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.
Beston goes global for new CEO
Beston Global Food Company has appointed international dairy and soft commodities executive Fabrizio Jorge as its new Chief Executive Officer.
The South Australian dairy company announced on the ASX earlier this month that Jorge – currently Chief Operating Officer at baby formula company Bubs Australia – would take the helm at Beston on April 1 this year.
The Brazilian born executive has more than 25 years of experience in the dairy industry and has worked across five continents. His résumé includes a 12-year stint with Nestlé in various high-level logistics and management roles and more than a decade as an executive with New Zealand dairy multinational Fonterra.
Jorge has also been intimately involved with the Australian dairy sector with recent board roles on the Australian Dairy Industry Council and the Australian Dairy Products Federation.
Beston Chair Dr Roger Sexton said Jorge’s credentials made him the best leadership candidate to take Beston into the third stage of its 10-year business plan.
“Fabrizio’s extensive global experience in senior management roles across the dairy and food and beverage industries makes him an ideal person to lead Beston into its next stage of growth and development,” he said.
Beston has become one of Australia’s largest Mozzarella producers and makes cheese at factories in Jervois and Murray Bridge with revenues exceeding $100 million in 2020-21.
Jorge will replace acting Beston CEO Darren Flew, who has been in the role on an interim basis since the resignation of former Chief Executive Jonathan Hicks from the company in July last year.
Business SA promotes new policy chief
Business SA has promoted Senior Policy Adviser Kendall Crowe to Director of Policy and Advocacy.
Crowe replaces Andrew McKenna, who has been with the chamber of commerce since 2013 and was promoted to the role in February 2020. McKenna has taken on a self-employed role with newly registered business SAJMAC Industries, according to his LinkedIn.
Crowe joined Business SA in March 2021 after a career in the public sector, most recently as Manager of Government Relations with ReturnToWorkSA.
She has advised ministers on North Terrace and in Canberra on a wide range of policy issues spanning from child protection to immigration and has held senior policy roles with the Department for Child Protection and the Guardian for Children and Young People.
Touted for her political nous, Crowe said it was a particularly important year for Business SA given this year’s state and federal elections.
“Businesses have borne the financial burden of the pandemic so far. I am looking forward to advocating on their behalf to ensure they can keep their doors open and keep people in jobs,” she said.
“I’m eager to work closely with our members to support them in 2022.”
Corporate Position: the latest executive employment opportunities
Resthaven Incorporated is a respected leader in the growing aged and community services sector in South Australia with a workforce of over 2,700 and an annual turnover around $205 million. Resthaven has 35 sites across metropolitan Adelaide and regional South Australia delivering quality services to older people and their carers.
The Manager Community Services Marion and Inner Southern Suburbs will have direct oversight of the Marion and inner southern suburbs portfolio responsible for a budget of $10m and a staff of around 145.
The role will play an integral part in promoting principles of consumer-directed care and re-ablement, maintaining the Division’s ability to embrace the Federal Government’s ongoing aged care reform agenda to operate in an increasingly competitive environment to support an individual’s choice to remain at home.
Applications are encouraged from professionals with extensive management experience, preferably from an aged care, health care or human services environment.
Alive Catholic Early Learning is committed to creating positive early learning experiences for children aged from 6 months to 5 years. It currently has three centres, one based in the northern suburbs, one in the south-western suburbs and one in the Adelaide Hills. Two further centres are in the planning stages and a progressive rollout of further sites is envisaged over the next five years and beyond.
Based from a central office on the fringe of the Adelaide CBD, the General Manager Operations – Early Learning Centres will have a challenging but rewarding opportunity to contribute to the future growth and direction of an exciting portfolio of Early Learning Centres (ELCs).
Applications are encouraged from candidates with appropriate qualifications in early childhood education and previous experience managing a multi-site or large early years education facility. As this is a hands-on role, the ability to oscillate between operational and strategic demands will be important.
Cavpower is a proud South Australian owned and operated family business representing a strong global brand. The company is globally recognised as one of the leading Caterpillar dealers, providing exceptional customer service in sales, rental, parts, servicing and equipment rebuild of Caterpillar products.
The SHEQ Manager will lead and manage all aspects of safety, health, environment and quality systems across all business units with an emphasis on enhancing safety culture and maintaining compliance and continuous improvement of safety performance.
Applications are sought from appropriately qualified WHS professionals with demonstrated practical experience in a large business preferably in heavy industry, manufacturing or an aligned industry.
Former SA Health exec to lead Minda
Dr David Panter, CEO of private aged care provider ECH, has been appointed Chief Executive of disability services organisation Minda.
Panter has been with ECH since 2015 when he resigned as CEO of the Central Adelaide Local Health Network where he played a key role in the development of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital.
The experienced health and human services executive spent more than a decade as an executive at SA Health after moving over from England in 2004.
Minda Chair and President Joanne Denley said Panter’s breadth of experience across health, aged care, housing and disability was a key asset for the organisation.
“His experience in leading complex service delivery organisations in the health, aged care, housing and disability sectors will ensure Minda continues to be a leader in the disability sector,” she said.
“David has long experience working with people living with intellectual disabilities and his vision, strategic input and proven leadership experience will be a great asset to our team.”
Panter will take over at Minda on January 24 and replace interim Chief Executive Judy Curran, who has led the organisation since October after the departures of former CEO Kym Shreeve and Chief Operating Officer Jocelyn Graham.
New direction for Adelaide Festival
The Adelaide Festival has appointed former Edinburgh Festival Fringe Chair Kath Mainland as its new Chief Executive.
Mainland is currently the Co-CEO and Executive Director of RISING (formerly known as the Melbourne International Arts Festival), where she has worked since 2016.
Touted as a globally recognised leader in the arts, Mainland held a number of high-profile roles in Scotland including CEO of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society and Chair of Festivals Edinburgh.
Her new appointment in South Australia comes after former Adelaide Festival Executive Director Elaine Chia left the organisation in November after around a year and a half at the helm.
Adelaide Festival Chair Judy Potter described Mainland’s appointment as a “coup” for the organisation.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have Kath join Adelaide Festival, bringing with her experience from some of the world’s pre-eminent arts companies,” Potter said.
“With her clear and decisive leadership, she is primed to navigate the new world that international arts festivals now face.”
Mainland will take over as Chief Executive of the Adelaide Festival in April at the conclusion of the 2022 festival season.
