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.
2026 Law Society president starts
LK Law principal David Colovic has begun as the president of the Law Society of South Australia for 2026.
Colovic said his five key priorities as president were “investing in the justice system”, “artificial intelligence”, “anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing”, “promoting SA lawyers, firms and our young talent” and “wellbeing of the profession”.
“It is important that the Society is persistent in its pursuit for better outcomes for the legal profession, the justice system, and the community it serves,” Colovic said.
The Law Society is the peak professional body of the legal profession in South Australia.
New leadership role appointed at Enerven
After nine years in Enerven’s senior leadership team, Alison Bussey has been appointed to the role of general manager of operations and services of the electrical infrastructure and telecommunications company.
“Ali brings an exceptional understanding of our business, our culture and what it takes for teams to perform at their best,” Enerven CEO Richard Amato said.
“Her people-first leadership approach, combined with strong operational insight, makes her ideally placed to lead our operations function into the future”.
Wine Communicators of Australia announces new appointment
Wine Communicators of Australia (WCA) has announced the interim appointment of Katie Spain to its board of directors.
Spain is an award-winning journalist and author whose work appears in various magazines. She was named WCA Wine Communicator of the Year in 2021 and is a recipient of multiple wine communication awards.
You might like
WCA’s national chair, Lynda Schenk, commented that the addition of Spain “will strengthen our already talented and industrious volunteer WCA board”.
“As a highly respected writer, Katie’s representation reflects WCA’s origins in the historic Wine Press Clubs and ensures that the voice of wine writers remains embedded in our mission,” she said.
Spain will be an interim director until the appointment is ratified at WCA’s 2026 annual general meeting in November.
 |
|
Principal for Encounter Lutheran College, a co-ed Early Learning to Year 12 college located in state-of-the-art facilities at Victor Harbor on the beautiful SA South Coast. This is a unique opportunity to lead a respected and successful educational entity with a student population of over 700 students. Divisional Head Business Development, for the City of Salisbury, to lead strategic growth of Council’s established recycled water entity – Salisbury Water. The role will also drive new commercial ventures aligned to emerging infrastructure opportunities in this high-growth and progressive local government region. 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. People and Culture Manager for multi-award-winning holiday, sport and adventure destination, West Beach Parks. Lead a small, customer-centric HR team in an inclusive and supportive workplace culture, and play a key role in shaping and delivering the organisation’s People Strategy. Quality and Risk Manager and General Manager opportunities with MADEC Australia, a successful community-owned not-for-profit and charitable organisation with a proud 50+ year history of providing relief to people experiencing poverty and distress. Employing around 180 staff nationally and with turnover approaching $200m, MADEC delivers employment services, education and training, a Pacific labour mobility scheme and Indigenous programs. Both positions can be based in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney.
Payroll Manager with Australian Naval Infrastructure (ANI), designer and builder of the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Construction Yard at Osborne. Reporting to the Financial Controller, this role manages end-to-end payroll operations and compliance with flexible options for part-time (60 hours per fortnight) or full-time (75 hours, nine-day fortnight). |
 |
Building the team at Villawood
Villawood Properties has appointed Ben Moore as its South Australia general manager, having previously served as its senior development manager.
Moore joins Villawood from Walker Corporation, where he was general manager. He also spent a decade with the real estate business Lendlease.
In his new role, Moore will oversee six active Villawood projects in South Australia, equating to a total of more than 5000 home lots.
This includes an upcoming 800-lot project at Aldinga in partnership with Renewal SA, which is billed as Australia’s first mainstream net-zero community.
“Ben’s very hands-on and very familiar with our Adelaide projects and our broader vision for South Australia,” Villawood executive director Rory Costelloe said.
“He’s been instrumental in much of what we’ve done to date and will be well supported by Andrew Duggan, Villawood’s chief operating officer, in our ongoing and future SA endeavours.”
Junction welcomes new executive
Leisha Olliver has been appointed executive manager of child and youth services at leading social enterprise Junction.
Olliver comes from Uniting Communities, where she was senior manager of community services for the past five years. She brings two decades of experience in community services, child and family wellbeing, mental health and social impact.
Junction CEO Maria Palumbo said that Olliver is “well-known for her compassion and commitment to social justice, which is critical to our vision to support South Australians and communities to truly thrive”.
Leadership change at Resthaven
Aged care provider Resthaven has announced Stephanie Rozokos will take over as president from Mark Porter.
Porter is stepping down after 20 years of service on the Resthaven board, 13 of which he served as president.
Rozokos brings her extensive experience as the chief operating officer of the South Australian Tourism Commission and more than 20 years of experience in corporate services.
She has been a member of the Resthaven board since 2019, including serving as board deputy president since 2021.
Stay informed, daily
“We are excited to move into this new chapter with Stephanie as Board President,” Resthaven CEO Darren Birbeck said.
“Her experience, skills, and natural abilities ensure she will play a critical role in advancing our vision of enriching the lives of older people”.
New board member announced at Proptech
Matthew Larwood has been made the national board member at Proptech Association Australia, which utilises digital tools, software and hardware to innovate and improve the real estate industry.
Matthew Larwood brings his experience in general management, process improvement, strategic planning, and business development to the organisation.
Larwood is currently CEO at Axios IT and StrataVote, as well as a board member at Blackfriars Priory School.
He has also been the mayor of the Prospect since November 2022.
Mayne Pharma board restructuring results in three departures
The Mayne Pharma board has been restructured, resulting in the stepping down of two non-executive directors, Patrick Blake and Anne Lockwood. The board chair Frank Condella has also retired, effective January 14, after serving as director of the company since May 2018 and as board chair since September 2021.
In his place, Professor Bruce Robinson has been appointed as non-executive chair of the board. Robinson was appointed a non-executive director of the company in August 2014.
“On behalf of the board and the broader Mayne Pharma community, I would like to thank Frank for his stewardship and commitment to Mayne Pharma and for the leadership and dedication shown over the last four and a half years as chair in a transformational period,” Robinson said.
“I would also like to thank Pat and Anne for their positive contributions and the time and energy they have invested into Mayne Pharma.”
Uniting Communities launches new C-suite
Uniting Communities’ Amanda Takos, who took over as chief people officer at the end of last year, is set to be joined by Kirsty Wallman as chief operating officer following the retirement of executive director of services, Robyn Sutherland.
Takos brings experience in disability, aged care and community services, most recently working as executive general manager of people and culture at AnglicareSA.
Wallman has held various leadership positions and most recently served as senior executive of community services at UnitingSA. As chief operating officer, she will drive service delivery innovation across the organisation’s aged care, disability and community services functions.
“Both Amanda and Kirsty bring depth, capability and values we need to lead the organisation into its next chapter,” chief executive Jeremy Brown said.
Jumping on board at regional health network
Steve Sumner has joined the governing board of the Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network (BHFLHN), where he will play a key role in guiding governance decisions
Sumner is a Ngarrindjeri man and is currently CEO of Moorundi Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS).
Previous roles include closing the gap manager at Country SA Primary Health Network, executive officer at Raukkan Community Council and Indigenous health project officer at Murray Mallee General Practice Network.
He has also been CEO at Pangula Mannamurna and Aboriginal health services manager at Hills Mallee Southern Regional Health Service.
SA Health said Sumner’s insights will strengthen cultural safety and ensure First Nations’ perspectives are central to service planning and delivery, adding that he also brings a valuable regional health perspective.
