TSBE CEO Ali Davenport reveals imminent departure after five years in role

The head of the Darling Downs’ top lobbyist groups has announced her intention to step down and revealed her plans next after several years in the job.

One of the Darling Downs’ most high-profile lobbyists for the region has revealed she is moving on after nearly five years in the job.

Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise CEO Ali Davenport will step down at some point this year, after the organisation finds a suitable replacement for her.

Ms Davenport, who had an extensive career in media and advertising across Queensland, was announced as the head of the Toowoomba council-owned entity in May 2018.

Ali Davenport and Ivan Brown with their dog Marco.

She said the decision was difficult but necessary.

“The organisation is amazing, I think the board is fantastic, giving great directions to use and the TSBE team are outstanding, we make sure we hire the best people and look after them,” Ms Davenport said.

“I’m proud of the way that we’re able to connect businesses to opportunities, things like energy, renewables, food and agriculture, health and more.

“I’ve absolutely loved it. It’s been challenging and exciting. There’s no other job like it.”

Her tenure at the helm of the region’s chief lobbying group has coincided with strong economic growth across the Darling Downs, although this was hampered as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ms Davenport said travel with her long-time partner and newlywed husband Ivan Brown was in her immediate future.

TSBE CEO Ali Davenport.

“I have loved it, but the only reason I’m leaving is the call of travel is strong,” she said.

“I want to get out there and explore the world.

“15 years ago, Ivan Brown and I did 18 months of sailing, so we went in Queensland so it’s nice to take a career break and just refresh and come back with new ideas.”

Ms Davenport’s job has been advertised online, with TSBE saying it was looking for a “driven, effective and proven leader”.

“With experience spanning multiple sectors, your knowledge of regional industry challenges and opportunities is well honed,” the listing said.

“As an effective communicator you succeed in engaging leaders from all levels.”

TSBE chairman John McVeigh said Ms Davenport had played a key role in evolving the organisation’s areas of advocacy from agriculture and mining to include renewable energy, health and education.

“Ali has balanced the requirements of the role very well, in what is a significant organisation of about 25 staff, being one of the key advocates for our region,” he said.

“Ali has bridged our activity from oil and gas to renewables, and similarly with agriculture.

“Given we’ve just celebrated 10 years of TSBE, her tenure has been quite significant.”