26 Nov, 2014

Council appoints Deputy Lord Mayor

Councillor Natasha Malani was last night re-elected to continue in her current role as Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Adelaide until 31 January 2015.

At the first meeting of the new Council, elected members also voted for Central Ward Cr Houssam Abiad to succeed Natasha Malani as Deputy Lord Mayor for a 12 month term from 1 February 2015.

Natasha and Houssam were both first elected to Council in 2010 and are passionate about serving their communities.

A North Adelaide resident for 16 years, Natasha manages a consultancy called ‘Access India’ and is the former President and General Manager of the Australia India Business Council.

“It’s a privilege to be elected by my peers to continue to serve as Deputy Lord Mayor under Martin’s leadership,” she said.

“I’m looking forward to working together with my fellow elected members, local residents, businesses and other stakeholders to move the city forward, ensuring we create a city where people want to spend time living, working and enjoying themselves.”

The Deputy Lord Mayor role is rotated on an annual basis and elected by popular vote of Council members each year.

Houssam is a young entrepreneur who has grown Digimob Australia into one of the largest telecommunication service centres nationally, acquiring Alltech in 2011. His entrepreneurship has extended to other successful South Australian businesses including Felici Espresso Bar, Glam Diary and Muscle Online.

“I am looking forward to assuming my role as Deputy Lord Mayor in February 2015 and to working closely with the Lord Mayor, my fellow councillors and the community,” he said.

“Adelaide needs to be well positioned to compete and promote itself on the world’s stage. The first year for this Council will be crucial in setting an economic development agenda. Together, I believe together we can create a better Adelaide.”

Houssam has also been involved in the not-for-profit sector, through the Australia Day Council, Migrant Resource Centre Board, Australian Refugee Association, United for Peace and Engineers without Borders.

He has a double degree in Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences and is now in the process of completing a Master’s degree in Business. He also is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow at the Governor’s Leadership Foundation.

For more information about the new City of Adelaide, visit cityofadelaide.com.au/council

Victoria Loughhead