Rodwell to lead CCI

Australia’s former Trade Commissioner to Mexico, Central America and the Carribean, Chris Rodwell, will take the reins of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA in February, replacing Deidre Willmott.

Mr Rodwell served as a commissioner for four years, with a focus on agribusiness, advanced manufacturing, resources and education.

Previously, he was Queensland’s trade and investment representative in the Americas, and director of the Australian Industry Group in Queensland.

He was also a member of former Queensland premier Anna Bligh’s employment taskforce for a year.

Mr Rodwell said the business community underpinned Western Australia’s prosperity, and his priority would be to pursue a regulatory climate that supports innovation.

(Businesses) are essential to building not only our economy but the communities in which they operate,” he said.

“To achieve greater prosperity there can be no pause on economic reform.

“We must shape and challenge the policy agenda to ensure WA businesses are best placed to navigate the next era of globalisation.

“Advocating for a regulatory framework that inspires innovation, and inserting WA businesses into global value chains will be central to our future success.

“My commitment is for CCI to be the most contemporary reflection of the business community it represents.

“WA has an extraordinary pool of talent and expertise to draw upon. It is time for optimism, time to capitalise, and time for a new era of growth.”

CCI president Ray Sputore said Mr Rodwell had a track record of building relationships across business and government, and was supported across the political spectrum.

Business News revealed in September that Ms Willmott would move on from the organisation’s leadership after starting the role in 2014.

Mr Sputore said she had transformed the chamber into a more modern and sustainable advocate for business.