Treasurer congratulates TIQ board appointees

Treasurer and Minister for Trade Tim Nicholls today announced Cabinet approval for the appointment of six members of the newly created Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ) board.

Speaking at a special Export Week lunch in Brisbane, Mr Nicholls today officially launched the statutory body.

“A comprehensive independent review of TIQ earlier this year recommended the agency be freed from the confines of departmental process,” Mr Nicholls said.

“As such, we will spend an additional $14 million over the next four years refocussing TIQ to make it more effective and responsive to the needs of Queensland business.

“With the opening of a representative office in Jakarta and a renewed focus on north America, TIQ will be even better equipped to attract investment by promoting Brand Queensland to the world.

“Becoming a statutory body with an expertise-based board will give TIQ the autonomy and flexibility it needs to operate in a 21^st century global business environment.”

Mr Nicholls said the board would be chaired by Mark Stockwell, a well-respected businessman, property developer and former Olympian.

Honorary Trade Representative for the state of Texas to Australia and to Queensland Geoffrey Thomas, who conducted the review of TIQ with former Minister John Mickel, has agreed to be the Deputy Chairman.

Also appointed are Ian O’Connor, Vice Chancellor and President of Griffith University and Josie Angus, owner of Signature Beef.

The board is supported with the inclusion of two executive members: Helen Gluer, Queensland Under Treasurer and David Edwards, Director-General of State Development, Planning and Infrastructure.

“Each one of these appointees bring a unique set of skills to the TIQ board, ensuring the statutory body is equipped to handle the very diverse range of enquiries and tasks,” Mr Nicholls said.

“I congratulate each of the board members on their appointment and wish them well for this exciting new venture.”    

Biographies

Mark Stockwell is a former Olympian and the owner of Stockwell, a development, construction and property management group. He was born and raised in Brisbane and was educated at St Laurence’s College, where he was Vice Captain in 1980.  He studied Engineering and Commerce at the University of Queensland and Economics at the Australian National University.

Geoffrey Thomas currently holds multiple directorships and board positions, and acts as a Special Commissioner between the state of Queensland and North America. In 1995 and 2000 he was appointed an Honorary Texan. He owns multiple businesses, with particular interest in tourism and property.

Ian O’Connor was appointed Vice Chancellor and President of Griffith University in January 2005.  Prior to his initial appointment at Griffith University in 2002, Professor O’Connor completed a Bachelor of Social Work and Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Queensland. Professor O’Connor holds various board positions and visiting fellowships and is a member of the Q20.

Josie Angus owns and manages Angus Pastoral Co, running more than 35,000 head of high quality beef cattle across 400,000 acres in Central and Northern Queensland.  Since 1999 the company has marketed their own beef labels: Kimberley Red, Angus Pastoral, Sondella and Boss.  This led to the incorporation of Signature Beef, to market the company’s suite of brands to customers across 24 countries. 

Helen Gluer was appointed Under Treasurer in March 2012. Immediately prior, Ms Gluer accepted a secondment to act as Director-General of the Health Corporate Services Authority (HCSA), taking a leave of absence from her role as Chief Executive Officer of Stanwell Corporation.  Ms Gluer has also worked as Chief Executive Officer of Tarong Energy and Chief Financial Officer of Brisbane City Council. During her diverse 28-year career, Ms Gluer has held numerous board positions and directorships.

David Edwards was appointed Director-General of the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning (DSDIP) in April 2012. His previous positions include Manager of Strategy and Market Development for GHD, a global engineering and professional services company, and State Director for the Committee for Economic Development of Australia, Australia's oldest independent economic think tank.  Mr Edwards is chairman of Economic Development Queensland, a director of Southbank Corporation and a member of Infrastructure Queensland.

[ENDS] 22 October 2013

Media Contact: Treasurer’s office 07 3719 7200