You’ve delivered thousands of events worldwide. Is there one that stands out and why?

That’s a really tough question as most events have some aspect that makes them stand out. Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, in 2011, was quite special for me, as it was my first major tournament. I was at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin at the time, and I learnt the real value of a whole city coming together and working collaboratively. More recently, having the Hong Kong 7s as the first event after the grand opening at Kai Tak Sports Park, was a real highlight. After working six years on the project, the moment the Cathay plane flew past as a nod to the old Kai Tak Airport, was pretty amazing – as well as welcoming 130,000 people through the gate over the weekend!

What has shaped your approach to stadium management over the years?

I’m probably one of very few people who have not only had roles in running stadiums and arenas, but also in the development of these types of facilities. I have been fortunate to have worked for, and been mentored by, some of the best venue operators in the world, all of whom have had an unwavering drive to deliver great experiences for clients and guests. That has certainly rubbed off on me. Having a nice stadium or arena is only a small part of the equation; I’ve learnt that the key part is the people. I place a lot of importance on leadership and people skills, so I’m always questioning how I can keep improving as a leader

You’ve just overseen one of the newest world-class stadiums in Hong Kong. What lessons from that experience will you bring to Suncorp Stadium?

At a high level, I think I have a really great appreciation of respecting different cultures. Hong Kong is not the easiest place to work when you are an outsider but, when people see you really buy into the objectives, you get a tremendous amount of support to achieve them. A development of that scale (at about AU$6billion!) meant that it was a highly complex environment with a large number of stakeholders, so there was a lot of time spent in co-ordinating and aligning respective objectives and views. That meant I had to have a collaborative approach in working with the venue owner, government, hirers and teams, promoters, city representatives, tourism and economic development agencies. So, I am looking forward to working with BEDA and other stakeholders in Brisbane quite closely! 

On the development side of things one of the really critical things I experienced at Kai Tak Sports Park was the importance of having venue operator input from the earliest stages. That really paid dividends in Hong Kong, and I hope I can add real value here in Brisbane in the coming years, on upgrading Suncorp Stadium. 

What excites you most about stepping into this role at Suncorp Stadium?

Quite simply: Suncorp Stadium is one of the best (if not the best) rectangular stadiums in the world. It is very well integrated into the fabric of Brisbane. It has a soul, with a history that is meshed with so many stories which keep getting added to, including that amazing NRL preliminary final the other week. I see Suncorp Stadium as symbol of pride for all Queenslanders and I am honoured to be the next custodian, working alongside the terrific team of people there.

Suncorp Stadium is already one of Brisbane’s most iconic venues. How do you see its role evolving as the city continues to grow its global profile?

The next few years are tremendously exciting. Rugby World Cup is coming up in 2027 and, of course, every conversation lands on the green and gold runway to the Brisbane 2023 Olympic and Paralympic Games. While new venues and facilities will be built, Suncorp Stadium - the hardworking home of the Broncos, Reds, Dolphins and Brisbane Roar - will also need upgrades to keep pace with the growth, success and passion of our local teams. Beyond sport, it’s essential that we continue attracting blockbuster concerts and major entertainment events. Any redevelopment should make it seamless to transition between sport and concert modes. Above all, the focus must remain on delivering exceptional experiences for fans and guests, while continuing to drive economic activity for Brisbane.

Suncorp Stadium is known for headline matches and concerts – especially when the Broncos pack the house. How do you see the stadium’s role in not just hosting blockbuster games, but also in strengthening community connections with the Caxton Street precinct and local pride?

The place any stadium has in the community is important. Attracting and delivering events will always have impacts on the local community, both positive and negative. At the end of the day, it is only right to be a good neighbour. I know the team at Suncorp Stadium spends a fair bit of time trying to maximise the positive, and that is something I support 100%. Having entertainment precincts so close to the Stadium also helps increase the atmosphere before and after events. I’m excited to continue our good relationship with these precincts – and to keep adding to patrons’ overall positive event experience.

With Brisbane attracting record international holiday visitors, how important are major events in fuelling the city’s tourism momentum?

One word. Critical. Major events not only drive economic activity but create vibrancy and a sense that this is the place to be. Coming in from Hong Kong, I can tell you that Brisbane is well and truly on the global map, and hosting major events promotes the city further. Doing that means people want to visit or live here, they say good things to people they know, they share stunning images on their socials, and more money is spent, which triggers more economic activity. In the coming years, Brisbane has a really great opportunity to leverage the hosting of major events to continue the momentum.

You’ve worked across different countries and cultures. What do you see as Brisbane’s unique strengths in competing for more world-class events?

There are so many positives, I’m not sure where to start. Event promoters want to minimise their risk and be confident they can sell tickets to an event. Brisbane has a good population base and it’s a very accessible city. My impression is that Brisbane has a very relaxed and welcoming feel, which makes doing business easy. I have also been really impressed by the collaboration amongst many stakeholders, to not only bring events to Brisbane, but to support event promoters, and remove obstacles to successfully delivering them. There is a real can-do attitude here. 

Looking ahead to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, what opportunities do you see for the stadium - and the city - to shine on the world stage?

So far it seems everyone is really embracing the Games here in Brisbane. I’m really looking forward to working with the organising committee and other stakeholders to prepare for and deliver Olympic events at Suncorp Stadium, in the coming years. The Stadium has shown it can successfully deliver everything from Grand Finals and World Cups, to concerts for global megastars, and there is no doubt it will deliver on the world’s biggest stage in 2032. A new and improved Suncorp Stadium, along with the other venues, facilities and infrastructure, will really make Brisbane 2032 one of the best ever.

On a personal note

What are you most looking forward to about living in Brisbane and experiencing the city first-hand?

While I loved my time living in Hong Kong, I think the lifestyle here is fantastic and everyone I meet is so welcoming. Brisbane is booming right now, so I am really going to enjoy being a part of that.

Best business or professional advice you’ve ever received?

Not so much advice, but during my time working in New Zealand, someone told me about a Māori saying which, roughly translated, is ‘success is not the work of one, but the work of many’. That really resonates with me.

Favourite Olympic and Paralympic sport?

I’m a fan of Rugby 7s, but also like the rowing. For Paralympics, I am in awe of the ability of all of the athletes, but I am partial to a bit of wheelchair tennis.