Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee chief executive Cindy Hook has announced she will depart the role at the end of her four-year contract, the organisation confirmed on Tuesday, October 13.
The Organising Committee Board, chaired by president Andrew Liveris, accepted the decision, saying it was the right moment for a leadership handover before the next stage of Games delivery.
Hook was appointed CEO on December 13, 2022, following a global executive search, becoming the committee's first chief executive. Before that she led Deloitte Asia Pacific from Singapore from September 2018 until May 2022, overseeing the firm's operations across Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia and New Zealand.
Her exit is timed to allow a smooth transition just over a year out from the Los Angeles 2028 Games, as Brisbane 2032 shifts from planning and capability building into operations, project and event delivery, the committee said.
A global search for Hook's replacement will begin immediately, with an appointment expected in the coming months, the committee said.
Liveris praised Hook's tenure, saying she had set the organisation up for the years ahead. "Cindy has been an exceptional leader whose passion, drive and strategic intellect has set Brisbane 2032 up for success for our years ahead," he said.
He said Hook had taken the organisation from a standing start. "Cindy commenced when the Organising Committee was a fledgling startup and has transformed Brisbane 2032 into a thriving organisation ready to go to the next level of Games execution," Liveris said.
He also credited her with embedding governance and financial discipline across the organisation. "Her focus on values, organisational excellence and strict financial and governance processes are embedded throughout a high calibre team that she recruited and I thank her for her great contributions," he said.
Hook said she was proud of the work completed during her time in charge, including setting the Games Vision and Games Plan and launching the Brisbane 2032 emblems. "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 and commercial wins," she said.
She said the timing suited a change at the top. "The foundations for success have been well laid. This is the right time to hand over to a new CEO for the next phase," Hook said.
Hook said she intended to stay involved as a spectator once the Games arrive. "I look forward to seeing the Games Vision brought to life and you can be sure I will be the greatest fan in the stands at the 2032 Games!" she said.
Mikaela Cojuangco Jaworski, chair of the International Olympic Committee's Coordination Commission for Brisbane 2032, said Hook had moved the project forward. "Cindy has helped turn opportunity into concrete progress, leaving the organisation ready for its next chapter," she said.
Federal Minister for Communications and Sport Anika Wells, who serves as a Brisbane 2032 vice president, said Hook had laid important groundwork. "Cindy has played an important role laying the groundwork for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games," she said.
Queensland Minister for Sport, Racing and the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander, the other vice president on the board, offered similar praise. "Cindy has played an important role establishing the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee and laying the foundations for the work ahead," he said.
Board director Rebecca Frizelle, who chairs the People and Remuneration Committee and the Finance and Audit Committee, said Hook's achievement would stand as a lasting legacy. "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," Frizelle said.
The Brisbane Organising Committee for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games is a Queensland statutory authority established under the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Act 2021.