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.
Passing on the baton at Kain Lawyers
John Kain has announced he will retire as managing director of national transaction law firm Kain Lawyers after 21 years in the role.
John Kain
Kain will take a sabbatical before returning to Kain Lawyers as an executive chair and will be based in Sydney.
Kain passes on the reins to University of Adelaide graduate Michael Garry, who has been a director at Kain Lawyers for nearly the past 10 years.
Before this, Garry was a senior associate of Johnson Winter Slattery for nine and a half years.
Michael Garry
“Congratulations Michael – you have been a wonderful leader in our business for the past 10 years and will make an outstanding Managing Director,” said Kain.
“Thank you to all of our team, clients and networks for their support over the last 21 years.
“I look forward to continuing to work with you all as we continue to build our business as Australia’s mid-market transaction specialists.”
Flinders University graduate re-joins Taylor Collison Limited as CEO
John Morrissy has re-joined Taylor Collison Limited as CEO after having previously been chief operating officer at the investment management firm from May 2002 to May 2007.
John Morrissy
Taylor Collison Limited said he brings extensive experience in people management to the role.
The Flinders University graduate joins from Ord Minnett, where he spent the past two years as state manager for South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.
Before this, Morrissy spent 16 years at Morgan Stanley, including 14 and a half as state manager for South Australia and Western Australia.
MaxMine appoints a new CEO
Adelaide-based mining technology company MaxMine has appointed Shaun Mitchell as its CEO.
Shaun Mitchell
MaxMine said he will lead the company’s operational growth plans, including developing AI products for the mining sector.
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Before joining MaxMine, Mitchell was CEO at defence technology firm Ocean Software and previously held leadership roles at Metricon and ECi Software Solutions.
Meanwhile, Rohit Selvaratnam has been appointed as MaxMine’s chief financial officer.
Rohit Selvaratnam
MaxMine said he has more than 25 years of experience in the financial sector, including most recently as chief financial officer at Celsus, which is the commercial operator of the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
He has also held senior finance roles at Seequent, Westpac and Telecom New Zealand.
“We’re delighted Shaun has accepted the CEO role,” said Tom Cawley, who is executive chair of MaxMine.
“His technical expertise and proven track record in growing businesses are exactly what we need as MaxMine enters a phase of rapid expansion.
“He will be supported by Rohit, who joins us with a wealth of financial experience.”
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| Chief Executive Officer for Norwood Football Club, one of SA’s oldest and most respected football clubs with a proud premiership history. Reporting to the Board, the CEO will provide strategic and operational leadership, guiding corporate and football operations teams to build on past successes and drive future growth locally and nationally.
Manager, Corporate Governance Office for Renewal SA, the South Australian government’s urban development agency delivering some of the State’s largest urban development projects. Lead and enhance a culture of governance literacy as custodian of Renewal SA’s corporate governance and project governance frameworks to ensure high level performance and compliance. |
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Spacetalk chief financial officer gets to work
Innocent Ndoda has started in his new role as chief financial officer of Spacetalk Ltd.
Innocent Ndoda
Ndoda succeeds Gerhard Beukes, who has been interim chief financial officer for the past year.
Spacetalk said Ndoda brings a wealth of financial and leadership experience to the role, having previously been chief financial officer at science and technology company Reask.
Before this, he held senior financial roles at Nearmap and Tyro Payments.
“The appointment of a permanent CFO is the fulfilment of our long-term plan for the position. Innocent is an exceptional financial professional and a proven colleague who will be invaluable as Spacetalk continues its trajectory of growth,” said Spacetalk CEO Simon Crowther.
Former Marion mayor to chair LGA South Australia’s Behavioural Standards Panel
Dr Felicity-ann Lewis OAM has been appointed as chair of the independent Behavioural Standards Panel at LGA South Australia.
Dr Felicity-ann Lewis OAM
LGA South Australia said she brings extensive local government experience to the role, having previously been mayor of the City of Marion from 2000 to 2014.
She was also awarded the Order of Australia in 2021 for her “service to local government, and to the community of Marion”.
Lewis is currently involved in the History Trust of South Australia’s efforts to restore the iconic bus from Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
“Dr Lewis has spent a lifetime in local government and seen how the processes of councils work from the inside-out,” said Local Government Minister Joe Szakacs.
“She will bring significant lived experience to the role, which will be highly valuable in setting and maintaining high standards.”
Movements at Hames Sharley
Noreen Byrne
National design practice Hames Sharley has announced its latest round of promotions around Australia, with Noreen Byrne and Rehana Ghouze being promoted to director and Joanna Latoska being promoted to associate in the Adelaide office.
