CFO Collective: July 2026

July was the busiest month for CFO movements in our tracking this calendar year: 49 individual appointments and departures across 44 companies, against 26 across 24 companies in June. The composition is the more interesting part. Appointments outnumbered departures by better than two to one, and the median market capitalisation of the ASX companies involved fell from around $240 million in June to roughly $70 million in July. The lift is real, but it sits at the smaller end of the market — the number of companies above $1 billion was unchanged at seven.

The economic picture behind that has steadied. The June quarter CPI, released on 29 July, put headline inflation at 3.8% and the trimmed mean at 3.6%, a third consecutive fall in the headline rate and enough to move consensus towards the RBA holding at 4.35% in August after three increases in the first half of the year. Unemployment was 4.4% in June. What has not eased is the load on the finance function itself: payday super and the extension of mandatory climate reporting to mid-market entities both commenced on 1 July, landing in the same quarter as year-end close.

For candidates, the market remains a paradox. Advertised roles fell 5.8% over the year to June and applications per advertisement are at record highs, yet advertised salaries are still growing at 4.2%. Volume has thinned without loosening competition for the relatively small number of people who can run a finance function through a transition. We noted last month that movement usually builds towards the end of Q3, and July has borne that out. With reporting season and the RBA's next decision on 11 August both immediately ahead, we expect the run to continue.

Cleanaway Waste Management announced on 22 July 2026 the appointment of Nigel Simonsz as Chief Financial Officer, commencing 27 July 2026. Nigel joins Cleanaway with senior finance and executive experience across United Petroleum, Sigma Healthcare and Australian Agricultural Company. He succeeds Paul Binfield, who steps down after more than five years in the role and remains with the business through the first half of FY27.

Sunrise Energy Metals advised on 22 July 2026 that John Mullumby has been appointed Chief Financial Officer, effective 24 August 2026. John brings over 25 years across the resources sector, professional services and corporate advisory, most recently as Chief Financial Officer of Gold Road Resources, with earlier senior finance roles at Newcrest Mining and Nyrstar. He succeeds Trevor Eton, who transitions to a Non-Executive Director role.

Champion Iron announced on 16 July 2026 the appointment of Michael Marcotte as Chief Financial Officer. Michael is an internal promotion, having joined Champion in 2018 as Vice President Investor Relations and most recently serving as Senior Vice President Corporate Development and Capital Markets, where he led capital markets initiatives, financings and acquisition assessments. Congratulations to Michael on this promotion.

Arafura Rare Earths announced on 8 July 2026 the appointment of Angela Bigg as Chief Financial Officer. Angela commenced with the company on 13 July 2026 and steps into the CFO role from 31 August 2026. She brings more than 20 years in the global mining sector spanning major resource project delivery, corporate finance and executive operational roles across multiple jurisdictions. She succeeds Peter Sherrington, who resigned after nearly 18 years with the company and remains until 31 October 2026 to support the transition.

Mayne Pharma Group announced on 17 July 2026 the appointment of Griffin D. Buchanan as Chief Financial Officer, effective 1 August 2026. Griffin joins from NASDAQ-listed Establishment Labs, where he was Vice President Operational Finance. He previously spent more than 19 years with Siemens Healthineers, most recently as business line Chief Financial Officer of its Enterprise Services division.

Airtasker announced on 28 July 2026 the appointment of Reena Minhas as incoming Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary, commencing 3 August 2026. Reena brings over 20 years across finance, strategy and operations, including 17 years as Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary of ASX-listed businesses, most recently IMEXHS Limited and Konekt Workforce. She succeeds Mahendra Tharmarajah, who ceases in the role from 30 September 2026 after four successful years and remains to complete the FY26 financial statements.

Bubs Australia announced on 16 July 2026 the appointment of Chris Rowe as Chief Financial Officer. Chris brings more than 30 years across the dairy, infant formula and consumer goods sectors, spanning finance, commercial leadership, strategy, M&A, IT and legal governance, with senior roles across Australia, Asia and the United States.

ASX Limited announced on 24 July 2026 the retirement of Chief Financial Officer Andrew Tobin. Andrew joined ASX in 2022 and has led finance, treasury, strategy and corporate affairs across four years of significant organisational change. He will remain in the role to support the transition until a successor is appointed.

Aroa Biosurgery announced on 9 July 2026 the resignation of Chief Financial Officer and Joint Company Secretary James Agnew, who leaves to pursue another opportunity after 13 years with the company. James will remain until the end of November 2026 to ensure an orderly transition, having led the business through its 2020 ASX listing and subsequent capital raising. Recruitment for a replacement has commenced.

Baby Bunting Group announced on 29 July 2026 that Chief Financial Officer Darin Hoekman will step down after more than 12 years with the business. Darin joined the business in 2014 and has been Chief Financial Officer since its listing in October 2015, holding responsibility across finance, IT, risk and investor relations. He will remain in the role until a successor is appointed and the Board has engaged an executive search firm.

Adrad Holdings announced on 15 July 2026 the resignation of Chief Financial Officer and Joint Company Secretary Rod Hyslop. Shaun Dawson, Group Financial Controller, has been appointed Acting Chief Financial Officer. Shaun is a Chartered Accountant with over 25 years' experience, previously Group Financial Controller of ASX-listed Karoon Energy for more than 13 years.

Beamtree Holdings announced on 21 July 2026 the resignation of Chief Financial Officer Michelle Spiller. Neil Thompson has been appointed Acting Chief Financial Officer while a search for a permanent replacement is undertaken. Neil brings a 30-year career across corporate and finance roles in public and private companies, and currently serves on the boards of City Chic Collective and the Australian World Orchestra.

Olivia Cameron has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of VetPartners, having previously served as the group’s Deputy Chief Financial Officer. Prior to this appointment, Olivia had an impressive and long tenured career at McDonald’s moving up through the ranks before moving to Jaycar Eletcronics Group in her first Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary role.

Elias Hatem has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer of Deicorp, the privately owned Sydney residential, retail and commercial property developer and builder. Elias joined Deicorp as Financial Controller in January 2020, having previously spent five years at PwC Australia as a Senior Consultant. Congratulations to Elias on the promotion.