John Witheriff
John Witheriff is Managing Partner of leading Gold Coast Law Firm Minter Ellison and as Chairman of the GC 17 bid team helped turn a vision for AFL football on the Gold Coast into reality. Gold Coast Citizen of the Year in 2005, he is a former director of many of Queensland's largest companies including Sure Smart Water Ltd, Energex Retail, SeaWorld Ltd and the Queensland’s Transmissions Supply Corporation.
John Witheriff is one of Australia’s foremost corporate, governance and risk practitioners, sought by both industry and government for his key strategic advice and counsel.
In a prodigious legal and business career, John has amassed high-level insight and expertise across many sectors including government, sport, tourism, leisure, liquor and gaming, and infrastructure.
John has also held key roles within the private sector. For many years he was a Director of SeaWorld Ltd, the owner of multiple theme parks, and Chairman of the Indy 300 Event Advisory Board. He was also a member of Queensland’s Liquor Appeals Tribunal.
John has garnered many community and government accolades for his contribution to the law and industry, including Gold Coast Citizen of the Year.