Regional Development Australia (RDA) Tasmania welcomes new Chair
Posted on by Carmen
- The Hon Nola Marino MP appoints Andrew Gregson as the new Chair of the RDA Tasmania Committee.
- Andrew replaces Prof. Sue Kilpatrick who has been chair for over two years.
- Andrew grew up in Tasmania, has degrees in Economics and Laws from the University of Tasmania, and has worked overseas.
- Andrew and his wife Dina returned to Tasmania in 2018 and recently established the Tasmania Tonic Company.
The Hon Nola Marino, Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories, has announced the appointment of Andrew Gregson as the new Chair of the Regional Development Australia (RDA) Tasmania Committee to 30 June 2025.
Andrew will lead RDA Tasmania under a refreshed Charter that focuses its role on driving investment and local procurement opportunities and through this, creating jobs and economic growth for our region.
“I look forward to working with Andrew, and the RDA Tasmania Committee members and staff over the coming years and encourage the community to reach out to their RDA to discuss how it can help business succeed”, said Minister Marino.
Andrew replaces Prof. Sue Kilpatrick who has been chair for over two years. RDA Tasmania CEO and Director of Regional Development, Craig Perkins welcomed Andrew to the role and thanked Sue for her guidance as chair.
“Sue has been a great supporter of the RDA Committee and our small team, not only as Chair over the last two years, but also as a Committee member since 2013”, said Craig Perkins.
“We look forward to working with Andrew and being guided by his experiences and knowledge as we help to support Tasmania’s community and economy, especially as we recover from the impacts of COVID over the coming years”.
Outgoing Chair Professor Sue Kilpatrick noted that regions around the world do better if their residents, businesses and government take the time to talk and take a coordinated approach to setting some regional priorities which they can work toward.
“It is pleasing to see the Australian Government encouraging regional conversations about what will make a positive difference”, Prof. Kilpatrick said.
“I think that RDA Tasmania has made a real difference to Tasmania. I am confident that the committee and staff will continue this work with the new chair.”
In accepting the role Andrew has expressed his strong commitment to the work of RDA Tasmania.
“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to contribute along with an outstanding Board to the important work of RDA Tasmania”, adding, “I am firmly convinced that Tasmania’s best days lie ahead and am excited at the opportunity to pursue them.”
Andrew has degrees in Economics and Laws from the University of Tasmania. He has held roles including CEO of a representative group during the development of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and has worked overseas with a London-listed multinational fast moving consumer goods company as Head of Corporate and Legal Affairs covering Asia and the Pacific, Russia and Central Asia before assuming a global Director role based in Amsterdam.
Returning to Tasmania in 2018, Andrew and his wife, Dina, established the Tasmania Tonic Company, a small business that now employs four Tasmanians and continues to grow.
Andrews BIO:
A proud and passionate Tasmanian, Andrew offers perspective gained from an international career in both the public and private spheres.
Educated in Launceston, Andrew later graduated with Degrees in Economics and Laws from the University of Tasmania in Hobart. He relocated to Sydney along with his young family as CEO of a representative group during the development of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. Subsequent to 7 years in that role, Andrew moved to the private sector joining a London-listed multinational FMCG company as Head of Corporate and Legal Affairs covering Asia and the Pacific. In that same role, he relocated to Moscow to take charge of Russia and Central Asia before assuming a global Director role based in Amsterdam.
Returning to Tasmania in 2018, Andrew and his wife, Dina, established the Tasmania Tonic Company, a small business that now employs 4 Tasmanians and continues to grow.
With the passion of a native son and the perspective of an external view, Andrew is firmly of the opinion that Tasmania’s best days lie ahead – and looks forward to contributing to realising them.