Experience Gold Coast: Final vote of councillors on new board members of tourism body
Some of the city’s top business leaders have been chosen to oversee a new super tourism group, after Gold Coast City councillors voted behind closed doors.
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Some of the city’s top business leaders have been chosen to oversee a new supercharged promotional group, after Gold Coast City councillors voted behind closed doors.
The chairman of the Experience Gold Coast board is former Premier and Study Gold Coast chair Rob Borbidge.
His fellow directors include:
* Jackie Cross – Major Events Gold Coast board of directors, Director Cross Promotions International
* Louise Bezzina – Artistic director Brisbane Festival.
* Clark Kirby – Destination Gold Coast and Major Events Gold Coast Board of Directors, Chief executive officer and managing director of Village Roadshow Group.
* Kate Jones – former Minister for State Development, Tourism & Innovation, Executive director for Tech Council of Australia, Independent Commissioner on the Australian Rugby League Commission.
* Adam Twemlow – Destination Gold Coast board of directors, Partner in Charge KPMG Enterprise division in Queensland, New South Wales & Victoria.
* Danielle McFall-Weiss – HOTA Board of directors, Queensland Ballet Board of directors, Arts manager.
* Rebecca Frizelle – OAM – former Chief operating officer Frizelle Sunshine Automotive, Co-owner Gold Coast Titans.
City councillors took just more than an hour to determine the list at a full council meeting on Tuesday, after an earlier marathon session sorting out potential conflicts and potential “close friendships” with some of the successful candidates. All councillors voted.
After the vote, Mayor Tom Tate said: “It’s dynamic for the city. We are in very good hands.”
Both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor Donna Gates thanked Gold Coasters who had put their names forward.
“We fought and we argued, we’ve arrived at where we are,” Councillor Gates said.
But she said councillors in the end were united in their final decision on the board.
Mr Tate said the more than 100 applications were of an extremely high calibre and “choosing just eight was not easy”.
“But we are confident we have an extremely committed and passionate group who understand the vision we have for this entity and the Gold Coast,” he said.
“This is a really exciting time for the Gold Coast as we look towards 2032 and we need to keep our eye on the ball, leveraging every opportunity that comes our way.”
Behind the scenes, for the past few weeks there has been speculation in the city’s political and business “bubble” on who would get the nod.
Several sources suggested before councillors voted on the directors that they were concerned about “getting the mix” right for the group. Their aim was to prevent a clash of personalities and ensuring the board in the longer term did not become dysfunctional.
A city officer report with a shortlist of names for directors was presented to councillors.
Councillors in February had voted for a new controlled entity to replace Destination Gold Coast, Major Events Gold Coast, Study Gold Coast, Placemakers and HOTA Gold Coast – after new CEO Tim Baker found the merger could save ratepayers almost $7 million.
The report followed an expression of interest process for the Board conducted by U & U Pty Ltd and Directors Australia.
Mr Baker presented the short list of applicants to councillors. Up to 100 people showed interest, with consultants suggesting 30 for serious consideration.
The new board will be paid a combined $200,000 a year along with expenses but faces a tough brief to deliver improved tourism and investment.
An information brief drafted by consultants shows directors are to get an annual salary of $20,000 and the chair will be paid $40,000 along with “reasonable expenses”.
They must attend about 10 meetings a year – some for half a day, others for the entire day.
But the skill requirements and key performance indicators are high – and one of the board’s first roles is critical and involves the appointment of a chief executive officer.
The Experience GC boss is expected to earn up to $500,000 a year and have a high media profile within the city.
EARLIER:
City councillors are about to select the directors of a new Gold Coast supercharged promotion group but admit they are struggling with getting the mix right.
A city officer report with a shortlist of names for directors of the new Experience Gold Coast is to be presented to councillors at a full council meeting on Tuesday.
Councillors in February voted for a new controlled entity to replace Destination Gold Coast, Major Events Gold Coast, Study Gold Coast, Placemakers and HOTA Gold Coast — after new CEO Tim Baker found the merger could save ratepayers almost $7 million.
The City’s top leaders in education, arts, sports and culture are in the race for positions.
Those mentioned include former Gold Coast Suns chairman and top event promoter Tony Cochrane, ex-Tourism Minister Kate Jones and former Premier and Study Gold Coast chair Rob Borbidge.
Once councillors make their final selection, those successful on the short list are to be contacted to see if they accept the positions.
The debate will be in a closed session, and the names of the directors not made public until councillors vote.
The report follows an expression of interest process for the Board conducted by U & U Pty Ltd and Directors Australia.
Mr Baker will present the short list of applicants to councillors. Up to 100 people showed interest, with consultants suggesting 30 for serious consideration.
It is understood there will be a “straw poll” of sorts by councillors which determines the successful eight applicants. Mayor Tom Tate and Mr Baker will be on the new board.
“The difficulty for councillors, what they are talking about, is getting the right mix,” a council source said.
Councillors regard some candidates as successful in their area of expertise, but they are questioning whether they will work well as a team.
“You have directors (on existing boards) expert in culture, events, tourism, education and the arts. In putting a board together, you don’t want eight people focused on the same discipline,” the source said.
“The people on the list are the ones who you would expect. The issue isn’t the capability of the individuals. It’s the mix of capability and personality.”
The new board will be paid a combined $200,000 a year along with expenses but faces a tough brief to deliver improved tourism and investment.
An information brief drafted by consultants shows directors are to get an annual salary of $20,000 and the chair will be paid $40,000 along with “reasonable expenses”.
They must attend about 10 meetings a year – some for half a day, others for the entire day.
But the skill requirements and key performance indicators are high – and one of the board’s first roles is critical and involves the appointment of a chief executive officer.
The Experience GC boss is expected to earn up to $500,000 a year and have a high media profile within the city.
Four directors will be appointed to the board based on their ability to represent each of four sectors – events, tourism, arts and culture, along with education.
A council source said the expression of interest campaign had “stoked intense interest” from both the corporate and community sectors.
“There will be a blend of established Gold Coast identities as well as those who have worked quietly in the background without accolades but with all of the track record,” they said.
“Tuesday’s decision is seen as a critical vote of council because this entity will last for decades to come and, right now, there are no clear front runners so councillors are going to take their time on this.
“The board must be made up of different perspectives and this search has thrown up people form the top end of town to those at the coalface of the community.”
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