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.
Leader for Adelaide University revealed
Professor Nicola Phillips will be the vice chancellor and president of Adelaide University.
Professor Nicola Phillips
Phillips has been provost at the University of Melbourne since September 2021, where she is currently a Professor of Political Economy.
She has also held senior leadership roles at King’s College London, The University of Sheffield and The University of Manchester.
“I look forward to leading Adelaide University and establishing the institution as a trailblazer for change, where education and research of the highest quality reach into all corners of our society to transform the lives of individuals and communities,” said Phillips.
Adelaide University, which is scheduled to open in January 2026, will be formed as a merger between the universities of Adelaide and South Australia and is expected to have around 70,000 students.
Senior planning public servant moves to Property Council
Long-term senior public servant Sally Smith has joined the Property Council of Australia’s South Australian branch as deputy executive director.
Sally Smith
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Smith has spent more than 25 years in public service, including the past year as the deputy CEO of the Department for Housing and Urban Development.
She has also spent thirteen and a half years at the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure, where she is currently the general manager of planning and development.
Among her proudest achievements in SA’s public service, Smith counts the instrumental role she played in developing the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan and the creation of the electronic planning system.
“It is fantastic to be able to attract a talent such as Sally Smith to the Property Council family,” said executive director Bruce Djite.
“A well-connected, highly intelligent and respected strategic policy brain who will add tremendously to our advocacy and policy engine. This is a real coup for Property Council members.”
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Principal for Immanuel Primary School. This is a career-defining opportunity for a visionary and strategic educational leader to guide a thriving IB PYP Lutheran school committed to building foundations for life for over 700 students. Chief Executive Officer for Festival City Adelaide, the peak body for South Australia’s festivals and events. A unique opportunity to influence policy, drive sector growth and elevate the state’s global cultural reputation, ensuring long-term success for our vibrant festival and events sector. Manager Governance and Legal Services for the City of Salisbury, one of SA’s largest local government areas with a growing economy. This important role reports to the CEO and leads a dedicated governance team across information assets, council governance, corporate governance, audit and risk and legal services. Director of Primary Years Programme (PYP) – Teaching and Learning for Golden Grove Lutheran Primary School. Lead the IB Primary Years Programme within a growing, warm, vibrant and connected learning community. Both experienced primary educators with PYP experience and those looking to develop their leadership career are encouraged to apply. |
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Pallas Capital expands to South Australia
Pallas Capital has announced that it will open an office in Adelaide, with Micheal Fenton appointed as its South Australian head of origination.
Micheal Fenton
Fenton joins Pallas Capital from Credit Union SA, where he spent more than two years as head of development finance.
Before this, he spent over three years as head of property at Commonwealth Bank.
Fenton has also held senior roles at CBRE and St George Bank, and was previously an analyst at ANZ.
Pallas Capital is a commercial real estate non-bank lender with a presence throughout Australia and New Zealand.
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Arkhé co-owner joins Kingsford The Barossa
Award-winning chef Jake Kellie has been appointed as the culinary director of Kingsford The Barossa.
Jake Kellie
In this role, Kellie will lead Kingsford’s Orleana Restaurant, as well as catering for Kingsford The Barossa’s accommodation services.
Kellie will also continue as executive chef and co-owner of Norwood restaurant Arkhé, which he opened in 2021.
Kellie has previously worked at Heston Blumenthal’s restaurant The Fat Duck, The Ledbury in London, Aria Restaurant in Sydney and the Michelin-starred restaurant Burnt Ends in Singapore.
“For me, Orleana is a chance to bring something fresh and grounded to the Barossa, a restaurant that’s shaped by the seasons, the producers we work with, and the amazing team behind it,” said Kellie.
Koonenberry non-executive director resigns shortly after joining its board
Tony Gu has resigned as a non-executive director of Koonenberry Gold Limited after just a month on its board.
Tony Gu
Gu is currently a partner at boutique investment fund manager Datt Capital, where he has been for the past eight years.
Before becoming a partner three years ago, Gu was an investment analyst at Datt Capital for five years.
Koonenberry is an Adelaide-based mining company focused on the exploration of gold and copper in New South Wales.
South Australians punch above their weight with King’s Birthday Honours
South Australians Emeritus residents Professor Roger William Byard AO PSM and Dr John Maxwell Coetzee have received the nation’s highest accolade as part of the King’s Birthday Honours.
Professor Roger Byard AO PSM
Byard was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia last week “for eminent service to medicine, to forensic pathology, to tertiary education as an academic and researcher, and to the community”.
Meanwhile, South African-born author Coetzee received his Companion of the Order of Australia “for eminent service to the arts, particularly literature, to literary studies, to education, and to animal welfare”.
Twelve South Australians were recognised with the Order of Australia, including Catherine Ann Baldwin, Andrew Lincoln Chapman, Robert Peter George, Nikki Kirsten Govan, John Frederick Held, John Wilton Lush, Dr Glenn McCulloch, Christopher John Pfeiffer, Dr Peter Robert Rischbieth, Kathleen Helen Seeley, Stuart Paul Whiley and Dr George Zillante.
Dr John Maxwell Coetzee
Meanwhile, 39 South Australians received a Medal of the Order of Australia. The SA locals to be awarded this honour were Frank Agostino, Alan Douglas Bartram, Maxwell Blacketer, Judith Yvonne Bynoe, Wonho Chong, Roy Coulthard, the late Carmel Theresa Doyle, Joylene Elizabeth Edwards, Julie-Ann Finney, Thomas Gerard Ganley, Carolyn Edith Grantskalns, Dr Satish Gupta, Leslie Desmond Hampel, David Cameron Heard, Richard Murray Johnson, Emily Korir, Dr Carolyn Lee Lawlor-Smith, Barry Lewis, Nicholas Stewart Linke, Christopher Stephen McDermott, the late John Stratford Mertin, Nadine Olafsen, Paul Bernhard Otto, Ian Gilbert Pole, Lynette Dawn Pole, William James Rawlins, Christopher Malcolm Reed, John Charlton Rowley, Sister Mary Frances Ryan, Peter Francis Sawley, Glenda Sherwin-Lane, Howard Walter Speed, the late Graham David Spinkston, Captain David Andrew West, Dr Bernard James Whimpress, Robert Bruce Williamson, Edward John Wilmot, the Reverend Father Allan James Winter and Henry Samuel Young.
