ICC Sydney Chief Executive Geoff Donaghy to step down from role

After more than 30 years of being immersed in venue management, Geoff Donaghy, Chief Executive of ICC Sydney and Group Director – Convention Centres, ASM Global (APAC), has announced he will depart his full-time role on 30th August, but will stay on as an advisor to the business until the end of the year as ASM Global embeds its succession strategy over the coming weeks.

ASM Global (APAC), Executive Chairman, Harvey Lister AM shared “on behalf of ASM Global, we thank Geoff for his outstanding leadership and dedication to the company and our people during his more than 30 years of service.

“Geoff Donaghy is one of ASM Global’s longest serving executives having contributed greatly to the establishment of key venues in our portfolio, including Cairns Convention Centre, Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, numerous venue management bids globally and of course ten years of extraordinary success at ICC Sydney.

“As CEO, Geoff and his ICC Sydney team have secured and operated events that have delivered almost A$4 billion in economic impact for the state, but his inspiring leadership is renowned for living up to the promise of ICC Sydney’s mission to make a difference – for one another, clients, community and the environment. Moreover, I recognise one of Geoff’s greatest achievements in successfully navigating ICC Sydney and our broader industry through the challenging times of the COVID pandemic.”

Donaghy said of his time with ASM Global “it is with great pride that I reflect on the milestones of the past three decades. I want to express my appreciation to Executive Chairman Harvey Lister for his commitment to the group’s advancement, Group Director - Venue and Event Innovation, Rod Pilbeam and our network of colleagues from around the world for their continued dedication and professionalism. Serving our teams, clients and community has been an absolute privilege.

“The team here at ICC Sydney has achieved many accolades, but I am most immensely proud of our investment in the strength of our people, and our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. I look forward to seeing these important legacies continued into the decades ahead.

Under Donaghy’s leadership, ICC Sydney received 95 industry awards, achieving an average delegate satisfaction rating of 97.4% and 98.2% client satisfaction rating.

 ICC Sydney was the first convention centre to release a Reconciliation Action Plan and a Disability and Inclusion Action Plan, reach Silver Tier status in Pride in Diversity’s Australian Workplace Equality Index, among other leading campaigns such as its Feeding your Performance philosophy and client Legacy Program.