High-profile company director Tony Howarth has been elected president of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Australia's peak national employer and business organisation.
High-profile company director Tony Howarth has been elected president of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Australia's peak national employer and business organisation.
High-profile company director Tony Howarth has been elected president of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Australia's peak national employer and business organisation.
Mr Howarth is an independent company director and is currently chairman of Home Building Society Limited, Mermaid Marine Australia Limited and St John of God Health Care Board.
He is also a Director of Wesfarmers Limited and AWB Limited and is a member of the Senate of the University of Western Australia and Deputy Chair of the University's Business School.
He is a former chairman of Alinta Ltd and was managing director of Challenge Bank Limited.
Mr Howarth told the ACCI annual general meeting on Friday he was looking forward to leading the ACCI Board over the next two years
"ACCI congratulates Mr Kevin Rudd and his team in winning the election and ACCI looks forward to working with the new government," he said.
He noted that he had already written to the new Prime Minister seeking an early meeting.
Mr Howarth said the Board considered that the ACCI secretariat had performed outstandingly over the last year and had delivered what they have been asked to do by the Board.
"Mr Peter Hendy and the staff have the full support of the ACCI Board...It is important for ACCI to maintain the quality and consistency of its policy work and advocating that strongly".
CCI WA congratulated Mr Howarth on his appointment.
CCI chief executive John Langoulant said Mr Howarth, a past CCI WA President and current board member, brought to the role a wealth of knowledge and a thorough understanding of local business issues.
"The elevation of a West Australian to the prestigious position is a boost to the state's business reputation and reaffirms its importance as a major contributor to the nation's economic success," Mr Langoulant said in a statement.
"Mr Howarth's appointment will also ensure the interests of WA business and industry are properly heard at a national level."