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.
SACOME announces new CEO
Catherine Mooney has been appointed as CEO of the South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy (SACOME).
Mooney is a seasoned ASX resources leader with more than 25 years’ experience shaping corporate reputation across energy, mining and local government sectors.
Mooney joins SACOME from AGL, where she spent more than 10 years, including most recently as head of strategic communications.
According to SACOME, while at AGL, Mooney leveraged knowledge of market forces affecting the National Energy Market (NEM), policy settings, government and stakeholder engagement to support development projects and issues affecting legacy operational sites.
Before this, Mooney spent more than six years at BHP, where she was most recently a senior change management advisor.
While at BHP, Mooney supported the Olympic Dam expansion and advocated for major infrastructure projects in water, road, rail and energy with key stakeholders nationally.
“South Australia’s resources sector is a powerhouse of growth, contributing significantly to the state’s economy and employing tens of thousands of South Australians,” Mooney said.
“I look forward to meeting with all our members and working together to advocate for the advancement of the sector.”
SACOME president Carl Kavina said Mooney “brings deep industry experience, strong advocacy skills and a focus on building collaborative partnerships, which will deliver increased benefits for our members across the State”.
Mooney begins her new role on Tuesday and takes the reins from Nicola McFarlane, who has served as SACOME’s interim CEO since August 2025.
CEO to join dental association
The Australian Dental Association (ADA) SA branch has announced the appointment of Mark Priddle as its new CEO.
Set to commence on December 1, Priddle was selected for his executive leadership, strategic insight, and corporate success.
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He has held senior leadership roles across education, health, government, and defence sectors and founded management and consulting service EduMark.
Priddle has served as general manager and head of Fullerton Health Academy where he was responsible for leading relationships with key government and industry stakeholder groups.
Prior to that, Priddle was head of the Primary Health Care Institute where he assisted stakeholders to grow training programs and create opportunities for young health professionals.
“His leadership will strengthen our ability to advocate for members and uphold the profession’s essential role within the broader health system,” ADA SA President Dr Poppy Anastassiadis said.
Directors join law firm
Adelaide based law firm Clelands Lawyers has announced two new directors to expand the firm’s leadership team.
Patrick Connelly first joined Clelands in 2013 after spending several years practising in commercial and taxation law at Kelly and Co. Lawyers.
As director, Connelly will provide extensive experience to commercial, property and business-related matters, with a focus on the hospitality industry and commercial property.
He will also provide across-the-board advice on commercial property transactions, business acquisitions and sales, leasing and major property development projects.
Nicholas McCarthy has also joined as a director after first joining the litigation and insolvency team Clelands in 2022.
He is experienced in personal and corporate insolvency and has managed matters and appeared in disputes across all major courts and tribunals, acting for private businesses, high-net-worth individuals and sporting organisations.
Clelands said the appointments reflected its “ongoing commitment to expanding its senior leadership and supporting continued growth across key practice areas”.
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Chief Risk Officer for HAMB Systems Limited, an Australian technology company owned by 15 private health insurance funds representing 25 brands. This executive role will lead enterprise risk and compliance strategy, advising the CEO and Board while driving frameworks that safeguard privacy, cyber security, and business continuity.
Head of Early Years for Seymour College, an established, highly regarded ELC-12 independent day and boarding school where children are given a place to explore, grow and belong. This is an exceptional opportunity to join a passionate, well-resourced learning environment amongst a thriving, active and inclusive College community.
Regional Workplace Health Safety & Environment Business Partner for significant national fresh produce leader, Perfection Fresh. This influential role will shape and enhance WHS&E culture for the southern region covering SA, Vic, Tas and WA, and is based at the significant and impressive Two Wells facility just 30 minutes from Adelaide. Enjoy a supportive and progressive culture with substantial employee benefits.
General Manager – Residential Services for Barossa Village Inc., a highly regarded community owned NFP aged care services provider. This is a unique senior leadership opportunity to join an established, forward-thinking entity and provide impactful leadership capacity amongst the connected community of the stunning Barossa Valley. |
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Chrysos appoints a new secretary
Laura Goldsmith has been appointed as joint company secretary of Adelaide headquartered mining equipment company Chrysos Corporation.
Goldsmith is an experienced corporate lawyer and has worked in firms in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
She has worked across corporate, commercial, mergers and acquisitions and finance matters and as a sole General Counsel at New Zealand Oil and Gas.
Prior to Chrysos, Goldsmith was a senior lawyer at Macquarie Group and was a director and partner at Motus Legal where she advised clients on strategic commercial and corporate issues.
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“The Board welcomes Ms Goldsmith to the Company and looks forward to her contribution,” Chrysos Corporation said.
Chairman of the bank
Beyond Bank has named John Evans as its new chair, succeeding outgoing chair Sam Andersen, who has held the role since 2018.
Evans has more than 40 years’ experience in executive roles across business, finance and risk management, both in Australia, Papua New Guinea and South Africa.
He currently serves as a non-executive director for Beyond Bank, Health Partners and the Australian String Quartet.
Evans also chairs the audit and risk committee of the South Australian Government Department for Health and Wellbeing and at the office of the South Australian Public Trustee.
“He is a world-class executive who has had a long and esteemed career in the financial services sector and is deeply committed to the strategy and values of Beyond Bank,” Andersen said.
New face at SA art gallery
The Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA) has appointed Ashlyn Hannam to the role of head of philanthropy and development.
In the role, Hannam would lead the philanthropic and development teams to drive strategic vision that would strengthen philanthropic support for AGSA’s future.
Hannam has more than 15 years’ experience in strategic development roles in the not-for-profit arts and cultural sector and has extensive experience working in philanthropy, partnerships, and development.
During her time at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, she served as corporate partnership manager where she was responsible for the management of a partnership portfolio of over 30 corporate and luxury brands.
She recently was director of development at State Opera SA where she led strategic development in donor engagement and implemented long-term growth strategies for its development activities.
Bignell calls time
The Speaker of the House of Assembly and Member for Mawson Leon Bignell has announced his retirement from politics at the March election next year.
Bignell was first elected Speaker of the House of Assembly in April of 2024 and had served as the Member for Mawson since 2006.
He served as Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries, Tourism, Sport, Recreation and Racing from 2013 to 2018.
Prior to politics, Bignell worked two decades as a journalist at the ABC, Channel 7, Channel 10, News Limited and two years as foreign correspondent in Switzerland.
“As an MP and a Minister, Leon was focused on delivery. He leaves a visible legacy of significant infrastructure, and legislation that protects our precious winegrowing regions from being swamped by suburbs,” Premier Peter Malinauskas said.
Holden Street Theatre welcomes new director in residence
SA’s Holden Street Theatres has announced Nick Fagan as its new director in residence from 2026 to 2028, where he will focus on ensemble theatre and create more opportunities for SA artists.
Fagan is an acclaimed stage director who has led acclaimed productions of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and Hand of God.
He is set to direct several more shows during the 2026 in-house season for Holden Street Theatres which would include Till the Stars Come Down, The Sound Inside and The Weir.
“We are delighted to officially welcome Nick Fagan as our new director in residence,” Holden Street Theatres artistic director Martha Lott said.
“Nick’s appointment is a major coup with his adventurous programming and a reputation as one of the most exciting directorial forces in South Australia.”
