A word from Brent, Managing Director and CEO Peak Services and Local Buy | April / May 2023

The year is flying by at a rapid rate and there’s lots happening in the world of Peak and Local Buy.

One of the most important updates is the opportunity to announce our newly appointed Board members, all of whom bring extensive experience to support the needs of Queensland Local Government. 

Julie-Anne Schafer, Greg Chemello and Paul McMahon have been recently welcomed to the Peak Services Holdings Pty Ltd, Local Buy Pty Ltd and Peak Services Pty Ltd Boards, joining the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) Chief Executive Officer Alison Smith and myself.  

Julie-Anne, Greg and Paul will provide oversight to guide Peak to achieve its vision of helping local government achieve more with their extensive range of experience in membership associations, state and local government, and public and private sector organisations. 

As Chair, Julie-Anne brings experience as an audit, finance, risk and assurance professional across highly regulated sectors including infrastructure, financial services, insurance, member services, transport, energy, water utilities, and health. Julie-Anne's operational and board experience includes organisations such as RACQ and Urban Utilities.  

As a Non-Executive Director, Greg is well known to the sector and brings director and/or direct reporting to boards experience of over 30 years. Having previously been Director General of Local Government, Director Council of Mayors Southeast Queensland (COMSEQ), Interim Administrator of Ipswich City Council and most recently Chief Executive Officer of Moreton Bay Regional Council, Greg is a respected and trusted leader across Queensland’s business, government, community and political spheres. 

As a Non-Executive Director, with expertise in financial management, news and media, business, banking and medical industries, Paul brings significant board experience to the Board. Paul is a CPA and has a passion for regional Queensland having held a number of key board positions in the Darling Downs.

Between them they bring a wealth of experience that will support this next phase of our business and setting the strategic direction to ensure we are delivering on the needs of local government and ultimately that of our shareholder, the LGAQ. For information, these leadership appointments are part of a nomination and selection process undertaken by the LGAQ Board. 

Please join us in welcoming Julie-Anne, Greg and Paul as new members of our Board. 

Another important piece of ‘people’ news is the appointment of our new Senior Manager Business Development and Engagement on Monday 15 May. Many of you will be familiar with Jodi Cannon, previously the Strategic Growth Manager for Local Government with Telstra. Jodi will be working to support Jess to work with Councils to better understand their needs and how we can best support.  I expect you will see Jodi out and about in the near future, so make sure you say G’day.

There is lots happening, and more to come as we head into this really exciting period for Peak and Local Buy.

See you out there.

Brent