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.
New managing director at Maggie Beer Holdings
Chris Illman has been appointed as managing director for Maggie Beer Holdings.
Illman has more than 30 years’ experience in senior sales, marketing and hospitality roles including as a senior brand manager for global blue-chip company Kraft Foods Group.
Prior to joining Maggie Beer Holdings, Illman was head of group sales, marketing and hospitality at Bickford’s Group where he was tasked with leading high-performance teams and marketing campaigns.
He has served on Maggie Beer’s board since 2025 and also holds senior board roles at West Adelaide Football Club, Harness Racing SA and previously PREPD Hydration.
“Chris has made a strong contribution to the board since joining in November 2025, and brings deep FMCG and customer experience to the executive leadership of the group,” Maggie Beer Holdings chair Mark Lindh said.
Holocaust museum leader announced
Adelaide Holocaust Museum and Andrew Steiner Education Centre has appointed Dr Basia Vucic as its new museum director and CEO.
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Vucic has extensive experience across education, research and advocacy in children’s rights, and technology and will lead the organisation as it expands its education programs and first permanent exhibition.
She is the founder of developmental music platforms for babies and toddlers Tiny Songs and Musicon Australia and has served on the International Congress of Child Rights organising committee.
Vucic completed research at University College London and the Museum of Warsaw where she explored the work of Polish-Jewish educator and advocate for children’s rights Janusz Korczak.
“Her experience and vision will be invaluable as we continue to develop the Museum and its role in educating future generations about the Holocaust, antisemitism, racism and the responsibilities of citizenship,” board chair Greg Adams said.
Head of finance at Uniting Communities
Uniting Communities has appointed Trevor Horskins as its new head of finance.
Horskins has more than 30 years’ experience in finance and organisational leadership roles across the health, disability, aged care and community services.
He was previously finance manager at Torrens Health and financial reporting manager at HenderCare where he was responsible for budgeting and forecasting, governance, business partnering and finance transformation.
Horskins has also been a senior finance manager at Baptist Care SA and finance business partner of community services at Anglicare SA.
“Trevor brings extensive experience and a practical approach that will help strengthen our financial sustainability, enabling us to continue making a meaningful difference for the people and communities we serve,” United Communities CFO Alison Gallo said.
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Chief Executive with the peak national advocacy body for grape and wine producers, Australian Grape and Wine Incorporated (AGW). The current incumbent, Lee McLean, will retire in September 2026, creating an opportunity for a proven and accomplished executive leader to take on this important position. While direct exposure to the grape and wine industry will be highly regarded, applications are also welcomed from experienced executives able to demonstrate transferable experience gained in a comparable sector. This role will suit an enterprising and influential leader who is keen to be a public champion for the industry and play a critical national leadership role during a pivotal and challenging period for the Australian grape and wine sector. Given AGW’s national focus, the location of the role is flexible. |
CAS Hawker Scholarship appointment
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The CAS Hawker Scholarship has announced esteemed educationalist Simon Murray OAM as a trustee.
Murray has served as a headmaster for more than 25 years across three independent Australian schools including Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School, Canberra Grammar School, and St Peter’s College Adelaide.
He is also a recipient of an Order of Australia for his services to education and professional associations including positions as global chair for the International Positive Education Network.
Murray also has been on various education organisation boards including St Marks College, St Columba College and executive chair of the Wellbeing Education Network.
“Simon Murray brings a unique level of experience and expertise to the scholarship, which will further support the scholarships impact, awareness and prestige,” CAS Hawker Scholarship chair Andrew Hawker said.
Law firm senior appointment
SA law firm Mellor Olsson has announced the appointment of Evyenia Walton as a partner in its commercial law team.
Walton has more than two decades of legal experience in corporate, commercial, and intellectual property matters where she has supported family businesses, executives and not-for-profit organisations.
She was previously commercial partner at Lynch Meyer Lawyers and was special counsel at DW Fox Tucker Lawyers.
Walton also serves as chair of the Artificial Intelligence and Data Privacy Committee of the Law Society of SA and advises clients on legal and governance issues arising from AI and cybersecurity.
“Her depth of commercial experience and specialist capability in intellectual property and technology will be a valuable addition to our team and to the organisations we advise,” Mellor Olsson CEO Cameron Thomson said.
Artistic director ends tenure
Brink Productions artistic director Stephen Nicolazzo is set to conclude his tenure with the company in early December.
Nicolazzo has been the artistic director for the company since November 2023 which has included leading the inaugural First Nations Theatre Fellowship to create sustainable pathways for SA’s First Nations Artists.
He also led the national tour of Looking for Alibrandi that commenced with the State Theatre SA season in May 2025, and was the founder of queer collective Little Ones Theatre.
Nicolazzo is an award-winning director having filled that role for Melbourne Theatre Company, Darwin Festival, Perth Festival, Adelaide Cabaret Festival, and Melbourne Cabaret Festival, with many works garnering critical acclaim.
“We are grateful for his leadership, the relationships he has built and the opportunities he has created for artists during his tenure,” Brink Productions acting chair Jack Moore said.
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