Gold Coast Skyline
Gold Coast Skyline

Our Leadership Team

United in diversity, our leaders hail from varied sectors — Events, Finance, the Visitor Economy, People, Tourism, and Arts & Culture. Each brings a wealth of expertise, driving innovation and fostering collaborations that resonate through the City of Gold Coast. Guided by a shared vision, they work seamlessly across disciplines to enrich our community and enhance our city's allure
John Warn

John Warn

John has over 25 years’ experience in executive and non-executive roles across hospitality, major events, sport, tourism, retail and the arts. Prior to his appointment as Experience Gold Coast’s Chief Executive Officer, he held senior roles with global hotel chain Accor and Westfield. John’s extensive non-executive career includes currently sitting on the Stadiums Qld Board and previously based in NSW where he chaired both Cricket NSW and Destination NSW.
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John Warn
Chief Executive Officer
Geoff Hill

Geoff Hill

Geoff has more than 20 years CFO and board level experience, as a Business Partner to various MDs across commercial and not-for-profit businesses. Prior to his appointment as Experience Gold Coast’s CFO, Geoff was CFO for HOTA, Home of the Arts. Geoff’s focus is on delivering efficient and dynamic models across EGC’s finance, IT and payroll systems that allow the business to operate at its optimum performance.
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Geoff Hill
Chief Finance Officer
Amy Watts

Amy Watts

Amy is a senior HR executive who has held roles at Accor, Marriott, and Starwood. With over 25 years’ experience in tourism and hospitality, she brings strong expertise in all HR disciplines, excels in partnering with executive leadership to elevate HR as a strategic asset and is deeply committed to service and process improvement for an enhanced experience.
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Amy Watts
Head of People & Culture
Rachel Hancock

Rachel Hancock

Rachel has an outstanding career track record, having worked in various senior roles at News Corp Australia, including Editor at the Gold Coast Bulletin before transitioning to a strategic role at Destination Gold Coast three years ago. She is a versatile leader with over 17 years’ experience in management roles across Australian media. Rachel is passionate about the Gold Coast and driving its visitor economy and reputation across local, national and international markets.
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Rachel Hancock
Head of Visitor Economy & Corporate Affairs
Avril Harris

Avril Harris

Avril is a seasoned events professional bringing over two decades of experience in the industry, spanning corporate, community, government and major events.

Prior to her appointment as Executive Director Events for Experience Gold Coast, she played a pivotal role in establishing the entity, shaping its strategic vision, and creating a framework to attract and support events on the Gold Coast.

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Avril Harris
Executive Director, Events
Brant Hirst

Brant Hirst

Brant has held senior roles in Australia and globally, most notably Nike where he was VP/GM, Shanghai and Beijing and Olympics Lead for Nike China.  With over a decade of senior executive career experience, Brant leverages extensive General Management and Marketing experience to lead high-performing teams and drive impactful change through innovation and constructive disruption.

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Brant Hirst
Head of Marketing
Yarmila Alfonzetti

Yarmila Alfonzetti

Yarmila is one of Australia’s leading arts professionals with an extensive arts and culture pedigree. She has previously held senior roles with Queensland Symphony Orchestra, State Opera South Australia, Sydney Opera House and the Perth International Arts Festival. With over 25 years’ experience, she is a dynamic, collaborative leader with strong project management skills, adept at transforming and growing arts businesses.
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Yarmila Alfonzetti
Head of Arts & Culture
Jennine Tax

Jennine Tax

Jennine is a seasoned executive, with more than a decade of career experience spanning strategic planning, business improvement, project management and stakeholder engagement. She has held senior roles at HSBC and ABN AMRO Banks. Jennine leverages her extensive experience to lead high-performing teams to grow the Gold Coast’s education credentials.
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Jennine Tax
Executive Director, Education

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About Us
Gold Coast

Partnerships
Mantra Sun City

Research
Gold Coast Broadwater

Our Board
HOTA, Home of the Arts

Careers

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

Experience Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region. 
 
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland. 

Learn more here