Mutual business champion recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours

08 June 2020

The Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutual (BCCM) congratulates Ian Gillespie, who was today appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Mr Gillespie, a former director of BCCM, was recognised for “significant service to motoring associations, to the cooperatives and mutual sector, and to motor sport.”

Mr Gillespie served as Group CEO of mutual RACQ for 13 years before his retirement in late 2019. During his time he oversaw the acquisition of the Mt Cotton Mobility Centre of Excellence, as well as the merger to create RACQ Bank and the creation of the RACQ Foundation.

Mr Gillespie remains on the board of the RACQ Foundation.

Prior to joining RACQ, Mr Gillespie spent 30 years working in a broad range of industries in Australia and internationally at CEO and senior executive level, most recently in the defence technology sector. His career includes roles in corporate law, HR, business management and private equity investment. Mr Gillespie received the 2008 AIM Professional Manager of the Year Award for Queensland.

BCCM CEO Melina Morrison said, “Ian’s passion for the co-operative and mutual sector has been a driving force in the recent landmark reforms for the sector, including the first positive legislative reforms for mutual companies in 18 years and the development of the first member value accounting framework.”

BCCM Chairman, Terry Agnew said, “Ian’s award is terrific acknowledgement of his contribution to the mutual and cooperative sector in Australia at a time when we see the resurgence of the mutual and co-operative business model. The Board thanks Ian for his contribution as a director of BCCM.”

View the full list of Queen’s Birthday Honours