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.
Kris Lloyd AM (top left), Erika Vickery (bottom left), Michael Beasley (bottom centre), Tammy Barker (centre), Vaughn Lynch (top centre) and David Vincent (right) have all been appointed to new positions.
New Racing SA boss in the saddle
Racing SA Chief Operating Officer Vaughn Lynch will step up to CEO on Tuesday, replacing Nick Redin in the top job.
Lynch first joined Racing SA in 2019 as General Manager of Racing, Wagering and Projects before being promoted to Chief Operating Officer the following year.
His career has included senior roles across all three racing codes, including stints with Harness Racing Victoria, Greyhound Racing Victoria and as CEO of Tasracing.
Lynch is due to start as Racing SA CEO on November 1, beginning a month-long handover process with current CEO Redin who is not due to leave until November 25.
“We are delighted that Vaughn has accepted the role,” Racing SA Chair Rob Rorrison said in a statement.
“He has been a key part of our management team and integral to our business restructure over the past three years.
“He understands the landscape and gives us critical continuity of leadership as we tackle the relevant opportunities and problems in front of us.”
Redin has led Racing SA for two and a half years, with his first month as CEO coinciding with the start of the pandemic in March 2020.
He announced his resignation in August this year.
Perks calls time at Perks
Greg Perks, Co-Founder and Director at Perks Chartered Accountants, has announced his retirement from the company.
Perks has been with the Adelaide accounting firm since he co-founded it with his brother Harry in 1981.
The firm, now based on Flinders Street, says the 67-year-old is retiring as Director and Adviser but will continue to provide input as a member of the Private Wealth Investment Committee.
Perks said his decision to step away “is very much about freedom and having the freedom to do all the things that I’ve dreamt of doing and just haven’t had the time to do, like travelling and taking on new challenges”.
Perks Chartered Accountants has grown to 233 staff members and 26 Directors, according to the firm.
Regional mayor takes top LGA job
Naracoorte Lucindale Council Mayor Erika Vickery OAM has been elected President of the Local Government Association of South Australia for a two-year term.
Vickery, who officially started on Friday, has been Naracoorte Lucindale Mayor since 2010.
She is also Chair of the LGA’s South Australian Regional Organisation of Councils, President of the Limestone Coast Local Government Association and a Director at Country Arts SA.
Her election as LGA President sees her succeed City of Charles Sturt Mayor Angela Evans, who has held the role since October 2020 and will remain on the LGA board.
“I congratulate Angela on the wonderful job she has done as president and thank our South Australian councils for supporting and electing me to the role for the next term,” Vickery said in a statement.
“It’s an honour to serve as president and I welcome the opportunity to further represent our sector.”
Adelaide Oval gig for start-up founder
The Stadium Management Authority has appointed Utonic Beverages Co-Founder Michael Brinkley as MTX Club Director.
Brinkley, an InDaily 40 Under 40 alumni, has been Managing Director of Utonic Beverages for the last six years. He co-founded the sports beverages start-up in 2016 with Tyson Goldsack, Leigh Morgan and Toby Yap.
Prior to that, he worked in jewellery as a diamond buyer and designer and in the wine industry across a range of roles in sales, marketing and wine science.
His latest appointment will see him lead the MTX Club – Adelaide Oval’s only corporate membership club for matchday events – into season 2022/23.
Duo joins SA food peak body
Mitani Group executive Tammy Barker and Woodside Cheese Wrights Head Cheesemaker Kris Lloyd AM have joined the board of Food SA.
The duo’s appointment was announced at Food SA’s annual general meeting last week.
Barker has since August 2021 been Chief Operating Officer and Advisory Board Member at SA food products manufacturer Mitani Group.
Prior to that, she was a Senior Consultant and Client Manager at Deloitte for nearly a decade. She also held senior food technology roles at Nestle and Qantas.
Lloyd, meanwhile, has been Head Cheesemaker and Owner/Operator at Woodside Cheese Wrights since 1998.
The self-taught artisan cheesemaker won the Telstra Business Women’s national award for business innovation in 2010.
