The Year in Review 2014-2015 the Hunter Business Chamber Report on Hunter Business
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The Year In Review 2014-2015 The Hunter Business Chamber Report on Hunter Business A STRONG ECONOMY DRIVEN BY A BUSINESS COMMUNITY THAT LEADS CHANGE. Contents Leading Business 2 A Voice for Business 3 The Chamber Board of Directors 4 Chamber Committees 5 Staff 6 Financial Performance 7 Our Members 7 Year In Review Highlights 2014 - 2015 8 Advocacy and Collaboration 10 Networking The Events 12 Value for Members 15 Hunter First Members 16 Member Directory 17 Image courtesy of AJM Photography Year in Review 2014/15 | 1 Page Proudly Sponsored by Leading Business This has been my first year as I am also joined by a Board of Directors President of the Chamber and I have who give their time and commitment to enjoyed working with all our member this region, to ensure the success of organisations to promote the needs of our members and their businesses. It is business in the Hunter. a pleasure for me to be part of this. With around 2,000 members covering a The Chamber provides a wide range of diverse range of businesses across the opportunities and forums for members Hunter, we are an important part of the to connect and learn from one another Chamber movement. This strength in as well as access to advice and numbers gives us a stronger voice for support that SMEs particularly, find so business and helps us to achieve real valuable. results. Ross Taggart With around 60 events each year, there President We have continued to see steady is certainly plenty of opportunity for growth across the membership members to get involved and to meet base despite difficult economic Chamber staff and other members. Our circumstances and we are encouraged wide range of events recognises that by the spirit of Hunter businesses to our members have different needs and I work together to build success for hope to see you at some of these in the their own ventures as well as for our year ahead. I would encourage you to economy. get involved with Chamber events and meeting with other Chamber members We continue to work with local as a great way to start maximising the chambers in addressing the needs value of your membership. of those communities and providing support on issues that affect their The Chamber also works closely with local areas. The Chamber was on the state chamber to ensure that you hand to provide important support are getting the most support possible to the Dungog community after it felt from the broader Chamber movement. significant loss as a result of the April We will continue to work with the storm event. Member company NIB state chamber to provide leadership Health Funds, were quick to provide and focus on issues important to this their own practical support to this region. community also, demonstrating another valuable member partnership and I thank you for being part of the outcome. success story that is the Hunter Business Chamber and I look forward The Chamber has 10 staff who to working with you in the coming year. work hard to meet the needs of our members, recognising our members as a critical element to the Chamber’s success. They are a dedicated team of individuals and I congratulate Kristen and her staff on the proactive and passionate approach they take to making business better for Chamber members. 2 | Year in Review 2014/15 Page Proudly Sponsored by A Voice for Business The Chamber has a long and proud history home to world class training and education of advocating for change that makes it centres as well as specialist and extensive easier to do business in our region and defence services. There are a range of I have felt privileged to be part of that emerging and complementary industries history. and our submission to this inquiry called on government to recognise the significant The Chamber works hard to bring attention contribution our economy makes at a state to issues across a very diverse range and national level. of industries and believes strongly in its ability to bring a balanced approach and The Chamber will continue to support and proactive solutions to the arena. While collaborate with a range of organisations last year we successfully advocated on and to progress work that was started behalf of business to bring reason to the with a Hunter strategy, in the defence Kristen Keegan Newcastle Show Holiday debate, it seems area. This region has solid foundations and Chief Executive Officer it’s a battle destined to be fought each extraordinary capacity to grow. year. We currently continue this debate with the hope that Newcastle and Lake I never get tired of seeing cranes in the Macquarie Council’s will take on board sky as a demonstrative step to progress a greater understanding of the impacts being made in our city. Over the past 12 of this holiday on the bottom line for months we have fought hard to ensure businesses in those local government that urban renewal has remained top of areas. the agenda and we are heartened by work that is already underway in our city and a Over the past twelve