Invest and Brand GC boards combine talent from Harvey Norman, Culture Kings, Tasmania

An ex-Tasmanian Premier, Culture Kings founder Simon Beard and Harvey Norman CEO Katie Page are on new Gold Coast investment and branding boards. Full details.

An ex-Tasmanian Premier, Culture Kings founder Simon Beard and Harvey Norman CEO Katie Page are on new Gold Coast investment and branding boards.

Former Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman chairs the new Invest Gold Coast board. Harvey Norman CEO Ms Page is a director.

Melissa Donnelly, a brand performance specialist and Gold Coast domestic violence prevention advocate, will chair Brand Gold Coast.

The announcements on Tuesday come after recommendations to councillors in a closed session report.

Officers at a full council meeting were presented the recommended appointees to the Brand Gold Coast Pty Ltd and Invest Gold Coast Pty Ltd boards.

This followed Expressions of Interest conducted by Directors Australia.

Former Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones.

Mayor Tom Tate said the City had received outstanding applications.

On Brand Gold Coast, he said: “After careful consideration we are confident the chosen representatives will provide invaluable expertise and direction to create a unified brand that will stand out in the Australian and global marketplace.

“We know the Gold Coast is a place where people want to invest, live, work and visit which is why it’s important we continue to shine brightly on the world stage.”

In June, council resolved to establish the new place-branding controlled entity. Almost 50 expressions of interest were received for board roles.

The City says it sought board members with extensive experience in construction, manufacturing, professional services, retail and wholesale trade, healthcare and social services, or film and screen.

Ms Donnelly, the appointed chair, has worked for global brands MTV, Microsoft, Bloomberg, Telstra, and ESPN.

Harvey Norman CEO Katie Page. Picture: Jonathan Ng.

The board directors include:

* Simon Beard – founder of streetwear giant Culture Kings, board member of a.k.a Brands;

* Leanne White – founder of Insightfully, strategic counsel to C-suites and boards of influential organisations including Pharmacy Guild Australia and Master Builders Australia;

* Stephen Forth – former managing director of leading digital assignments to drive business

strategy working with prominent brands like Suncorp, BOQ, TEQ and Gold Coast theme parks;

* Lisa Ronson – CMO of Medibank, previously head of marketing for Coles, Flybuys, Tourism Australia and board member of Wheelchair Rugby Australia;

* Nim De Swardt – social entrepreneur and strategic advisor specialising in brand development, strategy and storytelling to Bacardi and Red Bull, Grey Goose, HSBC and FairShare globally.

Culture King founders Tah-nee and Simon Beard.

For Invest Gold Coast, the City says it sought board members with extensive experience in finance, legal and governance with strong leadership skills.

Those appointments are:

* Chairperson Will Hodgman – a barrister in Australia, ex-Australian High Commissioner to Singapore and employed as a Professor for the College of Arts, Law and Education at the University of Tasmania;

* Director Katie Page – CEO of Harvey Norman, built Magic Millions into a world-class thoroughbred sales company and racing festival;

* Director Karen Jorritsma – Financial experience across global markets in sales and research,

commentator for Sky Business, ABC Business, AFR and The Australian;

* Director 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;

* Director Gary Weiss – Chair of Coast Entertainment Holdings Limited, Executive Director of Ariadne Australia Limited, Deputy Chair and Lead Independent Director of Myer Holdings Ltd.

The remaining three positions on each board will be filled by Mr Tate, City CEO Tim Baker and an Experience Gold Coast representative.

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Originally published as Invest and Brand GC boards combine talent from Harvey Norman, Culture Kings, Tasmania