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.
Solstice Media editorial director moves to AMH
Jim Plouffe has stepped down from his role as editorial director of Solstice Media to take up a position as head of publishing at Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH).
Plouffe will lead the recently restructured Publications Team and will be responsible for driving excellence, efficiency and innovation in publishing at the national medical publisher based in Adelaide.
At AMH, Plouffe will lead content strategy, quality, strategic partnerships and new business development to expand products and services into new markets.
Plouffe has worked in the media for the past three decades, including more than 11 years at Solstice Media.
During this time, Plouffe held a variety of roles at the company, including most recently as editorial director, where he oversaw the digital integration of Solstice Media’s brands onto one online platform.
Among his other achievements while at Solstice Media, Plouffe played a pivotal role in developing the weekly Business Insight newsletter, the 40 Under 40 awards and expanding InDaily’s regional news coverage.
“Jim has helped launch new products and events, filled in where needed and mentored many staff and interns,” said Solstice Media founder and managing director Paul Hamra.
“Recently, he has done a great job bringing together our state brands onto the new InDaily website and integrating our content as editorial director, which wasn’t easy.
“Jim has also represented the company on many occasions, always bringing new ideas to the table and reliably getting the job done.”
Climbing the ladder at BDO
BDO has announced the promotion of Melissa Fardone to partner and Sean Augustin to director within its Adelaide office.
Fardone joined BDO as a director in March 2020 and currently leads BDO’s Research & Development and Government Incentives (R&D) team.
She has more than a decade of experience in government and consulting, with sector experience in mining, IT and manufacturing.
BDO said Fardone has a strong track record in securing high-value government grants, advising on commercialisation strategies and navigating complex R&D Tax Incentive claims.
“Melissa’s promotion reflects her drive, expertise and the impact she’s made in building or R&D and Government Incentives practice in Adelaide,” said BDO Adelaide managing partner Rudy Pieck.
“It’s an incredibly well-deserved recognition, and I’m proud to welcome her to the partnership.”
Augustin, who joined BDO in 2011, has been appointed as director in BDO’s Business Services team.
In this role, Augustin will continue to work with clients in diverse industries ranging from property to construction, retail and holiday parks.
BDO said he provides expert advice on business structuring, tax planning, financial modelling and compliance.
“[Augustin’s] commercial acumen and strong client relationships continue to make a valuable contribution to our Business Services team,” said Pieck.
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National RTO Manager for successful community-owned not-for-profit entity, MADEC. This national role reports to the Chief Executive Officer and leads MADEC’s registered training organisation (RTO) business, driving strategic initiatives and overseeing day-to-day education operations within the vocational education and training (VET) sector. Whilst head office is located in Mildura, there is flexibility for the right candidate to be based out of any other branch office across the country in this national role. |
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History Trust farewells CEO
Greg Mackie OAM has officially finished his tenure as CEO of the History Trust of South Australia.
Mackie has been CEO of the History Trust since April 2016 and passes on the baton to outgoing Festival City ADL CEO Justyna Jochym.
Reflecting on his time leading the History Trust, Mackie said he is most proud of securing $7 million to relocate and reinterpret the plane used by the Smith brothers on the first ever flight from the United Kingdom to Australia.
He said he was also proud of his part in growing the History Festival, as well as the acquisition of the original bus from The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert for restoration.
Mackie said he would continue his involvement with the History Trust by helping to raise money for the restoration effort and other projects.
Mackie said now was the right time to step back and expressed confidence in the future direction of the History Trust under Jochym’s leadership.
“I turned 65 last year, and I’ve been working 60-plus hours a week for 45 years. It’s time to sniff the wattle, as they say and change gears…I would like a little more breathing time for fitness and wellbeing,” he said.
“I’m as confident as I could possibly be that the board have made a good appointment in terms of my successor, but I’m also supremely confident in the passion, commitment, dedication and professionalism of our senior leadership group, and in fact, everybody in the organisation.”
