Former Illawarra Business Chamber executive director Chris Lamont is to be the next Small Business Commissioner for NSW.
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Mr Lamont will take up the position in mid June after leaving his present role as general manager for Capital Projects and Infrastructure with the City of Melbourne.
Prior to that Mr Lamont led the NSW Business Chamber's policy and advocacy division.
A role he took up in 2018 after being based at the Illawarra Business Chamber and Illawarra First for two years.
During his time in the Illawarra Mr Lamont led significant developments in the region's infrastructure advocacy, most notably in support of a South West Illawarra Rail Link (SWIRL).
He was Illawarra Business Chamber executive director Adam Zarth's predecessor.
Mr Zarth described Mr Lamont's appointment as the next Small Business Commissioner for NSW as a great win for the state and the Illawarra region.
"Chris is not only a highly-regarded champion of small business, but a strong advocate for the Illawarra, as was demonstrated during his time at the helm of the Illawarra Business Chamber," Mr Zarth said.
"Chris also has a strong background in the private sector and in government, so he understands acutely the issues confronting both business and government at a time when strong leadership and decision making is required.
"A Commissioner with an appreciation for the state's regions will be especially welcome as we continue to manage the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and chart what may be a long and difficult recovery.
"Chris remains well-regarded across the Illawarra to this day, and I know that everyone at the Illawarra Business Chamber and all of our members will wish Chris every success in his new role."
"We are greatly looking forward to working with him, the Minister for Small Business and the Treasurer to support businesses through the Illawarra's economic recovery".
Looking back on his time as the executive director of Illawarra First and The Illawarra Business Chamber Mr Lamont said he will always remember how welcoming and inclusive people in the region are. How willing everyone is to look at things differently. And how keen they are to hear an outsider's view.
"Ultimately I have never seen so much passion within a particular region," Mr Lamont said.
"And a real parochialism which I think is a great thing.
"I think there are so many opportunities in the Illawarra region".
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
