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.
Jim Liu has been appointed CEO of Orana, marking the first leadership change at the disability services organisation for nearly 15 years. Photo: supplied
Literacy org reads up on new CEO
Raising Literacy Australia has appointed Elizabeth Davis as its new Chief Executive, replacing founding CEO Sue Hill who has been in the role for more than 15 years.
Davis has an extensive career in executive management which includes an eight-year stint as Executive Officer and Founder of the Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation, two years as CEO of the Leukaemia Foundation (SA) and three years as Executive Officer of the CFS Foundation.
She takes the helm of Raising Literacy Australia after nearly 16 years as CEO of fundraising consultancy Human Foundations.
Reading Literacy Australia Chair Peter Withy said Davis would bring an “incredible passion and depth of expertise” to her new role.
“We look forward to the exciting developments ahead as Raising Literacy Australia continues to extend its reach to families and children both here in South Australia and nationally,” he said.
Davis’s latest appointment comes alongside her ongoing board commitments with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and the Community Business Bureau.
Changing of the guard at Orana
South Australian disability services organisation Orana has chosen Jim Liu to take over as Chief Executive Officer following the retirement of long-time CEO Nick Mihalaras.
Liu, who has been with Orana since July last year as Executive Manager, Business Services, is a former General and Commercial Manager with packaging supply store Custom Cartons.
His more than 25 years in senior leadership roles has included stints with Stratco Australia, Scott NT Transport Group and Solver Paint.
“I am excited to begin this new chapter with Orana and look forward to leading the organisation, building on the great work and foundation that Nick has established,” Liu said.
“I look forward to ensuring Orana continues to create opportunities for people with disability, providing the highest level of support to our clients and further expanding our industry partnerships.”
Lui takes the helm of an organisation that currently has a workforce of more than 370 full-time employees.
The Netley-based employment, housing, training and short term accommodation provider has been led by Mihalaras since 2007.
The outgoing CEO said he is leaving “knowing that Orana is thriving with fantastic, dedicated staff assisting people with disability to be active members of their communities and live their best lives”.
Trio of appointments at Credit Union SA
Credit Union SA has appointed accountant Nick Anderson to its board, hired HR executive Liana Reinhardt as Chief People and Strategy Officer, and added commercial lawyer Nicole Santinon as Company Secretary and General Counsel.
Anderson, a chartered accountant with experience in Europe and North America, is currently Director of Capital Family Office which provides investment and asset management advice to families across Australia.
He is also a former board member with the University of South Australia’s UniLife and homelessness legal services organisation JusticeNet SA.
His appointment at Credit Union SA follows the departure of Kathryn Jordan from the board in December.
Meanwhile, Reinhardt joins as Chief People and Strategy Officer after three years with employment services organisation Workskil Australia, most recently as National People Manager.
She has also held senior HR roles with Ralph Lauren, Kellogg’s and optical manufacturers Luxottica.
Finally, Santinon joins as Credit Union’s new Company Secretary after a year and a half in the same role at Statewide Super.
An experienced legal counsel, she started her career with Cowell Clarke in 2007 before transitioning into superannuation and business in 2018 with a move to Statewide Super.
Credit Union CEO Todd Roberts said the three appointments would support the future direction of the banking organisation.
Promotions on South Terrace
Professional services and accounting firm Hood Sweeney has promoted Louisa Andreucci and Jim Pinkney from Associates to Directors.
Andreucci has been with the South Terrace-based firm for more than eight years and specialises in advising small to medium-sized businesses.
Prior to joining Hood Sweeney, she was a Senior Accountant at Stantins. She is also a former Treasurer at Recreation SA.
Meanwhile, Pinkney’s promotion comes after more than 15 years with Hood Sweeney leading their agribusiness service.
His elevation from Associate brings the number of Directors at the firm to 15 from a staff of 130.
Managing Director Marisa Riccio said: “We love to promote from within.”
“Each of these new directors has been rewarded for solid performance, hard work over the years, and continually demonstrating their commitment to serving our clients,” she said.
The latest promotions come after former Hood Sweeney Associate Marcus Staker was promoted to Director in September 2021, after more than seven years working for the firm.
Corporate Position: the latest executive employment opportunities
Resthaven Incorporated is looking for a Manager Residential Services at its Resthaven Malvern residential aged care property. Home to 75 older people, with five retirement units on site, it is situated just a short distance to the Unley, Malvern and Mitcham amenities. The manager will assume all leadership responsibilities for the site, ensuring high quality outcomes for residents, staff and other stakeholders. The successful candidate will have responsibility for staff development, budget management, quality and funding management and maintaining relationships with key external stakeholders including primary healthcare providers, families, volunteers and community members. Proven senior level candidates are sought, preferably with experience in an aged care or health environment. Tertiary nursing qualifications and AHPRA registration as a registered nurse are required and formal qualifications in business/ health management are highly desirable.
