New tourism CEO the ‘best possible’ hire

THE hunt for a new boss to lead Gold Coast Tourism is over with more than 200 applicants finally whittled down to “the best possible person”.

Gold Coast Tourism chairman Paul Donovan yesterday revealed a year-long process to find a replacement for departing CEO Martin Winter had been concluded.

Mr Donovan is keeping the successful candidate under wraps until later today when it will be revealed at www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au.

But he said a “robust” selection had resulted in the right person to lead the tourism marketing body, its 50 staff and grow a sector worth five billion dollars to the city a year.

“I was extremely excited by the calibre and volume of the people who applied which shows the Gold Coast has arrived in terms of people wanting this as the dream job – it’s a job everyone wanted because of the destination.

“The process itself has been the most robust process I have seen in this space to make sure we got the best possible person to do the most important job in the city” Mr Donovan said.

“The person who has got it deserves the job and we deserve them.”

The initial 200-plus applicants – including from overseas and interstate – were reviewed and whittled down to 30 prior to last month’s Commonwealth Games.

After the Games, the 30 – all considered capable of the role – were slimmed down to 10. Mr Donovan led a panel which interviewed each one.

He was joined by ex-KPMG senior executive Paul Steer now with Innate Capital, Gold Coast council chief operating officer Joe McCabe, Burleigh Brewing CEO Peta Fielding and recruitment expert Scott Horton. The panel chose three final candidates, to be assessed by an external recruitment consultant.

Each was subject to further interviews and required to present a vision for the city and strategies for its future as the tourism capital. The successful candidate has been appointed for five years with options.

Mr Donovan said it was not envisaged the new CEO would take over from Mr Winter until about August, depending on how long they needed to exit their existing job.

“Martin has done an outstanding job and steered the ship for 10 years and he needs to be applauded,” Mr Donovan told the Bulletin.

In March, Mr Winter announced his intention to finish up this year. Gold Coast Tourism’s board also started setting up its recruitment process for a new CEO 11 months prior.