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.
SA entrepreneur first woman in REIA Hall of Fame
Adelaide-based entrepreneur Nikki Katz has become the first woman to join the Real Estate Institute (REIA) of Australia’s Hall of Fame.
Katz was inducted into the prestigious group at REIA’s National Awards for Excellence at Adelaide Oval on Thursday evening.
Katz is currently the director of The Business Sales Agency, which runs NK Salon Sales, The Rent Roll Broker and Morgan Business Sales.
She is also chair of the South Australian chapter of the Australian Institute of Business Brokers, as well as the past chair of the AIBB Education Committee, where she was also a national board member.
“Nikki Katz’s induction into the REIA Hall of Fame is not only a recognition of her outstanding achievements, but a landmark moment for our industry,” said REIA president Leanne Pilkington.
“Her innovative, client-first approach has redefined what business broking can look like in Australia.
“Nikki’s success demonstrates the power of challenging convention, and she now stands as an inspiration for the next generation of leaders – especially women – across the real estate business sectors.”
Lion CEO moves to Treasury Wine Estates
Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has appointed Sam Fischer as CEO and managing director.
TWE said Fischer was chosen after an extensive global search, adding that he has more than 30 years of international experience in the alcoholic beverages, consumer goods and luxury brands sectors.
Fischer is currently the CEO of Lion (owned by Kirin Group), where he has been for the past three years.
Before this, he spent 15 years in various roles at Diageo, including as president of the Asia Pacific region and global travel, as well as being a member of the Global Diageo Executive Committee.
He also spent 15 years at Colgate-Palmolive in sales and general management leadership roles covering Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe.
“With over 30 years of global leadership experience, Sam brings proven CEO credentials, exceptional strategic acumen, and deep expertise in alcohol beverages, consumer goods and luxury brand building, accompanied by a strong track record of driving business growth,” said TWE chair John Mullen.
Fischer starts on October 27, 2025 and takes over from Tim Ford, who will depart after 14 years at TWE, including the last five as CEO and managing director.
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TWE includes South Australian brands Penfolds, Wolf Blass, Pepperjack and Wynns Coonawarra Estate.
Vinarchy appoints CEO after merger
Danny Celoni has been appointed as CEO of global wine conglomerate Vinarchy, which was formed earlier this year as a merger of Pernod Ricard Winemakers and South Australia’s Accolade Wines.
Vinarchy said Celoni brings to the role more than 25 years of experience in fast-moving consumer goods and global branded beverages.
For the past three years and four months, he has been CEO at Carlton & United Breweries.
Before this, he spent more than five years at PepsiCo, firstly as chief commercial officer and then as CEO.
“On behalf of the Board, I am delighted to welcome Danny to Vinarchy. He is a leader who champions a growth mindset and has a strong track record in driving transformational growth and category leadership through exceptional customer relationships,” said current executive chairman Ben Clarke.
“Danny is the right person to lead our business as we capture the opportunities as a global wine leader.”
Clark will transition to non-executive chairman concurrently with Celoni’s appointment.
Vinarchy includes the Hardys, Campo Viejo and Jacob’s Creek brands among its portfolio.
Kiwi to lead Northern Areas Council
New Zealand expatriate Ross McNeil has been appointed as CEO of the Northern Areas Council, beginning on July 21.
The Northern Areas Council covers parts of the Yorke and Mid North regions of South Australia.
McNeil joins the Northern Areas Council from the Ōtorohanga District Council in New Zealand, where he spent the past four and a half years as strategic and then chief advisor.
Before this, he spent a brief period as interim CEO at Southland District Council and six and a half years as CEO at Rangitikei District Council, both in New Zealand.
“Council is excited by the appointment of a local government profession ‘from over the ditch’ understanding that local government in New Zealand is highly regarded in respect to progressive and innovative governance and service delivery outcomes,” said Northern Areas Council mayor Sue Scarman.
Gawler Council confirms CEO
The Town of Gawler has formally appointed Chris Cowley as its CEO following his completion of a six-month probationary period.
The council said it conducted a performance review and unanimously endorsed his confirmation for the role.
