The successful businesswoman and Order of Australia medal recipient, who has built a consultancy focused on helping rural organisations and businesses achieve their goals will take over the voluntary position from Wayne Gerard next month.

Goondiwindi Mayor Lawrence Springborg said Spicer was “enthusiasm on steroids” with her heart firmly planted in regional Queensland.

“I am absolutely delighted with this appointment,” he said.

“She is well qualified, highly confident and well-connected.”

Created in 2016, the role is designed to help innovators and entrepreneurs connect with opportunities across government and commercial sectors.

In making the appointment, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk highlighted Spicer’s credentials as an active member of Queensland’s Innovation Advisory Council and a recipient of the Order of Australia Medal for service to the community through a range of organisations.

Innovation Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said Spicer’s impressive career in rural, regional and remote business start-ups made her the perfect choice for the government’s mission to “tap into innovation and entrepreneurship in regional Queensland and deliver opportunities to grow ideas, create jobs and prosper in the emerging global future economy”

“As an Order of Australia medal recipient for services to rural and regional communities, Julia Spicer understands what makes regional Queensland tick and how to champion start-ups to thrive,” he said.

“They’re exactly the credentials we need to maximise opportunities on the world stage and drive Queensland’s decade-long innovation roadmap to success.”

Spicer said she looked forward to helping businesses to grow and scale at a sustainable rate.

“I look forward to helping to ensure all Queenslanders have access to the innovation ecosystem, no matter where they are located or what their background is to drive the Queensland economy across all corners of the state,” she said.

“We have so much talent in Queensland, and I want to shine a spotlight on the quality people and products that Queensland produces to the world stage and also to traditional Queensland industries to build a culture of innovation and success, both locally and globally.”

Palaszczuk said Gerard would continue to provide invaluable experience on the Brisbane 2032 Legacy Committee.

“Wayne was instrumental in developing our new Innovation Roadmap, setting up the Innovation Advisory Council and over his term he has generously provided his time, experience and expertise to support innovation in Queensland,” she said.

“I want to thank Wayne for all his work in this voluntary role over the past 18 months and wish him well on his future endeavours.”