Martin Haese
Chief Executive Officer
Martin has an impressive track record as a business owner and entrepreneur. Having previously owned his own national retail companies, Youthworks and Sole Shoes, Martin founded and then grew the business to achieve annual sales of $25 million, employ several hundred team members and oversaw a global supply chain. Following the sale of Youthworks and Sole Shoes in 2005, Martin opened Retail IQ, a specialist advisory business working with local governments in Australia and Real Estate Investment Trusts in South East Asia.
Martin co-founded the Entrepreneurs’ Organisation in South Australia and has taught entrepreneurship for MBA students across the nation. From 2010 to 2013, Martin headed the Rundle Mall Management Authority, a subsidiary of the Adelaide City Council, where he led Rundle Mall’s upgrade. As General Manager of the Rundle Mall Management Authority, Martin provided advocacy and program support for more than 700 retailers and 300 business and commercial property owners. He deeply understands the challenges facing SMEs.
In 2014, Martin successfully ran for the office of Lord Mayor of the City of Adelaide where he successfully served a four-year term. As Lord Mayor, Martin delivered a number of key innovations to drive economic growth in the city, including Ten Gigabit Adelaide, Australia’s fastest fibre optic data network. He is highly-respected by the business and employer community, has extensive networks and is well-regarded by all sides of politics.
Jenny Briggs
Executive Director; Employer Solutions and Programs
Jenny has led the Employer Solutions and Programs team at Business SA since 2015.
Her commercial experience includes leadership in the private and NFP sectors and includes consulting and development of solutions for clients across a broad range of industries.
With an extensive background in learning and development, across a variety of roles, Jenny has comprehensive knowledge of learning methodology, performance management and competency frameworks, strategic and leadership development initiatives, and development and execution of client, competency based and industry specific training and development programs.
Jenny derives great enjoyment from working with, and developing programs, products and services for, early-stage businesses and driving consulting services enabling growth strategies for established businesses.
A keen advocate for capability building and a better skilled South Australia and passionate about working with business and industry to enable success via people led initiatives and workplace education. A huge fan of action and experiential learning, behavioral change programs and use of competency frameworks to support workforce development.
David Slama
Executive Director; Membership and Enterprise Development
David Slama is the Executive Director of Membership and Enterprise Development.
Having owned his own businesses in the finance, food and wholesale distribution sectors, served as a Councillor of the City of Adelaide and worked for Westpac Premium Bank, David has a wealth of commercial, governance and business management experience and with a strong bias toward business development.
David has led the major projects division within the Northern Territory Government Investment Attraction Agency and has been integral in delivering significant infrastructure projects in a complex environment.