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.
New partners at BDO’s Adelaide advisory team
BDO Australia has announced the appointment of Peter Horsman and Mark Harrington as partners of its Adelaide advisory team, joining existing partners Anders Magnusson and Kyffin Thompson.
Peter Horsman
Horsman specialises in internal audit, risk management, process improvement and compliance management.
He held a variety of roles at Deloitte for a twelve-and-a-half-year period, including most recently as principal of risk and controls intelligence.
Harrington is also a former principal of Deloitte, where he has been for the past nearly eight years.
Throughout his career, he has worked in Sydney, London, San Francisco, Stockholm and Canberra in roles ranging from a government advisor to a managing director and finance director.
Mark Harrington
At BDO, Harrington has joined as an infrastructure and project finance partner, consulting to government and industry in areas such as financial modelling, business processes and planning, and feasibility studies.
BDO said Harrington “is assisting with projects that implement government policy and initiatives, integrate infrastructure and urban design in growth precincts for housing, reduce the use of environmentally sensitive ground and river water, support regional development, and facilitate the renewable energy transition”.
“Mark and Peter’s appointments are a great start to our year of growth and expansion for BDO Adelaide, which will include moving to new premises later in the year, more than doubling our floor space,” said Rudy Pieck, who is managing partner of BDO’s Adelaide.
Jumping on board at MyVenue
Kari Escobedo
Kari Escobedo has joined the board of MyVenue, a sports, entertainment and hospitality venue point-of-sale company headquartered in Adelaide.
MyVenue said Escobedo has 20 years of leadership experience in sports tech, SaaS (Software as a Service) governance and fan experience innovation.
She was previously senior vice president and chief information officer of the baseball team the Seattle Mariners.
“After an extensive search, we’re pleased Kari has accepted MyVenue’s invitation to join the Board of Directors,” said MyVenue chair Philip Riquier.
“Her deep expertise in technology strategy, innovation, and governance further reinforces MyVenue’s diverse and experienced Board.
“These qualities will ensure MyVenue Continues to enhance its position as the market leader in next-gen POS solutions.”
Food charity hires a new Cooke
South Australian charity Food on the Table has announced Rikki Cooke as its CEO, taking over from outgoing general manager Roxy Jones.
Rikki Cooke
The not-for-profit said Cooke brings a wealth of leadership experience and a deep commitment to supporting vulnerable communities.
Cooke is the founder and former CEO of the charity Treasure Boxes Inc.
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She is also a registered social worker, a long-term foster carer and a former emergency care worker for the Department for Child Protection.
“I am honoured to join Food on the Table to lead an incredible, grassroots charity dedicated to ensuring no one in our community goes hungry,” said Cooke.
“I’m excited to work with an incredible team of dedicated volunteers, staff, and Board of Directors, like-minded philanthropic corporate partners, and generous community supporters to expand our impact in 2025 to create lasting change for those in need.”
Food on the Table said it is “dedicated to providing food relief to individuals and families experiencing hardship through partnerships with food rescue programs, local suppliers and community initiatives”.
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Business Manager for thriving Catholic co-educational secondary school, Thomas More College based in Adelaide’s high-growth northern region. This ELT role leads financial and business services to enable exceptional student outcomes. General Manager Community Development for the City of Salisbury, a leading local government entity with a growing economy in a culturally diverse community. This impactful strategic role will lead the delivery of social and community outcomes to enhance community well-being. |
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Inaugural director for Flinders University’s Factory of the Future
Professor Claire Lenehan will lead Flinders University’s Factory of the Future as its inaugural director.
Claire Lenehan
In this role, Lenehan will oversee the advanced manufacturing facility, which is currently being built alongside Tonsley Technical College.
Lenehan is a professor at Flinders University, where she is dean of research in the College of Science and Engineering.
Flinders University said she is a leading chemistry and forensics researcher with expertise working with industry and government.
“Professor Lenehan is a passionate advocate for university and industry and is uniquely positioned to lead the Factory for the Future through a transdisciplinary approach that realises its full potential,” said Raymond Chan, who is Flinders University’s deputy vice chancellor of research.
