South Australia’s startup community is set to enjoy the leadership of another exceptional individual with Jim Whalley passing the baton of Chief Entrepreneur to Andrew Nunn.
Mr Nunn is recognised as one of Australia’s most experienced and progressive professionals in the environmental field and is well placed to continue the work of encouraging people to transform innovative ideas into global businesses.
“I really want to thank Jim Whalley for his outstanding contribution to South Australia whilst Chief Entrepreneur and am delighted to welcome a person of the calibre of Andrew Nunn to this vital role,” said Premier Steven Marshall.
“It speaks volumes of both men that they are willing to donate their valuable time to helping drive the transformation of the South Australian economy through helping connect our entrepreneurial network with national and international markets.”
Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni said Mr Nunn, who was first welcomed to the Entrepreneurship Advisory Board (EAB) in December 2020, is another outstanding appointment to the position of Chief Entrepreneur.
“Jim Whalley has done an outstanding job of working with and growing the startup community to identify common challenges and opportunities for growth in our state’s future industries, and we thank him for his invaluable contributions over the past two years,” Minister Pisoni said.
“As South Australia’s first Chief Entrepreneur—a volunteer position—Mr Whalley was instrumental in the development of the FIXE Strategic Plan to build a vibrant, accessible and diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem in South Australia.
“This work will continue under Andrew Nunn, who brings a unique perspective to the EAB with decades of experience in environmental auditing and consulting; currently executive director at JBS&G.
“Mr Nunn is director of several Australian companies spanning property development, private equity investments and entertainment opportunities, and was awarded EY Entrepreneur of the Year for the Central Region in 2017.”
Outgoing Chief Entrepreneur Jim Whalley said Mr Nunn’s appointment provides great opportunity for South Australia to continue its success in growing the local entrepreneurship community.
“2020 was one of the most tumultuous years for new businesses in recent history. Despite this, the South Australian startup community has demonstrated incredible grit, generosity and growth,” Mr Whalley said.
“A focus during my tenure in the role has been to support entrepreneurs to build their capabilities and their confidence; to make sure that they have the skills to grow a business from concept through creation that contributes to growth in opportunities for all South Australians.
“The mantra has been to inspire, equip, enable and celebrate the achievements of entrepreneurs.
“South Australia is on-track and building a vibrant and accessible startup ecosystem. As the state’s first Chief Entrepreneur I look forward to seeing it grow under Andrew’s leadership.”
For more information on the EAB members and role of the South Australian Chief Entrepreneur, visit fixe.org.au/south-australia/chief-entrepreneur.
Andrew Nunn – Co-founder, chairman and executive director of JBS&G Australia
With his wife Alexandra Dimos, Andrew is a Co-founder and Director of the Nunn Dimos Foundation, a South Australian based philanthropic fund focused on key social, arts-based, educational and environmentally focused issues and charities in South Australia.
Andrew is recognised as one of Australia’s most innovative, experienced and progressive professionals in the consulting environmental field, with JBS&G now one of the largest privately owned environmental consulting companies in Australia.
In 2018, JBS&G launched Consentium, a corporate affairs and sustainability advisory subsidiary that provides strategic communications and engagement solutions across a range of industries and projects, often in sensitive social and environmental contexts.
Andrew was also awarded EY Entrepreneur of the Year for the Central Region in 2017 and has been part of the judging panel since 2018. Andrew continues to hold a number of directorships of entrepreneurial companies focusing on property development, private equity investments and entertainment opportunities across Australia.
