Business SA has revealed who will take over the top role at the member organisation

Business SA has revealed its new CEO, who has extensive experience across businesses large and small – including one of SA’s favourite things.

Business SA has appointed Wirra Wirra Vineyards managing director Andrew Kay as its new boss, with the incoming leader keen to play a role in a revitalised post-pandemic economy.

Mr Kay brings wide experience across both global multinational and local, family-owned businesses to the role, and has broad director-level experience including a stint on the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia board, and current roles at the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium, and Centennial Park Cemetery Authority.

Mr Kay said he’d had the opportunity to work across various sectors including finance, dairy, fast moving consumer goods and most recently in the wine sector, and as someone who has worked extensively overseas, was always impressed with South Australia’s ability to punch above its weight.

“Having had that opportunity and those experiences over a reasonably long period of time, I thought it’s a great chance to give something back to other businesses to help them achieve their goals and their aspirations whether they’re small or at a grand scale,’’ he said.

Mr Kay’s first priority, once he starts in the last week of June, will be to talk to SA businesses about what their needs were.

“I sense that as we’re navigating out of Covid it’s a really exciting time for businesses,’’ he said.

“There are businesses that have gone through large challenges but out of that have come some amazing opportunities and there are businesses which look very different today than they did three years ago because of that.

Business SA chair Nikki Govan with incoming chief executive Andrew Kay who will be leaving as long-standing managing director at Wirra Wirra Vineyards in McLaren Vale. Picture: Matt Loxton

“As a member-based organisation, I want to speak to those members and understand where they see the opportunities and what they need to take advantage of those.’’

Mr Kay said he was also looking forward to meeting and engaging with the new state government.

Business SA chair Nikki Govan said Mr Kay had an excellent track record in private business.

“Andrew is a tremendous commercial success, having developed high-achieving operations across family business, private and multinational,’’ Ms Govan said.

“He has lived and worked as an expat in the UK and conducted business across Europe, the US and Asia.

“There are unique aspects to leading a membership organisation. It takes someone with a strong commercial focus and the ability to ensure financial stability. A pivotal element of a thriving membership organisation is the focus on people. Andrew has a very strong focus on building team culture in the workplace.’’

Mr Kay will replace Martin Haese, who is going back into private enterprise.