Source : the age
Queensland Rail chief executive Katarzyna Stapleton has told staff she will leave the job next year.
Stapleton, known as Kat, will not seek to extend her appointment, which was due to finish in April 2027.
Before joining Queensland Rail in 2019 as the chief financial officer, she held executive roles with NBN Co and was CFO for Bahrain Telecommunications company.
She was appointed as Queensland Rail’s chief executive officer in April 2022 during the former Palaszczuk Labor government.
Stapleton has been at the helm for protracted industrial action by several rail unions this year during enterprise bargaining negotiations, which led to a reduced timetable for staff to cope with a maintenance backlog.
The last of seven agreements was reached last month.
About 91 per cent of services were expected to be restored by October 12, with a full timetable implemented by the end of November.
Queensland Rail chair Andrew Wellington said Stapleton had served with distinction.
“Kat has overseen many significant initiatives at Queensland Rail, all while maintaining her enthusiasm and professionalism as she dealt with the many challenges that running a rail business offers up every day,” he said.
“Whether it was the implementation of permanent 50¢ fares, record patronage growth, European Train Control System for passenger services, building new accessible stations, or recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic, cyclones, or floods and negotiating new enterprise agreements – Kat has led from the front.
“Personally, it has been a pleasure to deal with Kat, and I am certain that whatever she chooses to do next, she will do so with the same vigour, dedication and drive for success that she’s shown while at Queensland Rail.”
Stapleton said she was committed to supporting a smooth and orderly transition to a new leader.
“As I reflect on my time here, what stands out most is the people,” she said.
“It has been a genuine privilege to work alongside all those at Queensland Rail as we’ve embraced opportunities, navigated challenges and achieved so much together.
“Whether responding to floods, cyclones, and other challenges, delivering major projects, or simply showing up every day to keep Queensland moving, our people consistently demonstrate resilience, care and an unwavering commitment to our customers – a ‘spirit’ I have always admired and never taken for granted.”
Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg thanked Stapleton for her contribution as chief executive over the past four-and-a-half years.
“Ms Stapleton has led Queensland Rail as the organisation recently secured in-principal agreement with its workforce across seven enterprise agreements, and I wish her success in future endeavours,” he said.
Stapleton was on a total package of $1.124 million in 2026, according to the most recent Queensland Rail annual report, making her one of the highest-paid executives in Queensland’s public sector.
A merit-based selection process to find a new chief executive for QR will begin soon.
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