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 Health’s chief psychiatrist to step down
SA Health’s chief psychiatrist, Dr John Brayley, will step down after more than seven years in the role.
His departure was announced by Dr Robyn Lawrence, who is chief executive for the Department for Health and Wellbeing.
Brayley began as SA Health’s chief psychiatrist in 2018 and will stay on until the end of his contract in May 2026, with recruitment for his replacement to begin shortly.
Among his achievements as chief psychiatrist, Brayley oversaw the development of a new inspection regime for mental health services and led the development of the current Mental Health Services Plan 2020-2025 alongside the then mental health commissioner.
Brayley and his office have also played a role in reviewing new hospital plans and models for new inpatient units, completed the technical work behind the Suicide Prevention Act 2021, established a tool to check new services and models against international human rights and championed the role of supported decision making in mental health.
In addition to being chief psychiatrist, Brayley is currently an associate professor in psychiatry (academic status) and an adjunct associate professor in health management at Flinders University, as well as a consultant psychiatrist in clinical practice.
Brayley has previously been chief medical officer and surgeon general for the Australian Border Force, chief adviser in psychiatry to the South Australian mental health minister and director of mental health in the health services management division of the Department of Health.
He was also director of the division of mental health at the Flinders Medical Centre and clinical director and then director in the division of mental health at Noarlunga Health Services.
Show stopper: FCA appoints CEO
Festival City Adelaide (FCA), the peak body for festivals and events in South Australia, has appointed industry veteran Glyn Roberts as its next CEO.
Roberts replaces Justyna Jochym, who is now the CEO of History Trust South Australia, and he will start at the beginning of October.
Roberts is currently the Team Manager Creative Communities at Townsville City Council, providing strategic leadership for arts, major and community events across Townsville. He has been the Festival Director and CEO of the Castlemaine State Festival and has worked in the arts and cultural sector for the past two decades.
Festival City Adelaide board chair Govert Mellink said they had conducted an extensive search for the right person to lead FCA’s next phase of growth.
“We are confident we have found the right person in Glyn to grab the opportunities we have built at FCA and develop them into world-leading programs,” Mellink said.
The FCA is developing initiatives that would see Adelaide become the epicentre of festival and event education and training, as well as bringing all the different people and skills essential to running festivals and events into a shared service.
Roberts said these programs will further cement Adelaide’s title of the festival capital of Australia and “remove any question that we are global leaders in the festival industry and set the pace for innovation in this space”.
“We will be doing this across so many important areas, such as education and training, workforce management, sustainability, cultural diplomacy, regional engagement and much more,” he said.
Roberts said one of his first tasks was to ensure the FCA membership was properly represented.
“I’ll advocate for their collective needs to government and industry to secure the most fertile environment in which these incredible festivals can thrive and give back to South Australia many times over,” he said
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New Haigh’s Chocolates CEO begins
Peter Millard has officially begun as Haigh’s Chocolates’ next CEO, taking over from Alister Haigh, who retired after 30 years leading the business.
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Millard’s appointment marks the first time someone outside the Haigh family has led Haigh’s Chocolates in the 110-year history of the business.
Alister will remain on the Haigh’s Chocolates board alongside his fourth-generation family members Simon Haigh and Sara Fitzgerald.
Millard has been with Haigh’s Chocolates for the past 19 years as supply chain manager and, more recently, as chief operating officer.
“Alongside the family, I remain passionate about preserving the enduring quality of Haigh’s premium chocolate to delight generations of chocolate lovers for years to come,” says Millard.
Former radio presenter reveals next move
Media personality Ali Clarke has joined Sport SA to lead strategic communications and marketing.
Clarke is a former radio host with more than 20 years of experience in the media.
Clarke has most recently been a host of Mix 102.3, where she had been for three years before announcing her departure in November 2024.
In addition to her role at Mix 102.3, Clarke has also presented on Triple M and the ABC, as well as being a reporter and presenter at Nine Network Australia, a reporter at Network 10, a journalist and columnist at The Advertiser, a columnist at InDaily and a contributor at Sky News Australia.
For the past five months, she has been the owner of Ali Clarke Consulting, which offers services ranging from hosting events to media communications, strategic communications, strategic partnerships and media relations.
Clarke is currently also on the Local Organising Committee for the upcoming FIVB World Beach Volleyball Championships in Adelaide.
“As someone who’s grown up on sport and spent the last 25 years in South Australia, I’ve seen how sport and community go hand in hand. This role will bring together everything I care about, and I want to use my media and communication skills to have a real impact and bring people together,” said Clarke.
