as Premier of South Australia Jay led some truly innovative work in Australian democracy, including the use of direct democracy tools like citizens juries and one of the largest participatory budgeting exercises in the world,” said Baird.
“He has also demonstrated an exceptional ability to build coalitions across political divides which is crucial to the non-partisan nature of SMF’s work.”
Banking on a new leader at Beyond Bank
David Marshall has been named as CEO of the Adelaide-based mutual bank Beyond Bank.
David Marshall
Marshall will relocate from Melbourne for the role, where he is currently CEO of Ultradata.
Marhsall has more than 35 years of experience in Australia’s banking sector, having served as CEO of Defence Bank from February 2018 until April 2024.
Before this, he also led Hume Bank and has held senior executive positions at Commonwealth Bank and Westpac.
“David’s deep understanding of customer-owned banking and his extensive experience in the fast-paced world of technology made him a natural choice to lead our bank as we continue to expand our commitment to deliver meaningful financial well-being to families and communities across Australia,” said Beyond Bank chair Sam Andersen.
Marshall will begin his role as CEO on March 26, taking the reins from interim CEO Wayne Matters.
Beyond Bank has also recently announced the appointment of Cindy Batchelor to its board.
Batchelor has three decades of experience in the banking sector and is co-founder and CEO of the startup Spiritum Scrubs.
Carers SA appoints CEO
Julia Overton has been appointed as CEO of Carers SA following what its board said was an extensive recruitment process.
Julia Overton
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Overton is currently a lecturer in public health at Torrens University Australia, where she has taught for the past five years.
Over her career, Overton has held various executive roles in the health and disability sector, including most recently as executive manager of commissioning and associate executive manager of health system integration and innovation at Country SA PHN, as well as general manager of client wellbeing at Lighthouse Disability.
She also served as CEO of the Health Consumers Alliance of South Australia and Country South SA Medicare Local.
“This appointment marks an exciting new chapter for Carers SA, and the Board and Executive Leadership Team, are looking forward to working with Julia to build on our strong history of advocacy and provision of quality supports and services for South Australian Carers for more than 30 years,” Mr Simmons said.
“Julia’s experience spanning across three decades in public health and the community services sector will be invaluable.”
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Leadership change at MS Society of SA & NT
Shaun Kennedy started as CEO of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of South Australia & Northern Territory.
Shaun Kennedy
For the past almost three years, Kennedy has been executive manager of corporate services at Barkuma, where he was previously manager of strategic projects.
Throughout his career, Kennedy has held various positions in human resources, including as general manager of people and strategy at ASC Pty Ltd and manager of people & performance at Westpac, as well as general manager of the City of Playford.
The MS Society of SA & NT said that “Shaun brings extensive leadership experience across private enterprise, government, and not-for-profit sectors, with a deep understanding of the NDIS landscape and social services delivery”.
“His experience in government advocacy for social reforms, combined with his commercial expertise, will be invaluable as we continue to enhance our services and support for both the MS community and employment seekers across South Australia,” they said.
New leadership at Town of Walkerville
Dr Andrew Johnson has been appointed as CEO of the Town of Walkerville.
Dr Andrew Johnson
Johnson joins the council from Local Government Association Mutual, where he has been CEO for the past six years.
Before this, he was CEO at Port Pirie Regional Council for 10 years and he has also held senior roles at Guyra Shire Council, Kingston District Council and Central Darling Shire Council.
Johnson also sits on the audit and risk committees of the City of Onkaparinga, the District Council of Yankalilla and the Campbelltown City Council, as well as being a fellow Certified Practicing Accountant and a member of LG Professionals.
“Andrew brings a wealth of finance and Local Government experience to the position,” said Mayor Melissa Jones.
“Andrew impressed Council with his collaborative team approach, track record with delivering projects and managing Council business, as well as his focus on engaging with the community and relevant stakeholders.
Johnson begins in early February and will take over from Andrew MacDonald, who stepped down from the Town of Walkerville in September 2024 to take up the role of CEO at Alexandrina Council.
UDIA SA recognises life members
John Stimson
John Stimson and Monish Bhindi have been recognised as life members of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (SA).
Stimson and Bhindi received the accolade at UDIA SA’s 2024 Christmas Luncheon for “their immense contributions to South Australia’s urban development sector through the UDIA SA”.
“Both have influenced key policy and reforms over some three decades and continue to do so in a variety of ways,” said UDIA SA.
Monish Bhindi
Stimson is a former president and office bearer of UDIA SA, where he has been involved for more than three decades.
He has been managing director of Stimson Consulting for more than two decades and currently sits on the South Australian State Planning Commission.
Monish has been director of the engineering company Greenhill for the past 20 years and previously served as president of UDIA SA from August 2017 until November 2019.
Top public servants join Flinders University council
High-ranking public sector executives Damien Walker and Clare Mockler have been appointed to the Flinders University council, serving a two-year term beginning in January 2025.