Flinders University said its Factory of the Future, which is a collaboration between federal and state governments and private industry, would bring together industry, education and researchers to develop capabilities in defence and digital technologies.
Former SeaLink CEO joins SAHMRI board
Former SeaLink CEO Jeff Ellison AM has joined SAHMRI as a board member.
Jeff Ellison
SAHMRI said he has decades of experience in the tourism and transport industries, as well as having commercial, governance, economics and finance expertise.
He is currently chairman of Hayborough Investments Partner and deputy chair of Tourism.
Ellison started his career as a chartered accountant and spent close to 29 years as chief executive and managing director of SeaLink Travel Group Limited.
Ellison is also a former non-executive director of Solstice Media, the publisher of InDaily.
“Already, SAHMRI research generates around $110m a year in health savings. My focus is helping SAHMRI identify strategic partnerships and commercialisation opportunities that deliver research outcomes even faster to Australians,” said Ellison.
SAHMRI is a not-for-profit health and medical research institute headquartered in “The Cheesegrater” building on North Terrace.
SALIFE contributor Kane Pollard to be inaugural Waite chef-in-residence
SALIFE contributor, award-winning chef and sustainability advocate Kane Pollard has been announced as the inaugural Waite chef-in-residence at the University of Adelaide.
Kane Pollard
The university said that Pollard will work with food scientists on the University of Adelaide’s research into the culinary industry.
In the role, Pollard will share his knowledge of the industry with staff and students in the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, as well as bring in other chefs for special events.
“We are looking forward to collaborating with Kane, who will bring an exciting new dimension to our portfolio of rapidly growing food product development research using novel raw ingredients,” said Professor Jason Able, who is the head of the school.
“Throughout his year with us, there will be a myriad of opportunities for Kane to explore our Waite-specific produce, which includes Indigenous foods, No-Lo wines, industrial hemp, pulses, and insects.
“In particular, our students will benefit significantly from the sharing of Kane’s knowledge through guest lectures and practical demonstrations -where any perceived boundaries of what’s possible will be blurred.”
Movements at Credit Union SA
Credit Union SA has welcomed Karen Beard to the newly-created role of chief transformation officer, while Liana Reinhardt has been appointed as chief experience officer.
Beard has more than 30 years of experience in the mutual sector and has been with Credit Union SA for the past eight years, including most recently as chief member and experience officer.
Credit Union SA said her new position is an evolution of the chief people and strategy officer role and reinforces its commitment to making transformation an ongoing part of the business.
Karen Beard
Reinhardt has more than 20 years of experience in senior leadership, executive and board roles in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods, retail and not-for-profit sectors in both global and local businesses.
She an executive leader at Credit Union SA since 2022, including most recently as its chief people and strategy officer.
Credit Union SA said Reinharat’s new role, “reflects Credit Union SA’s recognition of the importance of both members and partners, as well as a focus on small business banking as an area of key growth”.
In addition to these appointments, Jacqui Bullock has joined Credit Union SA as company secretary and general counsel, while Emma Ezhari has recently commenced as executive assistant for Credit Union SA CEO Todd Roberts.
Liana Reinhardt
Credit Union SA said Bullock will leverage experience from previous positions in her role, including as a senior government lawyer with the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, senior legal counsel at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank and a partner at HWL Ebsworth Lawyers.
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Ezhari has joined Credit Union SA from HLD Law, where she was executive assistant and office manager. Before this, she was an executive assistant at Hays.
Credit Union SA said it is “a South Australian-based member-owned financial institution with over 54,000 members and $1.8 billion in assets”.
A new Australian head for CYLAD
Romain Bertin, who is based in Adelaide, has been promoted to a partner at global consulting firm CYLAD.
Romain Bertin
Bertin joined CYLAD in 2013 as a consultant working with clients across Europe. In 2019, he relocated to Australia and has been director of CYLAD’s Australian operations since 2021.
CYLAD said Bertin has extensive experience in the defence and aerospace sectors, as well as a depth of knowledge in business transformation, project and portfolio management, bid management and the optimisation of operational and financial performance
“Romain’s work and dedication have been crucial to our success and growth in Australia and we are pleased to promote a new partner from within the firm, said Oliver Paget, who is partner of CYLAD in Paris.
