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.
Cedar Woods develops SA team with senior appointment
Cedar Woods Properties has announced the appointment of David Burton as its state manager for South Australia.
According to Cedar Woods, Burton brings extensive experience in the Australian property development sector.
Burton joins Cedar Woods from Stockland, where he was most recently head of acquisitions for living sectors.
He has previously held roles at Junction Australia, Peet Limited, Metro Property Development, Devine Limited, Propell National Valuers and Colliers-National.
In his new role, Burton will focus on advancing Cedar Woods existing project pipeline, strengthening partnerships with government and public sector stakeholders and driving initiatives that support housing supply.
“South Australia’s future is bright, and we are committed to being a long-term partner in delivering well-planned, multi-award-winning communities,” said Cedar Woods’ chief operating officer, Patrick Archer.
“David’s knowledge of the property sector, strategic mindset and collaborative leadership style will be a significant asset as we continue to grow in the state.”
New board member for Adelaide Festival
The Adelaide Festival Corporation Board has announced the appointment of Tam Nguyen.
Nguyen has worked across the performing arts, film and large-scale festivals in the UK, USA and Australia over the past 20 years.
She is currently co-director of boutique cultural agency Turning World, as well as a senior curator of the Asia Pacific Triennial of Performing Arts.
She has previously worked for MONA FOMA, Doc/Fest, Australia Week Festival, International Society for the Performing Arts World Congress, Adelaide Festival and the Australian International Documentary Conference.
It comes after the former Adelaide Festival board resigned after fallout over its controversial decision to remove Sydney-born Palestinian author Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah from the Writers’ Week programme.
Abdel-Fattah’s removal led to a majority of authors withdrawing from the event and the eventual cancellation of the 2026 festival.
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Experienced CFO joins ECH retirement living
South Australia’s largest retirement living and in-home provider has appointed Merrin Nancarrow as its head of home and community.
Nancarrow joined ECH in 2022 as chief financial officer, bringing two decades of finance and governance experience.
Before this, she was at Autism SA, firstly as manager of financial reporting and analysis and then as chief financial officer.
She has also previously held roles at Oxfam Australia Trading, Adelaide Brighton, Santos and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
ECH’s interim chief executive Mark Watson said that Nancarrow “is an empathetic, grounded leader and brings to the role an invaluable and rare combination of financial acumen, governance expertise, and a genuine commitment to making a positive difference to the lives of older South Australians”.
New CFO announced for Centennial Park
Centennial Park, a cemetery in Adelaide’s South, has announced the appointment of Katy Bone as chief financial officer.
Bone has more than 25 years of experience in finance and corporate services, including a decade in executive leadership roles.
She has joined Centennial Park from Barkuma, where she was executive manager of corporate services.
Before this, she spent almost five years at South Australian Native Title Services as chief finance and operations officer.
She has also held managerial roles at the Town of Walkerville, the Department for Child Protection, SA Health and SA Water.
“We are delighted to welcome Katy to our executive team. Her experience and vision will help us continue to deliver exceptional experiences for our community while ensuring financial sustainability and innovation,” Centennial Park CEO Nadia Anjelkovic said.
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Board Chair for Help at Home Inc., an established mission-led not‑for‑profit provider of disability support services. This remunerated Chair opportunity will guide a committed Board and partner with a newly appointed, highly credible CEO to shape the organisation’s future through strategic oversight and contemporary governance initiatives. The role offers the chance to lead a values‑driven organisation through a period of purposeful transformation, strengthening governance and supporting long‑term sustainability. With a focus on integrity, transparency and person‑centred service, this is a unique remunerated opportunity for an experienced Chair or Deputy Chair to play a pivotal role in leading Help at Home Inc. to ensure it continues to deliver outstanding outcomes for clients, families and the broader community. Project Finance Manager with Australia’s leading residential land developer, Villawood. This award-winning developer is currently working on six projects that will deliver more than 5,000 homes in SA over the coming decade. Reporting to the Senior Finance Manager and working closely with the South Australian State Manager, this pivotal role provides hands-on project-based management and financial accounting, reporting and compliance services to support SA projects. Key responsibilities include preparing accurate and timely management and financial reports and analysis critical to effective business decision making and compliance as well as managing project cash flow, preparing forecasts and budget reporting for development projects. CA/CPA status (or currently studying towards completion) is an essential minimum requirement. |
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Two new directors set to assist in ASVO reform
The Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology (ASVO) has announced the appointment of Dr Mark Siebert and Mark Robertson as directors on its board following recent constitutional changes.
