Triathlon Australia will commence its search for a new Chief Executive following the resignation of long-standing CEO Miles Stewart OAM OLY, who will be returning to the industry in which he built his professional career.

Prior to taking on the CEO role with TA, Stewart was Head of Leasing with Charter Hall and the 1991 World Champion and Sydney Olympian will be leaving TA to take up a General Manager position with Abacus Property Group. 

Stewart said he was, however, looking forward to continuing his involvement in the sport as an executive member of the World Triathlon Board, “I have already volunteered my time whilst in Montreal for the upcoming Sprint World Championships to support our Australian Age Group team and can’t wait to be on that side of the fence,” said Stewart.

“The CEO role has enabled me to return to the sport I love with the skills and experience I had gained in commercial roles, something not all former elite athletes are given the chance to do,” he said. 

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time leading the sport, am proud of the strong position the sport has achieved and I am excited about the opportunity to now move back into my other passion, property at a General Manager level.”

TA Chair Michelle Cooper said Stewart would stay in the CEO role until May, to allow a smooth transition, with Chief Operating Officer Tim Harradine to act as interim CEO during the process of recruiting Stewart’s successor. 

“The TA Board wants to thank Miles for his six years of outstanding service and he leaves with our thanks and best wishes. He has been a passionate part of our sport for more than 30 years and we know he will continue to add great value in the future.”

Ms Cooper said Stewart’s legacies as CEO would include securing multiple world championship grand finals for Australia including Gold Coast in 2018 and a Multisport World Championships for Townsville, significantly enhanced race director relationships, a dynamic strategic plan fit for the next stage of growth, and improved financial stability and funding for the sport. 

“Miles joined the organisation as we emerged from significant financial volatility and was the right CEO for the phase of growth and development the sport has seen through his tenure.

Much in the sporting landscape has changed and Miles provided important connections into the sport coupled with commercial acumen to chart the way forward,” she said.

“Throughout his time as the leader of our organisation, he has espoused the values we hold strongly: health, enjoyment, belonging, achievement, integrity and respect. He has led with passion and is held in high regard across the industry as a result.

“He had been instrumental in establishing the organisation’s future operating model which will see the centralisation of resources – people and finances – to better service members,” she said.

The organisation is poised to implement the sport’s future operating model in the coming months and his departure marks an exciting opportunity for a new CEO to bring renewed vigour to the role.

“He has been tireless in guiding TA through the two difficult years of COVID, maintaining a program of events and participation opportunities during the pandemic and we thank him for his energy and dedication to the role.”