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.
SABI co-host begins role at Archer Materials Limited
Jake van der Hoek, who is based in Adelaide, has started in his role as company secretary at Archer Materials Limited.
Jake van der Hoek
Van der Hoek is currently a director at chartered accounting firm HLB Mann Judd, as well as joint company secretary of mining company Hillgrove Resources Limited.
He is also the co-host of InDaily‘s South Australian Business Index, which ranks the top 100 companies in the state.
Archer said van der Hoek has close to a decade of experience in the financial services industry, with extensive experience in company secretarial duties, ASX listing rule requirements and corporate transactions, as well as strong corporate governance knowledge.
Archer is an Australian technology company that is currently developing advanced semiconductor devices.
Jumping on board at Solstice Media
Solstice Media – the publisher of InDaily, CityMag, SALIFE, InReview, The Post, The New Daily and The Weekend Edition – has announced the appointment of John Sergeant and Shauna Black to its board.
John Sergeant
Sergeant is based in Sydney and has a background in psychology and statistics.
He previously chaired social research company IPSOS and has also been a lecturer in marketing at the University of Sydney’s Business School.
Solstice Media said Black is an experienced editor, manager and director.
Black previously worked at The Advertiser for more than 12 years, including as the founding editor of Australia’s first personal finance section in a daily newspaper.
You might like
She also spent close to eight years as managing editor of The Islander newspaper on Kangaroo Island.
Shauna Black
Solstice Media said the new appointments would strengthen its business analytics, marketing and editorial expertise.
“I believe John and Shauna will play valuable roles and provide different perspectives as we navigate changing information consumption patterns and further national expansion,” said Solstice Media chair Alan Young.
One with nature
The Nature Foundation has appointed Daniel Leinfelder as its deputy CEO.
The SA-based not-for-profit said he brings more than 25 years of experience in the private sector to the role, having worked in impact assessment, traditional custodian, government and environmental management.
Daniel Leinfelder
Leinfelder joins the Nature Foundation from BHP, where he was social performance and regulatory affairs manager of its West Musgrave Nickel and Copper Mine in Western Australia.
Before this, he was the approvals manager at OZ Minerals.
The Nature Foundation said Leinfelder will lead its natural capital business development programs, as well as the development of its First Nations’ engagement, philanthropic initiatives and its commercial collaborations.
“We’re very pleased to welcome Daniel to the team. As an innovative leader with extensive experience working across our key partners, Daniel’s knowledge will be invaluable in helping us achieve our Strategic Plan, which includes doubling our impact by 2030,” said Nature Foundation’s CEO, Alex Nankivell.
Nature Foundation was established in 1981 as a private land conservancy with the mission of conserving and protecting native landscapes, flora and fauna and offering environmental consultancy services.
 |
|
Chief Risk Officer for HAMB Systems Limited, an Australian technology company owned by 15 private health insurance funds representing 25 brands. As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, this newly created role will lead enterprise risk and compliance strategy, fostering an enterprise-wide compliance and risk culture to support operational excellence, business continuity and informed decision making. It is envisaged that the position will be 0.6 FTE with consideration given to additional scope for a candidate sufficiently experienced to also undertake Company Secretary responsibilities. Board Members to join the newly established skills-based board of Sophie’s Legacy. Working with an experienced Chair, the volunteer Board will guide this inspiring purpose-based entity with visionary founders for an impactful future, driving advocacy and support to improve mental health across the veterinarian profession. Expertise in Finance, Strategy, Legal, Risk, Governance, Marketing, Fundraising and Media Relations is sought. |
 |
Red, red wine
Former academic Dr Edward Cavanagh has joined the Limestone Coast Grape and Wine Council as executive officer.
Dr Edward Cavanagh
The council said that Cavanagh was chosen after an extensive recruitment process due to his diverse experience in a range of sectors, including government departments, universities and wine businesses.
Cavanagh was a fellow of the University of Cambridge from October 2016 to October 2019.
“We have been fortunate to have Ulrich Grey-Smith in this role for many years and wish him every success as he moves into new ventures,” the council’s president, Helen Strickland, said.
“We welcome Ed to the role and look forward to the fresh outlook and new perspectives he will bring to the council.”
Stay informed, daily
Giving credit where it’s due
Credit Union SA has appointed Michael Sherman as head of development finance.
Michael Sherman
The credit union said Sherman has extensive knowledge of corporate finance and residential development in South Australia.
Sherman previously spent more than 20 years at the Commonwealth Bank in corporate finance and relationship management roles, including most recently as a corporate relationship executive.
He also currently sits on the Property Council of SA’s Residential Development Committee.
Credit Union SA said it is an SA-based member-owned financial institution with more than 54,000 members and $1.8 billion in assets.
Harrison McMillan appoints COO
Strategic people leader Penelope Bettison has been appointed as chief operating officer at Harrison McMillan.
Penelope Bettison
The recruitment agency said Bettison brings to the role more than 25 years of experience driving growth and innovation in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, with expertise in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, brand development and operational excellence.
Bettison joins Harrison McMillan from plant-based technology company Vircura and advanced technology company VAILO, where she concurrently held the role of chief operating officer.
She also previously held leadership roles at clean energy company 1414 Degrees Ltd and was the founder, director and brand strategist of Pitstop Marketing.
“Her depth of experience, leadership capability, and commitment to fostering people-first, high-performance cultures perfectly align with our vision for the future. We are excited to have Penelope join our team as we continue to grow and evolve our service offering,” said Harrison McMillan’s CEO, Dani Cuff.
Moving on up at Matthews Architects
Claire Perperidis has been appointed as an associate at North Adelaide-based architecture and interior design firm Matthews Architects.
Claire Perperidis
Perperidis has been project lead at Matthews for the past three years, working on large-scale commercial projects including at Plympton International College, Walford Anglican School for Girls and the redevelopment of the Ahrens office.
Before joining Matthews in 2022, Perperidis spent nearly 15 years at Covell Matthews Architects in Edinburgh, Scotland.
In her new role, Perperidis will take on a project management role as well as contributing to business development of the firm.
“Claire has shown a strong and consistent performance in her role, and a passion for design and delivery. We look forward to seeing her flourish as an Associate,” said Gerald Matthews, who is senior architect and managing director at Matthews Architects.
Sport SA CEO joins Volunteering SA&NT board
Sport SA CEO Leah Cassidy has been appointed to the board of Volunteering SA&NT as a non-executive director.
Leah Cassidy
The advocacy body said Cassidy has more than 30 years of experience in sports and recreation, education management and human services, including executive and governance roles in Australia, Turkey and Hong Kong.
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of grassroots sports and Leah is highly regarded in the sector,” said Volunteering SA&NT chair Ann-Marie Chamberlain.
“Leah’s experience in sports leadership and advocacy will be of immense value to Volunteering SA&NT as we continue to support, grow and celebrate this major cohort of volunteers.
“More broadly, Leah brings an understanding of government processes and strong governance skills gained from international roles and her time on the Sammy D Foundation.”
