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.
Adelaide Festival Centre CEO heads to Saudi Arabia
Douglas Gautier will become CEO of the Royal Arts Complex at King Salman Park in Riyadh, after announcing his retirement from the Adelaide Festival Centre in October last year.
Douglas Gautier
Gautier has spent almost two decades as CEO and artistic director of the Adelaide Festival Centre, which he joined in 2006, and will step down in the second half of this year.
The Adelaide Festival Centre said that during his leadership, Gauiter initiated a program-led revival, which increased audience numbers to 1 million.
His tenure also saw the securing of major productions such as the debut of Disney’s Aladdin, the introduction of festivals like OzAsia, Adelaide Cabaret Festival and OUR Mob, and the redevelopment of Her Majesty’s Theatre.
The yet-to-be-completed Royal Arts Complex will cover 500,000 square metres and will include a Museum of World Cultures, the National Theatre, Arts Library, Arts Cinema, Sculpture Pavilion, the Dome and the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts.
In his new role, Gautier will be responsible for managing and operating the complex, as well as developing its cultural programs.
“I am honoured to join the Royal Arts Complex at this pivotal stage of cultural development in the Kingdom,” said Gautier.
“This project represents a unique opportunity to contribute to a global cultural dialogue celebrating Saudi heritage and international artistic achievements.
“I look forward to collaborating with esteemed artists, curators, and cultural leaders from the Kingdom and across the globe to realise this ambitious vision.”
Carclew CEO appointed acting commissioner for children and young people
Carclew CEO Mimi Crowe has been appointed as the acting commissioner for children and young people for the next three months.
Crowe has led Carclew for the past two years and is also chair of Brink Productions theatre company.
Mimi Crowe
Carclew said that during her time, Crowe has championed youth arts in South Australia.
Before joining Carclew, Crowe led the Creative City program at the City of Adelaide, and she spent more than six years as producer of Tarnanthi.
Throughout her career, she has also held senior roles at the National Association for the Visual Arts, State Theatre Company South Australia, Arts South Australia and within the Office for Design and Architecture SA.
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Robyn Jones
Carclew’s general manager, Robyn Jones, will be acting CEO of the arts non-for-profit while Crowe carries out her tenure as commissioner.
Jones joined Carclew in July 2024 and is currently also a board member at The Mercury.
Before this, she spent three years at the South Australian Film Corporation, where she was chief operating officer and head of operations.
Carclew said that she has extensive experience in financial management and governance in the South Australian screen industry.
“Robyn’s strategic thinking and innovative approach have been instrumental in delivering transformative projects and securing major government contracts in the past,” said Carclew.
“As acting CEO, she will continue to guide Carclew’s mission of connecting all children and young people to the world of creativity as artists, learners and audiences.”
Experienced fast-moving consumer goods executive rejoins Maggie Beer Holdings Ltd
Hamish McLeay has rejoined Maggie Beer Holdings Ltd (MBH) as general manager of Maggie Beer Products and Paris Creek Farms.
McLeay previously held this role from May 2023 to December 2023.
Hamish McLeay
MBH said that McLeay has more than 25 years of experience in the fast-moving consumer goods industry.
McLeay joins MBH from Balfours Bakery, where he has been general manager since December 2023.
Throughout his career, McLeay collectively spent more than eight years at Campbell Arnotts, including as director of category, strategy and shopper marketing.
He also spent more than four years at Wrigley Company – a subsidiary of Mars Inc – as sales director of the Pacific region.
“Hamish’s recent experience includes running mid-sized food-focused operations with an emphasis on overseeing manufacturing sites and driving operational excellence,” said MBH chairman Mark Lindh.
“He knows the Company well from a previous role, enabling him to quickly onboard and support the Board’s restructuring and cost-management strategy.”
McLeay’s appointment comes after a recent restructuring of the MBH senior management team to reduce costs and increase revenue, with the possible sale of Paris Creek Farms also mooted.
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General Manager Risk and Compliance for Lutheran Homes Group. Reporting to the CEO, this newly created senior role will drive strategic leadership in enterprise-wide risk and compliance management, safeguarding the integrity and long-term sustainability of this highly respected human services provider. Business Director role for respected and forward thinking co-educational Anglican school, Pulteney Grammar, located in the Adelaide CBD. This broad and influential general management role leads core business operations including finance, ICT, property and administration. Manager, Corporate Governance Office for Renewal SA, the South Australian government’s urban development agency delivering some of the state’s largest urban development projects. Lead and enhance a culture of governance literacy as custodian of Renewal SA’s corporate governance and project governance frameworks to ensure high level performance and compliance. |
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Senior counsel joins the judiciary
Lisa Dunlop SC will join South Australia’s District Court as a judge on May 5, Attorney-General Kyam Maher announced last week.