Sport SA CEO Leah Cassidy said they were thrilled to welcome Clarke to provide the sporting body and its members with high-quality communications services.
“Through conversations with our members, we saw a significant gap in the provision of communications and marketing services, and with the help of Ali, we aim to fill this gap. With her incredible media record and strong connection to grassroots sport, we couldn’t think of anyone more qualified or skilled to lead this work,” she said.
New direction for FMG Engineering
Adelaide-based multi-disciplinary engineering firm FMG Engineering has appointed Adam Creek as its CEO.
In his new role, Creek will be responsible for both day-to-day operations and growing the business in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland in its structural, civil, forensic, environmental, materials testing, Geotech and residential disciplines.
Creek will take over from Matthew Loftes, who has been at FMG for the past 22 years, including 11 as managing director.
Loftes will transition into a new role focusing on business growth and will remain a member of the FMG board.
Creek has been the state manager of FMG’s Victorian operations since October 2024 and brings to the role more than 30 years of experience in leadership, engineering and consulting.
He was previously the director of operations (transport) for global consulting firm Jacobs, CEO of CNC Project Management and general manager of Kleinfelder Australia.
“In Adam, we have a very capable and experienced leader who will put his own stamp on the business, and we wish him the very best in his new role,” said FMG chair Gary Francis.
“This development also frees more of Matthew’s time to focus on mergers and acquisitions, something in which he has a proven track record of success, and we thank him for his outstanding leadership over the years.”
Leadership change for Cara
Disability service provider Cara has announced several key appointments to its executive and leadership team.
Michael Kromwyk has been appointed as the inaugural deputy CEO, bringing more than a decade of executive leadership experience.
Kromwyk was most recently CEO of Lutheran Disability Services Inc., and before this, he held senior roles at RAA, where he led marketing, sales and business development.
He is also currently on the boards of the Catalyst Foundation and CareWorkSA, as well as holding committee roles with NDS SA and the Morialta Charitable Trust.
In his new role, Kromwyk will lead strategic initiatives to enhance supported independent living services and long-term housing solutions.
Meanwhile, Meredith Waterhouse has been appointed as general manager of business development.
Waterhouse has over 10 years of experience in marketing, communications, brand strategy, business development, rebrand initiatives, launching new revenue streams and implementing CSR programs.
She previously held senior marketing and communications roles at Digital Marketing AOK, StreetFleet and Basheer Group.
Waterhouse is currently a committee member of the Fundraising Institute Australia SA/NT, a mentor for the Australian Marketing Institute and a former vice chair of the Motor Neurone Disease Association SA.
Also joining Cara’s leadership team is Jill Wong, who has been appointed as general manager of governance and risk.
Wong holds a master’s degree in mediation and conflict resolution and brings more than a decade of experience in governance, compliance and quality.
She previously spent five and a half years at HenderCare in various senior roles, including most recently as head of governance, risk and compliance.
She has also held roles at SACARE, Catherine House Inc. and Uniting Communities.
At Cara, she will lead its governance and risk portfolio, including enterprise risk, work health and safety, safeguarding, quality and compliance, with a strong focus on organisational integrity.
East Waste gains experienced general manager
East Waste has welcomed Leonard Leyland as its new general manager, bringing more than two decades of experience in logistics, contract management and operational excellence.
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East Waste said Leyland brings a wealth of leadership, operational and strategic experience in the public and private sectors to the role.
Leyland was most recently head of operational excellence at Ventia, where he spent nearly 11 years.
While at Ventia, he also held roles such as contract manager for health AGFMA, contract manager, executive manager logistics and logistics manager for an international fly-in fly-out role.
He also served as a logistics manager for the Royal Australian Air Force, including a period in the reserves.
Leyland also spent three years as director of studies at International House.
“Leonard’s vision is to provide clear strategic direction for East Waste, supporting operational excellence and enhancing service delivery to our member councils and communities,” said East Waste.
“His collaborative approach and strong focus on innovation and sustainability align with East Waste’s commitment to support a high-performing, future-focused kerbside waste and resource recovery services that achieve both environmental and financial benefits.”
New Advara HeartCare appointee to establish key partnerships
Dr Christian Verdicchio has been appointed as head of corporate affairs and strategy for Advara HeartCare.
In this role, Verdicchio will be responsible for influencing external audiences and stakeholders, including by establishing key partnerships with the government, peak bodies, industry community and research institutes.
