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.

Nov 11, 2024, updated Nov 11, 2024

Kelsian CEO steps down

Clint Feuerherdt will step down as managing director and group CEO of Kelsian for personal reasons.

Instead, Feuerherdt will take up a part-time strategic advisor role at the transport company for an initial period of 12 months.

Clint Feuerherdt

Feuerherdt has been employed by Kelsian and its subsidiaries for over 15 years, including the last five years as group CEO and the last 16 months as managing director.

“During this time, Mr Feuerherdt has led an impressive expansion of Kelsian in both the public transport and marine and tourism sectors,” the company said.

Graeme Legh, who is currently CEO of All Aboard America! Holdings Inc – the American division of Kelsian – will assume the role of group CEO when Feuerherdt finishes up on April 1, 2025.

Over the past 15 years, Legh has worked in various strategic and executive roles including as Kelsian’s group chief development officer.

Headquartered in Adelaide, Kelsian is a land and marine transport provider and tourism operator that includes Transit Systems, Sealink and Torrens Transit among its brands.

Police commissioner to chair Operation Flinders

South Australian police commissioner Grant Stevens has been elected as chair of Operation Flinders Foundation following the retirement of former governor Kevin Scarce from the role.

Scarce, who has been chair of Operations Flinders Foundation for the past three years, formally announced his intention to step down at the non-profit’s annual general meeting.

Grant Stevens

Stevens, who has been a board member of Operation Flinders Foundation for the past three years, was unanimously voted in as new chair at the meeting.

“We thank Kevin for his leadership and for overseeing the changes and growth of the organisation during his time as Chair,” said Operation Flinders Foundation in a Facebook post.

“Kevin leaves a legacy that started as Patron of the Foundation during his time as the Governor of South Australia.

“We look forward to a bright future with Grant as our Chair as we continue in a positive direction to transform the lives of young people.”

Operation Flinders was established in 1991 by teacher and former army officer Pamela Murray-White, with the goal “to transform young people’s lives through evidence-based remote, outback intervention programs”.

Mitcham mayor to head Local Government Association

City of Mitcham Mayor Dr Heather Holmes-Ross has been elected as the Local Government Association (LGA) president for a two-year term.

Dr Heather Holmes-Ross

Holmes-Ross will take the reins from Kimba Mayor Dean Johnson, who will finish his tenure at the LGA’s annual general meeting on November 22.

Holmes-Ross currently sits on the LGA Board of directors and chairs the Greater Adelaide Regional Organisation of Councils.

“LGA plays a critical role in helping strengthen the long-term financial, environmental and social sustainability of councils through advocacy, promotion and facilitation and my goal is to support LGA to be as effective as possible in these endeavours,” said Holmes-Ross.

Holmes Ross was elected as LGA president after ballots from all 68 South Australian councils were counted at Local Government House last Tuesday.

Among the mayors who put their hand up for the presidency were City of Adelaide Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith, Marion Mayor Kris Hanna, City of West Torrens Mayor Michael Coxon and Port Adelaide Enfield Mayor Claire Boan.

LGA said it “is a membership organisation which provides quality service and leadership relevant to the needs of member councils”.

Executive General Manager Corporate Affairs and People, a newly created senior executive role for Australian Naval Infrastructure which is developing state-of-the-art infrastructure for the domestic manufacture of world-class naval vessels.

Three newly created roles, General Manager Policy & Advocacy, General Manager Partnerships and Manager Energy for the South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy (SACOME), the leading industry association representing the resource and energy sector.

An Independent Director to join the Board of the South Australian Produce Market to contribute independent governance oversight and property expertise guiding the future of the South Australian produce sector.

Motor Trade Association appoints new chair

Mark McGuire has been promoted from deputy chair to chair of the Motor Trade Association (MTA) SA/NT, and takes over from outgoing chair Frank Agostino.

McGuire has four decades of experience in the automotive industry, including at retail dealerships and as an owner of several local businesses.

Mark McGuire

He has also been a member of the MTA SA/NT board since 2015 after joining the MTA as a member in 2001.

McGuire said one of his top priorities is to support local business owners.

“The MTA has been incredibly effective in advocating for the industry’s needs and interests to all levels of government,” he said.

The MTA said it “is the only employer based organisation dedicated to protecting and growing South Australia and the Northern Territory’s automotive retail, service and repair industry”.

Leadership change at Regional Development Australia Adelaide

Leonie Boothby has been appointed as CEO of Regional Development Australia Adelaide (RDAA) following the departure of Kelly-Anne Saffin.

Leonie Boothby

Saffin has been CEO at RDAA for over a decade and has taken up the role of SA cross-border commissioner.

Boothby is currently assisting RDAA in a part-time capacity and will start as full-time CEO in January 2025.

The RDAA said Boothby “brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role and has had significant impact in her role of CEO to RDA BGLAP”.

“Leonie has played a key role in supporting initiatives that have helped shape the region’s approach to growth and development,” it said.

RDAA said its aim is “to strengthen regional South Australia by fostering positive and productive relationships and engagement between the different levels of government, industry, academia and community”.

Mount Remarkable CEO has tenure extended

Martin Borgas’s tenure as acting CEO of the District Council of Mount Remarkable has been extended until December 2025.

Martin Borgas

The former police officer has been the acting CEO for the past five months, with the council saying he “has achieved outstanding success in several critical business areas”.

“A seasoned CEO within Local Government, Martin has extensive experience and knowledge in Infrastructure, Built and Natural Environments, Competitive Tendering and Community Engagement,” the council said.

