Management
The RNA management team, led by the Chief Executive, is
responsible for the day to day running of the organisation and the
implementation of the Association's Strategic Plan.
Please view our
RNA organisational chart for more information.
Brendan Christou
Chief Executive
BBus QUT MBA Curtin CPA
Certified Practicing Accountant Brendan commenced at the RNA in
March 2004 as the association's Financial Controller. His role has
evolved considerably since then, with increased responsibility
seeing him promoted to Corporate Services Manager in 2008, Chief
Operating Officer in 2009 and Chief Executive in 2012. Brendan's
previous experience spans across the retail, engineering and
financial services industries. He completed his Master of Business
Administration from Curtin University in 2008. Brendan is a member
of the Brisbane Development Association's Executive Committee and
is Treasurer for the Ambassadors of St John's Cathedral.
Sujoy Dey
General Manager, Operations
Diploma of Hotel Management (First Division), University of Delhi, Post-Diploma Business and Hotel Management School, Luzern Switzerland
Sujoy joined the RNA in October 2011 bringing with him more than
25 years experience in the hotel and conventions industries across
Australasia. In his current role as General Manager of Operations,
Sujoy's responsibility ranges from planning and executing all
events, to overseeing the set-up and operations of the RNA
Showgrounds and RICC. Sujoy has previously been the Director of
Operations for the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching and had a 21
year career tenure with the Adelaide Convention Centre.
Veronica Carew
Manager, Communications
Veronica joined the RNA in April 2010, bringing with her 18
years experience in media and public relations. A strategic
corporate communications manager Veronica has 10 years experience
in the not-for-profit sector, at a state and national level,
developing strategies and campaigns to promote the interests of
agriculture, education and the over 50s in the media. Previously
Veronica spent eight years working as a journalist and editor in
the Australian print media. In her current role at the RNA,
Veronica is responsible for developing and implementing integrated
communication strategies, crisis management and public relations
initiatives, media and issues management, and the management of
internal and external communications.
• Integrated communication strategies, crisis management and public
relations initiatives
• Media and issues management
• Management of internal and external communications
Veronica joined the RNA in April 2010, bringing with her 18 years
experience in media and public relations. A strategic corporate
communications manager Veronica has 10 years experience in the
not-for-profit sector, at a state and national level, developing
strategies and campaigns to promote the interests of agriculture,
education and the over 50s in the media. Previously Veronica spent
eight years working as a journalist and editor in the Australian
print med
Stephen Galbraith
General Manager, Ekka
Stephen joined the RNA in July 2012 in the newly created
position of General Manager, Ekka, bringing experience in the
operation and management of tourism and leisure attractions.
Stephen has previously worked for Village Roadshow Theme Parks on
the Gold Coast and Asia's largest theme park- Sunway Lagoon in
Kuala Lumpur. He has held senior roles in diverse organisations in
Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, China and the
Middle East.
Stephen Galbraith
General Manager, Ekka
Stephen joined the RNA in July 2012 in the newly created position
of General Manager, Ekka, bringing experience in the operation and
management of tourism and leisure attractions. Stephen has
previously worked for Village Roadshow Theme Parks on the Gold
Coast and Asia's largest theme park - Sunway Lagoon in Kuala
Lumpur. He has held senior roles in large diverse organisations
across in Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, China
and the Middle East.
Justin Grace
Manager, Marketing, Sales and Partnerships
BBus, BA QUT
Justin joined the RNA in January 2011 and has a dual
qualification from the Queensland University of Technology-Bachelor
of Business, majoring in Advertising and Bachelor of Arts, majoring
in Media Studies. He has 10 years marketing experience in the
retail, leisure and food industries. He has a broad range of
experience incorporating marketing, advertising and brand strategy,
and is also responsible for the RNA's sponsorships with the
private, media and government sectors.
Don Savage
Manager, Leasing
Assoc.Dip.E&C SBIT TVOCP
Don joined the RNA team in 2006 after an extensive career
spanning 40 years with Network Ten in Brisbane. During this time he
managed the network's broadcast on-air operation, was Chief
Engineer for almost 10 years and Ten's Pavilion Manager for the
duration of World Expo 88 at South Bank. In his current role, Don
is responsible for the promotion, coordination and management of
exhibitor, carnival and retail leasing for the Ekka.
, coordination and management of exhibitor,
carnival and retail leasing for the Ekka
• Coordination and management of RNA operated
catering for 'out of Show' events
Don Savage joined the RNA team in early 2006 after
an extensive career spanning 40 years with Network Ten in Brisbane.
