- Indigenous business leaders Jack Reis and Delvene Cockatoo-Collins join trade agency board
- Queensland continues to lead the way on First Nations Trade
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick has announced that Indigenous business leaders Jack Reis and Delvene Cockatoo-Collins will join the seven-member Trade and Investment Queensland board.
Mr Reis is a proud Badulaig man with heritage stemming from Badu Island in the Torres Strait.
He is the inaugural 2022 Supply nation Indigenous Entrepreneur of Australia and is also the 2023 Indigenous cyber security executive of Australia.
He is the son of a cattle farmer from Chinchilla and is an avid fan of rugby league, signing his first NRL contract when just 17 years old.
Jack is a founding member and the CEO of cyber security firm, Baidam Solutions.
Ms Cockatoo-Collins is a proud Quandamooka woman from North Stradbroke Island in Queensland's Southeast who expresses the stories of her family's lived experience on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) and responds artistically to historical images and texts.
She is the designer of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games 2018 prize-winners' medals, commemorative medal and the large inflatable Migalu (white humpback whale) that featured in the Opening Ceremony.
Ms Cockatoo-Collins is the founder of Minjerribah Art Studio and is exporting original artworks, ceramics and clothing.
Both are foundation members of Trade and Investment Queensland's First Nations Advisory Committee.
Deputy Chair Kate Hynes has concluded her term after a number of years on the board, as has Michele Fleming.
Professor Scott Sheppard's tenure on the TIQ Board has been extended for a further two years.
He has been Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, International and External Relations at the Queensland University of Technology for 15 years.
Prof Sheppard has held numerous executive leadership roles across government and in the international education and training sector.
He is a former diplomat for Australia, having lived and worked in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Shanghai for more than 10 years.
Headquartered in Brisbane, Trade and Investment Queensland is the government's dedicated global business agency with a network of 21 international and eight Queensland regional offices.
The agency assists Queensland businesses export goods and works in-market to attract investment to the state.
As stated by the Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment:
"Queensland is renowned for its entrepreneurial spirit and nowhere is this more evident that in some of our First Nations business leaders.
"It is wonderful to have two of the best examples of that join the Trade and Investment Queensland board.
"Their appointments will help promote Queensland's First Nations businesses to the world.
"Jack and Delvene represent a diverse range of sectors, expertise and views to support and foster not just Queensland First Nations' businesses but all our exporters.
"We are fortunate to be able to have their expertise on the board.
"I would also like to sincerely thank Michele and Kate for their dedication to the supporting the board over many years, as well as their promotion of Queensland exports and investments, which I know they will continue to advocate for beyond their board tenure".
"I look forward to all that this board achieves as it guides our global trade agency into the future as it continues to deliver the $150 million Queensland Trade and Investment Strategy."
As stated by the Board Chair, Daniel Gschwind:
"Change is part of board renewal and I know Jack and Delvene are looking forward to sharing their business knowledge, advice and judgment with us as we continue to take Queensland products to the world and attract the world to Queensland," Mr Gschwind said.
"We are excited to have Jack and Delvene join us at this time to also support the Trade and Investment Queensland First Nations Advisory Committee – a sub-committee to the board".
"Queensland is proud to be the first state or territory to introduce a First Nations category in the national export awards program and we look forward to some exciting applications from our First Nations exporters."
