Surfing NSW Chair John O’Neill today welcomed Ben Rolleston, Country Manager, Audible Australia, and Felicity Conlan, CFO and Company Secretary at digital media company Adslot, to the Board of Surfing NSW.
“We are very fortunate to be joined by two such well credentialed people, bringing deep expertise in technology, finance and oversight of operational management to our ranks,” said Mr O’Neill to the Australian Financial Review.
“We also are deeply indebted to outgoing director and former CEO of Women in Finance and Banking, Jen Dalitz, for her nearly five years of service.”
Mr O’Neill said during that time the organisation has grown strongly not only in terms of revenue and profitability but also by broadening its vision to include the delivery of programs engaging women in surfing (Surfing NSW Her Wave initiative) and making our beaches safer by training surfers to save lives (Surfers Rescue 247 program).
“Surfing NSW continues to run events and manage the pathway for surfers looking to compete on the world stage, be that via the World Surf League and now the Summer Olympic Games.
“But we’ve also broadened our vision and to work in partnership with NSW government and private sector to build a better community through surfing via programs that share the health and wellbeing benefits that flow from the surf lifestyle.”
Surfing NSW CEO Luke Madden said he is stoked to have the opportunity to draw on the additional skills both new directors bring to the Board.
“We have big ambitions and need help to scale our business and find new and better ways to incorporate technology into everything we do. We’re looking forward to Ben and Felicity’s help to guide that,” he said.
The fresh perspective and extensive experience of the new board members couldn’t come at a better time. The Australian Sports Commission released it’s report showing that surfing was one of the fastest-growing activities during the pandemic. Data from the report also revealed that NSW has the highest percentage of surfers in the country (42.9%). Read more about the report via the Australian Financial Review article.
Rolleston and Conlan join the existing directors Deputy Chair Harry Hodge, the founder of Quiksilver in Europe, Lyndel Gray, the CEO of the Caravan and Camping Industry Association NSW, Rob Smith, a lawyer and sports and entertrainment consultant, Mark Windon, the former CEO of Surfing NSW and Chair John O’Neill, a management consultant and former Managing Director of Tourism NSW.