“His appointment underscores our commitment to collaborating with Australian industry leaders and strengthens our presence in the country.”
Adelaide-based general manager for Wild Tech
Adelaide-based IT consultant Dan Whittle has been appointed as general manager of managed services at Wild Tech.
Dan Whittle
Whittle joins Wild Tech from Sydney, where he led Cheap as Chips’ cloud enterprise resource planning implementations, automated patrol and data infrastructure rollouts across 53 stores.
Wild Tech said he has skills in digital transformation, project management, enterprise IT infrastructure, supply chain management and retail.
“With Dan’s leadership, we’re strengthening our focus on delivering solutions that empower businesses to navigate an increasingly complex technology landscape. This division expansion reflects our vision to prepare organisations for the future of AI, cloud, and advanced digital capabilities,” said Wild Tech CEO Grant Wild.
Wild Tech is an Australian AI and transformation ICT partner based in Sydney.
A change of guard at the EHA Health Board
Sue Whitington
City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters councillor Sue Whitington has announced she will not renominate to sit on the Eastern Health Board (EHA) after 25 years of continuous service on the board.
Whitington is currently one of two elected members representing the Eastern suburbs council on the board.
Whitington first joined the EHA board following her election as a councillor at the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters in May 2000 and held the position of chair for 12 years.
“On behalf of current and former colleagues, I extend sincere congratulations to Cr Whitington for a quarter of a century of service on a regional subsidiary that has complex requirements and the important charter of promoting and enforcing public health standards that keep our community safe and healthy,” said mayor Robert Bria.
Connie Granozio
The City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters endorsed the nomination of councillor Connie Granozio as Whitington’s replacement at its February 3 meeting, who will serve on the board alongside fellow councillor and current EHA board member Kester Moorhouse.
At the same meeting, councillor Grant Piggot was re-appointed as the council’s representative on the ERA Water board.
The EHA and ERA boards are regional subsidiaries for the councils of Burnside, Norwood Payneham & St Peters and the Town of Walkerville.
Equipe Advisory advises of new director
Equipe Advisory has announced the promotion of Jake Richardson to director, after having joined as an associate director in September 2022.
Jake Richardson
Equipe Advisory said he has more than 16 years of experience in local and international markets and specialises in business advisory, tax, accounting, and mergers and acquisitions.
Before joining Equipe Advisory, he spent four and a half years in various roles at Blue Ant Media, including most recently as senior vice president of finance & operations in Los Angeles.
He has spent a significant part of his career in financial accounting and commercial roles overseas, including in Singapore, London and Toronto.
“Jake’s experience and strategic insight have been instrumental in our growth,” said Equipe Advisory co-founder Richard Bund.
“His leadership strengthens our ability to deliver high-quality advisory services while fostering the culture that defines Equipe.”
Founded three years ago, Equipe Advisory is an accounting and advisory firm based on Grote Street in the Adelaide CBD.
A new director at DW Fox Tucker Lawyers
Amanda Humble has joined DW Fox Tucker Lawyers as a director, bringing more than 35 years of experience in the legal profession.
Amanda Humble
Humble specialises in the areas of liquor and gaming, as well as property law, with a focus on strata and community titles.
She has spent the past four and a half years as a principal at Adelaide law firm Jones Harley Toole.
Before this, she was a partner at Solomon Humble Commercial Lawyers, where she spent almost eight years.
“Amanda is a highly regarded practitioner who will continue to bolster our talented team of commercial lawyers,” said Narelle Lee, the CEO of Fox Tucker Lawyers.
“We are delighted to have her join our commercial team specialising in liquor licensing, property, and business law.”
Experienced wine lawyer joins Dixon & King as director
Jason Duldig has started as a director of boutique corporate and commercial law firm Dixon and King.
Jason Duldig
Duldig is a commercial lawyer with expertise in the wine and agribusiness sectors.
He spent more than nine years as head of legal at Accolade Wines and for the past two years, he has been operating his own commercial and corporate practice, Made Law.
“Jason strengthens our offering across our corporate and commercial, wine and agribusiness, and M&A practice areas, and expands our services to include intellectual property and liquor and hospitality,” said Dixon and King.
