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.
Sarah Brooks (left), Glen Scott (centre, above), Maria Makrides (centre), Daniella Biagi (centre, below) and Matteo Genna (right) have all been appointed to new roles.
New face of SAHMRI
Internationally acclaimed clinical nutritionist Maria Makrides has been appointed Executive Director of the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI).
Makrides is currently SAHMRI’s Deputy Director and the Theme Leader for SAHMRI Women and Kids.
Makrides is an elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Science.
She is also President of the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids.
In 2022, Makrides was named South Australia’s Scientist of the Year.
She commences the role in August 2023, takes the reigns from SAHMRI’s inaugural Executive Director Steve Wesselingh who announced in 2020 that his current term would be his last.
Wesselingh has served in the role of Executive Director and Theme Leader of SAHMRI Infection and Immunity since 2011.
Before joining the institute, Wesselingh was Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at Monash University.
He is currently Chair of the National Health and Medical Research Council.
Fleet makes space for new CTO
Matteo Genna has joined Fleet Space Technologies as Chief Technology Officer.
Genna has nearly 30 years of experience in building space and near-space systems.
After gaining a PhD in Physics from the University of California, Genna joined the American aerospace company SSL as a Senior Engineering Specialist.
Genna spent 22 years at the company, holding senior roles including Chief Engineer, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer.
Prior to joining Fleet Space Technologies, Genna was President of the Remote Sensing Business Unit for World View Enterprises – an aviation and aerospace component manufacturing company.
Genna continues to work in the United States, working remotely for Fleet Space Technologies and adding to the company’s existing presence in North America.
BDO Australia promotions
Audit, tax and advisory firm BDO Australia has promoted two employees to Partner in Adelaide.
Daniella Biagi joined BDO in 2016 as a Senior Accountant and has held company roles as Manager and Director prior to her appointment as Partner.
Before joining the firm, Biagi was a Senior Accountant for Heal and Life Practice Accounting and Tax Advisers.
She currently serves as a Member of the Board for JFA Purple Orange – a social profit organisation advocating disability support and inclusion.
She is the former Chair and a current Member of the SA Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Panel for Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
Eythan Barraclough has worked with BDO for almost a decade, starting as an Assistant Manager and holding roles as a Senior Manager and a Director before being appointed to Partner.
He is the former Management Accountant for the office supply company United Office Choice.
He was also the Treasurer for the Trinity Old Scholars Cricket Club from 2012 to 2019.
Corporate Position: the latest executive employment opportunities
General Manager for Nature Play SA, a not-for-profit entity inspiring engagement in nature through outdoor learning and play.
General Manager – Adelaide Central Market Authority to lead the iconic precinct for the City of Adelaide as it begins an exciting new development.
Director of Service Operations for Government Business Enterprise, Defence Housing Australia providing strategic leadership for the contact centre as it delivers housing solutions, maintenance and accomodation.
Surf Board appointments
Surf Life Saving South Australia has appointed new members to its Board.
Glen Scott has been elected by the Board as the new State Vice President.
Scott is currently the Principal of GS Consulting and has more than 50 years of lifesaving experience.
He worked for Schneider Electric for almost two decades and formerly held roles in technology and construction companies as Regional Manager of TAC Pacific Pty Ltd, Manager of EMS Controls and Project Director of Johnson Controls.
Sarah Brooks joins the Board as an appointed Director.
Brooks is the Head of Transformation Planning and Shaping for Westpac Group and has previously held roles with Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Rural Bank and Macquarie Bank.
Heather Thompson and Joel Perricone have been reappointed to the Board as Directors.
Thompson has served as a Member of the Grange Surf Life Saving Club for more than three decades.
She is the retired General Manager of Corporate Services, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer of the not-for-profit employment organisation Maxima Group.
Perricone, who has served on the Board since 2020, is a National Work Health and Safety Partner and the Regional Manager of BlueFit – a leisure facility management company that delivers asset management, community sport and recreation programming.
A new era for Studio Nine Architects
Andrew Steele has been appointed Managing Director of Studio Nine Architects.
Steele joined the practice eight years ago as an Associate Director, before being promoted to Director a year later.
He began his career as a Graduate of Architecture for Swanbury Penglase in 2004 and joined them as an Architect in 2008 and as an Associate in 2012.
Steele takes the position from the founding Managing Director John Galluccio.
Galluccio founded the company with David Ey and Andrew Vorrasi in 1998 and has continued to work for the company for the last 25 years.
Galluccio said it is time for the “young guns” to drive the business into the future.
“Andrew has demonstrated the commitment, innovation, drive and passion required to fulfil the role,” he said
New managing partner for PKF
Antoinette Tatarelli has been appointed as Managing Partner of accounts and business advisory PKF Adelaide.
Tatarelli joined PKF in 1995 as a Senior Associate and was promoted to Partner in 2000.
She also serves as Chairperson of the PKF Adelaide Foundation – a role she has held since its inception almost a decade ago – and is a Member of the Women’s Safety Services South Australia Finance and Audit Committee.
Prior to joining the firm, Tatarelli was an Accountant for Nexia Edwards Marshall.
She takes the role from Dom Cosentino who served as Managing Partner for the past 12 years.
Cosentino will continue with the business as Chairman of Partners.
Cosentino serves as Council Member of Saint Peter’s Woodlands and is a Member on the Board of the Peter Couche Foundation.
Managing a new industry
Carlisle Jones has been appointed General Manager of IT solutions company OpSys Australia.
Jones joins the company from his role as General Manager of Next Gen Health & Lifestyle Clubs.
Jones has been a personal trainer since 2009 and held senior roles in personal fitness companies including as State Manager of The Australian Institute of Personal Trainers and as Manager of Snap Fitness 24/7.
He is also a former Franchise Owner of Express Test & Tag Athelstone – a company that tests the safety of portable electrical appliances.
