Corporate Ladder: your weekly guide to executive appointments in South Australia
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.
Woods switches from Santos to Beach Energy
An executive at SA giant Santos has taken up the top role at fellow listed energy firm Beach Energy.
Brett Woods has been named managing director and CEO of Beach – a role that he will commence in from 21 February 2024.
The incoming CEO has over 25 years in upstream oil and gas, including 10 at Santos where he was most recently executive vice president for Western Australia, Northern Australia and Timor-Leste.
In the intervening period, current non-executive director Bruce Clement will be interim CEO of Beach Energy.
“Beach is in a great position with a strong portfolio of assets and a great balance sheet,” Woods said.
“I am excited to join at a time where I can help the team deliver the current projects, drive operational excellence and grow the business.”
Woods will replace Morné Engelbrecht who last week ended his tenure as CEO.
Schnitler’s senior associate promotion
Studio Nine Architects has promoted long-standing team member Aaron Schnitler to the role of senior associate.
Having joined the firm 13 years ago, the architecture firm says Schnitler has experienced many of the company’s key milestones.
Studio Nine says the newly promoted senior associate has worked on some of the studio’s major projects, including the Glenunga International High School Learning Hub, Electra House, Central Oval, Marion Hotel and Coopers Brewery Visitors Centre.
“I’ve seen the studio grow in size, changes in Directors, and the growth of the leadership team as a whole — which has been great to be a part of,” Schnitler said.
“As a studio we always have the potential to do better, and I have always wanted to play a role in unlocking that potential. Being in a position to have more involvement with the future direction of the organisation is empowering.
“My appointment to Senior Associate is a recognition of my commitment to S9 and I’m excited to continue to work as a collective to produce even better outcomes.”
Corporate Position: the latest executive employment opportunities
Finance Manager for national residential land developer Villawood Properties, as it significantly expands its SA presence with the acquisition of a multi-billion-dollar suite of Adelaide residential projects.
Education leader shifts gears
Laura Schonfeldt has been appointed Chief People Officer at the RAA, moving to the organisation from her role as Executive Director of People and Culture at the SA Department of Education.
RAA Chief Executive Officer Nick Reade said Schonfeldt’s experience, skills and values would support the transformational program underway at the organisation.
“RAA will benefit enormously from Laura’s diverse commercial and public sector experience and her passionate, people-centric approach,” Reade said.
“Laura joins our leadership team at a pivotal time in our 120-year history as we reshape our organisational design and development programs to support and grow our 1200-strong, local workforce.”
At the Department of Education, Schonfeldt had strategic and operational responsibility for a workforce of 30,000 people including in organisational and leadership development, enterprise bargaining, culture and leading the pandemic response.
She also has senior sector experience in national agribusiness and insurance companies including at Elders, IAG and QBE in Sydney and Adelaide, and has held roles with the Australian Red Cross and David Jones.
Schonfeldt will join the RAA executive team on October 16.
JLL markets team grows
Real estate firm JLL has expanded its markets team by two new members, with Ben Parkinson to lead the division and Jack O’Leary joining as Directorof Sales & Investments.
Parkinson’s appointment is in addition to his responsibilities as managing director, while O’Leary is returning to commercial real estate after gaining experience in the development industry.
“Returning to a transaction-based role in our national Capital Markets team role will leverage Ben’s considerable agency and client side experience spanning three state markets across valuations, hotels, capital transactions and retail sales, providing invaluable insights for clients,” JLL head of capital markets – Australia Luke Billiau said.
“Jack has a strong background in transactions, valuations and commercial advisory roles and we welcome him to the South Australian team.
“His extensive commercial property knowledge across various asset types including development land, retail, commercial and industrial assets will strengthen our team, and facilitate growth into the future”
