QGRC announce new leadership team

The Queensland Greyhound Racing Club has unveiled its new-look Board to support CEO Ashley Baker.

Having appointed the highly regarded racing and sports administrator in May, Mr Baker formally commenced with the club on Thursday after relocating from Victoria.

A new-look QGRC Board has also been appointed, comprised of four independents and three-member elected directors after the club recently completed the last of its governance amendments.

The QGRC directors are:

• David Nugent (Chair)
• Peter Bellamy*
• Amanda Ellison
• Graham Hall*
• Darryl McGrath*
• Paul Scanlon
• Tim Sauer

* Denotes member elected director.

Well known within Ipswich sporting circles, Mr Nugent, who currently serves as the Chair of Rugby League Ipswich and previously the Queensland Wheelchair Rugby League, brings a wealth of experience to his role as a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Certified Practicing Accountant.

“The Board has elected me Chair and I am humbled to be surrounded by a group of leaders from within their respective areas of expertise and knowledge,” Mr Nugent said.

“I am genuinely excited by the mix of talent that we have been able to attract from inside and outside of the membership base. 

“Our three elected directors bring great understanding of the needs of our trainers and participants, whilst the independent directors straddle professional services such as legal, accounting and HR expertise and experience in sports governance and licenced club operations.  

“We’re also confident that we have been able to secure the right CEO, who boasts a strong background in racing and sports administration, along with overseeing a licensed club.”

For the past four years, Mr Baker has held the CEO’s role for Williamstown in the Victorian Football League.

Prior to leading the Seagulls, he spent three years as the CEO of The Meadows and was the architect of The Phoenix, which now serves as the world’s richest greyhound race.

“It’s a privilege to be joining the Queensland Greyhound Racing Club at such an exciting time for the sport and the Club,” Mr Baker said. 

“With the investment in The Q and support from Racing Queensland, the industry is in a very strong position, and I look forward to working closely with RQ, the Board, staff, participants and broader community to help shape the next chapter for the QGRC.”

In addition to Mr Baker’s arrival, Scott Higgins recently joined the staff at The Q to help oversee the three tracks.

Highly respected for his track curation skills in NSW, Mr Higgins joins the QGRC after most recently overseeing the Casino Greyhound Racing Club.

The pair join an established management team at the QGRC now responsible for the busiest greyhound complex in the world, with eight meetings per week and rapidly growing entertainment and hospitality venue including licensed club facilities and gaming machines.

Click here for more information on the Queensland Greyhound Racing Club including membership options.