Lisa Dunlop SC
Dunlop fills a vacancy left by the upcoming resignation of Judge Joanne Tracey.
Dunlop has more than 20 years of experience with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, where she was previously acting director.
In August 2024, she was also appointed as a senior counsel by South Australia’s chief justice, Chris Kourakis.
Maher said Dunlop is a “widely respected prosecutor with an exceptional legal mind”.
“Over the course of her career, she has been involved in numerous complex, challenging cases and has always acquitted herself with the utmost professionalism and skill,” he said.
“I look forward to the contribution she will make to the judiciary.”
A new chair for Feast Festival
Stay informed, daily
Penny McAuley has been appointed as chair of Adelaide’s Feast Festival.
Penny McAuley
Feast said that McAuley has 35 years of experience in the arts, culture, local government and disability advocacy sectors.
Throughout her career, McAuley has been manager of Wesley social enterprises at UnitingSA, general manager of SALA Festival, head of marketing and events at South Bank Brisbane, program manager of Vibrant City for the City of Adelaide and patron services executive at the Adelaide Festival Centre.
McAuley was also appointed to the inaugural state government Rainbow Advisory Council.
“This role is about taking responsibility and having the courage to say, what could we be doing differently, what could we be doing more impactfully, and how do we bring our entire community with us along the journey,” says McAuley.
“Not just because we should, but because we are stronger, more sustainable and further reaching together.”
Feast Festival is an LGBTQIA+ arts and cultural festival dating back to 1997.
Brand SA appoints associate director
Brand South Australia has announced the appointment of Kristen Eckhardt as its associate director.
Kristen Eckhardt
Brand SA said that Eckhardt brings extensive experience as a senior marketing executive to the role.
Eckhardt joins Brand SA from the Port Adelaide Football Club, where she has been chief marketing officer since February 2023.
Before this, she spent four and a half years as executive director of marketing and customer experience at Adelaide Festival Centre.
Throughout her career, she has also held senior marketing roles at Arts Centre Melbourne, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image and the National Gallery of Victoria.
Brand SA said her expertise spans brand development and positioning, audience development and digital strategy.
Eckhardt’s appointment comes following the addition of Jennie Zeiher, Pauly Vandenbergh and Kirsty Balnaves to the Brand SA earlier this year.
RSM Australia adds new partner
Professional services firm RSM Australia has announced the appointment of Mitch Cramey as a corporate and international tax partner in its tax services division in Adelaide.
Mitch Cramey
Cramey is a chartered accountant who spent more than 18 years at Ernst & Young, including most recently as director of transfer pricing and international tax.
Cramey said he has close to two decades of experience in providing tax compliance, corporate advisory, international tax and transfer pricing advice to both inbound and outbound multinational clients.
Cramey’s appointment brings the total number of partners at RSM Australia to 151.
Adelaide Hills Tourism executive officer gets to work
Stella Biggs has today started her role as executive officer of Adelaide Hills Tourism.
Stella Biggs
Biggs joins from the Department of State Development, where she was associate business development manager of green economy.
Biggs has also held roles at Zoos South Australia, the Adelaide Economic Development Agency and the Tourism Industry Council SA (TiCSA), where she was an industry development executive.
“Stella considers it a privilege top support our local operators, strengthen regional networks, and further the Adelaide Hills as a premier tourism destination, with her extensive networks across State and local government ensuring she is well placed to lead our amazing region into its next chapter of tourism excellence,” said Adelaide Hills Tourism.
A new voice for Cruise 1323 breakfast
Craig Huggins
Long-term Cruise 1321 afternoon host Craig “Huggy” Huggins has been named as the new breakfast host of the GOLD Network radio channel.
“It’s been an absolute privilege to connect with listeners over the years, and I’m looking forward to starting this new chapter,” said Huggins.
Huggins has been presenting on Cruise 1321 since 2005 and takes over the breakfast timeslot following the departure of John Dean last month.
“Huggy has been a standout talent within our network for years, and we’re thrilled he’s stepping into Breakfast on Cruise 1323,” said GOLD Network head Sue Carter.
“His passion for radio and his incredible connection with listeners make him the perfect choice to lead the show.”
Huggins will begin his new role on April 28.
