Richard Barker appointed new Queensland Rugby Union CEO
The Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) has appointed Richard Barker, who is currently General Manager – Southern Cross Austereo Brisbane, as its new CEO following an extensive selection process.
QRU Chairman Damien Frawley said: “Richard has run one of Queensland’s highest profile media companies for the past 30 years and we believe he has the experience, skills and knowledge of all levels of the game to successfully lead the organisation in what is one of the toughest sporting markets in the world. I look forward to working with Richard over the coming years as we continue to grow interest and participation in Rugby at the grassroots level and build a platform for the sustained success of our elite teams.”
Richard Barker said: “I am very proud and honoured to have been offered the role of Queensland Rugby Union CEO. I am excited to be joining QRU and intend to make a difference. I am aware of the important responsibilities that come with this role in representing all key stakeholders. There’s work to be done and I’m looking forward to rolling up my sleeves to help to make rugby a game for all.”
Barker is well known to the Queensland Rugby community. He and his family have had a long and successful involvement in the game from school boys through to Queensland Reds and Wallabies. He is a former captain of the Queensland Country Rugby union team and played against Fiji, Canada and the touring All Blacks in the mid-1980s. As a schoolboy, Barker played Rugby at St. Joseph’s Nudgee College representing the school First XV for two years. Throughout the 1980s he played Premier Grade in the Queensland Premier Rugby competition for Teachers-Norths, as well as for the Pioneers Rugby club in Rockhampton. More recently, he has been a junior Rugby coach at grassroots level.
Barker began his media career in 1981 with Australian Posters Outdoor Advertising. In 1986, he joined Radio 4BK. Barker was a member of the team that successfully launched B105FM in February 1990, later becoming Sales Director and then General Manager of B105FM.
In 2003, Barker was appointed General Manager, Southern Cross Austereo Brisbane, overseeing both the B105FM and 104.5 Triple M brands in Queensland. He has been a board member of the Children’s Hospital Foundation Queensland and of the Brisbane Powerhouse. In recent years, Barker has participated in the CEO Sleepout for Vinnies, which raises valuable funds for the homeless and last year he was the highest fundraiser in Queensland.
Barker will begin the CEO role at a date to be announced.
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