Redland CEO Andrew Chesterman resigns after seven years; Louise Rusan to fill

Redland City Council CEO Andrew Chesterman has resigned after seven years with Louise Rusan stepping in to serve as Acting CEO while the council searches for a new leader.

Redland CEO Andrew Chesterman has resigned after seven years in the role.

Redland City Council CEO Andrew Chesterman has resigned, seven years after taking up the post.

The move was announced at a special meeting on Friday afternoon, when the council appointed Louise Rusan as Acting CEO while the council undertakes the recruitment process for a new head.

Mr Chesterman took up the post with Redland City Council in April 2017, where he oversaw more than 1100 staff and formed a close bond with former mayor Karen Williams.

Among other roles, he had previously been chair of CSIRO’s Land and Water Business Advisory Committee in Canberra for four years after being an executive with Brisbane City Council, where he was a program manager for nearly two years from 2015.

That was his second stint with the Brisbane council where he had been for 10 years in various senior roles.

Redland City Council CEO Andrew Chesterman has resigned.

He has also held executive posts within the state government including Commission Chief Executive with the Queensland Public Sector Commission and Director-General (CEO) with the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection.

Mr Chesterman, who has a keen interest in cars, mountain biking, boating and caravanning, handled the media after former mayor Williams crashed her council car drunk in 2022.

He made his decision five months after new mayor Jos Mitchell was elected in March.

Mayor Mitchell thanked Mr Chesterman for his service to the Redlands community and wished him all the very best for his future.

A council statement said Mr Chesterman successfully navigated the council through the COVID-19 pandemic and was a strong advocate for programs that improved the council’s approach to safety, people management, organisational culture and leadership.

“Mr Chesterman leaves council in a strong financial position, with a new digital transformation program underway and a modern approach to advocacy, major projects management, strategic planning, procurement, and capital works programming,” the statement said.

“Highly regarded for humanistic leadership, Mr Chesterman also introduced programs to recognise high performing staff along with overseeing the implementation of a Reconciliation Action Plan.

“He also sponsored many leadership development programs with the organisation being recognised nationally for many of these commitments.”

Mr Chesterman, who also lists singing and playing a variety of musical instruments as interests, is also a passionate advocate for children with disabilities and is actively involved with his son and daughter in the Modified Rugby Program.

He said he was most proud of his connection with employees.

“I wish the mayor, councillors, our employees and business partners all the very best, and will watch with great affection as Redland City Council continues to make our location one of the very best places on Earth to live, work and play,” he said.

Mr Chesterman will continue as CEO until close of business on September 13.