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.
BDO Australia appoints inaugural chief economist
BDO Australia has announced the appointment of Anders Magnusson as its inaugural chief economist.
In the new role, Magnusson will be responsible for leading the firm’s macroeconomic analysis and supporting BDO partners to help clients navigate a rapidly changing economy.
Magnusson previously served as lead economics partner at BDO from January 2022 until September 2025.
He joined BDO in January 2016 as an economist, moving up through the ranks to senior economist, associate director, and, prior to his most recent promotion, partner.
Magnusson holds a bachelor of economics from the University of Adelaide and a master of health (research) from the University of Canberra.
“The economic environment is the number one issue keeping our clients up at night,” said Tony Schiffmann, who is chief executive partner at BDO.
“This appointment ensures BDO is well-positioned to offer calm, deliberate, and actionable insight on the structural shifts shaping Australia’s next decade.”
Magnusson said he was honoured to be appointed BDO’s inaugural chief economist and looked forward to providing a human-centred approach to economic storytelling to help guide leaders in the private and public sectors.
“I am relishing the opportunity to make sense of economic trends for our clients and identify the risks and opportunities that really matter,” he said.
“An evolving geopolitical landscape coupled with business disruptors such as AI and the energy transition will mean clients will need incisive analysis and modelling, and I look forward to guiding leaders through this period of transformation.”
SALIFE appoints publisher
Solstice Media has appointed Brooke Seward publisher of its magazine title, SALIFE.
SALIFE is South Australia’s highest selling magazine and has been operating in the state for 22 years, showcasing the best of South Australia.
Brooke has been with the magazine since it was launched in November 2003, most recently as director of sales.
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Since its launch, the magazine title has branched out with specialty publications such as SALIFE Gardens and Outdoor Living, SALIFE Food + Wine + Travel and SALIFE Premium Property. The brand also has its own website, premium property real estate, social media channels and digital subscription service.
Solstice Media managing director Paul Hamra paid tribute to Brooke, “who has devoted a career of passion to build the title”.
“It is only fitting for her to become the magazine publisher. A very deserving appointment,” he said.
“Brooke understands the magazine, the brand, the market and what is possible, better than anyone. She will be amazing in this leadership role and has some really exciting ideas for growth.”
Seward said it was a “privilege to step into the role of publisher at SALIFE”.
“Over the years we have built a brand that truly celebrates the people, places, and lifestyle in South Australia,” she said.
“I’m excited to continue that journey with our talented team and to explore new ways to connect with our readers and showcase the very best of our state.”
SALIFE is sold through retail, Coles, Woolworths, and independent supermarkets and through print and digital subscriptions.
Ex-AUKUS leader joins Adelaide defence company
A former leader of Australia’s AUKUS submarine program and decorated Army veteran has joined Silentium Defence as its Head of Future Business, APAC.
Bernie White will lead the company’s business growth and acquisition strategy across the Asia-Pacific, reporting directly to CEO James Palmer.
White was previously in a key role at BAE Systems Australia, working on the AUKUS submarine program, and previously led its Electronic Warfare Sensors and Effectors portfolio.
He is also a former Commander of the 16 Air Land Regiment and has logged about 2000 drone combat hours.
White also served as Australia’s Military Attaché in Washington DC.
White said he was motivated by Silentium’s disruptive technology and growth trajectory.
“Silentium’s passive radar technology is a game-changer,” he said.
“I’m excited to help position the company as a leader in the APAC region and work with the team to deliver capabilities that strengthen our allies’ situational awareness.”
Slam dunk for new Adelaide Lightning appointees
Women’s basketball team Adelaide Lightning has appointed Cherie Cordoba as assistant coach and Marina Wood (née Moffa-Pearce) as team manager ahead of the 2025/26 Women’s National Basketball League season.
Cordoba and Wood are both former premiership-winning players on the Adelaide Lightning team.
Cordoba joins Adelaide Lightning from software company DreamsEdge, where she has been a sales associate for the past three years.
Before this, she spent two years as an assistant women’s basketball coach at Indiana University in the United States.
Wood is a former Opal who represented Australia at the 1984 Los Angeles and 1988 Seoul Olympics.
In her new role, she will support players and coaches in delivering a professional and high-performance program.
“Cherie’s background as an athlete at the highest level, combined with her passion for player growth, makes her an incredible addition to our team. We are close friends and colleagues, and I have no doubt she will add immense value to our program,” said head coach Kerryn Mitchell.
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“Marina has been a trusted leader in the South Australian basketball community for years, and her ability to connect with people and bring everything together behind the scenes is invaluable for a club like ours.”
New faces at COTA SA
COTA SA has announced the appointment of Allison Russell as policy and advocacy manager and Catherine Coram as marketing executive.
Russell has more than 30 years of experience in managing public and community programs.
She most recently spent three years as deputy director of public engagement at the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium, where she led community engagement for Chihuly.
Before this, she was director of assets and operations at the National Trust of South Australia, senior curator at the National Motor Museum and program manager at Flinders University Art Museum.
She also spent nearly eight years at the History Trust of South Australia, including as director of special projects, History Festival, the Centre for Democracy, and community programs, as well as acting director of the Migration Museum.
Coram has more than 20 years of experience in marketing and will focus on growing COTA SA’s Strength for Life program.
COTA SA said Coram is an expert in executive high-impact marketing campaigns, customer relationship management strategies and data-driven insights to optimise customer experience.
Before joining COTA SA, Coram worked at Palliative Care South Australia, where she held the roles of events, fundraising and communications manager and marketing and events officer.
She has also been a business development manager, national sales manager and relationship manager at PBC Expo, brand and marketing manager at Mattel and brand manager at Sara Lee Branded Apparel.
COTA SA said it is the peak body representing more than 700,000 South Australians aged fifty and over.
Passing on the baton at Food South Australia
Dr George Ujvary has stepped down after twenty years on the Food South Australia, where he has served as vice chair since November 2024.
He is the founder of food blog The Foodologist, CEO of Olgas Fine Foods and chair of meat industry co-operative Make It With MBL.
“George has been a tireless contributor to the organisation for over two decades, including as our Vice Chair,” said Food South Australia’s chair, Stephan Knoll.
“On top of that, George is a good friend and a real leader in our industry; his business, Olgas Fine Foods, is a great local brand.”
The Food South Australia board has endorsed Edward Vercoe to fill the casual vacancy left by Ujvary.
Vercoe is the managing director of the olive oil sales and packaging business Oleapak.
“Ed’s experience, especially as an exporter, will help to drive Food SA’s focus on growing export markets, taking our premium products to the world,” said Knoll.
“The board is looking forward to working with Ed as we continue to move Food SA and the broader food industry forward.”
Jumping off board at Adrad
Darryl Abotomey has resigned as a director of Adrad Holdings Limited.
Abotomey is a semi-retired CEO and business adviser who has been a non-executive director at Adrad since April 2023.
He is also currently a non-executive director at K-TIG and CEA, as well as a business advisor at DAAB Advisory.
He was previously CEO and managing director at Bapcor Limited, director and chief financial officer at Exego Group and director and chief financial officer at PaperlinX.
The Adrad board thanked Abotomey for his “valuable contribution” to the board over the years and wished him success in his future.