Dr Mark Siebert is a governance leader with more than 35 years of experience in senior international executive roles across investment banking, risk management, and sustainability.
Siebert has been a member of ASVO for more than two decades and was previously employed by NAB bank for more than 30 years, including most recently as chief executive of its Hong Kong branch.
He currently consults in the finance sector and is qualified in wine science and viticulture.
Complementing Siebert’s financial skills, Mark Robertson consults on research and educational publishing across the Asia Pacific.
Roberton is currently the chair and a non-executive director of Therapeutic Guidelines, development director of CHOR Inc (CHORUS) and representative consultant to the International Association of STM Publishers in Asia Pacific.
He was previously executive director for Wiley in Australia and Japan and vice president and director of the APAC journal publishing program.
According to ASVO, these skills will assist the ASVO in its ongoing publication of the Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research.
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ASVO’s president, Dr Sam Scarratt, said the change represents a major step in strengthening the board’s capability and governance depth.
“These appointments reflect ASVO’s commitment to contemporary, skills-based governance and ensuring the organisation is well positioned to support members and the wider wine sector in the future.”
New leader for Guide Dogs SA/NT
Guide Dogs SA/NT has appointed experienced health and community services sector leader Daniel Cox as its new CEO, beginning with the organisation on February 9.
Cox will be replacing Aaron Chia, who will step down on February 6 after nine years leading the company.
He joins Guide Dogs SA/NT from Mission Australia, where he has been regional leader for South Australia since November 2024.
Cox’s career includes leadership roles at Boarding Australia, SA Health, the Department of Premier and Cabinet, and as assistant secretary for the Aged Care Royal Commission.
Four major promotions announced at Adelaide law firm
WRP Legal has announced four promotions within its team as the firm enters its second decade.
Alexander Belperio, who joined the firm in May last year, has been elevated from associate to senior associate.
He has worked in the firm’s commercial and taxation team and practices corporate, commercial, and taxation law.
Ashleigh Leydon has been made an associate after practising as a lawyer with the firm, which she joined in 2022 as a law clerk.
She has built experience in delivering commercially focused advice across corporate, commercial, taxation and property matters.
Siobhan Reardon has also been elevated from lawyer to associate after joining the firm in 2022 as a law clerk.
She works in the corporate and commercial team and advises on a broad range of corporate and commercial matters.
Tia Stagakis also joined the firm in 2022 as a law clerk and is a key member of founding principal Garry Winter’s commercial and corporate taxation team.
She advises on a broad range of corporate and commercial matters, with a focus on taxation, property and contract negotiation.
“These promotions recognise the exceptional calibre of our lawyers and their dedication to delivering outstanding outcomes for clients,” Winter said.
“Alex, Ashleigh, Siobhan and Tia have each demonstrated technical excellence, commercial insight and a genuine commitment to our clients, and we are proud to see them progress within the firm.”
Associate director appointed to Square Holes
Adelaide-based cultural insight and market research agency Square Holes has announced the appointment of Ewa Poczman as associate director.
Poczman brings more than a decade of experience in research programs across government, corporate and not-for-profit sectors in Australia and Europe.
She has joined Square Holes from House of Brand, where she had been a director for almost four years.
Before this, she spent almost six years at newfocus, including most recently as a research director.
“Ewa combines strategic thinking with hands-on research delivery, with a deep understanding of behaviour, culture and decision-making,” Square Holes founder and managing director Jason Dunstone said.
“Just as importantly, she shares our belief that research should create real-world impact, not just reports.”
