Prominent businesswoman takes over as Chair of Port of Townsville

Published Friday, 02 October, 2015 at 10:55 AM

Treasurer, Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
The Honourable Curtis Pitt

The Palaszczuk Government has appointed one of Queensland’s most respected businesswomen as Chair of the Port of Townsville.

Acting Premier Curtis Pitt said Renita Garard would become Chair of Port of Townsville at a time when North Queensland and its major strategic port are poised for growth and expansion.

“Ms Garard brings a wealth of commercial and leadership experience to the board, having provided financial and taxation advisory services through senior roles with leading professional services firms for more than fifteen years,” Mr Pitt said.

“She currently holds Directorships with PwC Australia, LifeTec and Townsville-Mackay Medicare Local.

“Her strong board experience includes serving as Chair of the Hockey Australia Athletes Committee and as an Executive Member the International Hockey Federation.

“She will be a great addition to the Port of Townsville at a key point in its history and I wish her well in this new role.”

Minister for Ports and Minister for Energy and Water Supply Mark Bailey also welcomed Ms Toni Thornton to the role of Director of CS Energy Limited.

“As a successful senior businesswoman working in corporate finance agencies such as Goldman Sachs, JBWere and National Australia Bank, Ms Thornton will bring a strong focus on the commerciality of CS Energy,” Mr Bailey said.

“Her strategic commercial focus will complement other recent appointments to the board of the Government-owned generator, including the appointment of Jim Soorley as Chair of the business.

“Ms Thornton also has a wide range of board experience through positions with South Bank Corporation, Habitat Early Learning and the Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation.”

Mr Pitt said the two additional board appointment were part of a move to further strengthen the leadership of Queensland’s Government owned corporations (GOC).

“Like other recent appointments by this Government, the two new board members were selected on merit, ensuring we have the right mix of skills to match the strategic focus of the two GOCs going forward,” he said.

“With these additional appointments, we are well on track to ensuring the GOCs work hard for the benefit of Queenslanders.”

Mr Pitt said the proportion of women on the board of public agencies continues to be a key focus for the Palaszczuk Government.

“We continue to increase the number of women board members on Queensland GOCs, in line with our election commitment of 50 per cent representation by 2020,” he said.

Mr Pitt also thanked Mr Patrick Brady for serving as Chair of Port of Townsville.

Additional GOC board appointments will be announced over the coming weeks.

Media contact: 0419 945 546