An Olympic medallist who left the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games bid committee in controversial circumstances has been appointed to head a new Queensland trade body.
Treasurer Tim Nicholls says Mark Stockwell will chair Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ), a statutory body designed to attract investment to the state.
The businessman, a 1984 Olympic silver medallist with the Australian swim team, had led the Gold Coast's successful bid for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
But he left in May 2012 in the wake of rumoured disagreement with senior LNP figures and Commonwealth Games Minister Jann Stuckey.
Mr Nicholls played down any conflict and says Mr Stockwell was replaced because the games went from the bidding to development phase.
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"Different skills were required," Mr Nicholls told AAP on Tuesday.
"From my perspective, the skills and expertise he brings are going to be great organising a new standalone authority and getting it up and running."
