Ai Group boosts presence in the north with senior appointment

The national employer association, Ai Group, has today announced a senior appointment to boost advocacy and support for businesses across the north of Australia.

Dean Deighton, Acting Head of Queensland and Regional Manager – North Queensland, has been appointed to the newly created position of Head – Northern Australia.

Mr Deighton will continue to be based in Townsville, but his remit will expand to include a broad geographical area across the top end of Queensland, the Northern Territory and northern Western Australia.

This covers a rapidly developing part of the Australian economy including sectors vital to Ai Group members such as critical minerals, agriculture, food processing and defence & national security.

Ai Group Chief Executive Innes Willox said members would benefit greatly from the appointment.

“Dean is already well known to many local businesses and is familiar with all the issues and opportunities employers face in the north,” Mr Willox said.

“He will continue to work to drive business success by linking employers with the local support they need and ensuring their issues are heard by all levels of government.”

The creation of the new role follows the appointment of Michelle Farquhar as Ai Group’s new Head of Queensland.

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