Governance

MBA (UNSW), LLB, GDACG, CPA, FGIA, GAICD

David Taplin brings more than 25 years of senior executive and board experience across governance, legal, financial and strategic leadership, with a strong commitment to sound governance and sustainable organisational performance.

David has held senior governance and legal leadership roles with organisations including Isis Central Sugar Milling Company Limited, The Springfield Anglican College, Gladstone Area Water Board, CleanCo Queensland, Port of Brisbane and in private legal practice. These roles have provided him with deep experience in regulated, public‑facing and community‑focused environments.

With longstanding connections to Toowoomba and regional Queensland, including previous board roles with The Glennie School and Little Match Productions Ltd, David brings a genuine appreciation of the cultural, educational and community institutions that enrich regional life.

He values the balance between creative excellence, community relevance and financial sustainability and brings a collaborative, thoughtful approach to board leadership in support of organisations that sit at the heart of their communities.

Jade Gardiner is a Toowoomba‑based senior executive and experienced board director with more than 25 years of leadership experience across global organisations, community-focussed institutions and complex transformation programs. She brings deep expertise in governance, financial stewardship, enterprise risk management and organisational transformation combined with a strong commitment to organisations that create meaningful cultural and community impact.

Jade is the Co‑Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Russell Mineral Equipment, where she provides strategic leadership across finance, governance, risk, people, technology and corporate services. Prior to this, she spent 15 years with Worley in senior global leadership roles, including Group Director of Transformation and Process Excellence. During her executive career she has led major enterprise transformation initiatives, global operating model redesigns, large-scale acquisitions and business integration programs, delivering significant organisational and financial outcomes across complex multinational environments.

Alongside her executive career, she has developed extensive governance experience through board and advisory roles. She has been a member of the Audit and Risk Committee of Toowoomba Regional Council and is a Board member of The Glennie School, where she chairs the Risk and Compliance Committee and serves on the Audit and Finance Committee.

Born and raised in Toowoomba, Jade has a lifelong connection to the performing arts, and a strong appreciation of the role cultural organisations play in enriching community life. Her early involvement included advanced studies in piano, musicianship and speech and drama, participation in local ensembles and performances and many years competing in the Toowoomba Eisteddfod. These experiences instilled a lasting appreciation for the arts as both a creative pursuit and a powerful contributor to community life. Today, that connection continues through her ongoing support of the cultural sector and through her daughters' engagement in music and performing arts education, giving her a strong understanding of the enduring value of arts participation across generations. 

David Chick is an accomplished board chair, director and senior executive with more than 25 years’ experience in city shaping, precinct management, governance and economic development across Australia and New Zealand.

He has led and governed some of the region’s most significant civic, cultural destinations, including as Chair of City Parklands Services Pty Ltd, where he oversaw Brisbane’s premier parklands and guided the organisation’s evolution into a commercially sustainable, community-focused enterprise. David has also served on several public‑facing boards, including the Queensland Veterans’ Council and the Brisbane Sustainability Agency.

With a career spanning strategic planning, urban regeneration and major public infrastructure, David brings a strong understanding of how arts and cultural precincts contribute to civic identity, visitor attraction and economic vitality. He combines a commitment to public value with commercial discipline, and offers strengths in governance, strategy, risk and sustainable financial stewardship.

David is a strong advocate for the arts as a catalyst for community connection and regional prosperity and is committed to supporting The Empire’s ongoing role as a cultural cornerstone for Toowoomba and Darling Downs.

Fiona Gaske is an experienced board director and senior policy leader with more than 20 years’ experience across government, regional economic development, health governance and international development. She brings a strong commitment to ethical governance, inclusive leadership and the delivery of long‑term public value, complemented by formal qualifications with the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Fiona currently contributes to policy shaping rural and regional communities as a Principal Policy Advisor with the Queensland Government. Her governance experience includes Chair of Regional Development Australia Darling Downs South West, as well as board and advisory roles with the Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation and the South West Hospital and Health Board. She has also held leadership roles with Somerville House Council.

With a background as Deputy Mayor and Councillor of Balonne Shire, Fiona has extensive experience in regional advocacy, infrastructure, water policy and economic development. She brings a strong understanding of how cultural institutions support regional resilience, identity and prosperity.

A trained musician and former Conservatorium of Music student, Fiona has a genuine passion for the performing arts and a strong appreciation of the role The Empire plays as a cultural cornerstone for Toowoomba and the wider region.

Brett Bramwell is an experienced executive and director with more than 25 years of leadership experience across superannuation, infrastructure and institutional investment. He brings strong expertise in governance, financial oversight, risk management and enterprise strategy within complex, highly regulated environments.

Brett is General Manager, Advisory at Sequoia Partners, where he leads the delivery of investment, strategic and financial advisory services to institutional and corporate clients. He has held senior roles with organisations including Queensland Rail, City of Brisbane Investment Corporation and Suncorp in Australia and BlackRock and Goldman Sachs internationally, working closely with boards, executives and regulators to strengthen governance frameworks, enhance financial resilience and longer-term performance.

He also brings strong board and committee experience, currently serving on Property and Finance Committee of Cromwell College at The University of Queensland, with responsibility for financial oversight, investment performance, risk management and governance.

Brett has a strong appreciation for the role arts organisations play in shaping cultural identity and enriching community life. He is passionate about supporting the sustainability, reach and impact of the arts, and contributes a thoughtful, independent and collaborative perspective, with a focus on financial stewardship, strategic insight and long‑term cultural value.