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.
CEO of Nova Systems secures top defence job
Current Chief Executive Officer of Nova Systems Jim McDowell has been appointed Deputy Secretary of Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment at the Australian Department of Defence.
McDowell is the former Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems Australia and Saudi Arabia.
He is the current Non Executive Director of x-ray technology company Micro-X and Governor of St Peter’s College.
Steven Robinson has been appointed to Nova Systems’ newly created role of Chief Operating Officer to ensure continued focus on strategic initiatives McDowell was responsible for as recruitment commences for a new CEO.
Robinson is the current Executive General Manager of Nova Systems and has been with the company for more than 14 years.
Prior to joining Nova Systems, he served for almost a decade at defence and space manufacturing company Raytheon Technologies.
Former SA Governor oversees million-dollar development
Former South Australian Governor Kevin Scarce has been appointed Independent Chair to oversee the new Mount Gambier Education and Training Precinct.
The $59 million project will service students, regional training providers and the broader community to bolster education and training for the Limestone Coast.
Scarce joined the Royal Australian Navy College in 1968 and served in the Vietnam War after graduating.
He became Rear Admiral and was appointed Chief Executive of the South Australian Defence Unit.
In 2007, Scarce was appointed as the 34th Governor of South Australia and was appointed as the 16th Chancellor of the University of Adelaide in 2014.
He has served as a Member, Officer and, most recently, Commander of the Order of Australia.
Flinders University fills new CMO role
Flinders University has appointed Bev Bury as its new Chief Marketing Officer.
Bury joins the university from her role as Director of Marketing Operations at the University of Adelaide.
Prior to working in the higher education sector, Bury worked in tourism for over a decade as General Manager of Marketing and Creative Services for the South Australian Tourism Commission and as Director of Domestic Marketing for Tourism Northern Territory.
SA Vice-Chancellor nominated for top role
University of South Australia Vice-Chancellor and President Professor David Lloyd has been nominated to serve as the next Chair of Universities Australia.
Lloyd has been with the University of South Australia for over a decade, joining the university in 2013 from Trinity College Dublin where he was Bursar and Director of Strategic Innovation.
He is the current Deputy Chair of Universities Australia and has been a Member of its Board since 2017.
The appointment of the new Chair and Members of the Board will be announced at the Universities Australia annual general meeting on 31 May 2023.
Corporate Position: the latest executive employment opportunities
Not-for-profit organisation The Leaders Institute of South Australia is looking to appoint a new Board Member to the role of Treasurer. With a focus on strategic and financial governance, the Treasurer will Chair the Audit and Risk Committee and work with the Chief Executive Officer to assure the organisation’s financial operation. The institute is in a sound financial position with unqualified audits over many years. Senior finance professionals with CA/CPA and AICD qualifications are encouraged to explore this governance opportunity with a highly regarded entity advancing the leadership capability of South Australia.
Adelaide Eye Surgeons is looking to appoint a Practice Manager. Reporting to the Directors, the Practice Manager will be responsible for leading the administrative team to provide professional, friendly, and timely services to the medical specialists and their clients. The role will be responsible for team management, administration, customer service, facility and finance management and marketing. Whilst full-time is a preference, a part-time configuration of the role will be considered to secure a strong candidate.
Health executive starts new role
The Hospital Research Foundation Group has appointed Rajiv Chand to its newly created role of Chief of Client and Patient Services.
Chand joins the group from Medibank Private where he most recently oversaw its nursing and allied health clinical portfolio.
Chand was previously Director of the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network Older Persons Mental Health Service and is the former CEO of Dementia Australia SA Division.
MFS promotes veteran to deputy
The South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) has appointed Jeff Swann as Deputy Chief Officer.
Swann is the current Acting Assistant Chief Fire Officer and has more than two decades of experience in firefighting and emergency response.
He also has over 20 years of experience in Surf Life Saving, including as a member of the helicopter rescue crew.
He has been the Vice Chairman and Director of the Fire Service Credit Union for 13 years and was more recently appointed Director of the Fire Service Superannuation Fund.
The appointment comes ahead of the retirement of current Deputy Chief Officer Paul Fletcher on 14 July 2023 after 38 years with the MFS.
New CEO for Heart Support Australia
Heart Support Australia, the peak national body supporting Australians affected by heart disease, has appointed Christian Verdicchio as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Verdicchio joins Health Support Australia from Macquarie Health where he was Corporate Allied Health and Cardiac Rehabilitation Manager.
He is the current European Society of Cardiology European Association of Preventive Cardiology Young Ambassador of Australia and an Executive Member of the CSANZ Allied Health, Science and Technology Council.
Verdicchio has a PhD in Medicine from the University of Adelaide where he was awarded Dean’s Commendation for Doctoral Thesis Excellence.
Chief Scientist educating a new generation
Paddy Neumann has been appointed Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Adelaide’s School of Architecture and Civil Engineering.
Neumann is the Chief Scientist of Neumann Space, a Lot Fourteen-based company delivering electric spacecraft propulsion systems.
Neumann has a PhD in Plasma Physics and Materials science from the University of Sydney as well as a Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Science, Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronomical Engineering; Experimental Plasma Physics and a Master of Science (Research), Experimental Plasma Physics.
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