Formed in 1968, The Aerotech Group has grown over the past 50 years to become South Australia’s largest privately owned aviation company. Aerotech offers a fleet of 30+ aircraft that operate across a diverse range of applications, including emergency response capabilities in aerial firefighting, oil spill response and medical evacuations, agricultural spraying, film and media, tourism, transport and more. Reporting to the Managing Director, the newly created HR Generalist part-time role will be responsible for providing support and contemporary advice to management and employees across the full range of HR practices and supporting workforce planning including end-to-end recruitment and on-boarding. Applications are sought from appropriately qualified HR professionals with demonstrated experience in a similar generalist HR role. A sound understanding of award interpretation, ER and IR matters will be essential and experience using Employment Hero or similar HR software will be well regarded.
Another client is a thought leading and publicly accountable entity that delivers services and sets the agenda for a range of important human services outcomes for the community. This well established and respected organisation has created an opportunity for an experienced and versatile Project Manager to drive a range of innovative professional learning initiatives that will have lasting effects on the sector it serves. Applications are encouraged from professionals from a range of human services backgrounds including, but not limited to, education, healthcare, disability, not-for-profit and aged care. The capacity to understand the change agenda, learn and develop expertise in new areas, partner key stakeholders and then scope, design and deliver learning opportunities with partners to achieve industry wide impact will be critical. The ability to influence, together with high level communication, negotiation, strategic thinking, planning and coordination skills will be important. In selecting an appointee, the effective professional characteristics of the individual sought will outweigh any specific industry experience.
Promotions on Flinders Street
Adelaide accounting firm Nexia Edwards Marshall has promoted veteran employees Raoul Stevenson and Paul Dimasi from Directors to Partners.
Both employees have been with the Flinders Street-based firm for well over a decade, with Stevenson joining as an accountant in 2007 and gradually working his way up through the firm’s business consulting service and Dimasi hopping abord in the same year with the firm’s pre-merger predecessor Nelson Wheeler Nexia
Stevenson is a specialist in business advisory and taxation, holding expertise in both the wine equalisation and fringe benefits tax.
Dimasi, meanwhile, works with the property and construction industry and provides taxation advice to small and large businesses.
Managing Partner Jamie Dreckow said both Dimasi and Stevenson have been “integral members of the senior team, acting as a catalyst for change, delivering opportunities for clients and assisting to drive the firm forward” during their time with Nexia Edwards Marshall.
International biz appointment at UniSA
The University of South Australia has appointed international entrepreneur Ryan Williams as the inaugural Playford Chair of Business Growth.
Williams, recognised in South Africa as a former top 40 under 40 media personality, has worked as a CEO for strategy and marketing consultancy Nota Bene, Primedia Unlimited and cinema chain Ster-Kineokor Theatres.
Touted for his ability to scale businesses and achieve success within a range of start-up companies, Williams’s move to UniSA will see him work within the Australian Centre for Business Growth and work on developing programs for local business leaders.
UniSA Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Enterprise Professor Marnie Hughes-Warrington said the new Playford Chair brought “valuable skills in strategy and marketing” and “considerable experience” in executive leadership to the role.
“His international experience will be valuable to AUCBG and to the Australian companies going through the Centre’s growth programs who need help strengthening their position in Australia and around the world,” she said.
Hills Wine uncorks new leader
Sarah Carlson has been promoted to Executive Officer of the Adelaide Hills Wine Region after eight years with the organisation.
The not-for-profit body, which represents wineries, grape-growers and associate businesses, elevated Carlson from her position of Grower Engagement Officer which she has held for two and a half years.
The new leadership role adds additional responsibilities, namely marketing, events and policy and advocacy, to Carlson’s existing portfolio.
Alex Trescowthick, who was elected AHWR President in November this year, said it was “clear” that Carlson was the best candidate for the job.
“Being the head of a not-for-profit member-funded organisation involves a lot of juggling and consideration of various perspectives, and Sarah not only has the expertise but is very much a people-person, with the sensitivity and pragmatism to make informed decisions,” he said.
“She also has a genuine passion for the Hills which shines through and positions her as the ideal advocate to drive us forward, and ensure we grow our reputation as one of Australia’s most exciting premium wine regions.”
An experienced marketing consultant, Carlson is also a copywriter with AHWR member business BK Wines and has worked with a number of different vineyards across South Australia since moving over from England in 2005.
Drought-breaking appointment at Adelaide Uni
University of Adelaide Partnerships Manager Dr Stephen Lee has been appointed Director of the South Australian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub.
Lee works in the University of Adelaide’s School of Animal and Veterinary Science as part of the Davies Livestock Research Centre. He is also a former manager of both the SA Sheep Industry Blueprint and SA Beef Industry Blueprint.
He takes the lead of the SA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub – part of the federal government’s Future Drought Fund and one of eight hubs established across Australia – from Interim Director Professor Chris Preston.
Lee’s new role sees him lead a network of 59 industry partners, including the three SA universities, grower groups and the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, in developing drought resilience programs for farmers and regional communities.
“I relish the opportunity to work with farmers and industry partners to create beneficial impact, particularly across farming systems, and as Director of the SA Drought Hub I am eager to extend my experience in the livestock sector to agriculture more broadly in SA,” Lee said.
The Drought Hub is based at the University of Adelaide’s Roseworthy campus with five regional “nodes” based at Minnipa, Port Augusta, Orroroo, Loxton and Struan.
The university says it has begun the recruitment process for local team leaders and coordinators at all five locations.
