Luxford takes reins as City Hall seeks new CEO
GEELONG council has appointed an interim CEO as it bids farewell to outgoing boss Kelvin Spiller today.
Brett Luxford, one of the council’s existing five directors, has been chosen to lead the organisation while it finds a permanent chief executive.
Mr Spiller announced his resignation in mid-November, on the first day that councillors were officially working. Despite the 4½-month lead-in period, a new chief executive is probably still weeks away from starting.
Councillors began interviewing candidates a fortnight ago, after a national advertising campaign led by recruitment agency Davidsons.
The council said an internal committee was continuing the process “and will make a decision at the earliest opportunity”.
Mayor Bruce Harwood said Mr Luxford had earned “widespread respect” during his two years as the council’s investment and attraction director.
“As an existing member of the executive team, he is well placed to carry out the role of acting CEO,” Cr Harwood said.
Mr Luxford said he was looking forward to the challenge. “There’s a lot of important work to be done, and I’m keen to make sure it’s business as usual,” he said.
Mr Spiller started with Geelong as a caretaker chief executive in 2015, following the resignation of Gillian Miles.