A FITNESS queen, sport bosses, politicians and a couple of $46 million men make the list of the next power players on the Gold Coast’s most influential list.
And there are plenty of newcomers.
We’re counting down from 100 to 1 of the Gold Coast’s most influential people.
Today we reveal 40 to 21. Another 10 will be published here tomorrow, ahead of a gloss magazine featuring the full list — plus more features about our most influential people — in Friday’s Gold Coast Bulletin.
40. NIK MIRKOVIC and ALEX TOMIC
NEW TO THE LIST
THESE Gold Coast entrepreneurs, aged 22 and 24, founded teeth whitening brand HiSmile in 2014 and now have a combined wealth of $46 million.
Barely three years and countless dazzling grins into their venture, the business is a social media juggernaut with current revenue of $20 million, which they expect to have doubled by January.
39. RANDALL DEER
NEW TO THE LIST
IS founder and managing director of Ignite Travel Group.
By the age of 25, he was managing one of Australia’s largest private resort groups and three years later played a leading role in the creation of Australia’s largest publicly listed (ASX) integrated travel groups.
Mr Deer has been named Gold Coast Young Entrepreneur of the Year and continues to be recognised for his progressive business models in travel and marketing.
FLASHBACK TO 2016: WHO MADE THE 60-41 LIST
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38. CRAIG TREASURE
FOR four years has been managing director of Villaworld, which in 2016 celebrated 30 years as a listed company.
VillaWorld had a solid year, the fourth in a row with increased profit.
Shareholders were told to expect another 10 per cent increase next financial year, telling Mr Treasure at the annual general meeting to just “keep up the good work”.
37. GRAHAM ANNESLEY
THE CEO of the Gold Coast Titans is one of the most highly respected leaders in the country. The former rugby league referee was once chief operating officer for the NRL and was New South Wales Sports Minister.
It’s been another tough year for the Gold Coast Titans, with a prolonged departure of coach Neil Henry and silver-bullet signing Jarryd Hayne not working out the way they hoped.
36. ANDRE NELL
NEW TO THE LIST
THE managing director of ASX-listed Retail Food Group operates Australia’s largest food franchisor whose global brands include Gloria Jeans, Michel’s Patisserie, Pizza Capers, Donut King, Brumbys, Crust and more.
The company’s share price has steadily declined throughout 2017, but it has flagged future growth thanks to its global expansion and product innovation.
The company employs more than 500 people across the Gold Coast, with thousands more supported by the franchises.
35. BARRY ROBINSON
THE president and managing director South-East Asia and Pacific Rim for Wyndham Hotel Group and Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific is head of one of the Gold Coast’s largest private employers — with more than 600 locals on the books.
Mr Robinson oversees 70 hotels and resorts and more are under development with the company expanding rapidly in South-East Asia in the past 12 months.
34. PHIL MUMFORD
THE head of the city’s light rail project, who also led construction of the Gateway Motorway, is at the top of a series of companies which were contracted to deliver the huge first stage of the infrastructure project and the buck stops with him again now stage two is almost ready for launch.
33. JUSTIN FUNG
THE Australian boss of Aquis Group, which has extended its reach on the Coast through a development partnership with Gold Coast Turf Club.
The Aquis Farm racehorse stud has enjoyed growing success at the Magic Millions and the company has a six-star hotel, Pacific Point, under development at Surfers Paradise.
32. STUART DEW
NEW TO THE LIST
THE new Suns coach is under pressure to perform in 2018 and knows he is unlikely to get as many chances as his predecessor, Rodney Eade, who was sacked in round 20.
Dew, development and assistant coach with the Sydney Swans for the past eight seasons, was appointed two months ago.
31. PAUL DONOVAN
THE Queensland Airports Ltd executive is a 40-year veteran of the tourism and aviation industries, using his experience in senior roles at Ansett, Air New Zealand and Qantas to help establish increased internationals flights to and from the Gold Coast.
Mr Donovan is on the board of the Gold Coast Titans, and Tourism and Events Queensland and is chairman of Gold Coast Tourism.
30. MARGOT ROBBIE
IN a world that often rates star power above everything else, this Gold Coaster controls plenty.
The former Somerset High student was named on the Time Most Influential list this year and her performance in soon-to-be released flick I, Tonya has her tipped to win an Oscar in 2018.
29. TONY HICKEY
THE lawyer and developer is a friend of Mayor Tom Tate and is Australian representative of Chinese group Forise, which is building the $1.2 billion, 89-storey Spirit building on the Surfers Esplanade.
Represents many high profile businesspeople in Australia and China.
28. JOHN-PAUL LANGBROEK
THE popular Surfers Paradise MP holds one of the safest seats in Queensland and plenty of sway with those inside and outside of politics.
He polled over 50 per cent in every local booth at last month’s election and looks to be settled in his Isle of Capri office for the foreseeable future.
27. KATE JONES
The Tourism Minister lost and regained the Commonwealth Games portfolio in the past year and was confirmed for prime place at the opening ceremony by retaining her seat at last month’s State Election.
Ms Jones has advocated for the city in the high-potential growth market of China and is instrumental in talks for more direct international flights to the city.
26. MICK FANNING
THE world champion surfer was appointed an Officer of the order of Australia this year for distinguished service to surfing as a professional competitor at the national and international level, and as a supporter of a range of charitable foundations.
He owns growing brand Balter Beer with fellow surfers and has a swag of lucrative sponsorships.
25. GARTH BRENNAN
NEW TO THE LIST
THE new Gold Coast Titans coach enters play at a make-or-break time for the club.
The gig is Brennan’s first as an NRL head coach after taking two Premierships as coach of the Penrith Panthers’ NSW Cup side.
Has his work cut out for him after the Titans’ hopes for a successful 2017 did not eventuate.
24. GERRY HARVEY AND KATIE PAGE-HARVEY
NEW TO THE LIST
RESPECTIVELY the chairman and CEO of retail giant Harvey Norman this couple have huge influence in every city of Australia — but with the growth of Magic Millions, which they own, their sway on the Gold Coast is undeniable.
23. EMILY SKYE ANDERSON
NEW TO THE LIST
NAMED the world’s third most powerful fitness ‘influencer’ by Forbes and debuting on the young rich list this year with a fortune of $32 million, Ms Anderson is a social media wizard who has amplified and grown her super fit image into a lucrative business.
22. MEAGHAN SCANLON
NEW TO THE LIST
THE new Labor Member for Gaven is the youngest ever female Queensland MP and is Gold Coast’s only State Parliament rep who is actually in government.
As an election candidate, Ms Scanlon was savvy and impressive, and she has plenty to keep her busy as the city’s key voice in Brisbane.
21. CLARK KIRBY
NEW TO THE LIST
THE CEO of Village Roadshow Parks’ first year in the job has coincided with one of the worst years ever for Gold Coast theme parks.
Nevertheless, Mr Kirby, whose grandfather co-founded the company, has relished the job, overseeing unprecedented investment in the Gold Coast parks, including a nearly-completed Top Golf attraction and well-received $30 million DC Rivals hyper coaster.
The group also does well out of the Hollywood movies filmed at its studios
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