First woman chair for Stadiums Queensland Board

For the first time, a woman will chair the Board of Stadiums Queensland and four out of the six Board placements will be filled by women.

The Palaszczuk Government announced in May the establishment of a recruitment register for women ready to fill upcoming vacancies following the report that female representation on the 320 Queensland Government bodies was sitting at 31%.

“I am proud to today announce the first woman Chair of the Stadiums Queensland Board Ms Sophie Devitt who will take over the reins as at 1 July 2015,” Minister for Sport and Racing Bill Byrne said.

“Not only do we have our first woman Chair, but we will also now have a Board made up of more than 50% of women which I could not be more proud of.”

Minister Byrne said Ms Devitt had agreed to take on the role of chairperson of the reinvigorated Board following her eight years as a Director on the Board.

“Collectively the Board will provide extensive public and private sector experience in business, contract, financial, risk and compliance management, as well as legal and accounting expertise,” he said.

“This is the first time since the Board’s inception in 2001 that there has been a female chairperson and a higher percentage of women than men on the Board.”

Minister Byrne welcomed the appointments of the new Board including Ms Victoria Carthew, Mr Christopher Johnson, Ms Sandra Deane, Ms Samantha Carroll and Mr Michael Cottier.

More than 230 applications were received from a range of highly-skilled people with a broad range of expertise.

The merit-based appointments, approved by the Governor-in-Council, followed an open expression of interest process in line with the government’s commitment to applying Fitzgerald principles.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the former board members for their outstanding support and excellent service as directors and chair over many years. I wish them well in their future endeavours as they will no doubt continue to serve the people of Queensland through other opportunities,” Minister Byrne said.

Stadiums Queensland has nine venues under its control: the Gabba (Brisbane Cricket Ground), Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Suncorp Stadium (Brisbane Stadium), Metricon Stadium (Carrara Stadium), Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre, CBUS Super Stadium (Robina Stadium), Sleeman Sports Complex and 1300 Smiles Stadium (Townsville Stadium).

The board’s role is to provide strategic direction and oversee the performance of Stadiums Queensland in its operation and management of Queensland’s world-class venues.

Board members are appointed for a three year term.

Biographies

Ms Sophie Devitt: A director of Stadiums Queensland since December 2007, Ms Devitt has more than 10-years experience as a litigator, practising primarily in professional indemnity matters. She advises major clients in the insurance industry.

Ms Victoria Carthew: Served as a director of Stadiums Queensland since December 2009 as chair of the business development and marketing committee. Ms Carthew is a journalist and broadcaster who was media liaison officer to the Australian Paralympic Team.

Ms Samantha Carroll: A practising senior lawyer who is also an accredited governance, risk and compliance professional with expertise in consumer protection.

Mr Michael Cottier: Served on more than 40 company boards and has extensive knowledge and experience in financial management, risk management and compliance.

Ms Sandra Deane: An independent energy consultant with extensive private and public sector experience, Ms Deane is and experienced board member and tribunal member with professional expertise in contract management and negotiation, dispute resolution and compliance.

Mr Chris Johnson: Has a long association with Stadiums Queensland and in his position as a partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers was responsible for the outsourced internal audit service. Mr Johnson is a current member of the board of Queensland Professional Credit Union.

ENDS

Media Contact: Michelle Connolly: 0478 325 738