Cowley joined Gawler council in November 2024 from the City of Burnside, where he had been CEO for the previous five years.
He has more than two decades of experience at councils around the country, including as CEO of the City of Whyalla and Paroo Shire Council in Queensland.
Cowley has also held leadership roles at Surf Coast Shire, Moira Shire, Hepburn Shire and Carrathool Shire councils.
“Over the past six months, Chris has demonstrated the steady leadership, integrity, and strategic direction needed to guide our organisation through a period of significant change,” said Gawler’s deputy mayor, Nathan Shanks.
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Hillgrove Resources appoints chief financial officer
Hillgrove Resources Limited has announced the appointment of Luke Anderson as chief financial officer, starting from June 2.
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Hillgrove said Anderson has more than 30 years of executive leadership experience in the mining, industrial minerals and logistics in Australia and internationally, with expertise in capital management, corporate development, governance and operational execution.
Anderson is currently a non-executive director at Highfield Resources Limited.
He briefly served as CEO of Andromeda Metals, and before this, he was CEO of One Rail Australia Pty Ltd and chief financial officer of OZ Minerals.
He also collectively spent more than 15 years at Unimin, including as president and CEO and as chief financial officer.
In his new role, Anderson will lead Hillgrove’s finance, governance and reporting.
Experienced IT sales leader moves to Duco Limited
Sean Sounes has joined Duco Limited as sales manager and head of ServiceNow Solutions.
The managed IT services company said Sounes brings more than 24 years of experience in IT sales, business development and strategic leadership to the role, adding that he has expertise spanning client acquisition, solution consulting and long-term relationship management.
Sounes joins Duco Limited from TechnologyOne, where he spent more than two years as regional manager for South Australia and the Northern Territory.
Before this, he also held managerial roles at Oracle, Data#3, Commander, Volante and Softcat Plc.
“Sean’s proven track record in driving business growth, building high-performing teams, and aligning strategic goals with customer needs makes him an invaluable addition to our leadership team,” said CEO Jason Clark.
Solstice Media welcomes new account manager to the team
Em Grzeskowiak has started as account manager at Solstice Media.
Grzeskowiak joins the media company from T&Pm in London, England, where she has been for the past two and a half years, firstly as account manager and then as senior account manager.
Before this, she spent four months as a freelance communications and strategy consultant at Eco-Age in London.
Prior to moving to London, Grzeskowiak worked for nearly four years at News Corp Australia, firstly as account executive and then as junior account manager.
Grzeskowiak specialises in multichannel and market campaigns, as well as managing high-profile global accounts across a range of sectors including lifestyle, fashion, travel and health.
Solstice Media is the publisher of InDaily, CityMag, SALIFE, InReview, The New Daily, The Post, Premium Property and The Weekend Edition.
Former politician appointed advisory board chair of The Yoghurt Shop
Former state Liberal politician Stephen Knoll has been appointed as advisory board chair of The Yoghurt Shop.
Knoll is currently the executive chairman of Barossa Fine Foods and Mitani Group, managing director of Sympatheia Strategic Advisory and head of strategy at OpSys Australia, as well as a board member of Food South Australia and Faith Lutheran College.
From 2014 until 2022, Knoll was the member for Schubert, which covers the Barossa Valley and Adelaide Plains.
He served as the minister for transport, infrastructure, local government and planning under the Marshall Liberal government.
He was also formerly the general manager and then CEO of Barossa Fine Foods.
New York lawyer joins Adelaide Fringe board
Emily Farrell has joined the board of Adelaide Fringe – the largest arts festival in the southern hemisphere.
Adelaide Fringe said she brings global experience in law, industrial relations and public policy to the role.
Farrell completed a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Adelaide before relocating to New York, where she worked for six years in non-profit legal advocacy and as an immigration lawyer.
“Emily’s international outlook, legal background and experience working with global creatives will be a tremendous asset to Adelaide Fringe. We’re thrilled to welcome her at a time when the festival is expanding its reach and reaffirming its place on the world stage,” said Paul Hamra, who is chair of the Fringe and Solstice Media’s founder and managing director.
