Neil is a national leader in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing, health, economic development and administration. He is known as a leading thinker and for his work in strategy and policy development and implementation.
He has a successful track record at the SES (Senior Executive Service) level and equivalent Principal Executive Officer level, leading the development of complex and sensitive economic, social and housing and health policy, projects and initiatives as well as structural, capability and cultural change reforms.
He played a key role in the development of the Queensland Housing Strategy 2017 – 2027; the Queensland Building Plan (2017); and the Queensland Procurement Policy (2017); as well as the implementation of the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing (NPARIH). He has also led a number of other national and state business, health and procurement policies and programs over the last 20 years.
Neil was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer in December 2020. As the CEO, he was responsible for establishing the organisation, and is now responsible for implementing the strategic vision of the organisation and overall management of the organisation. He is committed to ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing organisations and Indigenous Councils in Queensland continue to be a driving force in social and affordable housing and housing solutions.
Throughout his career, Neil has led a number of peak body organisations and is the former Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC). While the Chief Executive Officer of QAIHC between 2017 and 2020, he built member sustainability, improved partnerships and advocated strongly for inward investment in the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heath Sector. This saw the Sector revenue increase from 350 million in 2017 to over 450 million in 2020.
With national and international experience in business strategy, policy and change leadership within dynamic business environments, Neil has a proven track record in achieving outcomes. This has been forged while in leadership roles in Australia, government, the private sector and whilst a visiting (Winston) Churchill Leadership Fellow in the USA, Canada and New Zealand.
Neil brings to the Chief Executive Officer role a deep understanding and broad experience and knowledge in executive management, housing and homelessness, strategy execution, policy development, and professional membership organisations.
His experience and knowledge are complemented with a public health degree from the University of Queensland. He is also a published business author.
Neil has connections to the Waanyi people of the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Kuku Yalanji people of Far North Queensland.