A highly experienced board, including a former state premier and a CEO of one of Australia's best-known businesses, has been appointed to guide the City's new entity charged with injecting $10 billion into the local economy and creating thousands of jobs.
To be led by former Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman the new board of Invest Gold Coast consists of Australian finance and business powerhouses all with a strong track record and a commitment to seeing the Gold Coast reach its full potential.
There were 70 expressions of interest received for the roles on the board which include a chairperson and four Directors. Council resolved to appoint the board on Tuesday.
The selected board members will steer independent strategic investment recommendations to grow the City's revenue from investment and business attraction opportunities plus growth in international exports and creation of jobs.
"Our city is rapidly becoming a destination-of-choice for industries looking at investing in the Coast," said Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate.
"We know that right now, we are not capitalising on every opportunity out there.
"It is essential proposals being put to the City from a range of industry sectors across the globe align with Council's vision for the coast, residents and business.
"We believe the outstanding calibre of the selected applicants will help the Invest Gold Coast team deliver.
In June, Council resolved to establish the Invest Gold Coast entity.
The City sought board members who had extensive experience in the fields of finance, legal and governance with strong leadership skills.
Chairperson:
Will Hodgman – Has practiced as a barrister in Australia and the UK, former Premier of Tasmania, Former Australian High Commissioner to Singapore and currently employed as a Professor for the College of Arts, Law and Education at the University of Tasmania.
Directors:
Katie Page – CEO of Harvey Norman which currently operates in eight countries, built Magic Millions into a world-class thoroughbred sales company significantly boosted Gold Coast tourism, Tourism Australian board member.
Karen Jorritsma – Financial experience across global markets in sales and research, commentator for Sky Business, ABC Business, AFR and The Australian, Managing Director, Head of Equities Australia for RBC Capital Markets with significant P&L responsibilities.
Teresa Dyson – Experienced chair, non-executive director, and senior executive with over 20 years' legal advisory and finance experience advising the private sector and government bodies.
Gary Weiss – Chair of Coast Entertainment Holdings Limited, Executive Director of Ariadne Australia Limited, Deputy Chair and Lead Independent Director of Myer Holdings Ltd, non-executive director of Hearts and Minds Investments Ltd, Thorney Opportunities Ltd, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute and The Centre for Independent Studies.
The remaining three positions will be filled by Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, City of Gold Coast CEO Tim Baker, and a representative from Experience Gold Coast.
The first task for the new board will be to appoint a CEO.