He will also work with Advara HeartCare’s executive team to oversee strategic initiatives with key partners, with the goal of driving national improvements in cardiovascular healthcare awareness, prevention and treatment.
Advara HeartCare said Verdicchio has extensive experience in the cardiovascular disease and healthcare corporate sector, including as CEO of Heart Support-Australia since January 2023.
He is also currently a clinical senior lecturer at the University of Sydney and the University of Adelaide, as well as an executive member of the Allied Health, Science & Technology Council of the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand.
Advara HeartCare said it is the largest provider of cardiology services in Australia, with 65 locations across the country.
Senior curator joins FUMA
The Flinders University Museum of Art (FUMA) has appointed Dr Belinda Howden as its senior curator.
FUMA said Howden is a writer, educator and curator with extensive experience in the university and gallery sectors.
Howden relocated from New South Wales in 2019 and has been an assistant editor at Artlink magazine, a lead contributor to the ACE Gallery and the Art Gallery (AGSA) of South Australia’s Contemporary Art in the Classroom digital initiative and developed resources for major exhibitions at AGSA.
She also co-authored a monograph with Anna O’Loughlin on Filipino-Australian artist Mark Valenzuela for the South Australian Living Artists Festival publication series and recently curated FUMA’s Crosscurrents exhibition.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr Howden to FUMA,” said Fiona Salmon, who is FUMA’s director.
“Her deep knowledge of Australian contemporary art, curatorial insight, and commitment to education align with our mission to foster critical engagement with art, culture, and ideas across the University and broader community.”
Joining the commentary box
Adelaide’s Matt Naulty has been promoted to the Supercars Dunlop Super2 Series broadcast team.
Naulty will step into the lead commentary role for the upcoming Ipswich Super440.
Naulty has more than 20 years of broadcast experience in circuit racing, speedway, drag racing and Stadium Super Trucks, including serving as a commentator for 12 consecutive Supercars seasons.
He has also held lead commentary roles for the TA2 Muscle Car Series, the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series and broadcast appearances with Seven Network’s Shannons Speedseries, TCR Australia, S5000 and the Trans Am Series.
“To be stepping into the Super2 booth is a great opportunity, I called in 2024 at Sandown and Bathurst, but this is the first time as lead caller,” said Naulty.
“I’m grateful to the Supercars team for the opportunity. I’ve always believed in bringing passion and presence to the commentary box, and I’m excited to carry that into this next chapter.”
Hitting the high notes at MusicSA
MusicSA has announced the appointment of Leko Novakovic, Kate Russo, and Isobella Caruso to its board.
Novakovic has 28 years of experience in the live production industry and is currently managing director of event hire and production company Novatech.
Russo has more than 16 years of experience in venue and event management.
She is currently the general manager of the Adelaide Entertainment Centre and Coopers Stadium and played a key role in the reintroduction of live music to The Drive in 2024.
Caruso is an award-winning music and event publicist who is the founder of creative agency Rebel Yell.
She is also a freelance artist driver, production runner and artist liaison, working with the likes of Paul McCartney, Cold Chisel, The Chicks, Sam Smith, Nick Cave and the Kooks.
She was also held publicity roles on a freelance basis for The Garden of Unearthly Delights, WOMADelaide and Beer & BBQ Festival, where she was also marketing manager.
She has also held senior marketing roles at the Adelaide Festival Centre, SALA Festival, the Adelaide Fringe, Rip It Up, The Adelaide Review and Clique Mag.
“We have always been blessed with the commitment and industry experience of Music SA Board Members, and as Chair, I welcome Kate Russo, Leko Novakovic and Bel Caruso, who will undoubtedly extend the Board’s knowledge and contacts at an incredibly important time in the continued growth of our organisation,” said MusicSA chair John Glenn.
“As we look ahead to delivering the 2026 Regional and Remote Music Summit in Mount Gambier, a new Strategic Plan and all of our many other events and industry development support to our vibrant industry, the future looks very bright indeed”
Jumping on board at Argo Investments Ltd
Symon Parish has been appointed to Argo Investments Ltd, independent non-executive director, effective from October 3.
Argo Investments said Parish has extensive experience in fund management, including more than 30 years at Russell Investment Management.
This includes 23 years as an executive director, as well as being chief investment officer for Australasia, head of multi-asset for Asia Pacific and chief investment officer for Asia Pacific.
Founded in 1946, Argo Investments is a listed investment company with more than 95,000 shareholders and a portfolio of more than $7 billion.
