In a significant shake-up of South Australia’s corporate leadership, several high-profile executive appointments have been announced across industries, signaling strategic shifts and new growth ambitions.
Chris Menz Takes Helm at Parkstone Funds Management
Parkstone Funds Management has appointed Chris Menz, former CEO of Renewal SA, as its new CEO and managing director, effective late September. Menz brings over 25 years of experience in property and development, including a decade in executive roles within both the private and public sectors. His leadership at South Australia’s urban development agency, Renewal SA, over the past five and a half years, has been particularly notable.
Previously, Menz held pivotal roles at Commercial & General, where he served as project director and later as executive director of communities and health. His career also includes a tenure as project director for Bowden at Renewal SA and a project director role at Macquarie Group.
“The appointment of Chris sends a compelling signal about our future intentions to create a platform that allows us to continue to add value, outperform, and grow beyond $1 billion in funds under management,” said Paul Ford, executive chairperson and co-founder of Parkstone Funds Management.
Nicholas Atkinson Joins AE Advisors as CEO
Nicholas Atkinson has been named the new CEO of AE Advisors, an independent corporate advisory firm based in Adelaide and Sydney. Atkinson brings over 30 years of financial industry experience, having worked in Australia, London, and New York. His extensive background includes investment banking, funds management, research sales, and equity analysis.
Most recently, Atkinson served as investment director at Hancock and Gore in Brisbane. His previous roles include a 14-year tenure as executive director and divisional head of institutional equities at Morgans Financial Limited.
AE Advisors, formerly known as Adelaide Equity Partners, specializes in mergers and acquisitions, strategic corporate advisory, and corporate transactions, indicating a robust future under Atkinson’s leadership.
Rebecca Humble to Lead Aurizn
Rebecca Humble has been appointed CEO of Aurizn, an Australian-owned defence technology company. The appointment, effective at the end of the month, highlights Aurizn’s commitment to expanding its capabilities in the defence sector. Humble, a seasoned executive in defence and national security, has previously held strategic roles at QinetiQ Australia, SAGE Group, and Nova Systems.
“Rebecca’s deep defence industry insight, her steadfast commitment to growing sovereign capability, and her proven record in driving growth make her ideally suited to lead Aurizn,” said Aurizn chair Andrew Tymms.
Sue Raw Takes Charge at Lutheran Disability Services
Sue Raw has commenced her role as CEO at Lutheran Disability Services (LDS), a key provider of disability services in South Australia. Raw’s extensive experience in the disability and community services sector, including leadership roles at Baptist Care (SA) Inc and Life Care, positions her well to guide LDS through its next phase of development.
Her previous roles include board membership at Baptist Care Australia and senior management positions at the Uniting Church in South Australia and Not For Profit Accounting Specialists.
Other Notable Appointments
- Kylie Allen has been appointed as executive general manager of regional and agribusiness banking at CommBank (CBA), marking the first time a member of CBA’s Business Bank Leadership Team is based in Adelaide.
- Brigid Hughes joins National Pharmacies as chief finance officer, bringing over 20 years of experience in senior leadership roles across multinational and ASX-listed companies.
- Yumin Liu has been welcomed as special counsel in the transactions team at DMAW Lawyers, bringing over 15 years of international expertise in diverse legal areas.
- Jeff Trotter will lead the new food offering at Adelaide Hills wine bar Bottle Shock, leveraging his extensive culinary experience, including roles at Michelin-starred restaurants.
These appointments reflect a dynamic shift in South Australia’s corporate landscape, with each leader poised to drive innovation and growth in their respective fields. As these executives settle into their new roles, the region anticipates strategic advancements and enhanced competitive positioning across industries.