Food SA also announced last week that Alex Knoll, Seafood Operations Manager at Barossa Fine Foods, has been reappointed to the Food SA board, while Norman Waterhouse’s Johanna Churchill, Robern Menz’s Phil Sims and Golden North Ice Cream’s Dimi Kyriazis have retired as Directors.
Corporate Position: the latest executive employment opportunities
Flinders University is looking for a General Counsel & University Secretary to join its executive leadership. Reporting directly to the Vice Chancellor and working closely with the Chancellor and University Council, the successful candidate will lead the Legal, Risk and Governance functions for the University and manage a dedicated team of experienced professionals, providing strategic advice on policy, compliance, contractual, internal audit and risk matters while enhancing the governance framework and contributing to best practice and sound commercial decision making across the University. Applications are encouraged from appropriately qualified and accomplished legal executives with experience in a comparable role ideally within a highly regulated sector. Company Secretary experience in a large or ASX-listed entity will be highly regarded. Exposure to international business and complex commercial contracts will also be a distinct advantage. University experience is not a prerequisite.
The South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) is on the hunt for a Head of Finance. Working closely with the Board, Executive Director and Executive Team, this senior role will develop and execute strategies that enhance SAHMRI’s funding sources and ensure the organisation’s financial objectives and long-term sustainability plan are achieved. Leading the Finance Team, the successful candidate will further develop business partnering capability and drive continuous improvement of financial and KPI reporting tools and value to key stakeholders. Applications are invited from CA/CPA or equivalent candidates with proven experience in providing strong financial strategic leadership in a complex environment.
SAHMRI is also looking to appoint a Financial Controller to report to the new Head of Finance. This newly-created position will focus on leading the day-to-day management and integrity of financial processes, policies and procedures. The role will also be pivotal in the delivery of accurate and timely preparation of financial statements for all statutory entities and the annual financial reporting process. The successful candidate will be CPA/CA with proven experience providing sound advice, guidance and support to a wide range of stakeholders in a comparable financial leadership role. Highly developed technical accounting knowledge and an understanding of regulatory, compliance and other reporting requirements will be essential.
National employment services group Maxima is hiring a new Executive Manager Marketing & Communications. Reporting directly to the CEO as a critical part of the Executive Leadership Team, this important Adelaide-based role provides leadership, direction and guidance to all marketing, communications, public relations, sales and customer engagement activity across the Maxima group to ensure high visibility of the brand and high-quality communications with all stakeholders and both business and individual customers. Applications are encouraged from appropriately qualified candidates with proven experience in a national marketing strategy role. Demonstrated proficiency in setting and driving the full suite of marketing and communications aspects of an organisation combined with strong people leadership capability will also be necessary.
South Australian arts organisation Guildhouse is looking for a new CEO/General Manager following the departure of Emma Fey after five years. The new CEO will drive strategy development, identify new opportunities, implement projects and guide the promotion of Guildhouse and its activities to artists, organisations, institutions, businesses and funding bodies. Pivotal to this role will be the ability to develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with key public and private stakeholders together with an understanding and empathy for the way artists work together. Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced leaders with excellent communication, negotiation, leadership, strategic planning and commercial management skills combined with entrepreneurial flair and an appreciation of contemporary art, craft and/or design. Experience identifying and securing arts or related funding will be a distinct advantage, as will philanthropy and fundraising experience. Candidates from all diverse groups are strongly encouraged.
Author joins Festival Centre Trust
Adelaide arts journalist Katherine Tamiko Arguile has been appointed to the Adelaide Festival Centre Trust.
A contributor for InReview, Arguile is a Japanese-British-Australian author who migrated to Adelaide in 2008, with her first role being Senior Development Executive at the Adelaide Festival Centre.
Alongside her career as an author, which saw her publish her debut novel The Things She Owned in April 2020, she is also the Co-owner of Topham Mall café Booknook & Bean.
Arguile commenced her three-year-term with the Adelaide Festival Centre Trust on October 27. She replaced corporate lawyer Julia Knight, whose three-year term on the board expired this month.