During this time he managed the network's broadcast on-air
operation; was Chief Engineer for almost ten years; and Ten's
Pavilion Manager for the duration of World Expo 88 at South
Ba
Steven Grimes
Project Director, RNA Showgrounds Redevelopment
BE Qld
Steven joined the RNA in September 2009 to oversee the
association's role with its project partner, Lend Lease, in the
delivery of the $2.9 billion RNA Showgrounds Regeneration Project.
His particular focus is on project planning, management and
delivery, and stakeholder communication and consultation. Steven
brings with him more than 23 years experience in Australia, the
United Kingdom and the United States delivering award-winning,
large scale, and mixed use developments. Previous positions include
Team Leader for Lend Lease Water Alliance on the Gold Coast, and
Development Operations Manager and Project Director for Actus Lend
Lease in the United States.
• Project planning, management and delivery
• Stakeholder communication and consultation
Steven joined the RNA in September 2009 to oversee
the association's role with its project partner, Lend Lease, in the
delivery of the $2.9 billion RNA Showgrounds Regeneration Project.
Steven brings with him more than 23 years professional experience
in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States delivering
award-winning, large scale, and mixed use developments. Previous
positions include Team Leader for Lend Lease Water Alliance on the
Gold Coast, Development Operations Manager and Project Director for
Actus Lend Lease in the United St
Helen Stockwell
General Manager, Human Resources
BBus (Human Resources) USQ
Helen joined the RNA in December 2012 as the General Manager of
Human Resources. She is responsible for fostering and enabling the
continuous improvement of the association through its employees.
Previously, Helen was the State Human Resources Manager,
Queensland, for Coles Supermarkets and was a key business partner
for the operations leadership team, whilst overseeing almost 18,000
team members. Helen brings to the RNA more than 14 years of human
resources generalist experience including talent management,
workforce planning, employee relations and building high
performance cultures, specifically throughout the fast moving
consumer goods and retail industries.
Helen Stockwell
General Manager, Human Resources
BBus (Human Resources) USQ
Helen Stockwell joined the RNA in December 2012 as the General
Manager of Human Resources, responsible for fostering and enabling
the continuous improvement of the organisation through its
employees. Previously, Helen was the State Human Resources Manager,
Queensland, for Coles Supermarkets and was a key business partner
for the operations leadership team, whilst overseeing almost 18,000
team members. Helen brings to the RNA more than 14 years of human
resources generalist experience including talent management,
workforce planning, employee relations and building high
performance cultures, specifically throughout the fast moving
consumer goods and retail industries
Sue Hocking
General Manager, Sales and Marketing
Advanced Dip Tourism Management, Adelaide College of TAFE
Sue joined the RNA in September 2011 bringing with her 25 years
experience, three years as Director of Sales-Qatar National
Convention Centre (QNCC) and a 22 year career with Adelaide
Convention Centre. Sue held the role of Director-Sales and
Marketing in Adelaide before relocating to Qatar to join the
pre-opening team to manage the set-up of the sales and marketing
department at Qatar National Convention Centre. In her current
role, Sue is responsible for the development and implementation of
sales and marketing strategies for RICC and the RNA
Showgrounds.
• Development and implementation of sales and
marketing strategies for the RNA Showgrounds precinct
Sue joined the RNA in September 2011 bringing with
her 25 years experience, three years as Director of Sales-Qatar
National Convention Centre (QNCC) and a 22 year career with
Adelaide Convention Centre. Sue held the role of Director- Sales
and Marketing in Adelaide before relocating to Qatar to join the
pre-opening team to manage the set up of the sales and marketing
department at Qatar National Convention Centre
Nerida Trappett
Chief Financial Officer
BBus (Accounting) QUT CPA
Nerida joined the RNA in February 2012 as Chief Financial
Officer. She is responsible for the association's finance, tax
compliance, regulatory compliance, insurance, information
technology and memberships, while overseeing 12 full-time staff.
Nerida brings a wealth of knowledge with more than 16 years
experience across the banking, insurance, health, travel, friendly
societies and financial planning sectors. In her previous role,
Nerida was the Head of Finance for CUA-the largest member owned
financial institution in Australia with more than $9 billion in
assets.
Nerida joined the RNA in February 2012 as Chief Financial Officer.
She is responsible for the association's finance, tax compliance,
regulatory compliance, insurance, information technology and
memberships, while overseeing 12 full-time staff. Nerida brings a
wealth of knowledge with more than 16 years experience across the
banking, insurance, health, travel, friendly societies and
financial planning sectors. In her previous role, Nerida was the
Head of Finance for CUA-the largest member owned financial
institution in Australia with more than $9 billion in assets