months, the Chamber commitment to progressing development has availed itself of every opportunity to even further. This is a great opportunity to be heard on the change that is needed to bring about some exciting and important give business some relief from the burden change for Newcastle and I am excited that of legislation as well as improving the our organisation is able to participate in operational climate across the Hunter. The bringing about that change. Hunter will continue to ring in the ears of elected representatives because we are The Chamber represents a wide range of there making sure that its infrastructure member organisations and we welcome needs are heard and its significance as an your input into the issues most relevant to economy is highlighted. you as we forge ahead with our goals to make a difference and provide a voice for The Chamber was invited to make Hunter business. submission to the Inquiry into the Future Role and Contribution of Regional Capitals to Australia and took the opportunity to raise the Hunter’s significant resources and leading edge organisations. The Hunter is Year in Review 2014/15 | 3 Page Proudly Sponsored by The Chamber Board of Directors The members of the Chamber elect a Board of Directors to set policy and direct the affairs of the organisation. The elected directors are able to appoint directors who in their opinion add particular knowledge, skills and experience in areas that are important to members. The elections occur every two years and were last held in October 2014. Board members as at 30 June 2015 are listed below. Alan ‘Ross’ Taggart (President) Ian Pettigrew (Snr Vice President) Jonathan Vandervoort Richard Anicich Managing Director, Managing Director, Pettigrew (Vice President) (Immediate Past President) Taggart Partners Family Funerals Executive General Manager – Partner, Sparke Helmore Hunter Valley, ARTC Vivienne ‘Viv’ Allanson Scott Brooks Sally Coddington Stephen Cowan CEO, Maroba Living Communities Client Manager, Maxim Managing Director, General Manager – NSW & VIC, Accounting & Business Advisors Curb-Cut Effects Pacific National Gillian Geraghty Lynn Mangovski Ian Penfold John Quaife Regional General Manager – Networking Development NSW Business Chamber Board Managing Director, JQ Northern NSW, APP Corporation Manager, Greater Building Society Representative Perspectives Tim Ryan Sharon Smith Steve Thomson Partner, AltusQ CEO, Hunter Valley Training Paladin Sports Technology Company 4 | Year in Review 2014/15 Page Proudly Sponsored by Chamber Committees The Chamber has long had a successful REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE system of committees through which Loretta Agnew URS members’ issues are addressed. Richard Anicich Sparke Helmore Lawyers The Committees are: Ian Banister Lindsay Dynan Regional Infrastructure Committee Ben Belfield Monteath & Powys Pty Ltd Gillian Geraghty, Chair Eddie Bernard NSW Trade & Investment Greg Essex, Deputy Chair Len Blakeney Newcastle Master Builders Association of NSW Awards and Honours Committee Ray Bowen Newcastle Airport Richard Anicich, Chair Elizabeth Bray URS Scot Brown Umwelt Business Development Forum Committee Tim Browne Umwelt Ian Pettigrew, Chair Alan Chapman SMEC Sally Coddington, Deputy Chair Amanda Coleman Port of Newcastle The list of member companies and Jason Condon EJE Architecture individuals who have generously given Frank Cordingley The City of Newcastle their time, energy and skills to serve on these committees follows. The Board David Crofts Strategy Hunter Consultants again thanks them on behalf of the Tim Crosdale Port Stephens Council business community of the region. Brian Cullinane SLR Consulting Martin Davenport SLR Consulting Tim De Grauw APD Power Greg Essex The City of Newcastle Josh Fullerton Coffey Gillian Geraghty APP Corporation David Gillies Goal Group Steven Good National Business Banking Centre Andrew Gresham BAE Systems Justin Hamilton Schreiber Hamilton Architecture Barry Hancock GHD Stephen Harmer Lend Lease Evelina Hendry NSW Trade & Investment Prue Isenhood SMEC Aaron Johansen Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group Rebecca Johnston Port of Newcastle Craig Johnston Vertel Year in Review 2014/15 | 5 Page Proudly Sponsored by REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE CONTINUED Nathan Juchau Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group John Kniest SMEC Sean Langdon Qube Ports Kelly Lofberg Mara Consulting Murray Lynch WasteChem Steve Madden Madden BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FORUM Sally Coddington Curb-Cut Effect Faith Eeson FOCCALE Safety Management Clive Jones Jonesci Pty Ltd Brigette Landy Forsythes Adam McDean BusinessBasics Ian Pettigrew Pettigrew Family Funerals Narelle Redman Silveradoh Promotional Products Staff Life Members The Chamber is staffed by a team of specialised people As at 30 June 2015 who work to support business in the Hunter. They work as a David Le Marchant cohesive link between members, the services and activities of Kyle Loades the Chamber and its partner NSW Business Chamber.