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.
Matt Smith (top left), Heather Croall (bottom left), Rob Manton (top centre), Narelle Lee (centre), Stephanie Clota (bottom centre) and Bruce Djite (right) have all been appointed to new positions.
Law CEO on the move
Lynch Meyer Lawyers CEO Narelle Lee has taken up the same position at DW Fox Tucker Lawyers.
Lee, who had been with Lynch Meyer since 2018, has had a career in management spanning nearly 30 years.
Her longest stint in one job was with national corporate law firm Thomson Geer as Office Manager (Human Resources) in Adelaide. She is also a former Office Manager at sportsmed.
DW Fox Tucker said Lee arrives “with a mandate to modernise how we work” and touted her “multi-skilled organisational expertise, commitment to continuous cultural development, and proactive eye to opportunities or risks”.
She replaces retiring Chief Financial Officer Joy Virant, who was with DW Fox Tucker since 2018. The decision to appoint a CEO as replacement follows a management restructure, a DW Fox Tucker spokesperson said.
The law firm also recently announced the appointment of Special Counsels Evyenia Walton and Lecia Wood.
Walton was previously Managing Director at Interpret Legal while Wood was Special Counsel at Charlton Rowley.
Djite makes property move
Committee for Adelaide CEO Bruce Djite has been appointed Executive Director of the South Australian Property Council.
Djite, the former Adelaide United striker and then Director of Football, was announced last week as the Property Council’s permanent replacement for Daniel Gannon.
Gannon has since gone on to take a national role with the lobby group.
Djite is due to start with the SA Property Council early next year, taking over from interim SA Property Council Executive Director Bryan Moulds.
“I am delighted to be taking up this opportunity and continuing to make a contribution to the future of our state representing such an important industry for South Australia,” Djite said in a statement.
“I look forward to working closely with Property Council members, Division Councillors, staff members and stakeholders.”
Djite left Adelaide United in July 2021 to take up the top job at the Committee for Adelaide.
The Committee for Adelaide says its Deputy Chair Alicia Genet will be stepping in to guide the organisation in Djite’s absence while a search commences for a new CEO.
The think tank also last week announced new appointments to its board.
Adelaide Fringe CEO Heather Croall, Deloitte Managing Partner Hendri Mentz and GPEx CEO Stephanie Clota have all been appointed Committee for Adelaide Directors for 2023.
Corporate Position: the latest executive employment opportunities
The Motor Trade Association of SA/NT (MTA) is the peak employer organisation dedicated to protecting and growing the retail, service and repair sector for the South Australian and Northern Territory automotive industry. A unique opportunity has emerged for a human resources generalist to step in as People and Culture Manager. This important role will report directly to the CEO and lead both strategic and operational HR initiatives, including providing specialist services as a trusted advisor to the executives, managers and employees; facilitating end to end talent management services incorporating recruitment, induction, performance management and career development; and promoting a positive culture by administering a safe, harmonious and healthy work environment for staff and students. Applications are encouraged from qualified professionals with demonstrated experience in a comparable role. The successful candidate could be an emerging or proven human resources leader and will naturally model MTA’s values of teamwork, achievement, accountability, respect and excellence.
Siblings Australia is a not-for-profit that has supported siblings of people with disability since its establishment in 1999. The organisation is now looking for a Stakeholder Engagement & Marketing Lead to report to the newly appointed CEO. The successful candidate will be responsible for the strategic planning and implementation of community and sector engagement to enhance partnerships and participation in Siblings Australia services, programs and projects. The position also oversees the marketing function and is the natural brand custodian for Siblings Australia. Applications are encouraged from appropriately qualified and experienced professionals with supreme relationship building, organisational and marketing skills and a genuine affinity with Siblings Australia’s vision and values. Applications are also strongly encouraged from individuals with a family experience of disability.
REISA looks to Klemich
The Real Estate Institute of South Australia has added Klemich Real Estate Managing Director Matt Smith to its board.
Smith has led Klemich since 2008 and has been with the firm since 2004, during which time he won the REISA Salesperson of the Year award three times.
He is also a former President of the Society of Auctioneers and Appraisers.
“It is both an honour and a privilege to join the REISA Board and to have the opportunity to be able to give back to an industry that is so important to the local economy,” Smith said in a statement.
Smith’s appointment follows the resignation of Timms Real Estate Director Valerie Timms and Refined Real Estate Director Victor Velgush from the REISA board.
REISA also last month announced the appointment of Maxima’s Andrea Heading as its new permanent CEO.
Heading is due to start on January 9, 2023.
New look Veterans Council
The State Government has appointed eight new members – including a new Chair – to the Veterans’ Advisory Council.
Colonel Robert Manton, a long-time former Director at Veterans SA, has been appointed to Chair the Council.
A veteran with more than 30 years in the Australian Army, Manton has since moved into emergency management and works as a Local Recovery Coordinator on Kangaroo Island.
Meanwhile, Miranda Van Hooff has been appointed Deputy Chair. She is currently Executive Director of Military and Emergency Services Health Australia after more than 20 years as a researcher at the University of Adelaide.
The Veterans’ Advisory Council has also welcomed lawyer Hayley Boswell, veteran Taylor Cowell (now with Saab Australia), veteran and lawyer Bill Denny AM BM (inaugural Veterans SA Director), Air Force veteran and Aboriginal Culture Broker Alex Houthuysen (Hill), former Rural Business Support CEO Kay Matthias, and Air Force veteran and Legacy Club of SA CEO Kerryn Smith.
