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.
Former Paralympic medallist to retire from politics
Former Paralympian Matt Cowdrey has announced that he will retire from politics at the next state election after nearly eight years as the member for Colton.
Matt Cowdrey
Cowdrey will return to sport as Deputy Chef de Mission for the Australian Commonwealth Games Team competing in Glasgow in 2026.
The Liberal Party politician was first elected to the South Australian Lower House in 2018.
Cowdrey is a former professional swimmer who holds numerous world records, having won 13 gold medals while representing Australia at the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Paralympic Games. He also swam at the 2006 and 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Before entering politics, Cowdrey was a business advisor at KPMG, and he has been a board director of Variety and an ambassador for the Be Active Challenge.
“I entered politics as an outsider who was passionate about making a difference, improving the outlook of our state, delivering improvements and supporting our local neighbourhood. I hope my community knows I did this to the best of my ability every day,” said Cowdrey.
“During the course of this year, I have come to the realisation that it is time to move on from partisan politics, to make a fresh start, and find new ways to contribute.
“I have been fortunate to have multiple stages to my life already, and now is the right time for the next stage.”
More changes to Adelaide Festival leadership
Arts leader Julian Hobba will be the new executive director of Adelaide Festival from September, taking the reins from Kath Mainland, who left in April after three years at its helm.
Julian Hobba
Hobba has more than 25 years of experience in the Australian theatre and arts industry, having begun his career as a playwright in Melbourne’s independent theatre scene.
He joins the Adelaide Festival from State Theatre Company South Australia, where he has spent the past five years as executive director.
Hobba has also been executive director of The Blue Room Theatre in Perth, program manager of arts and culture for the ACT Government and company manager at Malthouse Theatre in Melbourne.
“I’m deeply committed to building on the Festival’s unique and vital role in South Australian and Australian culture – as a showcase for international excellence grounded in the best qualities of our shared humanity, imagination, empathy, and cultural exchange,” said Hobba.
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Chief Executive Officer for iconic Trees For Life. A widely recognised organisation dedicated to conserving and restoring South Australian landscapes so that habitat can flourish. This is achieved with a budget circa $4.5 million, approx. 50 staff, 3,000 members, 1,800 volunteers, participating landholders and partner organisations. Chief Commercial Officer for high profile, self-funding charitable organisation, St John Ambulance Australia SA. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and working alongside the Chief Operating Officer, with close links to the highly experienced Board, this broad corporate and commercial role will oversee finance, information technology, commercial operations, marketing and communications, fundraising and lottery, warehousing and procurement and infrastructure and assets. Research Director, Aquatic Sciences for the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI). This important role leads the Aquatic Sciences division (circa 100 staff) in developing and maintaining quality science and technology capabilities within the division’s budget and in accordance with the organisation’s strategic objectives. SARDI’s Aquatic Sciences division works with industry partners, universities, and government agencies to undertake research and development that advances the sustainable growth of South Australia’s seafood industry, protects aquatic ecosystems, and informs government policy. A Head of Junior School with Investigator College, a world-class ELC to Year 12 Anglican College located 1 hour from Adelaide in Victor Harbor on the beautiful South Coast of SA. An outstanding opportunity to join a thriving school known for trailblazing programs at its waterfront Eco-campus, encouraging students to become innovative, connected citizens with respect for self, others, the environment and animals. An Independent Board Member (Finance) for Adelaide’s leading co-educational, independent, early years and primary school, St Andrew’s School. This is an exceptional opportunity for a CA/CPA finance professional with governance experience to join a highly experienced, skills-based board of a thriving, progressive school. |
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Showcasing South Australia on the world stage
Nikki Adamo and Detlev Jansen have been appointed as business ambassadors as part of the newly launched South Australian Club Business Ambassador Program.
Nikki Adamo
The program aims to strengthen South Australia’s trade footprint in Europe, with future plans to expand the network to other countries on the continent.
Adamo is a graduate of the University of South Australia, where she studied a Bachelor of Management.
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She has held various senior roles at Nestlé over the past 21 years, where she is currently CEO for the Netherlands.
