Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Australia (CCIWA) President Ms Nicki Ivory has confirmed Chief Executive Officer, Chris Rodwell, will step down in March 2025, after seven years in the role.
The Board of CCIWA acknowledges and thanks Mr Rodwell for his stewardship of the state’s largest and most representative business network.
“During Chris’s tenure, CCIWA led the campaign that delivered WA a fairer share of the GST. We also continue to push hard for policy reform across the broad sweep of tax and regulatory issues, particularly the recent industrial relations and environmental regulation reforms,” Ms Ivory said.
“Chris has led the organisation through some significant challenges for our business community, including tireless work during the COVID-19 pandemic to advocate for WA businesses and help them recover.”
“Importantly, we recognise that business is an integral part of our community and many of our members are small businesses that rely on a strong business voice. Under Chris’s leadership we also tackled complex societal and economic issues that create barriers for women and people with disabilities to participate in the workforce.
“From a commercial perspective, the organisation has transformed. This includes new partnerships, with Epigroup in workplace health and safety and Optima Partners for accounting and taxation advice to small and mid-sized businesses.
“Chris departs at the end of his contract with our very best wishes,” Ms Ivory said.
Mr Rodwell said it had been a privilege to be part of CCIWA’s 134-year legacy of advancing trade and commerce in Western Australia.
“It’s a real honour to serve the people in this State who put their capital at risk, especially the thousands of businesses that choose to be our members. It’s their commitment to trade and commerce that will continue to transform the wealth of the State and the nation,” Mr Rodwell said.
“My family and I have made the difficult decision to leave the State we’ve called home for seven years to return to Sydney. We will leave with an unbreakable connection to this great State and its boundless opportunities. Our twin sons are headed to university next year and we’ve decided it’s the right time for our younger two, who both have intellectual disabilities, to be closer to family.”
The CCIWA Board will continue to work through its established succession process and has commenced recruitment for its next CEO.
