Corporate Ladder: your weekly guide to executive appointments
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.
Greg Stirling (top left), Andrew Lamb (bottom left), Andrew Kuhlmann (bottom centre), David Scotland (centre), Brenton Milewski (top centre) and Kylie Neal have all been appointed to new positions. Image: Tom Aldahn/InDaily
UQ leader takes on top UniSA role
Professor Tracy Humphrey, University of Queensland Head of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, will join the University of South Australia next year as Executive Dean: Clinical and Health Sciences.
Humphrey, whose byline has appeared in more than a dozen journal articles, has been responsible for 1500 students and 40 staff within UQ’s School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work during her time at the university.
Originally trained in midwifery, her research focus is on improving health outcomes during childbirth, especially for women in remote and rural areas.
She is also a former Dean of Health and Social Care at Edinburgh Napier University and Director of NHS Lothian – a Scottish NHS region with a population of nearly 900,000 people.
Humphrey’s appointment at the University of South Australia will see her replace interim Executive Dean, Professor Esther May, on January 16.
Returning to the Gallery
Guildhouse CEO Emma Fey has re-joined the Art Gallery of South Australia as Assistant Director, Operations.
Fey, who was the Gallery’s Development Manager from 2009 to 2014, has been with Guildhouse for the last five years.
She has also had intermittent stints in marketing and development roles with the University of South Australia and is currently Deputy Chair of disability services not-for-profit Community Bridging Services.
Her move back to the Gallery sees her take on the responsibilities of former Deputy Director Mark Horton, who was recently seconded from AGSA to the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
“Emma Fey is a respected leader in the visual arts sector in South Australia and I’m thrilled to welcome her to the AGSA directorate,” AGSA Director Rhana Devenport said in a statement.
“Her extraordinary passion for visual art and artists alongside her vision for governance, policy and strategy position Emma well to deliver on major projects and drive excellence in AGSA’s governance and operations.”
Fey will commence her new role on November 21.
Ownership refresh at Klemich
Adelaide real estate agency Klemich Real Estate has welcomed Andrew Kuhlmann and Brenton Milewski into its ownership structure.
The duo joins Chair Oren Klemich and Managing Director Matt Smith as owners of the 20-year-old luxury real estate agency based in Kent Town.
Kuhlmann, who works in sales, is a second-generation agent who joined Klemich in 2019. He has also spent time at LJ Hooker and his own agency Kuhlmann Realty.
Milewski comes from the corporate world and was appointed Property Consultant at Klemich in October 2020.
That came after 20 years in senior roles in the pharmacy retail sector, including more than three years as Network Development Manager at TerryWhite Chemmart and eight years as Store Development and Central Operations Manager with Chemmart Pharmacy.
Klemich Managing Director Smith said: “Andrew and Brenton bring energy, experience and expertise to the boardroom table and their insights will position us very strongly as we look forward to the next two decades of serving the Adelaide market.”
Energy boss ready to step down
Cooper Energy’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer David Maxwell has flagged his intention to retire during 2023, after the appointment of a successor.
Maxwell joined Cooper Energy in the roles during 2011.
Cooper Energy’s Chair John Conde said Maxwell “has been the cornerstone of Cooper Energy’s development during his leadership over the last 11 years and the board appreciates greatly his commitment, dedication and indefatigable pursuit of the company’s strategy”.
“In the meantime, it is business as usual at Cooper Energy. David will continue to lead the company and we anticipate a seamless transition to his successor sometime next year.”
Cooper Energy has retained Russell Reynolds to facilitate the new phase of the succession process.
Shopping centre movements
Adelaide Central Plaza Centre Manager Kylie Neal has joined Harbour Town Adelaide.
Neal has managed shopping centres across Victoria, the Northern Territory, Tasmania and South Australia for more than 20 years – spending the last six years in charge of Adelaide Central Plaza, part of the Sydney-based Precision Group of Companies.
Neal said she was “looking forward to guiding [Harbour Town Adelaide] through its next evolution”.
Her move from Rundle Mall to West Beach sees her replace Tania Rucioch, who has led Harbour Town as Centre Manager since 2011.
Rucioch has taken on a national role as Asset Manager for the Lewis Land Group – Harbour Town’s Sydney-based owners.
It comes amid a recent flurry of movements at the property group.
Company veteran Sarah Osborn has stepped up to work alongside Neal as Assistant Centre Manager and Finance Manager at Harbour Adelaide. She has spent nearly 15 years working at the shopping centre.
Aron Eltahir, formerly Harbour Town Adelaide’s Retail Leasing Manager, was in August promoted to National Leasing Manager.
Earlier this year, Tanya Demaria was also promoted from Harbour Town Marketing Manager to Regional Marketing Manager with additional responsibilities for Lewis Land Group assets in Queensland and New South Wales.