Before joining the District Council of Mount Remarkable, Borgas spent over three years as CEO of the District Council of Karoonda East Murray.

He also spent three years in various roles at Local Government Association Procurement, as well as ten months as a contracts procurement and innovation manager at the District Council of Loxton Waikerie.

The District Council of Mount Remarkable covers 3,424.5 square kilometres of land in the Flinders Ranges, with a population of 2,920 people.

Chief operating officer joins Lutheran Laypeople’s League

Chris Deery, who is based in Adelaide, has been appointed as chief operating officer of the charitable financial institution Lutheran Laypeople’s League (LLL).

Chris Deery

Deery has over 25 years of experience in the banking and finance industry, including most recently as CEO and chief operating officer of the Fire Service Credit Union.

He also spent over 25 years at the Commonwealth Bank, including as director of health, education, government and banks and as director of telco, media, entertainment, technology & retail.

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He was also a consultant for the Australian Cyber Collaboration Centre.

LLL CEO Ross Smith said Deery “joins the 103-year-old charitable institution with strong business risk management experience, commercial acumen and operational excellence in the finance sector”.

LLL provides business and financial support to Lutheran schools, aged care facilities across Australia, as well as offering a range of investment products to individuals with no fees or charges.

Operations manager for $40 million Eldercare redevelopment at Goodwood

Simon Drew has today started his role as site operations manager of Eldercare’s new $40 million site at Goodwood.

Simon Drew

Drew has 10 years of experience as an aged care manager in the private and not-for-profit sectors in South Australia.

“We look forward to Simon joining us and opening our latest site at Goodwood in early 2025,” said Eldercare chief executive Jane Pickering.

“His involvement will be vital during the commissioning of the building, and we look forward to his support in helping residents and their families achieve peace of mind.”

Eldercare’s Goodwood site is currently being redeveloped to create a 100-bed aged care home, with expected completion in 2025.

Jumping on board at Andromeda Metals Limited

Miguel Galindo will join as a non-executive director on the board of Andromeda Metals Limited.

Miguel Galindo

Galindo is a chemical engineer in Castellón de la Plana in Spain, where he is president of the Sociedad Española de Cerámica y Vidrio (Spanish Society of Ceramics and Glass).

He has 25 years of experience at Rio Tinto in roles ranging from operations to sales, marketing and general management.

Galindo is also the founder and CEO of Galesk Consultancy SLU, which has been providing consulting and advisory services to Andromeda since April 2023.

Andromeda’s executive chair Sue-Ann Higgins welcomed Galindo to the board.

“His extensive experience across industrial minerals, high-end ceramics and sales and marketing is a valuable addition to the Board, with a skill set which neatly complements those of the current directions,” she said.

Andromeda Metals Limited said it “is a fast-growing South Australian company with a vision to lead the world in the sustainable supply of superior quality industrial minerals and advancement of nanotechnologies”.

Changes at Adelaide City of Music

The Adelaide City of Music (ACOM) has announced the appointment of Emily Tulloch to its board of directors.

Emily Tulloch. Photo: Sia Duff

ACOM said Tulloch “is an accomplished and award-winning arts leader and artist who will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the organisation”.

Tulloch, who is CEO and artistic director at Nexus Arts, is currently a member of ACOM’s artist advisory committee.

She is also a violinist, an independent creative and has been a core member of Creative Original Music Adelaide since 2007.

Meanwhile, former Adelaide Festival artistic director Ruth Mackenzie has stepped down to focus on her new role as director of arts, culture and creative industries policy at the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

ACOM is the representative organisation for Adelaide’s status as a UNESCO City of Music and said it “was established to promote the designation, its benefits, and to celebrate and create opportunities for South Australian artists, organisations, institutions, and music culture across the UCCN and beyond”.

A new general manager at iElectrical & Communications

Alex Bond has been appointed as general manager at iElectrical & Communications.

Alex Bond

Bond has over 20 years of leadership experience in customer service, project management and strategic business development.

Before joining iElectrical and Communications, Bond spent four years as commercial manager at Kennedy Property Services.

iElectrical & Communications director Matt Downie said that Bond’s “demonstrated success in strategic planning and his deep understanding of client needs make him a valuable addition to our leadership team”.

“Alex’s proven skills in management and project coordination will be instrumental in the solar, EV charging, and maintenance sectors across South Australia,” he said.

DW Fox Tucker Lawyers bolsters team

DW Fox Tucker Lawyers has announced the appointment of Mark Giancaspro to its commercial team as special counsel, while William Rees has been welcomed as a senior associate on the firm’s property and construction team.

Mark Gianscapro. Photo: Liam West/Lightly Salted

Gianscapo is a senior lecturer at The University of Adelaide’s Law School, where he has lectured for over nine years in contract and consumer law, commercial law and sports law.

“Mark has a unique combination of commercial and sports expertise,” said DW Fox Tucker Lawyers CEO Narelle Lee.

“His specialist knowledge and connections will provide an invaluable investment in providing clear, practical, and comprehensive legal advice to our clients, their businesses, and a number of sporting associations”

William Rees. Photo: Liam West/Lightly Salted

DW Fox Tucker Lawyers said Rees has significant experience across the full scope of land transactions, with an expertise in greenfield, brownfield and high-rise residential developments, retail and commercial buildings and industrial structures.

DW Fox Tucker Lawyers is a commercial law firm headquartered on King William Street.

 

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