New Chief Executive for WorkCover Queensland

06 June 2024

• Mr Michael Pennisi has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of WorkCover Queensland commencing 18 June 2024.
• Mr Pennisi has extensive experience as a Chief Executive Officer and other senior executive roles in the insurance industry.
• WorkCover Queensland continues to be one of Australia’s most viable workers’ compensation schemes.

Minister for Industrial Relations Grace Grace has today announced the appointment of Mr Michael Pennisi as the new CEO of WorkCover Queensland.

Mr Pennisi brings decades of experience to the role after working in senior positions at some of Queensland’s strongest performing insurance and investment organisations.

He has previously held roles as the Chief Executive Officer of QSuper, QInsure and QInvest. He also served as managing director of QIC Limited, and provides mentoring and coaching to CEOs senior executives in varied sectors.

He moves into a position created by the retirement of Mr Bruce Watson in February 2024 after seven years as CEO of WorkCover Queensland. Mr Watson led the organisation through significant challenges including the re-emergence of black lung disease and the COVID 19 pandemic.

WorkCover’s Deputy CEO, Mr David Heley, has been Acting CEO while an executive recruitment and selection process was undertaken by the WorkCover Board of Directors.

Mr Pennisi will commence as Workcover CEO on 18 June 2024.  He will also fill the vacancy on the Work Health and Safety Board following retirement of Mr Watson.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Industrial Relations Grace Grace MP:

“Supporting Queensland workers and businesses is at the heart of everything WorkCover Queensland does, and Mr Pennisi will bring a wealth of experience and strong leadership to continue the good work of the organisation.

“This will be a challenging role and Mr Pennisi’s experience as a trusted advisor to executives and organisations in diverse sectors including financial services, aged care, infrastructure, not-for-profits and social housing will serve him well during his tenure.

“The Queensland Government is committed to keeping Queenslanders working by keeping premiums the lowest of any state or territory while giving injured workers the best possible return to work support.”

Quotes attributable to WorkCover Board Chair Dr Anthony Lynham

“We are very pleased to welcome Mr Pennisi to the role, he is extremely competent.

“The leading workers compensation organisation in the nation will continue to be in very safe hands with a person of his breadth of experience.

“As demands on WorkCover increase in our State, this will be an extremely demanding role and we feel confident in Mr Pennisi leading, what is already a large, efficient and dynamic team.”

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Media contact: Kim Sweetman – 0457 600 237