Brisbane 2032 Olympics: CEO Cindy Hook to step down at end of 4-year contract

FILE PHOTO: - Andrew Liveris, President of the Brisbane 2032 organising committee, Francois-Xavier Bonnaillie, Brisbane 2032's new chief commercial officer and Cindy Hook, Brisbane 2032 CEO. | Photo Credit: AP

Cindy Hook is set to quit as CEO of the 2032 Olympics organising committee at the end of her four-year contract this year.

Brisbane 2032 organisers announced Hook’s decision in a statement Tuesday, a week after the official emblems for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games were unveiled.

“As CEO, I am proud to have built the organisation from the ground up, set the Games Vision and Games Plan, designed and executed a clear strategy, created the brand narrative and launched incredible emblems, and driven early market momentum,” Hook said in the statement. “The foundations for success have been well laid. This is the right time to hand over to a new CEO.”

Recruitment of a new CEO will begin immediately, Brisbane 2032 organisers said, adding that the timing would allow for a smooth transition from its planning and capability building phase into the next stages of operations, project and event delivery.

Hook, a U.S. executive who was based in Singapore as CEO of Deloitte Asia Pacific before taking the role with the Brisbane organising committee, was appointed in December 2022.

“Cindy has been an exceptional leader whose passion, drive and strategic intellect has set Brisbane 2032 up for success,” Brisbane 2032 president Andrew Liveris said in a statement. “Cindy commenced when the organising committee was a fledgling startup and has transformed Brisbane 2032 into a thriving organisation.

“Her focus on values, organisational excellence and strict financial and governance processes are embedded throughout a high caliber team that she recruited and I thank her for her great contributions.”

Brisbane will be the third Australian city to host the Summer Olympics after Melbourne in 1956 and Sydney in 2000.

Australia’s third-biggest city, Brisbane was awarded the 2032 Games in July 2021.

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Australian Olympic Committee President Ian Chesterman said Hook made an outstanding contribution as inaugural CEO of the local organising committee.

“Her leadership has laid strong foundations for the successful delivery of the Games in 2032,” Chesterman said. “Cindy has been a valued and supportive partner to the Australian Olympic Committee. She has understood the importance of delivering not only a successful Games, but also a lasting legacy.”

Brisbane 2032 board director Rebecca Frizelle said Hook led with “care, professionalism and unwavering commitment.”

“Taking Brisbane 2032 from a blank page to a fully functioning organisation is an extraordinary achievement and legacy, of which she should be extremely proud.”