Our board

Starting as a sports journalist for Seven Network and working overseas for several years at BBC in London, Andrew Arthur is now the Chief of Staff for ABC Gold Coast. With a keen interest in business and business management, Andrew recently completed an MBA with Griffith University in 2016.

Aaron Lavell is a managing partner and founding member of WMS Chartered Accountants. He has over twenty years experience in the accounting industry after commencing his career at Ernst & Young.

Marion Charlton is currently the Chief Operating Officer of the Gold Coast Airport after joining the company in 2004. Marion has strong ties with many Gold Coast tourism organisations through her past work on the Tourism Advisory Board for Bond University. In 2008 she was awarded the International Woman’s Day Leadership Award for the Gold Coast.

Peta Fielding is the CEO of Burleigh Brewing Co and Chair of the Craft Beer Association. Peta currently holds directorships with Gold Coast Tourism and is newly appointed as a board member of Major Events Gold Coast.

A passionate advocate and contributor to both the Gold Coast and Queensland, she serves on a number of key Gold Coast boards including Griffith University Institute of Glycomics Board of Advice, the Gold Coast Community Fund and Vinnies CEO Sleep Out board as a Founding Ambassador.

Karen’s background spans 28 years of extensive commercial, corporate communications strategy, media and community experience. She was honoured as Gold Coast Citizen of the Year 2018 for her service to the city.

Matthew Schneider is a respected town planning consultant, strategic adviser, project lead and company director and a passionate Gold Coaster.

Matthew’s work is focused on the Gold Coast but extends across Queensland and New South Wales. He leads the Gold Coast office of national property advisory firm, Urbis, working principally with private sector clients and government authorities and he regularly appears as an expert in the Queensland Planning and Environment Court.