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.
New Adelaide Festival artistic director announced
Matthew Lutton OAM has today been announced as artistic director of the Adelaide Festival from 2026-2028.
Lutton will take over from Brett Sheehy AO, who oversaw programming for the 2025 Adelaide Festival.
The announcement comes following the departure of former artistic director Ruth Mackenzie half way through her tenure to take up an arts leadership role in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet.
Lutton joins the Adelaide Festival from the Malthouse Theatre in Melbourne, where he has been artistic director and co-CEO for the past nine years.
“Matthew’s visionary leadership at Malthouse Theatre, along with his profound understanding of contemporary performing arts, will ensure that Adelaide Festival continues to thrive as one of the world’s most respected and prestigious arts festivals,” said Adelaide Festival chair Tracey Whiting AM.
“His passion for theatre and opera combined with his innovative artistic vision positions him perfectly to drive the combined evolution of Adelaide Festival as Australia’s premier cultural event.”
Experienced fireman joins CFS as deputy chief officer
Experienced fireman Paul Seager has been appointed as deputy chief officer of the South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS).
Seager is a former CFS volunteer and has been director of training and doctrine at NSW Rural Service for more than three years.
Before this, he spent 19 and a half years with the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, including almost seven as manager of people and training in the fire and incident management branch of the National Parks & Wildlife Service.
He also cumulatively spent around 15 years at the South Australian Department for Environment and Water, including as manager of conservation programs and manager of parks and wildlife.
“With his extensive experience, Paul brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the CFS and will commence his duties in April,” said the CFS.
Seager said he looks forward to visiting each region to meet volunteers and staff when he starts his role.
“I’ve had a long association with CFS, and I look forward to renewing old relationships and forging new ones,” he said.
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Moving on up at AGSA
Emma Fey has been promoted to deputy director of the Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA).
Fey has been assistant director of AGSA since November 2022 and previously served as manager of development from March 2009 until January 2014.
In the latter role, she managed AGSA’s development program by working with corporate and philanthropic partners.
Fey previously also spent five and a half years as CEO of arts not-for-profit Guildhouse.
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Newly created Head of Finance position with UnitingSA – reporting to the CFO. With 1,100+ staff and a turnover circa $140m, this vibrant and growing organisation assists 12,000+ people per year with a diverse range of programs across aged care, housing and community services. Three pivotal roles with the Association of Independent Schools of South Australia (AISSA), the highly regarded peak industry body for the independent school sector: Head of Member School Programs and Engagement – reporting to the Chief Executive this newly created senior role will lead a diverse suite of support and learning programs for members. Specialist Policy, Funding and Compliance Consultant – reporting to the Head of Policy, Funding and Compliance, this role provides strategic and practical support to member schools on policy, funding and compliance matters. 0.8-1.0 FTE negotiable. Senior Accountant – an outstanding development opportunity for CA/CPA’s supporting the CFO across a range of financial and management accounting responsibilities. |
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Re-Vi Group CEO to lead project creating biochar at Kangaroo Island
Finance specialist Radha Kuppalli has been announced as CEO of climate technology and biochar company Re-Vi Group.
In her role, Kupalli will oversee a project to transform more than 15,000 hectares of fire damaged timber plantations on Kangaroo Island into biochar – a form of charcoal made from animal wastes and plant residues.
Re-Vi said Kuppalli has more than 20 years of experience executing investment solutions to address climate change, nature restoration and sustainable land management.
She also has operational and investment experience in the forestry and carbon markets.
Kuppalli is currently on the boards of Greening Australia and Accounting for Nature, and also sits on the Australian government’s Nature Finance Council.
She was previously also an executive at New Forests, a forestry asset management company.
“Re-Vi is developing institutional scale biochar projects that revitalise landscapes. There are opportunities across Australia to undertake landscape restoration at scale, enabled by biochar and climate finance,” said Kuppalli.
