Tourism & Transport Forum appoints new Chief

The Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) has announced the appointment of John Lee as its new Chief Executive.

The appointment, which begins next Wednesday, follows a major recruitment process led by TTF Chairman Bruce Baird, as Christopher Brown prepares to step down in February.

TTF also announced Baird's re-appointment of as TTF Chairman for the next two years â a position he has held since 2007 - and that he will be taking a larger role in TTF working closely with the new Chief Executive.

Highly regarded across the public and private sectors, Lee comes to the role with a reputation for driving policy reform in a range of sectors including executive government, transport delivery, infrastructure development and in major events.

Lee is a former Director General of the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet and a former Chief Executive of the State Transit Authority of NSW. He has also worked with a range of private sector companies including Transfield Services - an Australian listed services company and National Express - a global UK listed transportation company. Most recently he consulted to the Federal Government on Australia's FIFA World Cup bid and to the Greater Western Sydney Giants AFL team on its development and strategy. He is also currently on the Board of Events NSW.

Announcing the appointment Baird stated "on behalf of the TTF Board, I am delighted to be able to welcome John on board.

"John has shown in a series of leadership roles that he is a creative thinker with a strong public policy focus who knows how to work with stakeholders on complex issues to achieve results. His drive, energy and ideas will be essential to the TTF team as it continues to strive to be the leading advocate for Australian industry."

Lee has enjoyed a long affiliation with TTF, having worked with the association on a range of issues over the past 10 years and said he looked forward to working closely with Australiaâs governments on behalf of TTF members to pursue the best outcomes for the tourism, transport and aviation sectors.

He explained "this is a great opportunity to contribute to the national debate on behalf of a critical sector of the Australian economy and I am looking forward to the challenges ahead."

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