Council appoints new CEO
Management guru takes helm at TCC
A MANAGEMENT consultant involved in a 2016 restructure of Townsville City Council will now take up the role as the council’s CEO.
Prins Ralston, principal of the Nous Group, was announced for the position by Mayor Jenny Hill yesterday.
Dr Ralston has also been the Head of Taskforcenq, the co-ordinating body for the North Queensland region’s recovery from the Health, Social and Economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor Jenny Hill said Dr Ralston had a long involvement with Townsville and was uniquely aware of the issues facing Northern Australia.
“Dr Ralston has an impressive track record of leading large teams and transforming public and private organisations to deliver improved customer service and boosting financial sustainability,” Cr Hill said.
“He has extensive experience in boardrooms across Australia and the United Kingdom but most importantly he knows and understands Townsville’s challenges and opportunities.” He has been a senior executive with national companies and organisations including Advanced Personnel Management, Nous Group, Employment Services Holdings and Mission Australia.
He was a partner with National Legal Firms Clayton Utz and Gadens Lawyers and worked for UNESCO body the International Federation for Information Processing.
In September, he was appointed a director of the Gladstone Ports Corporation.
Cr Hill said Dr Ralston had a deep knowledge of council’s operations and had played a key advisory role in reforming the organisation over recent years to secure better value for ratepayers and improve front line services.
“His appointment to the Townsville City Council role is a coup for our community,” she said.
Cr Hill said Dr Ralston was the standout candidate for the role after a national search and rigorous selection and appointment process.
Some 105 applications were received for the job.
“Townsville should take some pride that we have secured such an experienced and qualified leader to take on the CEO role at such a critical time for the council and our community,” Cr Hill said.
Dr Ralston said he was looking forward to working with councillors and the council team in enhancing Townsville’s reputation as the capital of Northern Australia.
“I know that every single employee at council is passionate about serving the people of Townsville and I look forward to joining them.
“My focus will be to work as a team to continue building Townsville as a city of opportunity and great lifestyle for families, business, and visitors.”
He will start in the role on December 7.
The announcement comes after former CEO Mike Chiodo retired in June.
But Mr Chiodo was retained in a part-time role as chair of the council’s Townsresidents ville Recovery Acceleration Projects as part of the continuing work of the North Queensland Regional COVID-19 Coordination Taskforce.
The council engaged Queensland-based recruitment company u & u to conduct the search for the new CEO.