Interim Racing Queensland Chair appointed

The Palaszczuk Government has appointed respected Queensland business leader Steve Wilson AM interim Chair of Racing Queensland. 

Racing Minister Grace Grace said Mr Wilson was appointed via an independent, merit-based selection process. 

“Steve Wilson brings a wealth of business and corporate experience to the role. 

“For 30 years, he was Chair and CEO of an ASX-listed financial services company which he successfully transformed from stockbroking into funds management and he has intimate knowledge of corporate governance.

“Mr Wilson has also served as Chair of Brisbane’s South Bank Corporation for 16 years and been a director of Telstra and Tourism Queensland. 

“His other governance experience includes as Chair of the St John’s Cathedral Completion Fund, Deputy Chair of the Queensland Rugby Union and founding Director of the Yalari Indigenous Advisory Board and the Brisbane Institute. 

“Steve was also a successful thoroughbred breeding syndicate member and horse owner upon his cattle property,” she said. 

Ms Grace said the interim Chair’s immediate task would be to oversee the recruitment of a permanent Racing Queensland CEO. 

“Longer term, he will provide industry-wide leadership to develop new commercial opportunities in the industry,” she said. 

“Mr Wilson takes up the role at an exciting time, with the industry entering a new era of expansion and growth. 

“Queensland’s premier racecourse Eagle Farm comes back online in May, promising greater wagering turnover and industry returns. 

“There is now an unprecedented opportunity to generate growth in the Queensland racing industry, and we’re determined to seize this opportunity.” 

Ms Grace also announced the appointment of three interim Chairs representing the thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing codes: 

• Mr Jim Rundle (thoroughbreds)
• Ms Margaret Reynolds (harness)
• Mr Dale Cartwright (greyhounds)

“Once the Queensland Racing Integrity Bill before State Parliament is passed, a full Racing Queensland board will be appointed,” she said. 

“In addition to the interim appointees, the new Board will include three additional independent members. 

“They will be selected on the basis of their expertise in business and financial management, law and marketing, as well as animal welfare experience. 

“As recommended by the MacSporran Report, the new independent members cannot have had any direct racing industry involvement for the last two years.” 

Minister Grace also thanked former Justice John Muir, for his service as the interim Chair of Racing Queensland and Mr Ian Hall for his service as interim CEO since June last year. 

“Both John and Ian have done a tremendous task through a difficult period of the history of Racing Queensland. They have provided the way forward for Racing Queensland after the MacSporran Report and the financial challenges of Racing Queensland. 

“I’m confident that the newly appointed interim Board will be able to grow racing in our state because of the management of the organisation over the past 12 months.” 

Mr Wilson and the interim Racing Queensland board members will take up their new roles on April 1. 

Interim Board Appointments – Racing Queensland 

Independent Chair: Steve Wilson  

Steve is formerly CEO and Chairman of Wilson HTM Investment Group, one of Australia’s leading stockbroking, funds and wealth management firms. He has Bachelors of Commerce and Law and was a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Qld. He has an honorary doctorate of philosophy and was awarded the AM in 2011 for services to the financial services sector and the community. He also has knowledge of the racing industry as a successful thoroughbred breeding syndicate member. 

Chair: Thoroughbreds – Jim Rundle 

Jim holds advanced diplomas in financial services and vocational education and holds a Queensland thoroughbreds trainers licence. He is the immediate past-President of the Queensland Thoroughbred Trainers Association and is a member of the Australian Trainers Association. Jim is based in Rockhampton and has a wealth of knowledge about the industry. 

Chair: Harness – Margaret Reynolds 

Margaret is the immediate past Director of the Queensland Harness Racing Ltd and Secretary/Treasurer of the Qld Breeders Owners Traineers Reinspersons Assn. She was a Director of the Queensland Harness Racing Board and was also Secretary/Manager of North Qld Harness Racing Club. Margaret will be the first female member of the Queensland All Codes Racing Industry Board. 

Chair: Greyhounds – Dale Cartwright 

Dale is the past President of the Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club and was a committee member for six years. He was the past Vice-President of the Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club and has been involved in greyhound racing for over 30 years. Dale chaired the meetings of the Queensland Greyhound Affiliation which dealt with industry and welfare issues in 2015.

Media Contact: Tania Reeves 0418 700 419