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.
Michael Robertson (left) alongside Adelaide Cemeteries Chair Tristan Just. Robertson has been appointed CEO of the organisation. Photo: LinkedIn
Promotion for cemeteries exec
Adelaide Cemeteries Authority Chief Operating Officer Michael Robertson will step up as Chief Executive later this month after more than 13 years with the organisation.
Robertson first joined the authority – operators of West Terrace Cemetery, Enfield Memorial Park, Cheltenham Cemetery and Smithfield Memorial Park – in 2008 as Head of Operations, Infrastructure and Environment.
He was promoted to Chief Operations Officer in 2019, a role in which he oversaw the construction of a $23 million “multi-function community facility” at Enfield Memorial Park.
Robertson’s appointment as CEO follows the retirement of Robert Pitt, who has led the authority since 2010.
Authority Chair Tristan Just said Robertson’s “experience and vision will drive the next phase of Adelaide Cemeteries”, and touted Robertson’s environmental sustainability credentials.
Robertson is due to take the helm as CEO on June 14.
Maher on the move
Biomedical engineering executive Gibran Maher has been appointed CEO of Adelaide health manufacturing company Additive Surgical.
Maher spent the best part of the last decade with Victorian-based medical 3D printing firm Anatomics, first as National Sales Manager and more recently as Vice President Global Sales and Marketing.
He is also a Guest Lecturer at Flinders University for final year biomedical engineering students and an Advisory Board Member for the university’s Medical Device Partnering Program.
He joins Additive Surgical in its second year of operating.
The company, which manufactures 3D printed titanium spinal implant technologies, has recently relocated to South Australia and is in the process of setting up a new manufacturing site.
Corporate Position: the latest executive employment opportunities
Flinders University Academy is an exciting new standalone entity created by Flinders to deliver a range of pathway courses for international students across the breadth of the University’s study disciplines. Accountable to a Board of Directors and as a member of a Joint Management Committee, the Director will work collaboratively with the University to drive the establishment, growth, strategic direction and sustainability of the Academy. Overseeing the entire operation, the Director will work closely with an Academic Manager across learning and teaching and will manage highly engaged relationships with key stakeholders and partners. This is a career defining opportunity for a strategic and visionary leader with experience in managing pathway courses for international students.
The creation of new strategic leadership positions in Flinders International supports Flinders University’s ambitious strategy with an enhanced focus on international recruitment and partnerships. Reporting to the Director, International Recruitment, the Senior Manager International Recruitment is a highly impactful leadership role responsible for all aspects of strategy, marketing and international student acquisition. A highly developed knowledge of global education markets, policy, and regulatory requirements is needed. This is a continuing appointment offering a competitive remuneration package including generous superannuation contributions.
Nature Foundation is a leading not-for-profit organisation that invests in conserving, restoring and protecting South Australian landscapes, flora and fauna. Accountable to the dedicated and highly qualified voluntary Board, the Chief Executive Officer is responsible for developing the capability of the Foundation to protect more of the nature and landscape for South Australia and beyond by leading the engagement of people in nature conservation, growing the science and funding base and building significant and enduring partnerships. Applications are encouraged from appropriately qualified and experienced senior executives with high levels of financial and political acumen complemented by excellent strategic thinking, relationship building, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
UnitingSA is looking for a Senior Manager to lead the implementation of their Great Client Experience Quality System. Applications are encouraged from versatile professionals with proven experience crafting, implementing and enhancing quality, governance and compliance frameworks with a human services or comparable environment. The role will require exceptional interpersonal skills, and the ability to understand operations and best practice and to drive client focussed outcomes across the entire organisation. A keen eye for both risk and continuous improvement opportunities will also be a valuable trait in the successful candidate.
Resthaven Incorporated has reached a unique time in its history and is looking for two managers to help it through the challenging and exciting years ahead. The Senior Manager Community Services is based at Resthaven’s head office in Wayville and reports to the Executive Manager, Community Services. This pivotal leadership role will lead and manage the Community Services program functions across both metropolitan and country SA locations. The Manager Community Services – Marion And Inner Southern Suburbs is responsible to the Executive Manager, Community Services and will have direct oversight of the Marion and inner southern suburbs portfolio responsible for a budget of $13m and a staff of around 145. Applications are encouraged from professionals with proven management experience, preferably from an aged care, health care or human services environment.
Top director tapped for Adelaide Uni role
Former Thomson Playford Lawyers CEO and RAA President Juliet Brown OAM has been appointed to the University of Adelaide’s Governing Council.
Brown, an Adelaide University law graduate, has sat on the boards of numerous high-profile South Australian organisations, including Business SA, the Motor Accident Commission, Statewide Super, Catherine House, Green Industries SA and the South Australian Financing Authority Advisory Board.
She is currently is a Director with both the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation and Medical Insurance Group Australia.
University of Adelaide Chancellor Catherine Branson, Chair of the Governing Council, said Brown’s “wealth of experience in areas such as governance, law and business … will be of great benefit in ensuring the University’s future as one of the top universities in the world”.
Prior to her long career in non-executive management, Brown was a commercial lawyer with Finlaysons Lawyers and O’Loughlin Lawyers before leading Thomson Playford Lawyers (now Thomson Geer) as CEO from 1999 to 2004 – overseeing the establishment of offices in Sydney and Melbourne.
Her term on Adelaide University’s Governing Council, which also includes an appointment to the Finance Committee, runs until June 1, 2024.
More principal movements
Sacred Heart Principal Steve Byrne is taking the top job at Cardijn College next year.
The appointment marks the end of an era at both schools. After leading Sacred Heart for just under a decade, Byrne’s switch will see him replace the retiring Paul Rijken – Cardijn’s Principal for more than 17 years.
Both Byrne and Rijken have been Commissioners on the South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools.
Among Byrne’s achievements at Sacred Heart was the amalgamation of the school’s middle and senior colleges with Marymount College.
Cardijn College Chair Tim Ryan told parents last week that Byrne was the “standout candidate” in an “incredibly high-calibre field of applicants”.
“Steve is a highly experienced leader and well-respected educator in the Marist tradition,” he wrote in a letter to all parents and caregivers.
“I have great confidence and faith that Steve brings the right skills and experience to the job of Principal and that by working with our outstanding team of educators, he will continue to foster Cardijn’s tremendous growth and success.”
Cardijn’s Deputy Principal Patrick Harmer has been appointed Acting Principal for terms 3 and 4 of 2022. Byrne is due to take over in term 1 of 2023.
Sacred Heart now joins Scotch College, St Peter’s Girls and Walford in the list of Adelaide schools set to undergo changes in leadership next year.
New MD at Resolution Minerals
Adelaide-based mining company Resolution Minerals has appointed Sultan Resources boss Stephen Groves as Managing Director.
Groves, a founding director at Sultan, has led the Perth-based company since its ASX-listing in 2018.
His more than 27-years in the mining industry has seen him take on senior roles with Si6 Metals, BHP, Newmont Mining and A-Cap Resources.
He is due to commence with Resolution Minerals on July 1.
