Corporate Ladder: your weekly guide to executive appointments
In this week’s executive appointments column, InDaily tracks the movements of those driving South Australia’s public and private sectors in industries including architecture and defence. Who’s who on the Corporate Ladder? Read on.
Anthony Coupe
New president to shape SA’s architectural institute
The Australian Institute of Architects SA Chapter has appointed Anthony Coupe as its new President.
Coupe has been a Chapter Councillor with the SA Institute for the past five years. He is also director of Adelaide-based design practice Mulloway Studio, which received the Institute’s 2019 Award for Urban Design.
His appointment follows former SA President Tony Giannone’s move to the national role of 2020 National President Elect, announced earlier this month.
A statement from the institute said Coupe was a former Executive Member and National Vice President for the International Council of Monuments and Sites, had volunteered on community development projects in Mexico and Laos and been involved in broader aspects of the profession including teaching, mentoring and design research at Adelaide University and the University of South Australia.
Perks appoints new director
Privately-owned South Australian accounting and wealth advisory firm has announced Nick Connelly as the newest Director in its Private Wealth division.
Connelly has been with Perks since 2008 and was appointed Associate Director in 2019.
In a statement about the appointment, the firm said Connelly had also played an integral part in the progression of the Investment Committee, which guides its investment strategy across a breadth of asset classes.
Perks Private Wealth Director Simon Hele said Connelly’s appointment further solidified the Private Wealth leadership team, as it continued to build momentum throughout 2020.
“Following the recent Royal Commission into the financial services industry, Perks Private Wealth has experienced strong demand for our services as clients seek out boutique, privately-owned financial advisers who have their best interest at heart,” he said.
“The uncertainty and challenges of this year have also highlighted the fundamental importance of our approach in providing strategic guidance to our clients and their businesses, to ensure they emerge stronger on the other side.”
Mining shifts
Thor Mining, which has exploration and development projects in South Australia and the Northern Territory, has announced executive director and exploration manager Richard Bradley will retire, effective October 29.
Bradley has previously held senior roles with mining companies Xstrata Zinc and Hillgrove Resources.
Nicole Galloway Warland is set to replace Bradley as exploration manager, with a new executive director still to be named.
A statement from the company said Warland had more than 25 years in the mining and exploration industry, working in geological provinces in Australia, Eastern Europe and South America.
She sits on a number of boards including as a Director of the Federal Council of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists and as the annual SA Exploration and Mining Conference Chair.
Top defence job
Boeing Defence Australia has named Kevin Beaulne to lead the company’s defence presence in the state as Regional Director – South Australia.
Beaulne joined Boeing Defence Australia in 2018, having previously held senior roles in aerospace and defence with companies including Babcock, BAE Systems Australia and Rockwell Collins.
He also spent 25 years with the Canadian and Australian defence forces, during which time he was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross.
Boeing Defence Australia Vice President and Managing Director Scott Carpendale said Beaulne’s appointment would strengthen South Australia’s position as a strategic hub for Boeing.
“Beaulne’s proud 15-year history with the Royal Australian Air Force as a maritime patrol aviator, coupled with his strong defence industry experience working for a number of primes, makes him ideally suited to his new role,” Carpendale said.
“He is well-placed to lead the company’s defence presence in South Australia and expand upon our world-class programs such as the E-7A Wedgetail and P-8A Poseidon while also further developing our offerings in the space, cyber and ISREW markets.”
Movements off the field
Independent professional director and business advisor Janet Finlay has joined SANFL as a member of the Commission, for a two-year term.
The chartered accountant currently sits on a number of South Australian boards, including as SA Water Corporation Director, University of Adelaide Council Member, St John Ambulance Director and Deputy Chair of the SA Libraries Board.
She has a commercial and finance background and spent 15 years as a Partner with accounting firm Ernst & Young.
Finlay said she gained a passion for AFL after moving to South Australia from Canberra in the early 2000s.
“My husband and I went to a Port Adelaide versus Hawthorn semi-final at Footy Park in 2001, knowing not very much about the game or the teams … it was a nail-biter and I was hooked. Unfortunately, Port lost that match but I’ve followed them ever since,” she said.
“I’m passionate about ensuring football is safe, welcoming and inclusive at every level. I hope with fresh eyes and a love of the game, together with finance, commercial and governance experience, I can support a sustainable future for football in SA.”
The SA Football Commission comprises seven elected members and two appointed members. Finlay was named an appointed member after Louise Small became an elected Commissioner for a three-year term in March.
In another part of the sporting world, Adelaide United announced Ivan Karlović as the Club’s inaugural Head of Women’s Football and Adrian Stenta as the new Adelaide United Women’s Head Coach.
The club said the Head of Women’s Football position was a new role which would further professionalise and support the development of young South Australian footballers. It comes on the back of Australia and New Zealand’s successful FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 bid and the club’s establishment of the Women’s Football Committee.
For the past three seasons, Karlović was the club’s Westfield W-League Head Coach after having played professionally for 12 years before retiring due to an ongoing knee injury.
As a result of Karlović’s new role, Adrian Stenta was promoted to Head Coach from assistant.
He was also in charge of the Adelaide United’s Youth Reserves for the past two years.
Positions vacant
As reported by InDaily last week, the Premier is on the hunt for a new head for his council on suicide prevention – the Premier’s Advocate for Suicide Prevention. It came after John Dawkins was axed from the role, despite winning an award for his work in the position.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA is looking for a new Fisheries and Aquaculture executive director.
The position advertised on Seek will be responsible for tackling key departmental challenges, including sustainable development and equitable allocation. Applications close September 21.
Meanwhile, the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure is searching for a Director of Communications and Engagement to manage the North-South Corridor infrastructure project communications.
In the private sector, fintech company Data Action is looking for a new Chief Financial Officer, while fellow IT consulting company Logic Plus is searching for a Chief Operating Officer and Mollydooker Wines in McLaren Vale needs a new Chief Commercial Officer to report to CEO Sarah Marquis.
The ABC is also searching for two new non-executive directors to fill upcoming vacancies on its board.
Corporate Ladder is part of our weekly Business Insights edition, which is brought to you by BDO.
