Deputy state coroner appointment

Darren Evans has been appointed as South Australia’s next deputy state coroner.

Evans is an experienced lawyer with an extensive background in coronial inquests and working with vulnerable persons.

He has experience working as a solicitor in large-scale commercial litigation and worked as special counsel assisting the coroner for more than two years on several high-profile and complex matters.

Evans spent ten years working as a prosecutor with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, prosecuting a range of matters including cases involving murder, child sex offences, fraud, drug and firearm offences and serious violent offences.

“Darren Evans is an experienced legal professional with a clear track record of handling complex, challenging matters to help hold perpetrators to account and bring about systemic change when people have been let down by the institutions built to protect them,” Attorney-General Kyam Maher said.

New chief medical officer appointed

Associate Professor Jayanthi Jayakaran has been appointed as South Australia’s chief medical officer and will commence the role in November.

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Jayakaran has more than 22 years’ experience across clinical practice, senior health service leadership, medical administration, and health workforce development in both South Australia and Singapore.

She is currently serving as an Australian Medical Council medical program accreditor and is Dean of the College of Medicine and Public Health at Flinders University, where she oversees public health education and research.

Jayakaran is also a deputy member of the South Australian Medical Education and Training Health Advisory Council and has previously held senior executive medical leadership roles across metropolitan and regional health networks, including Royal Adelaide Hospital and Country Health SA.

“I look forward to working with her as she brings her clinical credibility, system leadership and collaborative approach to this important statewide role,” Department of Health and Wellbeing chief executive Dr Robyn Lawrence said.

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Kelsian welcomes company secretary

Adelaide transport provider and tourism operator Kelsian has announced Michelle Evans has been appointed as a joint company secretary.

Evans is a highly experienced company secretary and lawyer with expertise in legal, governance and corporate areas gained across Australian and international businesses.

She was previously general counsel and company secretary of Celsus at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and a senior corporate lawyer for Santos.

She was appointed as group chief legal and risk officer of Kelsian in May and will be responsible for communications with the ASX on Listing Rule Matters in her new secretary role.

Multiple Board Member opportunities with Minda, South Australia’s largest not-for-profit intellectual disability services provider. As Minda enters its next strategic phase with strengthened foundations and a clear ambition for the future, several Board appointments are being made to support the organisation’s continued evolution and impact.  Minda is seeking individuals who can bring governance expertise, strategic insight and diverse perspectives across areas including finance and audit, risk governance, workforce strategy, care governance, disability housing and property, technology and digital transformation, organisational strategy, and lived experience of intellectual disability.  Director fees are offered to attract high-integrity, values-aligned board members to contribute genuine governance value and impact.

Barkuma appoints new executive manager

Disability employment and support services provider Barkuma has appointed Luke Gramola as the executive manager of operations and growth.

Gramola has extensive leadership experience across both the commercial and community services sectors, including most recently as state manager for Total Tools and Hardware Group.

He has led services including crisis accommodation for people experiencing homelessness and domestic and family violence, with previous roles including general manager of Vinnies SA.

Gramola has also been business operations manager of Manera Group Australia, operations manager at Parchem Construction Supplies and an account manager at Würth Group.

“Luke’s combination of commercial acumen and genuine, hands-on experience in community services is exactly what we need as we continue to grow our services and strengthen outcomes for the people we support,” Barkuma CEO Evelyn O’Loughlin said.

New COTA SA board president 

Council on the Ageing (COTA) SA has announced the appointment of Adrian Skull as its new board president after Anne Edwards AO stepped down after 14 years at the helm.

Skull joined COTA SA as a board director in December 2025, bringing more than three decades of executive leadership and governance experience.

He has previously been CEO at the City of Marion and Yankalilla Councils and held senior roles in hotel management education in Switzerland and the defence industry.

Skull currently serves on the Green Adelaide and Green Industries SA boards and has previously chaired the Adelaide Hills Region Waste Management Authority. He has also been a board member for the Australian Institute of Company Directors SA/NT Council.

“It’s a privilege to step into the role as COTA SA President, especially at the start of a new Strategic Plan, which will guide us over the next five years,” Skull said.

HomeStart board appointment

Digital transformation leader Shanique Busby has been appointed to the HomeStart Board.

Busby has more than 15 years experience across technology, banking, and financial institutions where she has led large-scale digital, platform and operational transformation.

She was formerly the general manager of AI product at the Australian fintech company Lendi Group and was senior manager of third-party banking technology at Bendigo Bank.

Busby was also a project manager at the RAA and head of client implementations at London-based insurance company Jardine Lloyd Thompson.

“Her experience will add valuable perspective to the HomeStart Board. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the Chair, John Hood, and the rest of the Board in creating new home ownership opportunities for South Australians,” HomeStart CEO Andrew Mills said.