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A senior executive with a background in the media, lifestyle and entertainment and major sports industries has been selected as Queensland Rugby's new Chief Executive.
Jim Carmichael, 49, is currently the Head of New Business and Enterprise at the Australian Football League in Melbourne. Prior to that he was Director of Major Projects, focusing on the AFL's 150 Years Anniversary Celebrations leading up to, and during, 2008.
Announcing the appointment, QRU Chairman Rod McCall said the Board had selected Mr Carmichael following a thorough recruitment process.
“We were fortunate to have had a large number of high quality candidates to consider. Jim stood out for us because he has a unique blend of outstanding business skills as well as a comprehensive understanding of how top level sport operates.”
“Jim comes to Queensland Rugby from a senior role at the AFL, a sport renowned for its innovative approach to the promotion and growth of their game. Jim has played a major role there and brings to rugby a passion to apply his skills to our code.”
In his career as a senior executive, board member and executive management consultant Mr Carmichael has worked with a range of private and publicly listed start-up and established organisations with turnovers ranging from $10 million to $100 million per annum.
His current role with the AFL has been to develop major strategic initiatives to generate sustainable growth, profit and brand value for the AFL, state league bodies and the AFL clubs.
Prior to joining the AFL, Mr Carmichael ran the Paragon Development Group, an executive management consultancy that focused on specific projects including sponsorship, video production and licensing deals and consulting CEO roles.
Mr Carmichael said the opportunity to help shape the future of the game in Queensland was what drew him to the role, but he was also aware of the challenges involved and of managing the expectations of the game's followers.
"The key for me is that all stakeholders and fans have to have great expectations for what's ahead of us - what the future's looking like. I see that as imperative for being able to consolidate the growth of rugby in Queensland. There won't be any overnight miracles but there will be a clear pathway that will lead to success."
Mr Carmichael said he was the first to admit that he had not grown up with rugby and was looking forward to learning more about the game.
"Coming from a rival sport I did spend a lot of time studying rugby and found much to admire in the ethos and tradition, along with the obvious passion of the rugby family for the sport they love," he said.
"I look forward to learning more about what makes the game and its fans tick and to bringing my experience to bear on the development, marketing and administration of the game in Queensland."
Mr Carmichael will take up his new role on November 2.
He replaces outgoing CEO Ken Freer, who resigned at the end of July after three years in the role.
Mr McCall said now that a replacement had been found, the Board had agreed with Mr Freer that he could bring forward his previously announced resignation date of October 31 with immediate effect. Mr McCall said he would assume CEO responsibilities pending Mr Carmichael’s arrival.
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