South Australian business leaders appointed to SAFC Board

The South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) will be strengthened by the appointment of leading South Australian business professional Julie Cooper as the new Presiding Member of the Board from 4 December 2021 to 1 December 2024.

Minister for Innovation and Skills, David Pisoni said Ms Cooper will bring a wealth of business experience to the SAFC Board. Ms Cooper is a business professional with more than 30 years’ experience and has held various executive and non-executive roles across a diverse range of organisations.

Ms Cooper will also be joined on the SAFC Board by South Australian business leader Austin Taylor OAM, who is currently a member of the Kangaroo Island Mayoral Bushfire Relief and Recovery Fund Committee

“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Ms Cooper as Presiding Member to the Board as she will bring a huge amount of business experience that will benefit the SAFC during her tenure,” Minister Pisoni said.

“Through this appointment Ms Cooper’s depth of experience, knowledge and qualifications will be extremely valuable to the SAFC and ensure strong leadership in the role as Presiding Member.”

“I am also delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Taylor, who is an accomplished company director who has significant business experience and is well versed in governance and risk management.

“Our screen industry is a critical part of our creative industries and is thriving post-COVID, with South Australia currently experiencing a screen production boom including shooting of the first Netflix-commissioned TV series from an SA production company Gymnastics Academy: A Second Chance!

“The Marshall Government understands the importance of screen production which is why the last state budget invested $32 million to ensure South Australia continues to be a location of choice for the production of quality film, television and digital content.

“The fact that the screen industry has doubled in size since the Marshall Government came to office points to an extremely bright future in South Australia.

“I also acknowledge the contribution made by the outgoing Presiding Member, Mr Peter Hanlon, who provided strong leadership to the SAFC Board during the past three years.”

Ms Cooper said she is thrilled to join the SAFC Board on the eve of the agency’s 50th anniversary.

“All South Australians can be proud of the South Australian Film Corporation, the most experienced screen agency in Australia,” Ms Cooper said.

“I look forward to working with the Board and SAFC team to support South Australia’s screen industry and the talented people working in the sector through production of creative, vibrant, and prosperous feature films, television, and digital screen projects.”

South Australian Film Corporation Board appointments:

Julie Cooper

Ms Cooper is a highly skilled business professional who holds a wealth of experience in Business Management as well as Board Membership.

Ms Cooper has held various roles including Non-Executive Director for Nova Systems, Non-Executive Director for Credit Union SA and Director of BAE Systems. She has held leadership roles for Nova Systems/the Nova Group of Companies and as State Project Lead for Lot Fourteen within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet.

Most recently, Ms Cooper was appointed as the Chair of the Board for Nova Group, succeeding Mr Jim Whalley, co-founder of Nova Group who served as the Board’s Chair for more than two decades.

Austin Taylor

Mr Austin Taylor is the Founder and Managing Partner for Meerten Chartered Accountants and is an accomplished company director who has reconstruction/turnaround networks and practical business experience and is well versed in governance and risk management.

Mr Taylor holds Bachelor Degrees in Economics and Accounting. He has an Honorary Doctorate from Flinders University and was formerly a member of the Flinders University Executive Committee and University Council.

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