TWO key bodies representing small businesses, the Combined Small Business Association of WA and the Small Business Alliance, have merged.
The new organisation, which is expected to have between 40 and 60 member organisations ranging from industry councils and small business associations to local chambers of commerce, will be called the Combined Small Business Alliance.
Ironically, CoSBA was one of the founding members of the SBA.
Local Chambers, a group formed by Victoria Park businessman Charles Bellow, has elected not to join the new group even though it was a member of the SBA.
Small Business Alliance president Cheryl Thompson has been elected president of the new organisation and Hairdressers Association president Les Marshall has been elected vice-president.
CoSBA president Oliver Moon has been appointed CEO of the new organisation.
Mr Moon said the idea behind the merger had been to build a much broader based organisation.
“This way we can offer a coherent voice on small business issues,” he said.
“We’ll be working on expanding the membership further.”
