The City of Greater Geelong has appointed four highly credentialed Executive Directors to lead its four new directorates under CEO Ali Wastie.
The four appointees, who alongside Ms Wastie will form a strong and united Executive Leadership Team, each bring extensive local government experience, leadership and expertise in their respective fields.
They are as follows:
Tennille Bradley – Executive Director Placemaking
Start date: existing employee
Tennille Bradley is currently Acting Executive Director Customer, Community & Economy, having joined the City of Greater Geelong in July 2022 as Manager Economy, Place & Events.
Tennille has over 15 years’ experience in Local Government in a range of areas including community health & safety, social planning, community development, economic development, tourism, advocacy, placemaking, arts & culture, and major events.
She has a Bachelor of Social Science, Masters in Business Administration (MBA) and is an accredited IAP2 Practitioner.
James Stirton – Executive Director City Infrastructure
Start date: 22 January 2024
James Stirton joins the City from Bass Coast Shire Council, where he has been General Manager Place Making since 2019.
He has partnered with all levels of government, the private sector and with tertiary institutions, delivering award-winning community infrastructure and urban regeneration.
He holds a Master of Public Administration, Graduate Certificate in Urban Design and a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and has undertaken a range of leadership development programs, most recently at Harvard University.
Troy Edwards – Executive Director Corporate Services
Start date: 22 January 2024
Troy Edwards joins the City from the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), where he was the Executive Director, Policy & Advocacy.
Troy has held several positions in the Commonwealth public service, as a policy adviser in the Federal Parliament and as the managing director of one of Australia’s leading independent public relations consultancies. Prior to joining the MAV, he was Director of Corporate Services for Yarra Ranges Council.
An urban planner by education, Troy has completed a Master of Arts degree at Monash University and is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Anthony Basford – Executive Director City Life
Start date: to be determined
Anthony Basford has more than 25 years’ experience in local government across rural and regional, interface and metropolitan Councils in Victoria and NSW. He was most recently CEO at East Gippsland Shire Council for five years.
Previous roles include Director Community, Environment & Planning at Bega Valley Shire Council (NSW) and General Manager Organisational Development & Governance at Kingston City Council. He has also worked in the not-for-profit and education sectors.
Anthony has a Masters in Social Science (Policy and Human Services) and a Bachelor of Education (Secondary). In 2022 he was awarded the National Emergency Medal for his work in supporting the Black Summer Fire response.
The City will move to its new directorate structure – featuring a reduction in the number of directorates from five to four – from 15 January 2024.
CEO Ali Wastie:
The recruitment process was highly competitive, with the outstanding range of candidates for each position demonstrating the appeal of Geelong as a place to live and work.
One of my first priorities as CEO was to establish a strong, united executive team ready to deliver for our community and employees.
We’ve searched for the best people to invigorate our culture and meet our promise of being a high performing organisation, and we are delighted to have secured four experienced leaders of such a high calibre.
Tennille, James, Anthony and Troy all bring a tremendous amount of knowledge and passion to their respective areas, and I think our community can look forward with excitement to the results they’ll help the City deliver.
Outgoing executive directors Robyn Stevens and Gareth Smith will finish with the City this week, while David Greaves will continue as Acting Executive Director City Infrastructure until the structure changes come into effect, before returning to his position as Manager City Works.
Ali Wastie:
Robyn and Gareth have both given their all to their staff and the community during their time with the City and can be proud of what they’ve achieved.
We sincerely thank them for their efforts and wish them well for the next chapter in their careers.
