New COSBOA chairman Geoff Fader to deliver personal approach to small business

The Council of Small Businesses of Australia has voted in Geoff Fader of the Tasmanian Small Business Council as its new chairman to replace Bob Stanton, with executive director Peter Strong saying the appointment will deliver “plenty of experience”.

Fader was the head of advertising agency Leo Burnett for nearly two decades, and was formerly chief executive of the Agricultural Society of Tasmania. He is also a life member of the Australian Marketing Institute, having served as both state and federal president.

“He brings so much experience,” Strong says. “His focus is that small business is about people. We need to start thinking about it like that, and Geoff has a big focus there. We’re going to continue operating in that manner.”

Fader was contacted this morning but was unavailable for comment. In a statement, he said that outgoing chairman Bob Stanton had delivered a “bedrock” for COSBOA.

“He has helped put a human face onto small business and I am pleased that he will continue to be involved with COSBOA as a Director,” he says.

“He will continue to provide the experience and the advice that can only be provided by someone who has run his own business and has also been an active long term advocate for the people who run business. I am humbled to be chosen to succeed Bob and hope I can achieve the same quality outcomes.”

Stanton also said that he was pleased to see Fader will be taking over, and that “in the end, it is the rights of a small business owner we are fighting for, the right to be treated as a person and only be asked to do compliance that is necessary and achievable”.

Fader also announced a number of new appointments, including Ken Phillips of Independent Contractors of Australia as the new deputy chairman. Domenic Greco, the executive director of the Convenience and Mixed Business Enterprise Network, was also named as a new director.

“The COSBOA board is strong and united in its will to firmly argue the case of fairness and equity for the individuals in their own business,” Fader said.