The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) is proud to announce Eddie Griffith, Chair of the Affiliation for Business Resilience and Turnaround (ABRT) and Managing Partner of AdvIQ, as the recipient of the 2026 COSBOA National Small Business Champion Award.
Presented at the COSBOA National Small Business Summit Gala Dinner, the annual award recognises an individual, small business or organisation that has made an outstanding contribution to the success, sustainability and wellbeing of Australia’s small business community through leadership, advocacy and practical impact.
For more than 25 years, Eddie has worked to improve outcomes for small businesses facing financial distress, championing a business rescue approach that prioritises early intervention, practical support and long-term viability over traditional insolvency.
As Chair of ABRT, one of COSBOA’s member organisations, Eddie has worked collaboratively with COSBOA and other peak bodies on significant policy issues including Payday Super, anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing reforms, tax policy and protections for small businesses. His advocacy has also contributed to regulatory action against predatory operators targeting small businesses and strengthened the national conversation around business resilience.
COSBOA CEO Skye Cappuccio said Eddie’s contribution had made a lasting difference to Australia’s small business community.
“Eddie has dedicated his career to helping small businesses navigate some of their toughest challenges, while advocating for systemic reforms that give business owners a better chance of recovery and long-term success,” Ms Cappuccio said.
“His work has helped shift the conversation from business failure to business rescue. He has been a strong advocate for early intervention, practical support and better policy outcomes, while recognising that the wellbeing of business owners is fundamental to the success of their businesses.
“As a valued member of the COSBOA community through ABRT, Eddie has also been a generous and practical contributor to our advocacy, working collaboratively with other member organisations to ensure the voice of small business is heard.”
Under Eddie’s leadership, ABRT has become Beyond Blue’s highest referring organisation to the NewAccess for Small Business Owners (NASBO) program, demonstrating the close relationship between financial stress and mental health and ensuring struggling business owners can access support before reaching crisis point.
Accepting the award, Eddie Griffith said the recognition reflected the resilience of Australia’s small businesses and the many organisations working together to support them.
“It is an incredible honour to receive this award from COSBOA and to be recognised alongside so many people who dedicate themselves to strengthening Australia’s small business sector,” Mr Griffith said.
“Small business owners are some of the most resilient people in our country, but resilience should never mean facing every challenge alone. Seeking help early can make all the difference.
“I am proud that through ABRT, our work alongside COSBOA and many other organisations, we have been able to help more viable businesses recover, protect livelihoods and support the wellbeing of the people behind those businesses. This award belongs to everyone committed to giving small business the best possible chance to succeed.”
This year’s award also recognised the outstanding calibre of nominations received from across Australia, highlighting the extraordinary individuals and organisations working every day to strengthen the nation’s small business community.
