The state’s peak business organisation Business NSW has appointed a new Regional Director supported by a newly elected Regional Advisory Council to boost the voice of business leaders in New England North West.
Ms Diane Gray has joined Business NSW as Regional Director for New England North West as the business advocacy organisation continues to double down on its investment to support regional business.
“At a time when businesses in Regional NSW are facing a myriad of challenges, including skills and labour shortages, regional housing constraints and inflationary pressures, Business NSW is doubling down on our focus on Regional NSW to give business leaders a bigger voice to make sure their contribution is amplified and heard by decision makers,” Business NSW CEO, Daniel Hunter said.
“This senior appointment will ensure that business needs around the region are heard and represented at the most senior levels of government.” Mr Hunter said.
Ms Gray will be supported by a newly elected Business NSW Regional Advisory Council New England North West. Members of the Regional Advisory Council form a peak business reference group made up of a cross section of industry and business sizes to progress solutions to regional challenges.
Previously acting for the region, Paula Martin Business NSW Executive Director Regional NSW says the time to accelerate an advocacy platform for business couldn’t be better.
“Whilst New England North West continues to contribute around a fifth of NSW’s agricultural output, we are seeing incredible regional innovation in emerging industry such as mining, manufacturing, education and health services.
“But the primary challenge hampering growth is attracting and retaining talent. Our members tell us that it starts with the region competing against others for being an attractive destination to live work and play.
“There is much work ahead of us to build the right environment for business to thrive and we will start with a programme of thought leadership to actively shape and contribute to the future economic vision that is future fit for New England North West.
“When Regional NSW goes well, so goes the rest of NSW and the nation. We look forward to working with Ms Gray and the Regional Advisory Council to unlock a new wave of economic and social opportunities for this community,” Ms Martin said.
About Diane Gray
Diane is a regional leader with over 23 years’ experience working and studying in the New England North West. She is a passionate advocate for the region and has a career spanning economic and regional development, product development and commercialisation, business advisory and coaching and mentoring. She also briefly served on Armidale Regional Council just before it was put into administration.
Diane worked as the Strengthening Business Facilitator supporting businesses impacted by natural disaster and Covid and working with them to regain resilience and growth.
Most recently Diane worked as Regional Manager for AusIndustry for Northern Inland and Mid North Coast, which has only continued to deepened her passion as an advocate and connector for business and leaders in this region.
Top image: Diane Grey (L) will replace Paula Martin (R) who has been acting in the role of Regional director New England North West