Detlev Jansen
As ambassador, Adamo will focus on developing food industry opportunities and connecting South Australian producers with European markets.
Jansen is a graduate of Business Administration and Management at the University of South Australia.
Jansen is currently based in Germany and has more than 20 years of internal and project business experience.
He has spent more than 11 years at machinery manufacturer FRITZ WERNER Industrie-Ausrüstungen GmbH, including a year as vice president and more than nine as managing director.
As ambassador, Jansen will focus on expanding defence sector partnerships between South Australia and Europe.
“SA Club is an important part of the state’s international network and connects global investors to local opportunities, including green energy, food and wine projects,” said Trade Minister Joe Szakacs.
“Our state is well-served by passionate expats who use their overseas networks to tell the South Australian story, and grow prosperity at home.”
Palmer Hospitality Group announces new CEO
Hugh Burton has been appointed as CEO of Palmer Hospitality Group.
Hugh Burton
Burton has more than 20 years of experience in hospitality, private equity and finance.
Burton has held various senior leadership roles throughout his career, including as chief financial officer and deputy CEO at GM Hotels.
“I am very excited to be joining Palmer Hospitality Group – it is a great, family-owned, South Australian business with some truly iconic venues,” said Burton.
“I am looking forward to working with Marty Palmer and the leadership team as we take the next step on the journey together.”
Palmer Hospitality Group includes 2KW Bar & Restaurant, The Highway in Plympton and Arkhé among its various venues around South Australia.
New leadership for SA law firm
South Australian law firm Mellor Olsson has appointed Cameron Thomson as its new CEO.
Cameron Thomson
Thomson takes over from Paul Anderson and will start in the position on June 23.
Thomson has been working as an independent consultant for the past six months.
Before this, he collectively spent 15-and-a-half years at global law firm DLA Piper in senior roles across Australia and in London.
“His proven leadership and strategic mindset align perfectly with our focus on delivering exceptional legal services and position the firm for continued long-term success,” said Mellor Olsson partner Joanna Andrew.
Dating back to 1875, Mellor Olsson is one of South Australia’s oldest law firms, employing more than 90 staff members in 2025.
Policy and advocacy leader rejoins SACOSS
Dr Catherine Earl has rejoined the South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS) as CEO, after previously working at the representative body for more than a decade.
Dr Catherine Earl
Earl succeeds outgoing CEO Ross Womersley, who will have his last day on Friday, August 1, after more than 15 years in the role.
SACOSS said Earl is a seasoned policy and advocacy leader, with experience in government relations, campaign strategy and social policy reform.
Earl joins SACOSS from the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education, where she has been the director of policy and research for the past two years.
Before this, she was the chief of staff in the office of South Australian federal Greens senator Barbara Pocock.
She previously worked at SACOSS for almost 12 years, where she was director of policy and advocacy as well as a senior policy officer for close to nine years.
“We are very confident that Catherine brings the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to lead SACOSS’s ongoing work in eliminating poverty, inequality and injustice,” said SACOSS chair Nicole Chaplin.
SACOSS said it is “the peak representative body for the non-government community, social and health sectors”.
Trees For Life farewells CEO
Natasha Davis is leaving her role as CEO of Trees For Life after 10 years leading the organisation.
Natasha Davis
Davis has been appointed as programs director of the Peter Cullen Water and Environment Trust, where she will be responsible for delivering its leadership programs.
Davis has been involved with Trees For Life since 2010, when she joined as a board member before becoming vice president in 2013 and CEO in June 2015.
She is currently also a board member of the Parks and Wilderness Council and of Green Adelaide.
Davis has previously also been a director of Sustainable Focus, the manager of community programs at Northern Adelaide Catchment Water Board and an adviser to the ACT Greens.
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Fresh faces at AEDA
The Adelaide Economic Development Agency (AEDA) has appointed two new members to its Advisory Committee, with the addition of Angela Maglieri and Paula Mifsud.
Angela Maglieri
In addition, James Black has been reappointed to the committee, which he first joined in November 2023.
AEDA said Maglieri has held senior leadership positions in the private and public sectors, where she has been instrumental in driving inward investment and commercial expansion.
