Hunter Business Chamber has welcomed a new President among four new Directors announced at its Annual General Meeting at Souths Merewether on Friday.
Following the director election, Port Waratah Coal Services CEO, Hennie du Plooy was appointed President of the Hunter’s peak business and industry organisation for the next two years, leading a board that includes several other new faces in Senior Vice-President Tony Rhodes, Vice-President Jane Moran and Director Lauren Eyles.
Outgoing President, Jonathan Vandervoort will continue on the executive as the Immediate Past President.
Hennie said he was honoured to accept the presidency of the Hunter Business Chamber and wanted to continue fostering a positive and mutually beneficial relationship between the business sector and the Hunter community.
“I support a regional future of sustainable economic growth that improves all aspects of the wellbeing of the Hunter,” Hennie said.
“The path to prosperity is a partnership and it is the trust of the community that gives business and industry the licence to operate.”
The full board of the Hunter Business Chamber includes:
- President – Hennie du Plooy (Port Waratah Coal Services)
- Senior Vice President –Tony Rhodes (Mullanes and Prophase Electrical)
- Vice President – Jane Moran (Aurecon)
- Local Chambers of Commerce rep – Gillian Maxlow (Maxedout Solutions)
- NSW Business Chamber rep – Ian Penfold (NSWBC Board director)
- Immediate Past President – Jonathan Vandervoort (ARTC)
- Director – Narelle Redman (Silveradoh Promotional Products)
- Director – Geoff Crowe (Independent Consultant and Director)
- Director – Lauren Eyles (Head of Public Affairs, Hunter Water)
- Director – Peter Gesling (Chair, Newcastle Airport)
Long-serving past Presidents, Richard Anicich and Ross Taggart, were amongst five directors to retire from or leave the board, along with past Senior Vice-President Gillian Geraghty, past Vice President Sharon Smith, and Jennie Lyons, who stood down as Local Chambers of Commerce representative earlier in the year.
Hunter Business Chamber CEO, Bob Hawes thanked the departing directors for their contributions and said he looked forward to working with the new board to support and advocate for business, industry and the Hunter community.
“This is an exciting time for the region in which our traditional industries are generally performing well and new opportunities for economic growth and diversification are emerging,” Bob said.
“We also face state and federal elections in the first half of 2019 and it will be a priority of the board to position the chamber and the region to take the interests of business forward.”
In addition to the new board, the Hunter Business Chamber has also made key staff appointments in recent months. Brad Rogers was appointed Commercial Manager in September and Amy De Lore took up the role of Policy and Public Affairs Manager in October.
IMAGE | Chamber CEO Bob Hawes, incoming President Hennie du Ploy and outgoing President Jonathan Vandervoort. Photo credit is AGM Photography.
