Royal Life Saving South Australia names new Chief Executive

Royal Life Saving Society - South Australia has announced that appointment of Jake Culkin as its new Chief Executive.

A former swim school owner and aquatic centre duty manager, since joining Royal Life Saving South Australia in 2020 Culkin has gained extensive leadership experience within the organisation in areas including management of operations, human resources, financial and risk management, and nationally accredited education and training programmes.

With a background of over 12 years in the aquatic industry, including local government aquatic management, Culkin moves from the role of General Manager as the body.

His highlights in this role are listed as including the revitalisation of aquatic risk services, development of multicultural swimming programs, and the leadership of the inclusive swim program.

Culkin replaces Jayne Minear who has made the decision to step down after five years in the role.

During this time, she is acknowledged as having been instrumental in revitalising the organisation, expanding swimming and water safety programmes throughout the state, and providing leadership to the aquatic industry.

In a statement, Royal Life Saving Society - South Australia advised “we thank Jayne for her dedicated service to the Society, and for ensuring that communities throughout South Australia have received nationally accredited water safety education programmes and opportunities.”

Commenting on Culkin’s appointment, the Society added “after a thorough application process, we congratulate … Jake Culkin.

“The board assessed several suitable applicants and believed that Jake was the best fit for this position based on his experience within the aquatic industry, combined with business acumen gained from local government and higher education.”

Image: Jake Culkin. Credit: Royal Life Saving Society - South Australia.