There’s major upheaval under way at the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, where CEO Darren Bark has been put on unexpected leave just over two years after his appointment – and he’s very unlikely to be returning.
The developments are being kept quiet by JBD officials, who didn’t respond to emails and, when eventually reached, declined to comment on the matter. Bark’s employment hasn’t been formally terminated but we hear lawyers are involved and that’s never a great sign.
Another less-than-reassuring signal for Bark is that officials have apparently approached long-serving former CEO Vic Alhadeff to return as his replacement. Alhadeff stepped down two years ago following a 17-year stint and Margin Call understands that he’s already said no to the offer. We tried putting it to Alhadeff but he declined to comment (attempts to reach Bark were also made).
No firm word on what Bark’s actually done to get tapped, and while he certainly garnered a favourable following in some quarters, it would be uncontroversial to suggest he wasn’t exactly beloved by others.
The board itself is tasked with lobbying government on matters relevant to the Jewish community and it’s an organisation administered by no shortage of machers.
Honorary life members include Justice Stephen Rothman and Robert Goot SC, its honorary solicitor is King & Wood Mallesons partner Paul Schroder, and its current president, David Ossip, is chief commercial officer at the Nicholas Moore-backed software company Willow.
Read the report by Yoni Bashan in The Australian.