A defensive position

Ian Spencer will begin as executive director of defence and space at Defence SA on August 21.

Ian Spencer

Defence SA said that Spencer “will be responsible for the leadership and implementation of initiatives across all domains directly aligned to the state’s defence and space sector strategies”.

Spencer has four decades of experience in the defence, electronic warfare and space, having held leadership roles in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.

Spencer spent close to 26 years in the Royal Australian Navy, including 22 as a sailor/officer in the Naval Service.

Spencer is principal consultant at Intra-Pulse Solutions and was recently CEO at Asension.

Helicopter pilot to head Aerotech Group

Chris Boyd has been appointed to the newly-created position of CEO at Adelaide-based aviation company Aerotech Group, where he is chief pilot of its helicopters division.

Chris Boyd

Boyd held the role of head of flight operations at Aerotech Group from January 2016 to August 2024.

He was also head of aircraft airworthiness and maintenance control from 2015 to 2016 and commercial manager and pilot from October 2015 to August 2024 at Aerotech Helicopters.

Before this, he was a helicopter pilot at Access Helicopters, Babcock Mission Critical Services Australasia, Guardian Helicopters Inc. in Canada, and Alice Springs Helicopters.

Aerotech Group said Boyd “has overseen the introduction of new multi-engine helicopter types, implemented ISO accredited management systems, expanded into new markets and geographic locations, and widened the scope of company operations from single engine day VFR to NVIS, IFR and Medical evacuation”.

Formed in 1968, Aerotech has its head office at Parafield Airports and has a fleet of 40 fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.

The show must go on

Mitchell Butel has taken up the position of artistic director at Sydney Theatre Company after completing his six-year tenure at the State Theatre Company South Australia.

Mitchell Butel. Photo: Matt Byrne

Butel began his six-year tenure as artistic director at the State Theatre Company SA in late 2018 and will finish up in November 2024.

He is a four-time Helpmann Award winner who has acted in and directed over 150 theatre productions.

During Butel’s tenure, he commissioned The Dictionary of Lost Words, a co-production with the Sydney Theatre Company that was the State Theatre’s highest-selling show ever at the Dunstan Playhouse.

He also commissioned and produced other new works at State Theatre, such as Hibernation, Euphoria, Welcome Your New Life and The Questions.

In addition, Butel performed in State Theatre shows, including Candide, The Normal Heart, and Dance Nation and directed the Variety Gala at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival.

Non-Executive Director to join the Board of ASX-listed success story, Micro-X. Experience in commercialisation, complex manufacturing, international market growth, medical technology, research and development, institutional investment and capital markets, or ASX dynamics will be well regarded.

Board Members (two positions) to join the Board of Directors with worthy and iconic SA organisation, the Can:Do Group. Applicants with lived experience of disability, clinical experience in vision or hearing or allied health and generalist governance and business profiles with NDIS experience will be highly regarded.

Business Manager for Suneden Specialist School, a low-fee R-12 independent school highly regarded in the community as a leader in the field of special education for students with intellectual disabilities.

Business Manager for thriving and respected and growing coeducational Foundation to Year 12 school, Playford College located in northern Adelaide. A key strategic and operational leadership role across business, financial operations and infrastructure.

Jumping on board at Australian Vintage

Australian Vintage Limited has announced the appointment of Elaine Teh and Michael Bryne to its board as non-executive directors, while James Williamson will join the board as chairperson.

Williamson is chief investment officer at Wentworth Williamson – a substantial shareholder in Australian Vintage.

James Williamson

Before this, he worked for Allan Gray Australia and he was portfolio manager at Investec Australian Equity Fund.

Australian Vintage said he has over 20 years of experience in financial markets, including significant experience in covering alcoholic beverages as an analyst.

Elaine Teh

Teh is the founder and executive chair of Octopus Global Holdings – Australian Vintage’s distributor in Singapore and Malaysia.

Bryne has 30 years of experience as a non-executive director and leadership roles within the logistics, supply chain, retail and property services sectors.

Michael Byrne

This includes roles as managing director, chief operating officer and director of Toll Group Holdings, CEO of Coates Hire, Linfox and Westgate Holdings.

In May of this year, InDaily reported that a mooted merger of the Adelaide-based Australian Vintage and the Barossa Valley Wine Company would not go ahead.

Adelaide Marriot Hotel appoints executive chef

Alex Katsman

Alexandre Katsman has been appointed as executive chef of the new Adelaide Marriot Hotel on King William Street.

Adelaide Marriot said that Katsman will oversee an “enticing” new food and beverage offering at the hotel, adding that he has vast experience managing large-scale kitchen teams and designing inventive menus.

