New CEO appointed for Mackay Regional Council

For the past four years, he has held senior executive roles with the largest council in Australia – Brisbane City Council (BCC).

As the BCC Executive for City Standards, he was responsible for a 2000-strong workforce along with a combined budget expenditure of $900M.

His focus has been on delivering outcomes for the cultural transformations with staff and driving value for money for Brisbane residents through the effective delivery of council operations.

Throughout his career at BCC, Mr Owen has held several senior executive roles running businesses like fleet solutions and public space operations, which is one of the largest and most diverse branches.

“My personal goals in local government are built around simplifying operations and removing red tape to deliver the ratepayer and the community with a great council experience,” Mr Owen said.

“I’m no stranger to Central and North Queensland having worked at Townsville City Council and with a commercial hire business in Gladstone before that,” he said.

“I credit my 10 years in the British Armed Forces as making me the person I am today, and two operational tours in the Afghanistan conflict for grounding my desire to make life better for people where I can.”

Mr Owen holds a postgraduate diploma in strategic leadership as well as multiple leadership and business administration qualifications.

“I’m excited to be back in North Queensland and am looking forward to embedding myself into the Mackay community.”

Mayor Greg Williamson said Mr Owen was selected from a long list of well-credentialled applications after a rigorous selection process.

“His appointment as our new CEO was formally endorsed by council this week and he will officially commence in the role on November 30,” Mayor Williamson said.

“On behalf of council, I’d like to sincerely thank acting CEO Angela Hays who has been at the helm since March,” he said.

“Thanks to her strong leadership, council’s day-to-day service delivery and strategic decisions have been able to continue without falter, placing the organisation in a strong position for our new CEO.”