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.
South Australia’s industry advocate to help Whyalla businesses
John Chapman OAM’s role as South Australia’s industry advocate has been expanded by the state government as Whyalla Regional Coordinator.
John Chapman OAM
In this role, Chapman will help Whyalla businesses that have been negatively affected by difficulties at the city’s steelworks.
Chapman has been the SA industry advocate for the past nine months.
He is also a member of the SA Skills Commission and presiding member of the Construction Industry Training board.
Before this, he spent seven years as small business commissioner with the SA Government, as well as eight as CEO of the Motor Trade Association of South Australia.
“I look forward to spending considerable time in the “Steel” city in the coming months to support businesses, workers and the community while the steelworks are under the control of administrators Korda Mentha,” he said.
Aerometrex appoints acting CEO
Robert Veitch has been appointed as acting CEO of Aerometrex Limited, following the resignation of Steve Masters.
Robert Veitch
Veitch has been general manager of Aerometrex’s Metromap Business unit, which is an aerial imagery data providing service, for the past six months.
Before this, he spent 17 years as CEO of digital design company Delineate, which he founded in 2007.
“Rob has deep expertise in 3D technology including models, visualization, simulation, generative AI, immersive applications, scanning and additive manufacturing,” said Aerometrex non-executive chair Mark Lindh.
“His experience working on autonomous vehicles has given him considerable exposure to LiDAR, camera, radar and ultrasonic sensors, machine vision and mapping.”
Founded in 1980, Aerometrex is based in Glynde and provides high resolution spatial data products and services using advanced aerial mapping technologies.
Executive director appointed for Government Advertising and Insights Hub
Andrew Fotheringham has been appointed as executive director of Government Advertising and Insights Hub, which launches today.
Andrew Fotheringham
Fotheringham joins the role from the SA Motor Sport Board, where he has been head of marketing since 2022.
He has worked in senior marketing and communications roles for the government and creative agencies, including four years as general manager of marketing and communications events at the South Australian Tourism Commission.
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The state government said he has extensive experience in the research, development and implementation of advertising campaigns.
The new Government Advertising and Insights Hub will coordinate advertising for more than 30 state government agencies and will be responsible for delivering to the state government a “centralised brand advertising service” that builds “across-government brand equity”.
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Newly-created role of Executive General Manager Operations for Australian Naval Infrastructure (ANI) which is developing state-of-the-art infrastructure for the domestic manufacture of world-class naval vessels. This senior executive role will lead ANI’s Shipyard safety, operations, facilities, security and ICT teams to provide safe, efficient and compliant performance. General Manager Retirement Living for highly respected and significant aged and community services leader, Resthaven. Reporting to the Executive Manager Community Services and Retirement Living, this newly created role will make a pivotal leadership contribution to the future direction of Resthaven’s significant and growing retirement living portfolio. Director of Business for one of Australia’s finest independent Catholic boys’ schools, Blackfriars. Reporting to the Principal as a key member of the Executive Team and working closely with the Board, this senior role will lead a diverse business services portfolio including finance, property, governance, HR, administration and ICT. Packhouse Maintenance Manager for significant fresh produce leader, Perfection Fresh. This leadership role oversees and drives equipment reliability and maintenance excellence for Perfection Fresh’s impressive Two Wells packhouse in northern Adelaide. Community Services Manager to be based in Alice Springs for MoneyMob Talkabout, a NFP with a vision to empower Aboriginal communities to achieve economic well-being. The role leads multi-disciplinary teams across financial well-being, training, and community development programs. |
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Cricketer and sports columnist to chair SA Sport Hall of Fame Selection Committee
Former professional cricketer and sports columnist Ben Hook has been appointed as the chair of The South Australian Sport Hall of Fame Selection Committee.
Ben Hook
The selection committee recommends new inductees for the South Australian Sport Hall of Fame to its board.
Hook is a former first-class cricketer who represented South Australia in a match against New South Wales during the 1997/8 season.
Hook spent 20 years as a sports columnist, firstly for Messenger Community Newspapers before transferring to The Advertiser/Sunday Mail.
Hook left the Sunday Mail in July 2024 and has been running a weekly sports podcast.
The South Australian Sport Hall of Fame, which inducted its latest members on Friday, “recognises and promotes the outstanding achievements of South Australia’s greatest athletes and general members who have made significant contributions to Sport and South Australia”.
South Australia looks to strengthen trade ties with Malaysia
Nadzirah Ali has been appointed as South Australia’s trade and investment manager for Malaysia and will be based out of the Austrade office in Kuala Lumpur.
Nadzirah Ali
In this role, Ali will work alongside the South Australian Department of State Development to support trade missions and export initiatives and promote South Australia as an investment destination for Malaysian businesses.
Ali was most recently the inward investment lead at the United Kingdom’s Department for Business and Trade and before this, she was responsible for leading its infrastructure trade strategy for Malaysia.
“As part of our strategy to grow South Australia’s trade and investment opportunities in the region, it is important that we grow our engagement with Malaysia,” said South Australia’s Trade and Investment Minister Joe Szakacs.
“Through Malaysia, South Australia gains valuable access to Southeast Asia – one of the fastest growing regions globally – enhancing opportunities to create more jobs and greater prosperity for South Australians.”
Passing on the reins at Greyhound Racing SA
David Lewis. Photo: John Wah
Greyhound trainer David Lewis will be chair of Greyhound Racing SA (GRSA), where he has been a board member since 2020.