Corporate Position: the latest executive employment opportunities
The South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC) is looking for a new General Manager, Customer Engagement and Success. The successful candidate, reporting directly to the CEO and within the SATAC Executive Leadership Team, will oversee the applicant enquiry, assessment and offer cycle and play a key role in client engagement, whilst maintaining and enhancing a range of important stakeholder relationships. Applications are encouraged from emerging and proven professionals with appropriate qualifications and relevant experience leading a customer facing team in a comparable industry setting. Experience in tertiary admissions may be an advantage but interest is also strongly encouraged from candidates from related fast-paced and regulated domains.
The Architectural Practice Board of SA (APBSA) – the statutory authority responsible for administering the Architectural Practice Act which provides for the registration of architects and architectural businesses – is looking to appoint a new Registrar. This part-time executive officer role will have responsibility for: managing the day-to-day functions, operations and activities of the Board; providing expert advice to the Board on governance, policy and procedures; overseeing the management of the organisation’s financial resources including budgets, Board finance reports, annual financial statements and the annual report; and working with a variety of stakeholders including the Planning Minister, government organisations, and both local and national industry bodies. This position will suit an accomplished generalist with relevant experience, ideally in a regulatory environment. An understanding of legislation and legal procedures along with high level written and oral communication skills, collaboration abilities, a strong understanding of corporate and state governance, and knowledge of the commercial sector will be critical to success.
Material and lime producer changes leadership
Adbri board members have determined it is an “appropriate time for a change and leadership” and Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Nick Miller is leaving his role at the materials and lime producer.
Experienced senior executive Mark Irwin has been appointed interim Chief Executive Officer and will start in the role tomorrow.
“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Nick for his contribution to Adbri over the past few years, particularly for his leadership through the challenges presented by COVID-19,” Adbri Chair Raymond Barro said.
Irwin has experience in senior executive roles at OZ Minerals, BHP, Asciano, Transfield and GrainCorp.
“Mark’s immediate priorities upon joining will be driving our commercial performance in all end markets to improve margins and offset cost pressures, while acceleration our cost reduction and operation efficiency initiatives,” Barro said.
“He will also focus on our capital deploying to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the current environment, in order to deliver the best returns for shareholders.”
Lobbyist joins Diabetes SA board
Lobbyist David Scotland, former Policy Director at the South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy, has been appointed to the board of Diabetes SA.
He replaces Liz Burtnik, who resigned from the board in Feburary.
A former Ministerial Adviser to Agriculture Minister Rory McEwen, Scotland has since 2015 led his own lobbying firm, Outcome Advisory, which offers advice to companies across a range of sectors, including resources and energy, primary industries, and infrastructure and development.
He has spent the best part of the last five years with SACOME, joining in August 2017 as a Policy Consultant before being promoted to Policy Director in July 2018.
Scotland has been a type 1 diabetic since the age of 26.
According to Diabetes SA, all members of its board “have a personal association with diabetes, either living with diabetes themselves or with a close family member who has diabetes”.
Scotland said he was “very much looking forward to working with the board to help inform the Association’s approach to building government relationships and securing external funding”.
LVX exec joins Business SA
LVX Global Chief Growth Officer Greg Stirling has been appointed to the newly-created role of General Manager of Customer Engagement at Business SA.
Stirling, whose background is in brand development and marketing, has been with Lot Fourteen-based global tech company LVX Global since January 2021.
The South Australian’s career has also included stints at Coopers Brewery, SkyCity Adelaide and Pernod Ricard Winemakers. In December last year, he was appointed to the board of Centennial Park Cemetery.
Stirling started with Business SA today.
His appointment is the latest in a series of executive changes at the chamber of commerce, which has this year already appointed a new CEO, Director of Policy and Advocacy, and General Manager of Strategy and Finance.
Consultancy move for Renewal SA Director
Contamination and hazardous materials consultancy Agon Environmental has appointed Renewal SA’s Helen King as Technical Executive, Environment.
King has been with Renewal SA for nearly 14 years as Director of Environmental Services, responsible for environmental work on developments such as the Bowden high-density infill project, Tonsley Innovation District and Lot Fourteen.
Prior to that, she was Principal Hydrogeologist at the Environment Protection Authority.
Agon Environmental CEO John Iddles touted King as an “industry leader” who has been “fundamental to the establishment, growth and implementation of contaminated land legislation in South Australia”.
“Agon is extremely proud to welcome Helen King in an executive role for the management of environmental services across our National Profile,” Iddles said.
“Her wealth of experience will help cement Agon as a leading contaminated land service provider.”
LGA taps reform manager for advocacy role
The Local Government Association of South Australia has appointed Andrew Lamb as Director of Advocacy.
Lamb joined the LGA in 2019 as Local Government Reform Partner, managing the association’s advocacy and consultation on the former Marshall Government’s reforms to the Local Government Act.
Prior to that, he was Board Secretary of the Dog and Cat Management Board, Manager of Legal and Corporate Affairs at Adelaide Casino, and Chief of Staff to former South Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson.
Lamb’s new role at the LGA gives him responsibility for managing “key stakeholder relationships”, most notably with member councils and the state and federal government.