She is currently the engagement manager at SA Water and has held roles at MinterEllison, the Property Council of Australia, the Australian Institute of Management in Adelaide and the Dubai government’s Department of Economic Development.
Paula Mifsud
Mifsud is currently the corporate and government relations director of the University of Adelaide.
Mifsud has more than two decades of senior leadership experience in local and state government, not-for-profit and the higher education sectors.
AEDA said she has expertise in stakeholder engagement, public affairs, government relations, economic development and investment attraction.
She has held positions at RAA, ReturnToWork SA, Helping Hand Aged Care, the City of Adelaide and the Department of Trade and Investment in South Australia.
James Black
Black is currently the CEO of Perks Accountants and Wealth Accountants, where he has been for the past seven and a half years.
He has previously held senior roles at UBS, J.P Morgan and Standard Chartered Bank in London, as well as being general manager of Elders and Figured in Adelaide.
He has also sat on the board of the Real Estate Institute of South Australia for the past two and a half years.
“Ms Maglieri, Ms Mifsud and Mr Black are all highly accomplished professionals who bring expertise in their respective fields and a genuine passion for Adelaide,” said AEDA chair Steve Maras.
Hillgrove’s CFO appointed as joint company secretary
Hillgrove Resources Limited has announced the appointment of Luke Anderson as joint company secretary.
Luke Anderson
Anderson joined Hillgrove on June 2 as chief financial officer.
Anderson has more than 20 years of executive leadership experience in mining, industrial minerals and logistics in both Australia and internationally.
Hillgrove said he has expertise in capital management, corporate development, governance and operational execution.
Anderson joined Hillgrove from Andromeda Metals, where he briefly served as CEO.
Before this, he had previously been CEO of One Rail Australia Pty Ltd and chief financial officer of Oz Minerals.
Jaytex welcomes project director
Jaytex Construction has announced the appointment of Eddie Bampton as its project director.
Jaytex said Bampton has more than 15 years of experience delivering complex, multi-staged projects in the education, retail, residential, health and civic infrastructure sectors.
Eddie Bampton
Bampton joins Jaytex from Built Environs Pty Ltd, where he spent almost eight years, firstly as senior project coordinator and then as project manager.
He has also been an officer cadet in the Australian Army Reserve and a contract administrator and project coordinator at BADGE.
“Eddie’s experience, leadership and collaborative mindset will be instrumental as we continue to grow and expand our delivery capability across South Australia,” said Jaytex managing director Matthew Moss.
“Jaytex’s willingness to bring on new equity partners is a point of difference in the construction industry, and Jaytex recognise that having equity partners work directly on projects provides better outcomes for our clients.”
Moving on up at Kain Lawyers
Kain Lawyers has announced numerous promotions throughout the firm, including the elevation of associate director Josh Lee to director.
Josh Lee
Lee is a member of Kain Lawyers’ transactions disputes team, where he is a dispute resolution specialist.
He joined Kain Lawyers in August 2020 as an associate before being promoted to associate director in July 2022.
Lee has previous legal experience at Crawford Legal and FBR Law.
Meanwhile, Taylor Moore has been promoted from associate to associate director.
Moore joined Kain Lawyers while still studying at law school, moving his way up through the ranks from summer clerk to law clerk, then lawyer and most recently, associate.
Kain Lawyers has also announced the elevation of Emily Stollznow, Gemma Kerin, Cameron Robinson and Dan Wood to associates in its Adelaide office.
Climbing the ladder at Thomson Geer
Australian corporate law firm Thomson Geer has announced the appointment of Fiona Stapleton as a partner in its Adelaide tax division as part of its latest round of nationwide promotions.
Fiona Stapleton
Stapleton joined Thomson Geer in November 2014 as a summer graduate, climbing up the ladder to associate in December 2014, then senior associate in July 2019 and most recently, special counsel in June 2024.
In addition, Alexandra Juniper has been promoted to special counsel in Thomson Geer’s Adelaide property division and Rozelle Macalincag to special counsel in disputes.
“The promotions recognise the significant achievements and continuing development of our people,” said Thomson Geer’s chief executive partner, Adrian Tembel.
