Former parliamentarian named Seafood Industry CEO

Former member of parliament Connie Bonaros has been appointed as the new CEO of Seafood Industry South Australia.

Bonaros was elected to SA’s Legislative Council in 2018 as part of Nick Xenophon’s SA Best party, where she served for eight years advocating on topics including pokies reforms.

She began her political career as a senior legislative and policy adviser to Xenophon before becoming chief of staff for federal senator Stirling Griff.

Outside of politics, Bonaros has served as an ambassador for the Asbestos Diseases Society of SA and KickStart for Kids, and as a convenor for the Parliamentary Friends of Sustainable Seafood Industry Group.

“Connie is well placed to continue strengthening SISA’s role as the peak body representing the state’s wild catch, aquaculture and post-harvest sectors,” SISA said.

New CEO to lead The Yoghurt Shop

Brandon Reynolds is stepping into the role of CEO at The Yoghurt Shop, following Simon Reynolds’ decision to step into a strategic role after 23 years at the helm.

Brandon previously served as the company’s chief operating officer for more than three years, where he oversaw the supply chain, logistics, quality, and customer service functions.

He has more than 15 years of experience in the dairy industry and has held several other roles at The Yoghurt Shop since 2011.

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Brandon has served on several boards, including as a dairy industry adviser for GLG, an Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation Vanguard committee member, Food SA board member, and a strategic advisory group member for the Australian Dairy Products Federation.

“I am looking forward to working alongside our people, our board, our customers, our partners and the broader industry as we build this next phase together,” Brandon said.

Aboriginal Community Services appoints new CEO

Aboriginal leader Parry Agius has been appointed as the new CEO of Aboriginal Community Services (ACS).

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Agius has more than 30 years’ experience in community development, cultural engagement and Aboriginal rights advocacy, where he has supported businesses navigating complex decisions.

He is the founder and managing director of Linking Futures, which is an advisory practice that works with government, corporate and not-for-profit sectors to develop strategies informed by Aboriginal traditional knowledge.

He has also served on the board for several companies, including the Aboriginal Health Council of SA, RAA First Nations advisory board and the Moorundi Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service.

“Mr Agius is a highly respected Aboriginal leader with an extensive track record of working across community organisations, government and industry to deliver positive outcomes for Aboriginal people,” ACS board chairperson Judith Lovegrove said.

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Leader appointed to Australian Maritime and Fisheries Academy

Matt Grant has been appointed as the new CEO of Australian Maritime and Fisheries Academy following the retirement of Bob Miller.

Grant is an executive leader with experience in industry, workforce and economic development in metropolitan and regional Australia.

He was previously the executive director of growth and strategy at the Lower Eyre Council where he was responsible for overseeing Port Lincoln Airport operations and the development of activation plans to support growth in the region.

Grant is currently an independent member on the City of Norwood Payneham and St Peters and the Economic Development advisory committee.

“The board and I are looking forward to working with Matt to lead the evolution of the Academy to support the relevant maritime and fishing industries adapt and grow into the future,” AMFA board chairman Steve Moriarty said.

SA Water appoints chief information officer

SA Water has appointed technology executive Bill Le Blanc as its new chief information officer and general manager of technology.

Le Blanc has more than three decades of experience in critical infrastructure, healthcare and higher education sectors.

He was the former chief information officer at the University of South Australia, head of technology at ElectraNet, and executive director and chief information officer at SA Health.

In the new role, Le Blanc will lead SA Water’s technology strategy and cybersecurity functions, while overseeing major technology transformation programs to modernise its operations and customer services systems.

“His experience, strategic perspective and commitment to community outcomes will help ensure SA Water continues to evolve and deliver value for our customers and the state,” SA Water CEO David Ryan said.

Nice Australia announces new managing director

Home automation systems company Nice Australia has appointed Jason Nelson as managing director.

Nelson has more than 30 years of experience in strategic business leadership spanning start-ups, growth strategy, and mergers and acquisitions.

He was previously the general manager and CEO of stainless-steel solution company AusPress Systems for the past nine years, where he was responsible for increasing revenue by 257 per cent.

Nelson has experience in governance, strategic planning and stakeholder engagement and is currently chairman of Lincoln College and deputy mayor for the City of Prospect.

“Jason’s proven track record in organisational leadership, strategic development and cultural transformation made him a standout candidate for the role,” a Nice Australia spokesperson said.

Santos appoints independent director

Santos has appointed Kate Vidgen as an independent non-executive director to strengthen the company board.

Vidgen has extensive experience as a senior finance executive and non-executive director in energy, resources, infrastructure and technology sectors.

She spent more than two decades at Macquarie Group as an executive director, where she held several roles, including global head of oil and gas principal sourcing and head of industrial transition and green fuels.

Vidgen currently serves on the board of Bond University, is an operating partner to Macquarie Asset Management, is an independent non-executive director of Macquarie Technology Group and is the chair of SkyNRG BV.

“Kate’s experience across strategic development, commercial negotiation, financial structuring, capital allocation, governance, safety and sustainability will be a significant asset to the Board as Santos continues to execute on its strategy,” Santos chair Keith Spence said.