National Pharmacies welcomes new CEO
Mark Smith has been appointed as CEO of National Pharmacies, bringing more than 15 years of leadership experience in retail and sales.
Smith will begin the role on July 28 and replaces Vito Borrello, who has led National Pharmacies for the past 12 years.
Smith is currently the chief operating officer of Viva Energy Retail, where he has been for the past year.
Before this, he held senior roles at OTR, Coles and Woolworths, as well as Dixons Carphone and Tesco in the United Kingdom.
“Throughout his career, Mark has put the customer first by leading and supporting his teams to deliver exceptional value, services and experiences, while evolving to meet customers’ changing needs,” said National Pharmacies chair Pauline Carr.
“Mark will lead National Pharmacies’ efforts to create even greater value for our members and customers by giving them more reasons to visit, whether for prescription medication, specialist health and wellbeing services, vaccinations, beauty treatments and optical services.”
Leadership change at Resthaven
Rob Quinton will start as the chief financial officer of Resthaven on August 25, CEO Darren Birbeck has announced.
Quinton replaces David Norton, who recently stepped down as executive manager of finance and technology after 12 years in the role.
Quinton is currently general manager of finance at National Pharmacies, where he has been for the past 11 years.
Before this, he held senior roles at Perks Integrated Business Services and Accolade Wines.
“Rob comes to us with a wealth of experience,” said Birbeck.
“We look forward to welcoming him when he joins us next month.”
Resthaven is a not-for-profit aged care community service established in 1935 and associated with the Uniting Church in Australia.
RAA thanks long-term spokesman
Mark Borlace will hang up his boots after more than four decades at the RAA.
Borlace joined the RAA as a testing engineer in 1982 and has held various roles across the organisation’s car advisory, mobility technology and public policy teams.
He is currently a senior manager in RAA’s mobility and automotive policy team.
Throughout his time at RAA, Borlace has served as a spokesperson on fuel prices, automotive policy and mobility technology, having given an estimated 5000-plus interviews since the early 1990s.
“Over four decades, Mark has been the very well-dressed face of RAA, a wise counsel and educator and an oracle on all things automotive, energy and RAA history,” said RAA CEO Nick Reade.
“Everyone at RAA has appreciated his insights, knowledge, humour and perspective as he’s helped keep RAA at the forefront of automotive technology and policy.
“We’re extremely grateful for Mark’s 43 years of service and wish him all the best in retirement.”
RSL SA elects new president
RSL SA Inc has elected Brad Flaherty as its next state president.
Flaherty is currently a senior project manager at civil engineer Egis in ANZ and previously spent 12 years as company director of BNJ Consultants in Port Lincoln.
Flaherty was also the mayor of Port Lincoln from November 2018 to November 2022 and served for 28 years as a superintendent in the SA Police, as well as 29 years as a major in the Australian Defence Force.
Meanwhile, Phil Southam, Meredith Burgess, Tich Tyson and John O’Grady have been elected as state board members of RSL SA Inc.
The Returned & Services League of Australia (SA Branch) covers South Australia, the Northern Territory and Broken Hill, with the mission “to care for the health and well-being of the Service and Ex-Service community”.
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Family law expert joins DBH Lawyers
Jane Fox has joined DBH Lawyers as a partner and head of family law.
Fox has more than 20 years of experience in family law and joins from Clelalds Lawyers, where she was special counsel for close to two years.
Before this, she was a judicial registrar in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
“We are thrilled to have Jane join our hardworking team at DBH Lawyers. Her experience, talent and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to secure consistently strong outcomes for our client,” said DBH Lawyers managing partner Amy Nikolovski.
Equity & Advisory appoints new partner
John-Paul Calabrese has been promoted to a partner at the mergers and acquisitions firm Equity & Advisory.
Calabrese joined Equity & Advisory in December 2021 as a director, advising on divestments, acquisitions, capital raising and other corporate finance matters.
Before this, Calabrese was an associate director in the mergers and acquisitions team at Deloitte Australia and an analyst in restructuring at Ferrier Hodgson.
