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.
Simon Birmingham appointed to top banking role
Former South Australian senator and federal minister Simon Birmingham will join the Australian Banking Association as CEO from August 18.
ABA chair and National Australia Bank CEO Andrew Irvine said that Birmingham will lead the banking industry in the role, as well as “help ensure Australian banks continue making the right decisions for customers and the broader economy”.
Birmingham takes over from former Queensland Labor Premier Anna Bligh AC, who was appointed to the role in April 2017 and will have her final day on August 22.
Birmingham held various ministerial portfolios during his time in parliament from 2007 until 2025, including as Education and Training Minister, the Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister, Finance Minister and Government Senate Leader.
Since leaving politics, he has been head of Asia Pacific engagement and chair for South Australia at ANZ.
Long-serving commissioner resigns
Associate Professor Grant Davies will resign as commissioner of Health and Community Services Complaints (HCSCC) to take up an interstate position, Health Minister Chris Picton announced in an email to SA Health staff last week.
Picton said that since being appointed to the role in February 2018, Davies has helped establish HCSCC’s presence on social media, as well as expanding community outreach and opening a walk-in service on Pulteney Street.
In addition to his role as commissioner, Davies is also an associate professor at Flinders University’s College of Nursing and Health Services.
Davies previously served as the Victorian health services minister from October 2014 until January 2017.
Debbie Martin, who is currently the executive director of rural support services at SA Health, will be acting commissioner from June 30 while a permanent replacement is found.
The HCSCC is tasked with improving the safety and quality of health and community services in South Australia.
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LGA South Australia’s CEO says farewell
Clinton Jury has announced that he will step down from his role as CEO of LGA South Australia after almost four years at its helm.
LGA South Australia said that since joining the organisation in October 2021, Jury has helped shape LGA South Australia’s strategic direction.
Before joining LGA South Australia, Jury spent six years at the Australian Institute of Company Directors, including most recently as manager of South Australia and the Northern Territory for board and governance services.
“Clinton is known and respected across local government as a trust, values-driven leader who has guided the organisation through change and growth, delivering stability and strengthened government engagement,” said LGA South Australia president Dr Heather Holmes-Ross.
“Under Clinton’s leadership, LGA has successfully negotiated new state and federal funding for local government priorities, built effective partnerships across state agencies, and secured an ongoing seat at State Cabinet each quarter.
“He has also been instrumental in driving internal culture, contributing to organisational maturity.”
LGA South Australia will appoint an acting CEO while it looks for a permanent replacement.
Passing on the baton at Escient
Business and digital consultancy Escient has announced the retirement of co-founder and CEO Steve Mabbs after eight years in the role.
Escient’s current managing director of the southern region, Rebecca Campbell-Burns, will take the reins from Mabbs as CEO on July 1.
Campbell-Burns said she has expertise in the health, non-profit and public service sectors in areas such as digital transformation, diversity, equity and inclusion and sustainability.
Escient was founded in 2016 and works with a diverse client base spanning health, government, financial services, higher education and non-profits.
Climbing the ladder at Piper Alderman
Piper Alderman has announced the promotion of Travis Shueard to special counsel in commercial (intellectual property) in its Adelaide office as part of the commercial law firm’s latest Australia-wide promotions.
Piper Alderman said Shueard is an experienced intellectual property litigator.
He joined Piper Alderman in March 2021 as an associate and has been a senior associate since July 2022.
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Meanwhile, Alexandra Turner has been promoted to an associate of real estate, and Olivia Zille as people and development manager of business services.
Before starting at Piper Alderman as a lawyer in January 2024, Turner had been a major events officer at the South Australian Tourism Commission.
Zille joined Piper Alderman in October 2020 as a human resources graduate, moving up through the ranks to HR associate prior to her latest promotion.
Moving on up at Grant Thornton
Grant Thornton has announced the promotion of George Sinanis to partner in corporate tax in its Adelaide office, while Mark D’Angelica has joined as a corporate and international tax partner, and Laurel Qiu Dixon as a director.
Grant Thornton said Sinanis has more than a decade of experience, specialising in taxation advisory and compliance services for corporate, commercial and private clients.
Sinanis, who joined Grant Thornton as a graduate, is currently also a tutor in income tax law at the University of Adelaide and a management committee member for The Foundation for Hellenic Studies.
D’Angelica has joined from BDO in Australia, where he spent close to five years, including most recently as a director.
He is also a committee member and the treasurer of the Comitato Italiani All’Estero.
Dixon has joined Grant Thornton from KPMG, where she spent the past four years as an associated director and then as a director.
She is also the past president of the Asia Pacific Business Council for Women and previously spent 15 years at Pitcher Partners, where she was most recently the director of its China Business Unit.
“The recent hiring and promotions of our local talent are a display of our dedication and commitment to fostering our people’s skills and capabilities, while at the same time growing our depth of expertise and bolstering the services we provide to our client base,” said David Mullins, who is a partner and office chair of Grant Thornton’s Adelaide office.
Digital marketing agency expands team
Digital marketing agency Neon Treehouse has announced a series of senior hires, including the addition of Emily Hardy to its Adelaide office as account manager.
Neon Treehouse said Hardy brings experience in integrated marketing and client management to the role.
Hardy joins Neon Treehouse from Southern Design Group, where she spent more than two years as marketing coordinator.
“These hires are just the beginning of our endeavour to really level up the offering of Neon Treehouse to the world, and to honour our ongoing commitment to building a world-class team of thinkers, makers and strategists who drive results,” said Neon Treehouse CEO and founder Joshua White.
Neon Treehouse said it has worked in industries ranging from cultural institutions to eCommerce brands and government initiatives, including Illuminate Adelaide, WOMADelaide and AEDA.
Jumping on board at Judo South Australia
Patrick Collinson has been appointed to the board of directors of Judo South Australia.
Collinson’s involvement in judo includes representing the University of South Australia at the UniSport National Championships in 2022, where he won a silver medal and was awarded the Half Blues award.
Collinson also trains and mentors a vision-impaired judo athlete who recently represented Australia at the World Blind Judo Championship in Kazakhstan.
Collinson is currently also the office manager for Dunstan Labor member Cressida O’Hanlon.
“I’m proud to be one of the few gay athletes involved in both judo and competition and governance in the country,” says Collinson.
“Through my role on the board, I am committed to making judo more accessible for people with disabilities and increasing participation among children and young people across South Australia.”
