Advance Cairns CEO Paul Sparshott resigns, Trompf to take leadership role

Advance Cairns has revealed its next step following CEO Paul Sparshott’s shock resignation just over a year after taking on the high-salary job.

ADVANCE Cairns has revealed its next step following CEO Paul Sparshott’s shock resignation just over a year after taking on the high-salary job.

The regional advocacy group’s chairman Nick Trompf is set to step back into an interim executive chairman role until a new chief executive officer is found.

Dr Sparshott said it was time to refocus on some of his other passions.

“I have really enjoyed my time as CEO of Advance Cairns,” he said in a statement to members.

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“It is an excellent organisation that fights for our region and future.

“Advance Cairns has helped secure hundreds of millions of dollars in election commitments from both major parties and I believe there is still more to come.

“However, the time has come where I would now like to now focus on some of my special interests like sustainable city planning and development, infrastructure development and investment.”

Advance Cairns chairman Nick Trompf will take on the interim executive chairman role. Picture: Brendan Radke

The urban planning expert from Brisbane, who has a PhD in philosophy, was appointed to the role in March last year after a months-long recruiting process.

His credentials included operating private advisory firm Katarno, which worked on large-scale urban planning projects including Gold Coast light rail, the development of eco-towns and other transport initiatives.

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He also worked in senior roles for some of Australian’s biggest infrastructure development and investment companies, including Thiess, John Holland, Leighton Asia and Rest Superannuation Fund.

Dr Sparshott will leave the organisation on June 6.

Advance Cairns CEO Dr Paul Sparshott and his wife Susan at the organisation's platinum celebration gala ball at the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal. PICTURE: SUPPLIED

“I would like to thank Paul for his efforts during a challenging period amid the Covid pandemic and wish him well for the future,” Mr Trompf said.

“The Advance Cairns CEO plays an important role and with the renewed economic growth being enjoyed by the region we are confident of securing an excellent appointment.”

The organisation’s last CEO Kevin Byrne resigned following internal turmoil in 2017.

Before him, Mark Matthews hung up his boots in 2016 in another shock decision.

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Originally published as Advance Cairns CEO Paul Sparshott resigns, Trompf to take leadership role