Damien Walker. Photo: DPC
Walker will also join Flinders’ Finance and Investment Committee, while Mockler has been appointed to the Audit and Risk Committee.
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Walker, a Flinders graduate, previously served as chief executive of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, who left in November for an equivalent role in the Queensland.
Before this, he was director-general of the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning in Queensland.
Clare Mockler
Flinders said the council oversees its strategic direction, “ensuring the University’s governance framework supports its long-term success while serving the needs of the broader community”.
Paralympics Australia gains 25 years of experience
Paralympics Australia has announced the appointment of Simon Rabbitt as its chief operating officer.
Simon Rabbitt
Paralympics Australia said Rabbitt brings more than 25 years of experience in the sports, major events, media and global interactive games sector.
Rabbitt is currently the chief financial and operations officer at Adelaide-based computer game developer Mighty Kingdom, having previously served as its interim CEO from October 2023 to March 2024.
Before this, he held roles ranging from chief business officer of Rugby Australia to chief operating officer and chief financial officer of FremantleMedia Australia and Asia, as well as on the Finance & Risk and Sustainability Advisory Panel of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 Local Organising Committee.
“Simon has held key Executive roles across Australia and Asia and will bring extensive strategic, commercial and financial experience to our organisation,” said Paralympics Australia CEO Cameron Murray.
Passing on the baton at Australian Medical Placements
Australian Medical Placements (AMP) has announced the formal transition of Tahlia Schalch to director, making her the third generation of her family to lead the business.
Tahlia Schalch
Schalch has general manager of AMP recruitment for the past three and a half years.
She has also been a marketing coordinator of AMPHEat and a hospital pharmacist at the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, having graduated with a master’s in pharmacy and a master of business administration.
Established in the early 1990s, AMP said it is one of Australia’s largest privately owned medical recruitment companies, “having helped over 5,000 doctors and health professionals find work and having provided more than 2 million hours of placements to clients”.
Burnside Council CEO brings climate expertise to EPA
New Burnside Council CEO Julia Grant has been appointed to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) board.
Julia Grant
The EPA said Grant brings significant climate change expertise to the board, having been instrumental in the creation of South Australia’s Climate Change Act 2006 and the introduction of the Water Industry Act 2012.
Grant has 20 years of experience in the public sector and recently started her role as CEO of the City of Burnside.
Before this, she has been director of strategy and engagement at the City of Onkaparinga and executive director of IT consultant EY, as well as holding roles with the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources and the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
She is also a member of the Premier’s Climate Change Council and chair of the Heavy Industry Low-emissions Transition CRC.
Grant fills a vacancy left by Dr Helen Macdonald, who served on the board for more than 10 years.
The EPA Board said it “is the governing body of the EPA for regulatory powers and matters associated with the Environment Protection Act 1993 and provides strategic direction, oversees the development of environmental policy, and monitors performance”.
Defence Teaming Centre bolsters leadership team
Defence Teaming Centre (DTC) has announced the appointment of Kerryn Smith as general manager of capability development.
DTC said that in this role, Smith will “grow the capability and capacity of Australia’s Defence Industry mid-tier in collaboration with primes, state and federal government and the Department of Defence”.
Kerryn Smith
Smith joins DTC from the Legacy Club of South Australia & Broken Hill Inc, where she has been CEO for the past three years.
Smith, who began her career in the Royal Australian Airforce, has also been deputy CEO of the Defence Teaming Centre and was CEO of the Australian Industry and Defence Network (NT), among other roles in the defence sector.
“Kerryn is a proven industry enabler with a strong network who understands the sector intimately,” said DTC CEO Libby Day.
“She will work closely with me to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our diverse member base and we have no doubt she will be invaluable in our drive to grow the mid-tier of the Defence sector in what is a particularly pivotal time for them.”
DTC is based in Adelaide and said it is “a leading not-for-profit member-based industry association that invests 100% of its earnings into maturing the Australian defence sector through a variety of services, educational initiatives, events, networking and advocacy”.
Winemaker joins for the 2025 vintage
Balnaves of Coonawarra has announced the appointment of Maddie LeMire as its winemaker, joining in time for the winery’s 2025 vintage.
Maddie LeMire
LeMire joins Balnaves of Coonawarra from Bekkers Wine in McLaren Vale, where she has been assistant winemaker for the past year and a half.
LeMire graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology in 2023 and has gained experience at wineries in Burgundy and Pomerol, France.
“Maddie’s enthusiasm and passion for the wine industry is a perfect match for Balnaves, on our unwavering quest to produce outstanding wines from the famous Coonawarra region,” the Balnaves family said.
Balnaves of Coonawarra was established in 1975 by Doug and Annette Balnaves and specialises in cabernet sauvignon as well as chardonnay and shiraz.
