Tourism Noosa’s old chair – new CEO

Oh dear, what can the matter be?

I hate pouring water on an otherwise great parade but let’s consider the ramifications of the news that Tourism Noosa has appointed its Chairman to the CEO’s job.

I acknowledge the Chairman’s experience, skills and dedication. No argument. He’s been a good Chairman.

But something’s not right.

While the segue in roles seems to offer continuity, it may also be seen as a flaw; a recipe for keeping out fresh ideas.

The truth is that new insights rarely comes from long-term service. They come from fresh eyes that have had other experiences and picked up new capabilities along the way.

I’m left wondering what is expected to change at Tourism Noosa that should already have been achieved under the same (former) Chairman and now new CEO?

The move seems to herald stagnation because the Board has denied the entry of new intellect, knowledge, capability and experiences which would challenge or broaden existing thinking.

All organisations benefit from a well-considered shake-up now and then, and this mostly takes the form of a change in leadership. The reforms thereby achieved, when guided by a talented new pair of hands, can improve organisational performance and outcomes.

To go through a recruitment process aimed at renewal, gaining new perspectives and introducing new blood just to recycle the current Chairman beggars belief.

But the decision has been made so let’s turn to a number of disquieting questions.

• Is it true the new incumbent will only occupy the CEO’s role for less than a year then take a sabbatical from which he is unlikely to return thereby triggering a new search for a CEO?
• Is it the case that, as Chairman, the new CEO sat in on the interview process of other contenders for the job he was eventually awarded?
• When was the Chairman’s candidacy declared and did the Board address what appears to be an evident breach of principles of good corporate governance?

If these are valid questions then, in my opinion, the process was flawed and gifted an unfair advantage to the then Chairman.

I need to declare that I’ve met and talked at length with one of the candidates short-listed for the role. In my view, he would have brought fresh insights, creativity in marketing, outstanding digital knowledge and a huge wealth of regional, national and international experience in tourism marketing.

These are all areas where new insights are desperately needed at Tourism Noosa.

Which leads to another question – has Tourism Noosa let better new talent walk away?

In defence of the appointment, it has been suggested to me that a raft of necessary changes can now be implemented to benefit the organisation before a new search is initiated.

But hold on! If that’s the case then, why were these initiatives not determined, applied and implemented under the self-same previous chairman and now CEO?

I am left somewhat bemused and concerned.

Michael Donovan FAICD^om

Former Chairman Tourism NOOSA