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.
New CEO starts at troubled cultural centre
Brenz Saunders has officially started his new role as CEO of Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute, taking over from former CEO Phillip Saunders, who is of no relation.
Brenz Saunders said he was focused on ensuring Tandanya “is a space where culture thrives and experiences inspire”.
“From the outset, Tandanya is a significantly important institution that holds many treasures that tell the stories of Aboriginal culture and the history of South Australia at large,” he said.
It follows a tumultuous period for Tandanya, which has been closed to the public since April 2023, with Saunders describing its Grenfell Street home as “visibly tired”.
Saunders said he was “eager” to start working on plans to reopen Tandanya as a public space, and was currently in conversation with the State Government and other stakeholders to address infrastructure problems.
Alongside his new role as CEO of Tandanya, Saunders is the founder and chair of Cheedoona, an Aboriginal-owned and operated digital sustainability consulting business.
Saunders chairs various other boards, including Alinytjara Wilurara Landscape Board, Tauondi Aboriginal College, Far West Coast Investments, Indigenous Energy Australia and the Alliance of First Nations Independent Education and Training Providers.
He also chairs the reconciliation action plan committees at Adelaide Airport Limited, Nova Systems Australia and New Zealand and the Aboriginal leadership board at Raising Literacy Australia, as well as being an advisor for Cerulean Creative Studios.
In addition, Saunders sits on the boards of UnitingCare Wesley Bowden, Adelaide Crows Foundation, the Country Arts SA Foundation Board and Minya Bunhii Childcare Centre.
Saunders previously worked at the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure in a variety of roles, including most recently as an assistant project and policy officer, and was the founder of the start-up Ekko Enterprise.
Leadership change at Vinnies SA
The St Vincent de Paul Society SA (Vinnies SA) has announced that Clinton Jury will start as its new CEO on October 13.
Jury has more than 30 years of senior leadership experience in purpose-driven and member-based organisations in Australia.
Vinnies SA said Jury had an extensive background in governance, advocacy and stakeholder engagement across community, government and charitable organisations.
Jury joins Vinnies SA from the Local Government Association of South Australia, where he served as CEO from September 2021 until July of this year.
He previously served as state manager of SA/NT board and governance services and market leader of advisory at the Australian Institute of Company Directors, group regional manager of retail for South Australia and Western Australia and general manager of business and corporate development at the Australian Red Cross, and director of fundraising at the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Jury has also been a CEO Sleepout Ambassador for Vinnies SA as well as a member of its commercial advisory committee.
“Clinton brings a rare combination of vision, experience and heart,” said Vinnies SA state president Geraldine Hawkes.
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“He has demonstrated time and again his ability to deliver meaningful outcomes for communities, and we are thrilled to welcome him to the Society.
“Under his leadership, we look forward to strengthening our mission and extending our impact for South Australians experiencing disadvantage.”
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Passing on the baton at ECH
South Australian retirement living and in-home care provider ECH has announced the appointment of Alan Morrison as its CEO.
Morrison has more than 20 years of leadership experience across the health sector, and is currently the CEO of Burnside Hospital and deputy chair of HESTA Super Fund.
Before this, he spent 11 years as CEO at Sportsmed and has worked in professional services with KPMG in various roles, both in Australia and the United Kingdom.
“Alan is known for his innovative and insightful leadership and his ability to find original solutions for complex challenges,” ECH chair Rosina Hislop said.
“He has a proven record for delivering better outcomes for customers, staff and partners and fostering a strong, positive company culture.
“Alan is also experienced in guiding organisations through times of industry-wide change and uncertainty.
“His fresh perspective will enable ECH to best respond to the industry challenges and opportunities ahead and strengthen our reputation as an industry-leading provider of retirement living and care for older South Australians.”
Morrison, who was appointed as CEO following what ECH said was an extensive recruitment process, will begin his role in January 2026.
Lieutenant General to chair Defence SA
The Defence SA Advisory Board has announced the appointment of Lieutenant General Rick Burr as its chair, taking over from Vice Admiral Russ Crane.
Burr previously served in senior roles in the Australian Army for nearly 14 years, including as its chief from July 2018 to July 2022.
He joined Defence SA as an advisory board member in October 2024 and is also a director of The Burr Initiative and the Australian American Leadership Dialogue, as well as co-chairing the Ikahan Senior Advisory Group.
He is also a strategic advisor for the University of Adelaide, Inovor Technologies and Green Gravity, as well as a defence and security committee member for the Group of Eight.
In addition to Burr’s appointment, Christine Zeitz has been appointed a director of Defence SA, while Merv Davis has retired after six years on the board.
Zeitz is currently chair for Adelaide of MENTOR LIST and Defence Trailblazer, a governor of AmCham South Australia, deputy chair and board member of SBS Australia and a member of the ALFW football committee at Port Adelaide Football Club.
She also serves on the board of Nova Systems Australia and New Zealand and RAA.
Zeitz previously served as CEO for Australia of self-described innovation company Leidos, as well as being vice president and managing director for Australia and Asia-Pacific at Lockheed Martin Australia and president of North East Asia at BAE Systems.
“I’m delighted to announce the appointment of Lieutenant General Burr AO DSC MVO (Retd) as Chair of the Defence SA Advisory Board. Rick’s deep understanding of the Australian Defence Force will continue to provide important insight into defence capability for South Australia,” said Defence SA CEO Matt Opie.
“I’m also pleased to welcome Christine, whose appointment further strengthens the Board’s depth of industry expertise, while Steve’s continued involvement remains invaluable as the state gears up to deliver the SSN-AUKUS program.
