The Canberra Business Chamber Board announced today that Chief Executive Officer Graham Catt has advised of his resignation.

Mr Catt has accepted a new role as the CEO of Independent Schools Australia (ISA), the national peak body for the independent school sector. Chamber Chairman Archie Tsirimokos said that Mr Catt had provided leadership to the Chamber and the business community over a challenging and volatile period.

Mr Tsirimokos said: “Graham worked closely with the Chamber board to develop a strategy that focussed our organisation on influence, advocacy, and value for members.”

“During his time as CEO, our organisation and members faced unprecedented challenges including the significant impact of the COVID pandemic, and the bushfires of 2019-2020. Graham led the Chamber and the business community through these, advocating tirelessly for business, and fostering greater community, media, and government recognition of the contribution the private sector makes to Canberra. Despite the turbulent operating environment, our membership has increased, and Graham successfully restructured operations to reduce costs, create opportunities to increase income, and use our resources more efficiently to deliver value for members.”

Mr Catt said: “I’ve enjoyed and greatly valued my time with the Chamber, which has given me an enormous respect for the diversity and impact of the ACT private sector. It has been a privilege to serve as a voice for the local business community. I’d like to thank the board and our chairman Archie Tsirimokos, who have helped guide the Chamber though an often-difficult time.”

“The Chamber team is passionate about supporting our members, and they harness the goodwill and energy of the business community to consistently deliver outcomes that exceed expectations. While there are challenging times ahead for business, I’m confident that the Chamber is in a strong position and ready for a change of leadership.”

“While the decision to move on has been a difficult one, this is a time of great challenge and opportunity for Australia and globally, and I’m excited to have been offered the opportunity to contribute to the national agenda as the CEO of Independent Schools Australia. School education is key to our future development as a Nation, and with two school aged daughters, my passion for good policy outcomes in this area is personal as well as professional.“

Mr Catt will remain in his role with the Chamber until April, and the Board will undertake a recruitment process to find a CEO with the appropriate skills and experience to lead the chamber through its next stage of development.

-ENDS-

Media Contact: Graham Catt, 6247 4199