The Adelaide Marriot Hotel will open shortly in the former Adelaide General Post Office, which includes a 14-storey tower at its rear.

A miner change

Woomera Mining Ltd has appointed Ralf Kriege as its managing director, where he has been CEO since December 2023.

Ralf Kriege

Woomera Mining said Kriege has over 20 years of experience in all aspects of lithium, gold, base metals and iron ore exploration, as well as project development in Australia and South America.

Woomera Mining explores copper and gold in Mongolia, as well as battery metals (lithium nickel, copper and platinum-group elements) and gold in the Tilgarn and Pilbara Cratons of Western Australia.

Commercial lawyer joins Elders as non-executive director

Elders Limited has appointed South Australian resident Glenn Davis as a non-executive director, to commence on September 2, 2024.

Glenn Davis

Davis has 40 years of experience as a commercial lawyer and is a principal and co-founder of Adelaide law firm DMAW Lawyers.

He is the non-executive chairman of iTech Minerals and a director of SkyCity.

Davis was also non-executive chairman of Beach Energy Ltd from July 2007 to November 2023.

Elders offers insurance, real estate, financial services and agricultural services and is headquartered on Grenfell Street.

A shake-up at Maggie Beer Holdings board

Maggie Beer Holdings Ltd has begun the search for a new board member after the resignation of Kinda Grange.

Kinda Grange

The announcement comes following a restructure of the senior management team at Maggie Beer Holdings, aiming to reduce costs, increase revenue and return the company to profitability.

As part of the restructure, Sam Reece has been appointed as head of E-commerce and brand partnerships and Laila Khalid as Maggie Beer Products commercial and strategy.

Maggie Beer Holdings includes the Maggie Beer, Paris Creek Farms and Hampers & Gifts Australia brands.

Wallmans Lawyers bolsters leadership team

Adelaide-based law firm Wallmans Lawyers has announced the appointment of Tim Masters as special counsel and Rebecca Pit as human resources manager.

Tim Masters

Wallmans said Masters provides legal advice nationwide across various business and banking industry sectors and specialises more generally in Company Law and Banking and Finance Law.

He spent over 2 years at Piper Alderman as senior associate and associate. Before this, he was an associate and solicitor a Bradfield & Scott Lawyers.

Rebecca Pit

Before joining Wallmans, Pit was people manager at the Adelaide Venue Management Corporation and people and culture manager at Turner Real Estate.

Wallmans said her role includes employee relationship management, recruitment, training and development, performance management and work health safety.

In addition, Wallmans recently promoted Chris Clark and Sarah Lithgow to partners, Nick Crouch and Seamus Brand to senior associates and Tasman Wylie to special counsel.

Against the grain

Julie Bird has been appointed to the board of Grain Producers South Australia as an independent director.

Julie Bird

In addition to her newest appointment, Bird is also the independent chair of Australian Seafood Industries, non-executive director of the Cotton Research and Development Corporation, chair of Hort Innovation and owner/director of the Say It With Flowers florist in Malvern, Victoria.

During her career, Bird has also held roles on the Almond Board of Australia, the Australian Nut Industry Council, the Australian Apiary Industry Advisory Group, the Australian Apple & Pear Industry Advisory Committee, Plant Health Australia and Almond Investors Limited.

A new role at Carclew

Youth arts body Carclew has appointed Nick O’Connor to the new role of music specialist, which is “dedicated to increasing engagement with children and young people, connecting communities and schools through music”.

Nick O’Connor. Photo: Charlotte Smith

O’Connor is a member of the music project Heaps Good Friends and his career includes leading projects involving writing, recording and performing music across Australia and internationally.

Carclew said O’Connor has 13 years of experience in supporting young music enthusiasts at The Northern Sound System.

His accolades include the Geoff Crowhurst Ruby Ward (2018), SA Music Awards Best Pop Artist (2018) and Best Music Educator (2020).

Carcelw said O’Connor will curate, develop and deliver an annual program of music events, workshops and projects.

He will also conduct research and evaluation to support evidence-based programming to shape the future of the youth music sector.

The appointment comes following recent leadership changes at Carclew, including the appointment of a head of programming, general manager and producer and changes to its board, including the departure of former chairperson Rachel Healy.

Leadership change at SASY

Carolyn Granstkalns has joined the board of directors of Specialised Assistance School for Youth (SASY), following the appointment of Karen Taylor as its chief executive in March of this year.

Carolyn Granstkalns

Granstkalns is a trustee of the History Trust of South Australia board and a presiding member of the South Australian Teacher Registration Board.

SASY said she has extensive experience in the education sector and has had a significant impact on the industry during her time as an educator, principal, leader and board member of multiple organisations.