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Posted by RLPA

August 03, 2022

Compass Group MD joins RLPA Board

The Rugby League Players’ Association is pleased to announce Compass Group Australia Managing Director Joanne Taylor has joined its Board of Directors, appointed as a casual vacancy at July’s Board meeting.

Ms. Taylor is currently the Managing Director of Compass Group Australia, a food and support services organisation with over 11,000 employees, serving up great tasting food and delivering vital support services every day to clients across Australia. Compass Group Australia’s service sectors such as hospitals and aged care, resources and defence, venues and events as well as schools and universities.

Prior to leading Compass Group Australia, Ms Taylor was a senior executive at Ampol, a major sponsor of the National Rugby League State of Origin, and prior to that with McDonald’s Australia for over ten years.

Ms Taylor brings an expertise in people management to the RLPA and invaluable insights in governance and human resources.

On her appointment to the RLPA Board of Directors, Ms. Taylor said:

“I am pleased to be joining the RLPA Board of Directors, especially at such an important time for the Association as we look to negotiate the first joint agreements for our male and female CBAs. 

“The RLPA Board has a unique and dynamic mix of skills. I’m looking forward to working with my new colleagues, both players and non-players, to support the growth of the game and create a workplace for NRL and NRLW players to thrive during and after their careers. I look forward to working alongside the other Directors and with Clint Newton and his outstanding team at the RLPA.”

Dr. Deidre Anderson AM, Chair of the RLPA Board of Directors, shared her excitement at the appointment of Ms. Taylor:

“We are coming up to a critical time for the Association and we couldn’t be more excited and privileged to have someone of Joanne Taylor’s calibre join our Board of Directors. As a former executive of one of rugby league’s State of Origin sponsors, Ampol, Ms. Taylor already has an intimate understanding of rugby league in our region and the value it brings to everyday households. Her incredible experience in corporate Australia and significant people-focussed skills will be vital to securing the best terms and conditions for our players in the upcoming collective bargaining negotiations and final agreement.” 

“I and the rest of the RLPA Board look forward to working alongside Joanne. We have no doubt she will make an outstanding contribution to the RLPA and its members.”

Clint Newton, CEO of the RLPA, praised the appointment of Ms. Taylor:

“Joanne is a first class executive and, while I’m looking forward to having her leadership on our board, I also see the appointment as a great opportunity to also learn from her. It’s a great acquisition for the Association and our players, and I don’t doubt she will help me improve as a leader, given her vast experience in executive roles at major Australian companies.”

“Joanne also shares in our desire to secure the best terms and conditions for our male and female members, and her corporate experience within major Australian organisations and a human resources background will be crucial to us securing the improvements players past and present deserve. Like all the other Directors on the RLPA Board, Joanne sees our collective bargaining negotiations as rugby league’s opportunity to be progressive and make rugby league the sport of choice for boys and girls in our region. The corporate experience Joanne brings from some of Australia’s largest companies, Compass Group Australia, Ampol and McDonald’s Australia, will be hugely valuable to our team at the Association and the male and female playing groups.”

About Joanne Taylor:

Joanne Taylor was appointed Managing Director of Compass Group Australia in May 2022. She has over 20 years’ experience in the hospitality, QSR, retail and manufacturing sectors, and brings significant experience across operations, supply chain, people and communications. 

Prior to joining Compass, Joanne spent six years with Ampol focused on transforming Ampol’s national network of stores with the revitalisation of the Ampol brand and evolving its retail offer to make life easier every day for millions of Australian consumers. 

Ms. Taylor’s recent employment history:

Current: Compass Group

  • Managing Director

2016 – 2022: Ampol (formerly Caltex)

  • Executive General Manager, Consumer and B2B
  • Executive General Manager, Convenience Retail
  • Executive General Manager – People

2015 – 2016: Westpac Group

  • Consultant

2004 – 2015: McDonald’s Australia (select roles below)

  • Senior Vice President Human Resources, Corporate Communications and Supply
  • Vice President Human Resources / Corporate Communications

RLPA Board of Directors:

Dr. Deidre Anderson AM (Chair)

Clint Newton (CEO and Managing Director)

Daly Cherry-Evans (General President)

Wade Graham

Steven Harker AM

Josh Hodgson

Chelsea Lenarduzzi

Pippa Leary

Stuart Nelson

Hannah Southwell

Joanne Taylor

Christian Welch

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