“I sincerely thank Vice Admiral Crane and Merv Davis for their valuable contributions to the Defence SA Advisory Board. Their expertise has played an important role in fostering the growth of the state’s defence industry and shaping its strategic direction.”
Arts leader joins State Theatre Company South Australia
Arts leader Katherine Fyffe will join State Theatre Company South Australia as executive director from January 2026.
Fyffe has more than 25 years of experience in theatre, including in producing, management and arts leadership.
Fyffe is currently executive director and co-CEO of Polyglot Theatre in Melbourne, where she has been for nearly eight years.
She was previously business manager at Theatre Network Australia and co-led Adelaide-based experimental theatre company The Border Project.
“Kath brings exceptional experience and vision to the Company,” said State Theatre Company South Australia chair Joe Throp.
“From a field of outstanding candidates, she stood out for her ability to combine ambitious artistic leadership with strong financial stewardship and community building.
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“We are excited to welcome her back to Adelaide and confident she will be an outstanding Executive Director alongside Petra Kalive.”
Army veteran starts at Silentium
Silentium Defence has appointed army veteran Bernie White to the newly created role of head of future business for the Asia-Pacific region.
In this role, White will lead Silentium’s business growth and acquisition strategy across the Asia-Pacific as the company endeavours to accelerate its regional expansion in passive radar and advanced situational awareness technology.
White joins Silentium from BAE Systems Australia, where he was a senior leader on Australia’s AUKUS submarine program and previously led its electronic warfare sensors and effector portfolios.
White is also a former commander of the 16 Air Land Regiment and served as Australia’s military attaché in Washington, D.C.
“Bernie brings unmatched expertise in integrated air and missile defence, radar, and drone operations at a time when demand for Silentium’s technology is growing rapidly across the region,” said Silentium CEO James Palmer.
Meals on Wheels SA appoints HR exec to new role
Meals on Wheels SA has appointed Matthew Grantham to the newly created role of general manager of people and capability.
Grantham will be a member of Meals on Wheels SA’s executive leadership team and will be responsible for its people and culture strategy.
He will also drive capability development across the organisation in areas such as infrastructure, technology, systems and people development.
In addition, Grantham will support the Meals on Wheels SA workforce to put in place quality frameworks that aim to enhance service delivery and customer outcomes.
Grantham joins Meals on Wheels SA from Clean Seas Sustainable Seafood, where he was people culture and safety manager, having previously held similar roles at Robern Menz and Bedford Group.
Grantham said Meals on Wheels SA was at a “critical juncture” as it prepares for the future while honouring the organisation’s past.
“We must continue to meet the needs of customers and volunteers as they evolve with our changing lifestyles, while recognising the dedicated and long-serving volunteers who have made Meals on Wheels what it is today,” he said.
“We are also facing significant sector changes, including increased governance and compliance requirements.
“I look forward to working with the broader organisation to implement contemporary, adaptable approaches and technologies that ensure Meals on Wheels remains ready to serve South Australians in the coming decades.”
Long-serving Duxton Farms director steps down
Mark Harvey has retired as a non-executive director on the board of Duxton Farms Ltd due to health reasons.
Harvey joined Duxton Farms as a director in 2017 and also served as deputy chair and chair of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee.
Duxton Farms said that during his time on the board, Harvey played an integral role in its listing process and the development of its strategy and governance frameworks.
Rachel Triggs has taken over from Harvey as deputy chair, with Duxton Farms to conduct a search process to identify and appoint a new “suitably qualified” independent director shortly.
Duxton Farms will also review the role of chair for the Nomination and Remuneration Committee.
“Mark has been exceptionally generous in committing a significant portion of his time to Duxton Farms over the past eight years and has worked tirelessly over the past 12 months on a remarkably complex and demanding transaction,” said Duxton Farms chair Ed Peter.
Shake-up at Anatara Lifesciences
Anatara Lifesciences Limited has announced the appointment of Dirk van Dissel as a non-executive director as part of a board “renewal process”.
In addition, Jonathan Lindh will step down from his interim role as non-executive director but will stay on as company secretary.
Van Dissel has more than 20 years of experience in private equity, boutique investment banking and stockbroking. He is also founder and director of Candour Advisory and Candour Asset Management.
He was previously director of corporate finance at Adelaide Equity Partners Limited and spent nearly 11 years at Baker Young Limited, including most recently as associate director of corporate.
“The Company welcomes the experience and knowledge in the biotechnology sector that Dirk van Dissel brings, while being appreciative of Jonathan Lindh’s flexibility that assisted us during a hiatus following the GaRP-IBS trial results and the preliminary anti-obesity project preparations required for the proof-of-concept studies,” said Anatara’s executive chair, Dr David Brookes.
Jumping on board at Papyrus
Papyrus Australia has announced the appointment of commercial lawyer Arthur Stavrou to its board of directors.
Stavrou has been a solicitor for more than 20 years and was admitted to the Supreme Court of SA in 2002.
Stavrou founded Standon Lawyers in April 2015, where he is the sole director and practices commercial and business law.
He was previously a principal at ACS Commercial Lawyers, a senior associate at Camatta Lempens Lawyers and an associate at CMS Cameron McKenna.
Papyrus chair Al Jawhari welcomed Stravrou to the board and said that “in addition to his extensive legal and strong corporate background, Mr Stravrou will be a valuable contributor as Director as Papyrus pursues global prospects for the company”.
Papyrus said it “is the developer of a world-first, sustainable technology that converts banana plantation waste into fibre and biodegradable food packaging products”.
