Corporate Ladder: your weekly guide to executive appointments
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.
Jeremy Phillips (left), Shirley Fraser (centre), Shelley Willsmore (top right) and David Attenborough (bottom right) have all been appointed to new positions.
Public servant takes senior council post
Senior public servant Jeremy Phillips has joined the City of Adelaide as Executive Manager, Office of the Lord Mayor.
Phillips’ council move comes after four years with the Department for Trade and Investment as Program Manager, Strategy and Policy.
He has also held senior roles with the former Department of State Development, the South Australian Chief Scientist and the Department of Further Education Employment Science and Technology.
He started in his role with newly-elected Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith on Friday, January 27.
The appointment sees him replace Oliver Luckhurst-Smith, whose contract as Executive Manager finished up last week.
Luckhurst-Smith, a former Ministerial Adviser to Vickie Chapman, had been in the role since April 2022. He was also a former Senior Advisor to Martin Haese and Sandy Verschoor.
Top HR hire at Nova Systems
Multinational engineering and defence company Nova Systems has appointed Shelley Willsmore as its Chief People Officer.
Willsmore, a long-time human resources leader at BAE Systems, returns to the South Australian defence sector after three years as Chief Human Resources Officer at the Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment.
Her 13 years at BAE Systems Australia saw her rise to the rank of HR Director in 2015, overseeing the hiring functions of a company employing more than 4500 people across Australia.
Willsmore is set to join Nova Systems on Wednesday, February 1.
Her appointment sees her replace Blazenka Skender, who joined Sydney financial services firm Cuscal as Chief People Officer late last year.
Fresh regional voices
Former Local Government Association of SA CEO Wendy Campana has been appointed Executive Officer of Spencer Gulf Cities.
The organisation, a partnership of the Whyalla, Port Augusta and Port Pirie councils, said Campana had more than “40 years’ experience in working with councils, communities and governments” and would bring an “extensive skill set” to her new role.
Now a consultant, Campana headed up the LGA from 2005 to 2015. She is also a former Commissioner for Kangaroo Island.
Her latest appointment comes after the previous Spencer Gulf Cities Executive Officer, Leonie Boothby, was appointed CEO of the Regional Development Australia Barossa Gawler Light Adelaide Plains (RDA BGLAP).
Boothby, who has been a consultant for a wide range of regional and metropolitan councils, had led Spencer Gulf Cities since 2020.
Her appointment as RDA BGLAP CEO follows the resignation of Anne Moroney from the role after 15 years.
Corporate Position: the latest executive employment opportunities
Not-for-profit conservation group Nature Foundation is looking for a new Marketing and Communications Coordinator. Reporting to the CEO, this role provides high levels of leadership and support in developing, managing and implementing strategic marketing, brand awareness, communications and membership management functions. Key outcomes for the role include: ensuring the Nature Foundation brand is strong, trusted, and values-based, and its recognition is growing significantly; developing a strategic Marketing and Communications plan based on market research, existing plans and extensive stakeholder consultation, which is implemented and systematically evaluated; contributing to the successful delivery of the Nature Foundation’s Strategic Fundraising Plan to leverage funding outcomes and position Nature Foundation as a leader in environment, native species and biodiversity protection and management in South Australia and beyond; and developing high quality external communications and promotional publications, including website, newsletter, impact report, social media, interpretive visitor information, science and reporting publications, that are relevant to the audiences for whom they have been developed. Applications are encouraged from experienced marketing communication professionals with demonstrated experience in developing and executing communication and media strategies and activities. The position is offered on a full-time or part-time basis. Flexible working hours/days will be negotiated in order to secure the right candidate.
The Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG) is a leader in its sector, managing critical gas infrastructure across Australia through its infrastructure businesses that include Australian Gas Networks, Dampier Bunbury Pipeline and Multinet Gas Networks. AGIG is currently looking for a new National Property Manager. Based in Melbourne (Pinewood), this newly created role will be the key contributor to the establishment and maintenance of AGIG’s property strategy and will deliver sustainable long term property solutions for the Group. Key responsibilities include: establishing and maintaining the Group’s property strategy considering best practice and establishing sustainable solutions; liaising with and advising the Executive Management Team and other stakeholders to meet property objectives; reviewing the property portfolio to maximise long term returns and managing property valuation processes; and managing property development and management processes including site selections, relationships with real estate agents, negotiating leases, etc. Applications are welcome from experienced property managers with pragmatic commercial property and facilities management expertise and the ability to introduce best practice in property management and development. Tertiary qualifications in property, construction, engineering or a related discipline will be well regarded.
Humble movements
Rebecca Humble, Chief of Strategy and Corporate Affairs at Nova Systems, has been appointed Chair of Seymour College.
An Old Collegian and former Head Girl, Humble has been on the Seymour College board since April 2020. She stepped up to Deputy Chair in August 2020.
Since graduating the private girls’ school, she has spent more than 10 years with BAE Systems across Australia, the United States and United Kingdom, holding senior roles including Vice President Global Strategy, Land and Armaments in Washington DC, and Director of Strategy in Adelaide.
She joined Nova Systems in November 2019.
More changes at WISA
The Wine Industry Suppliers Association (WISA) has farewelled Executive Officer Shirley Fraser.
Fraser, who has been Executive Officer since May 2021, has been appointed Marketing and Sales Manager at Sorby Adams Wines in the Barossa.
Her last day at WISA was Friday, January 27.
The association has appointed, but is yet to announce, Fraser’s replacement. The new EO is due to start in late February.
The change in senior management comes after WISA last month elected Tim Stead as its new Chair.
Stead, elected alongside Deputy Chair Liz Schoen, is CEO of cork manufacturer Amorim Australasia.
Betting boss tapped for SkyCity board
SkyCity Entertainment Group, the parent company of SkyCity Adelaide, has appointed former Tabcorp CEO David Attenborough to its board.
The UK-born executive was Managing Director and CEO of Tabcorp from 2010 to 2022. He is also a former CEO of South African horseracing operator and bookmaker Phumelela Gaming and Leisure.
He is due to commence on the SkyCity board on March 1, pending regulatory approvals. SkyCity Entertainment Group Chair Julian Cook touted Attenborough’s “extensive gambling industry, corporate governance and sustainability experience which will bring considerable expertise to the SkyCity board”.
His appointment comes as SkyCity Adelaide faces civil penalty proceedings in the Federal Court over alleged “serious and systemic” non-compliance with Australian anti-money laundering laws.
