NEW FOUNDATION CHAIR IN ANDY SHEATS
Online entrepreneur and digital strategist Andy Sheats has been elected as Chair of the Amy Gillett Foundation, following the retirement of Mark Textor after nearly five years at the helm.
“I am truly honoured to have this opportunity to support the AGF management team and lead the board as we charge towards safer outcomes for cyclists, and trust I can be as successful in guiding the organisation forward as my predecessors Mark Textor and Duncan Murray have been,” Mr Sheats said.
“The significant achievements of the Foundation in just 11 years are testament to the work of the Foundation team and these two great men. I salute them and look forward to drawing on their wisdom and counsel. I thank my Board colleagues for the faith they have placed in me and I am excited to be continuing our important work.”
Mr Textor, who will remain on the Board, said he was stepping down as Chair at a time when the Foundation was in excellent shape.
“We have a metre matters legislation bedded down in a majority of states and it is only a matter of time before it becomes national. We are the respected voice of cycling safety.
“We have an exceptional CEO in Phoebe Dunn leading our tireless and effective staff, who are energetic and passionate about the safety of cyclists and drivers sharing the road, safe together.
“Our financial position is very sound and we are exploring promising new opportunities with partners. We have relevant and compelling research underway, and my fellow Board directors are incredibly hard-working, capable and inspirational people.
“All this has presented me with the chance to hand over the reins and spend more time on some projects I’ve had on the backburner, although I will continue to advocate strongly for greater safety for cyclists, and continue to support the Foundation as a Director. It has been an honour to serve the Foundation and it will always hold a special place in my heart,” Mr Textor said.
Mr Sheats has a long background building online businesses in the US and in Australia since moving here in 2000. He spent most of the 2000’s at realestate.com.au where he was responsible for company strategy, acquisition, and a number of other executive roles through the company’s growth phase. After this, he co-founded health.com.au, which was Australia’s first new health insurance company since 1977. He led growth to more than $110m revenue in less than three years, and the company won Best Start-up Company in the national Telstra Business Awards. He currently works as the EGM of Students at Open Universities Australia with responsibility for marketing, sales, student advisory, and overall student success.
A keen cyclist since childhood, Mr Sheats became a Director of the Foundation in 2016 following three years serving on the events committee. He will take up the responsibility of Chair following this year’s Amy’s Gran Fondo on 16-17 September.
Media inquiries:
Jane Seaborn – Board Director, Amy Gillett Foundation
M: 0414 829 282