Russell & Yelland makes highest female appointment in 86 years
Adelaide architecture firm Russell & Yelland (R&Y) has announced the promotion of long-serving employee Lauren Knight to associate director.
Knight joined the firm 19 years ago as an architectural graduate and was registered as an architect two and a half years later.
For more than 13 years she has been an associate and now joins the leadership team alongside John Held and Stewart Caldwell.
R&Y said that this is the highest position held by a woman in its 86-year history.
Knight is also a former sessional tutor at the University of South Australia.
Knight has recently taken on the role of overseeing the Helping Hand Aged Care redevelopment in Whyalla and also led the recently completed St Mark’s College Salesian Boarding House in Port Pirie.
“Lauren’s commitment to this company and command of project delivery have been exceptional,” said R&Y director Stewart Caldwell.
“Her thoroughness can only strengthen R&Y’s already solid position as we approach 90 years in practice.
R&Y was established in Adelaide in 1939 and has a reputation for focusing on education, health and aged care projects.
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Iocane bolsters leadership team
Independent ICT solution provider Iocane has announced two appointments to its management team, with Tim Kelly joining as head of government services and Sharon Siemers as head of project services.
Iocane said Kelly has more than 20 years of experience providing ICT service to government and enterprise clients.
He was previously head of operations at S4G Consulting Pty and spent three and a half years in various roles at BDO in Australia, including as director of digital and advisory.
Kelly will establish and lead a team at Iocane dedicated to delivery of services to the South Australian government
Iocane said Siemers has 20 years of experience in technology related roles in the enterprise and government sectors.
Siemers spent 11 years at KPMG, including most recently as a director.
She has also held roles at Residential Tenancies Authority, Design to Deliver, SA Health, BHP Billiton and Lifespan Funds Management.
Former basketballer joins MRS Property
Former professional basketballer David Cooper has joined as director of property asset management at MRS Property.
In this role, Cooper will oversee MRS Property’s property management teams in South Australia and Victoria.
Cooper played for the Australian National Basketball League as well as the New Zealand NBL and the South Australian State League.
He was previously with JLL for six and a half years in roles, including as head of property and asset management for South Australia.
Before this, he spent eight years at Peregrine Corporation, including as asset manager for its commercial assets.
Established in 2002 in Adelaide, MRS Property is an independent property advisory, investment and asset management company that manages more than $2 billion in assets and funds.
Jumping on board at Lutheran Laypeople’s League
Cathy Oster and Raewyn Williams have joined the board of the Lutheran Laypeople’s League (LLL), a charitable financial institution.
Oster is currently senior legal counsel of governance at People First Bank, as well as a legal and governance consultant at Duxton Capital Australia.
Before this, she was joint company secretary at Adbri Limited.
She previously spent 13 years at Beach Energy Ltd as legal and corporate counsel and joint company secretary and then as general counsel and company secretary.
Oster serves on the board of Burnside War Memorial hospital and was previously deputy chair of Pembroke School.
“Cathy has vast experience in providing corporate and commercial legal services including mergers and acquisitions, joint venture, contract reviews, financing and capital raising,” said LLL chair Steve Podlich.
“She has worked across the energy and resources, aged care, agriculture, banking and finance, food and beverage, insurance, education and manufacturing sectors.”
Williams is the co-founder and co-owner of analytics firm Jefferson & Shea.
She is also chair of aged-care non-profit Fresh Hope Communities and is also on the boards of Glebe Administration and a charitable foundation run by law firm Clayton Utz.
She previously held management positions with investment advisory companies and was a tax lawyer with KPMG and Barclays Global Investors.
“Raewyn’s impressive career spans executive and non-executive director roles in superannuation, investments and financial products, law, property and aged care,” said Podlich.
“She has also published and presented extensively on investment governance implementation, responsible investing, not-for-profit investing and board innovation.”
LLL said it provides business and financial support to Lutheran schools, aged care facilities and churches.
