Corporate Ladder: Your guide to executive appointments in Queensland
Queensland’s executive appointments column tracking the movements of those driving the state’s public and private sectors.
Brisbane investment company elects new leader
Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ) has appointed Tara Diamond as Chief Executive Officer following a highly competitive recruitment process.
Diamond succeeds former CEO Geoff Clare, who led the organisation over the last three years.
CSQ Chair Sue-Ann Fresneda said Diamond brings extensive leadership experience and a strong commitment to industry across Queensland’s construction sector.
“Tara distinguished herself through her extensive experience gained at the Australian Resources & Energy Employer Association (AREEA), where she currently serves in the role of Deputy Chief Executive and Company Secretary,” Fresneda said.
Diamond’s appointment comes as Queensland’s construction industry experiences unprecedented demand.
“One of the most important responsibilities facing our new CEO will be leading the delivery of CSQ’s record $83.5 million Training Plan, the largest annual investment in workforce development in the organisation’s history,” Fresneda said.
Diamond said she was excited to join the organisation at such a pivotal time.
“CSQ plays a vital role in supporting workforce capability and ensuring industry has access to the skills needed now and into the future,” Diamond said.
Diamond commences as CEO on Monday, November 2.
Science research CEO steps down
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Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC) has announced that CEO Dr Susannah Elliot will step down after more than two decades in the role, effective Friday, October 2.
As AusSMC’s inaugural CEO, Elliot has led the leading independent information source since 2005.
“Susannah has established the AusSMC as a vital national piece of infrastructure that ensures evidence-based science is seen by all Australians through all media channels and is a line of defence against the onslaught of misinformation,” said AusSMC Chairman, Peter Yates AM.
Elliot also drove the creation of AusSMC’s breaking science news platform Scimex, which publishes more than 3000 peer-reviewed science news stories each year, connecting more than half a million people, including 2000 journalists.
Elliot said the need for AusSMC was greater now than ever.
“As the media landscape becomes more fragmented and we are bombarded with misinformation about health, climate and technology spread online at lightning speed, the need for trusted information sources such as the AusSMC has become critical,” she said.
Lyndal Byford, the AusSMC’s current Director of News and Partnerships, will be taking up the helm as CEO following Susannah’s departure.
Big bank expands Board
Suncorp has appointed Caroline Clarke as a non-executive director, taking effect Monday, November 2.
With more than 30 years’ domestic and international experience, Clarke brings a wealth of knowledge leading large, regulated, consumer-led businesses across industries including FMCG, personal care and healthcare.
She is currently a non-executive director on the board of ASX-listed Cochlear Ltd and is a member of both the People and Culture Committee and the Product and Services Innovation Committee.
Suncorp Chairman Duncan West welcomed Clarke’s appointment, citing her extensive experience as complementary to the board.
“With longstanding directors Sally Herman and Simon Machell retiring from Suncorp’s board this year, Caroline’s appointment is an important part of our ongoing board renewal, ensuring we have the appropriate mix of expertise, skills and diversity to achieve Suncorp’s strategy,” West said.
Clarke will seek shareholder election at Suncorp’s 2027 Annual General Meeting.
Deputy Commissioner announces retirement
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After nearly 40 years of service, Deputy Commissioner Cheryl Scanlon APM, Specialist Operations, has announced she will retire from the Queensland Police Service at the end of the year.
Scanlon has led many of the service’s most significant and complex major investigations and operations, playing a pivotal role in driving reforms across child protection, sexual violence, youth crime, ethical standards and counter-terrorism.
Acting Commissioner Brett Pointing said Deputy Commissioner Scanlon’s contribution to policing would be felt long after her retirement.
“Deputy Commissioner Scanlon is an exceptional and collaborative leader who has dedicated her career to protecting Queenslanders, pursuing justice for our most vulnerable victims and leading through some of the Service’s most challenging moments,” Acting Commissioner Pointing said.
Deputy Commissioner Scanlon said her professional highlights have been serving as an investigator at every rank.
“I’ve had the privilege of serving in a wide range of roles and locations across Queensland. Each role has shaped me, challenged me and provided opportunities to work and connect with exceptional people,” Scanlon said.
Scanlon began her policing career as a 19-year-old in 1986, and became an integral member of the Senior Executive Leadership Team until her retirement later this year.
Next Court of Appeal President announced
The State Government has announced the appointment of two new Supreme Court Judges and eight new Magistrates.
The Honourable Justice Shane Doyle has been appointed as the next President of the Court of Appeal.
The appointments to the Supreme Court are the Honourable Justice Declan Kelly and the Honourable Justice Paul Smith AM to Judges of Appeal.
His Honour Judge Nicholas Andreatidis KC and Darlene Skennar KC have also been appointed to Supreme Court Trial Division.
These appointments fill upcoming vacancies on the Court arising from the appointment of Justice Thomas Bradley as Governor of Queensland from November 1 and the retirement of Justice Debra Mullins as President of the Court of Appeal on February 12 next year.
The two new Trial Division Judges will join the Supreme Court on Monday, October 12.
The State Government has also appointed eight new Magistrates who will commence in October in court locations across Queensland, including:
- Iris Gajic-Pavlica (Brisbane)
- Michael Spearman (Bowen)
- Scott Malcolmson (Caboolture/Caloundra)
- Adam Dwyer (Cairns)
- Elisa Kidston (Brisbane)
- Elizabeth Daniels (Rockhampton)
- Sophie Robertson (Southport)
- Andrew Peel (Townsville)
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington welcomed the new appointments.
“Together with the appointment of two new Supreme Court Judges and eight new Magistrates, these appointments will increase the capacity of our courts, help reduce delays and deliver on the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to ensure victims of crime can access justice sooner,” Frecklington said.
Government business and advisory board appointments
The Queensland Government has announced board appointments for Queensland Treasury Corporation (QTC), Seqwater and four Government Owned Corporations.
Appointments include:
- QTC Capital Markets Board: Leonard Stone – Member
- State Investment Advisory Board: Wendy Tancred – Member (reappointment)
- CleanCo: Ben Gouldson – Director
- Powerlink: Dr Vu Tran – Director
- QIC: Gillian Brown – Director (reappointment)
- QIC: Justine Hickey – Director (reappointment)
- Sunwater: Gail Jukes – Director (reappointment)
- Seqwater: John McEvoy – Member and Chair (reappointment)
- Seqwater: Rupert Haywood – Member
Acting Treasurer and Minister for Energy Deb Frecklington said all appointees were selected for their diverse skills and experience.
“These appointees bring a wealth of experience across law, finance, funds management, infrastructure and technology,” Acting Treasurer Frecklington said.
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