June 26, 2016
The long-awaited announcement of the members of the Racing Queensland Board was made on Sunday by Racing Minister Grace Grace.
“The new Racing Queensland board is a line-up of phenomenally talented individuals,” Ms Grace said.
“They’re passionate about racing and have the commercial acumen, strategic vision and expertise to take racing to a whole new level in Queensland.
“The new appointees, drawn from across Queensland, bring additional expertise and skills to those of the existing board members, and they’re ready to hit the ground running. Their record of achievement in commerce, law, finance, marketing, tourism and racing are exactly what the industry needs.
“I can’t think of a better qualified group of individuals to grow and prosper the racing industry across all three codes in Queensland.”
“With its new board now in place, Racing Queensland board will drive new commercial and business opportunities in racing.”
Racing Queensland chairman Steve Wilson said he was looking forward to working with Ms Grace and the new Board members.
Racing Queensland Board
- Independent Chair: Steve Wilson AM – Steve is the former CEO and Chairman of Wilson HTM Investment Group, one of Australia’s leading stockbroking, funds and wealth management firms. He has an honorary doctorate of philosophy and was awarded the AM in 2011 for services to the financial services sector and the community. He also has knowledge of the racing industry as a successful thoroughbred breeding syndicate member. Mr Wilson also owns Redgate-based Barambah Wines.
- Industry member: Mark Sowerby – Mark is the founder and Managing Director of asset management company Blue Sky Alternative Investments Ltd. In March 2016, Blue Sky was admitted to the ASX index as one of Australia’s top 300 listed companies with a market capitalisation in excess of $500m and 85 staff across offices in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and New York. Mark raced horses in country NSW and now has an involvement in more than 25 thoroughbreds. He has an understanding of all aspects of the thoroughbred industry and an ongoing interest and passion for the industry, its participants and its future.
- Industry member: Margaret Reynolds – Margaret is the Secretary/Treasurer of the Qld Breeders Owners Traineers Reinspersons Association. She is a former Director of the Queensland Harness Racing Board and was also Secretary/Manager of North Qld Harness Racing Club.
- Industry member: Dale Cartwright – Dale is the past President of the Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club and was a committee member for six years. He was the past Vice-President of the Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club and has been involved in greyhound racing for more than 30 years. Dale chaired the meetings of the Queensland Greyhound Affiliation which dealt with industry and welfare issues in 2015.
- Independent member and Deputy Chair: Sharon Dawson – Sharon is the Chief Executive Officer of the Dawsons Group, a diversified heavy engineering and services company with operations in Cairns, Townsville and Charters Towers. She is also a former member of the Advisory Committee for TAFE North and previously sat on the Management Committee for Advance Cairns. Sharon has a strong knowledge of country and regional racing.
- Independent member: Susannah George – Susannah is the founder and director of The Urban List, an Australian digital lifestyle platform, attracting an audience of more than 1.6 million readers per month. The Urban List began in Queensland and now operates in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Auckland. Susannah was named “Woman of the Year” in the B&T Women in Media Awards in 2015 and won the digital category for her work with The Urban List. Susannah has familial connections with the racing industry – her great grandfather Daniel O’Mara and Grandfather Judge Eddie Broad were both previous chairmen of the Brisbane Amateur Turf Club.
- Independent member: Max Walters OAM FCA – Max was a senior executive with the Seven Network for 26 years and is a lifelong follower of racing across all codes. Max’s background is in finance and he is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. During his career, he has been responsible for successful marketing, promotional and broadcast agreements between the Seven Network and both the South Australian Jockey Club and the Brisbane Racing Club. Max was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2011 for Services to Cricket, the Community and the Media.