Lewis takes over from Grantley Stevens, who has been a member of the GRSA board for the past 10 years and chair since 2018.
GRSA said he is a business and marketing specialist with a background in the banking sector.
He spent nearly 30 years at People’s Choice Credit Union, including as chief member officer.
Nicolle Rantanen-Reynolds. Photo: John Wah
For the past six and a half years, he has sat on the UnitingSA board, where he is chair of its Finance & Audit Committee, as well as a member of the Great Client Experience Committee.
Meanwhile, Nicolle Rantanen-Reynolds, who has sat on the board since 2023, has been appointed as deputy chair.
Rantanen-Reynolds is a business and governance specialist who is currently a council member of Adelaide University, a board member of LLL Australia, president of The Grange Golf Club and a board member and chair of the governance and nominations committee at Clayton Church Homes.
A new chief operating officer for 1834 Hotels
Rodney Harrex has been appointed as chief operating officer of Norwood-based tourism management specialist 1834 Hotels.
Rodney Harrex
Harrex joins 1834 Hotels from the South Australian Tourism Commission, where he was CEO for more than nine years.
Before this, he spent more than 13 years at Tourism Australia, including most recently as regional general manager of UK/Northern Europe in London.
“Rod’s expertise in tourism strategy, destination growth, and leadership makes him an invaluable addition to our executive team,” said Andrew Bullock, who is CEO of 1834 Hotels.
“His vision and extensive experience will play a key role in further strengthening our portfolio, driving returns, and enhancing profitability for our hotel owners.”
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Movements at Minda Inc
South Australian intellectual disability provider Minda Inc has announced Karen Fullagar as its executive director of service delivery.
Karen Fullagar
Fullagar has been at Minda for the past three and a half years, where she was previously chief people officer and executive director of community and allied health services.
Minda said Fullagar has significant operational service delivery experience in the disability and aged care sectors, having spent six years in senior roles at Eldercare Inc.
In her new role, Fullagar will continue to lead community and lifestyle services and will also head the home and living and the children’s services teams.
Kat Kenyon
“I am delighted to appoint Karen to this executive role; her dedication, and consistent contributions to Minda and the people we support, have been exceptional,” said Minda’s CEO Dr David Panter.
Meanwhile, Kay Kenyon has been appointed to the new role of regional manager of Limestone Coast at Minda.
“With more than seven years’ experience in the youth and adult services sector, Kat will bring leadership, as well as strategic and operational management to the organisation with a focus on building strong relationships across the Limestone Coast,” said Minda.
Adelaide business and arts leader joins National Film and Sound Archive board
Adelaide-based business and arts leader Joe Thorp has been appointed to the National Film and Sound Archive board.
Joe Thorp
Thorp has been chair of the State Theatre Company South Australia for the past five and a half years.
He also spent two years as CEO of TechInSA with the Department for Industry, Innovation and Science and was formerly chair of governors at St Peters College and chair of Guide Dogs SA/NT.
The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia is country’s national audiovisual cultural institution which is responsible for collecting, preserving and sharing Australia’s audiovisual culture.
Humanihut welcomes new chief sales officer
Humanihut has welcomed Tim Pickford as its chief sales officer.
Tim Pickford
Pickford brings with him more than 40 years of experience in defence and commercial capability development and delivery.
Before joining Humanihut, Pickford spent nearly five years as director of strategy and business development at Hanwha Defence Australia.
He also spent five years at Rheinmetall Defence Australia as general manager of business development and head of business development land systems.
Pickford spent 27 years in the Australian army, including as assistant chief of staff to the multinational forces in Iraq, where he led a working group tasked with planning the constitutional referendum and Iraqi elections.
Humanihut is an Adelaide-based company offering re-deployable temporary infrastructure.
Former bombardier joins Clime Investment Management
Adelaide’s Adam Sferruzzi has been appointed the portfolio manager for the Clime International Fund at Clime Investment Management.
Adam Sferruzzi
In this role, Sferruzzi will manage more than $70 million as well as broaden Clime Investment Fund’s separately managed accounts and diversified portfolio capabilities.
Sferuzzi has had an 18-year career as a corporate and private bank financial adviser, including at ANZ and Westpac.
He also spent 20 years as a reservist bombardier in the Australian Army.
“Adam is a strong communicator, deep thinker, and disciplined investor. He served for 20 years as an Army Reservist Bombardier, firing howitzers and mortars, so we know he can think and execute under pressure,” said Michael Baragwanath, who is managing director of Clime Investment Management.
Clime Investment Management is an ASX-listed funds management and wealth business.
Jumping on board at Police Credit Union
Leonie Schulz has joined the board of Police Credit Union, bringing with her experience in law enforcement, governance and community service.
Leonie Schulz
Schulz will serve on the risk and risk committees of the Police Credit Union board.
Schulz has had a 24-year career with the South Australian Police, serving in both regional and metropolitan South Australia.
She has held investigative roles within the Serious and Organised Crime Branch and is currently a Detective Brevet Sergeant within the Financial and Cybercrime Branch.
She is currently on the board of the Police Association of South Australia and deputy chair of the Women’s Advisory Committee of the Police Federation of Australia.
Schulz holds an Australian Institute of Company Directors qualification as well as an Advanced Diploma in Public Safety (Investigations) and an Advanced Diploma of Policing.
