ACCI elects new president

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the nation’s largest and most representative business group, has elected Nola Watson as its new president at its Annual General Meeting in Canberra this morning.

Ms Watson has served as the Deputy President of ACCI, President of Business NSW, and Chairman of International Chamber of Commerce, Australia. Aside from her involvement in the chamber movement, Nola was executive General Manager of Insurance Australia Group, and spent many years in senior executive positions within New South Wales and Commonwealth governments. Nola replaces Mr Ray Sputore, who has served as ACCI President for the past two years.

The Hon. Mark Birrell AM was elected to the role of Deputy President. Mark is a Past President of the Victoria Chamber, former Victorian Cabinet Minister, previous board member of Australia Post and was the founding chairman of Infrastructure Partnerships Australia. Currently Mark serves as the Chairman of PostSuper and board member of Transurban.

ACCI Members also elected Ms Karyn Sobels (President, Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Mr Paul Guerra (Chief Executive Officer, Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Mr Lyall Gorman (President, Business NSW), Mr Daniel Hunter (Chief Executive Officer, Business NSW), Ms Nikki Govan (Chair, Business SA), Ms Nicolle Jenkins, (President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia), Mr Christopher Rodwell (Chief Executive Officer, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia), Mr Steve Knott AM (Chief Executive Officer, Australian Resources and Energy Group AMMA), and Mr Tony Schiffman (President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland) to ACCI’s 13-member board.

“Over the past two years as Deputy President of ACCI, I have seen Australian business rise to meet the unprecedented challenges posed by the Coronavirus pandemic. I am honoured to continue to represent them as President,” Nola Watson said.

“Alongside Chief Executive Andrew McKellar and the board, I look forward to building ACCI’s advocacy efforts, maximising our economic potential to ensure our future prosperity.

“With great uncertainty and major challenges in the national agenda, it is critical that business has the strongest leader and advocate to represent its interests. ACCI is that voice, representing businesses large and small, across the economy, from all corners of Australia.

“ACCI and its affiliates share one ambition, to make Australia the best place in the world to do business. I congratulate all those appointed to board and look forward towards building a better future for business.

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