“John-Paul has proven himself to be an outstanding senior member of our team, and we congratulate him on his well-deserved promotion to Partner,” said managing partner Don Manifold.
Moving on up at DMAW Lawyers
South Australian commercial law firm DMAW Lawyers has announced the promotion of Callum Ritchie to principal, Sam de Cure to special counsel and Annabel Nettle to senior associate.
Ritchie joined DMAW Lawyers in May 2023 as a senior associate and is also a member of the Property Council SA’s Future Leaders Committee and the Law Society of South Australia’s Property Law Committee.
DMAW Lawyers said Ritchie was a key member of its transactions team and had a strong background in real estate, development, infrastructure and construction.
De Cure joined the DMAW Lawyers disputes team in 2023 as a senior associate.
DMAW Lawyers said he was a senior member of its disputes practice with a focus on alternative dispute resolution, commercial litigation and insolvency.
Nettle joined DMAW Lawyers as a graduate lawyer in its disputes team in 2019, before progressing to associate in 2022.
In addition to these appointments, Abby-Rose Hill, Irini Kourakis, Narisse Fechner and Stephanie Maurangi have been elevated to associates, while Stephanie Dugan has been promoted to client experience and engagement manager.
“We are thrilled to recognise such a large group for their progress, development and dedication to the firm and our valued clients,” said DMAW Lawyers CEO Bernice Witkowski.
“It is fantastic to see DMAW Layers provide the environment and opportunities for staff to progress their careers, with a strong focus on merit-based promotions as soon as they are ready.”
Jumping on board at SA Health
SA Health has announced the appointment of Dr Carolyn Davy, Tina Cooper, Trevor Smith, Dr Melanie Considine and Ian Stone to its Governing Boards.
Davy is a senior research fellow at Flinders University’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences and joins the Yorke and Northern Local Health Network (YNLHN) Governing Board.
Davy is also the former CEO of the aged care facility, The Society of Saint Hilarion.
SA Health said she had a wealth of knowledge in strategic leadership and would be valued on the board for her experience in cross-sector collaboration.
Cooper, who will also join the YNLHN Governing Board, is a clinician and executive leader in acute and aged care environments.
SA Health said she worked across Australia providing leadership in operational management, communication and relationship building.
Smith will return to the Eyre and Far North Local Health Network (EFNLHN) Governing Board after previously sitting on the board from 2021 to 2024.
SA Health said Smith, who is currently a councillor for the District Council of Tumby Bay, brings to the board a background in policy and legislation, as well as knowledge of the local area.
Considine, who currently works as a rural generalist in Clare, also joins the EFNLHN Governing Board.
SA Health said her leadership experience as a regular mentor for medical students and prevocational doctors would be valued on the board.
Lastly, Stone has joined the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network Governing Board.
SA Health said Stone brings 30 years of experience as a CEO and non-executive director to the board.
Stone currently sits on numerous boards and is chair of the Australian Automotive Service and Repair Authority.
Stone was previously group managing director and CEO of RAA, general manager of RAA Insurance, head of international at IAG and CEO of the Motor Accident Commission.
The new appointments come following the departure of Peter Mills, Leanne Dunchue, Suzy Daw, Irene Watson, Jill Noble, Elizabeth Malcolm and Dr David Banham from the Governing Boards.
SA Health comprises 10 Local Health Networks, which are each overseen by a Governing Board responsible for ensuring safe, high-quality care is delivered in public hospitals and health services.
Botanic Gardens director joins RSPCA SA board
Michael Harvey, who is director of the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium of South Australia has been appointed to the board of RSPCA South Australia.
Harvey has led the Botanic Gardens since 2021 and has more than two decades of experience in the museum, science and culture sectors.
This includes experience in education, public programming, exhibition development, strategic planning and cultural leadership.
Before joining the Botanic Gardens, Harvey was assistant director and chief experience officer at the National Maritime Museum in Sydney.
He has also held senior roles at the Australian Museum in Sydney, Questacon in Canberra and London’s Natural History Museum.