“I look forward to sharing my experience in the corporate advertising and marketing sector, in academia and in the arts, as well as my cross-cultural perspectives,” Arguile said in a statement.
“As an author and arts journalist of mixed Japanese-British heritage and an advocate for the arts in enhancing community well-being, I look forward to making my contribution to the ongoing dynamism and diversity of the arts in our Festival State.”
Piper brings on energy lawyer
Commercial lawyer David Vincent has joined Piper Alderman’s Adelaide office as a Senior Associate.
Vincent is moving back to South Australia after three years with King & Wood Mallesons in Melbourne, most recently as Senior Associate (Projects).
Prior to that, he was a Legal Counsel with BHP in Adelaide and an Associate at Finlaysons.
His new role at Piper Alderman is within the firm’s Projects practice.
“David has significant experience working on major projects and we are delighted to have someone of his calibre joining our team,” Piper Alderman Partner Martin Lovell said.
“His hire is part of our national strategy to continue to grow capability in this area and respond to the increasing activity and influx of projects across the renewable energy, resources and infrastructure sectors.”
In addition to a Bachelor of Law, Vincent holds a Bachelor of Science majoring in Geology and Geophysics.
He is also a former SA Branch Secretary of the Energy & Resources Law Association and Member of the Legislation & Regulation Committee within the South Australian Chamber of Mines & Energy.
Tassie tourism exec wins top SATC job
The South Australian Tourism Commission has appointed Tourism Tasmania Chief Marketing Officer Emma Terry as CEO.
The appointment, announced last week, sees the SATC find its permanent replacement for Rodney Harrex, who vacated the role in July.
“Emma has a thorough understanding of where South Australia sits in the global tourism market and knows what is required for our state to compete for market share and to get the attention of consumers, drive business and build a successful brand,” Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said in a statement.
Terry has since May 2017 been Tourism Tasmania’s Chief Marketing Officer and is credited for being the “driving force” behind the state’s long-term strategic marketing and “consumer digital transformation”.
Prior to joining the tourism body, she was General Manager, Business Development at TasPorts; Strategic Brand and Marketing Manager with Aurora Energy; and Group Manager, Strategy and Customer at Tasmanian hotel company Federal Group.
The bulk of her career, however, has been in senior marketing roles with Tasmanian power and water consulting firm Entura, where she worked from 2003 to 2014.
Terry will replace Acting SATC CEO Stephanie Rozokos on January 9, 2023.
International appointment for Adelaide accountant
Mike Sweeney, Principal at Adelaide accounting firm Lee Green & Co Pty, has been appointed to the board of Russell Bedford International.
Sweeney’s appointment at the multinational accounting firm comes after nearly 18 years with Lee Green & Co – a member firm of Russell Bedford International.
The Chartered Accountant’s elevation to the board and appointment as Social Impact Committee Chair was confirmed at Russell Bedford’s global conference held in Vienna from October 19-23.
Sweeney is a former Commissioner of Basketball SA and remains Treasurer of Blind Sports SA and Chair of Basketball Adelaide.
He graduated from the University of South Australia in 1997.
Top SA history role revived
Former University of South Australia History Lecturer Dr Kiera Lindsey has been appointed South Australia’s History Advocate, in a bid to revive the abolished role of State Historian.
The History Trust announced last week that Lindsey, a Senior Research Fellow at Griffith University and the University of New England, would be taking on the newly-created role in November to help promote South Australia’s history and be a “go to” figure for the media and community on matters concerning the state’s past.
“The appointment of the new South Australia’s History Advocate rectifies the significant loss of the State Historian position abolished over 20 years ago as a cost-saving measure,” History Trust CEO Greg Mackie OAM said in a statement.
“South Australia’s History Advocate will help guide the documenting, collecting and sharing of the history which shapes us today, making it more interesting for new generations of South Australians.”
Lindsey worked at UniSA from 2012 to 2018 lecturing on Australian History and Australian Studies.
A published author, she has written on topics including Indigenous and women’s histories as well as speculative biography and life writing.
She is currently Vice President of the History Council of New South Wales.