Bryne has been at Hames Sharley for the past year and a half as principal of people and sustainability.
Hames Sharley said she is a qualified geologist who was previously involved with mapping and exploration projects on Western Australian gold fields.
Ghouze has been at Hames Sharley for the past seven months as principal of finance.
Rehana Ghouze
Hames Sharley said she has 30 years of experience in international finance roles, including as chief financial officer at Logi-Tech Pty Ltd in Adelaide and general manager of finance operations at WNS Global Services in Sri Lanka.
“These promotions are only made possible by the commitment and contribution of our people, our greatest assets,” said Hames Sharley’s managing director Caillin Howard.
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“It is fantastic to award these team members who have grasped the opportunities they have earned and have gone above and beyond to enable our communities to flourish.
“We take great pride in recognising their commitment, not only for positioning our business for future growth but also for their contribution to the broader industry and the communities they impact.”
New general manager of infrastructure and major projects for eastern suburbs council
The City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters has appointed Jared Barnes as general manager of infrastructure and major projects.
Jared Barnes
Barnes joined the council in February 2018 as project manager of urban design and special projects.
He was then appointed as manager of assets and projects in September 2022 and acting general manager of infrastructure and major projects in January 2025.
The council said that Barnes has played a key role in significant projects such as the upgrade of St Peters Street in St Peters. He is also currently overseeing the redevelopment of the Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre.
New head of products at The Tailor
Adelaide-based travel company The Tailor has announced the appointment of Tanya Jarman as head of product.
Tanya Jarman
The Tailor said Jarman brings more than 30 years of experience in the travel industry, both in Australia and internationally, having spent the past five years as regional tourism manager and executive officer of Adelaide Hills Tourism.
Before this, she spent five years at the South Australian Tourism Commission, firstly as a marketing and public relations freelancer and then as senior manager of global markets.
She has previously also held the roles of manager of media relations for the United Kingdom and Europe at Tourism Australia and United Kingdom marketing manager at the South Australian Tourism Commission.
“As The Tailor continues to grow, it’s critical that we invest in the right people to take the business forward,” said Drew Kluska, who is the founder and managing director of The Tailor.
A patchwork of new appointments
Hannah Neophytou has joined Patch Theatre as marketing and communications manager, while Jana Drummond has been appointed as producer.
Hannah Neophytou
Neophytou has been at State Opera South Australia for the past three years, firstly as database coordinator and then as marketing and customer relationship management executive.
Drummond was previously at Windmill Theatre Co, firstly as an associate producer and then as a producer.
Before this, she spent almost four years at Adelaide Festival Centre in various roles, including most recently as producer.
She also spent three months as programming assistant for the Adelaide Cabaret Festival.
“Hannah’s background in arts marketing and publishing will help us connect with audiences in fresh and engaging ways,” said Patch Theatre chair Liz Hawkins.
“Jana’s extensive experience in theatre and festival production will be instrumental in delivering our creative vision.”
Meanwhile, Patch Theatre has announced the addition of Sam Haren and Mitchell Cramey to its board.
Jana Drummond
Haren is director and co-owner of technology and experience design studio Sandpit.
He is also the founder and chief operating officer of Peak Metrics and a board member of the Performance & Art Development Agency.
Cramey is a partner at RSM Australia who specialises in corporate and international tax.
Patch Theatre said he has 18 years of experience in tax compliance, corporate advisory and international tax strategy.
“Sam’s background in interactive design and theatre-making, along with Mitchell’s expertise in financial management and governance, will bring valuable perspectives to the board,” said Hawkins.
“Their skills will support Patch in exploring new creative possibilities, strengthening its strategic direction and ensuring the company remains financially robust.”
Mycologist to advise Neutrog Australia
Mycologist Dr Sally Fryar has joined the biological advisory board of Neutrog Australia, which the Adelaide-based fertiliser company said would boost its research and development capability.
Dr Sally Fryar
Neutrog Australia said Fryar brings more than 30 years of experience to the role, including as a university tutor and lecturer.
Fryar is currently a senior research fellow at Flinders University in the College of Science and Engineering.
She was previously a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Hong Kong and a visiting fellow at University Brunei Darussalam.
As a mycologist, Fryar’s research interests focus on fungal ecology, evolution and systems.
“Sally’s expertise in identifying and describing new environmental fungal species aligns with the work we are doing and will be enormously beneficial alongside the collective experience of the current Board,” said Neutrog Australia’s managing director, Angus Irwin.
