Date posted: March 3, 2015

lorrain Willis Compressed

The winds of change have been blowing fiercely in WA during the last few months, bringing with them a new (old) State Manager, new corporate partnerships and an exciting 2015 event calendar.

 Our longer term members will already know me from my past role with FBA, for those new members, perhaps a little background information on your new State Manager would be welcome. I worked in the role of State Manager WA for a period of 5 years, leaving in 2013 to pursue a different career path. This journey didn’t exactly lead me where I had expected, a little like leaving the family business because you think there has to be an easier, more rewarding or less stressful option. But as so many family members discover, the grass isn’t always greener and the values, culture and passion that family business represent are a hard act to follow. So I find myself excited about returning to work again with our incredible family business and adviser members, to support you and your family business through whatever changes and challenges the year presents.

Many of you will know our adviser members Paul Kordic and Amanda Kailis, who have both recently joined Jarmen McKenna Lawyers, taking with them their passion for the family business sector and have hence been instrumental in forming a partnership between Jarmen McKenna and Family Business Australia. I will share more about the support from this new corporate partner in the next newsletter.

The Family Business 2015 events kicked off on February 12th with a social (if slightly competitive) lawn bowling tournament at the Mosman Park Bowling Club which apart from providing a great view also gave members the opportunity to reconnect after the holiday season. Our next event on the 26th February was the lively topic of Developing the Next Generation For Future Success. We gathered at the iconic Lionel Samson Cellars where Donella Casperz expertly facilitated the discussion with Next Gen members, Gen Bailey and Hale Preston-Samson, who shared their very different experiences of working in a family business. The presentation was enlightening, honest and humorous, leaving guests with more food for thought on how best to develop the next generation for success.

Whether you are seeking learning through shared family business experiences, formal educational courses or the ongoing strategic support of a forum group, the 2015 event calendar offers something for everyone. Our next event on the 25th March is the Leading Lights – insights in family business leadership breakfast being hosted by JB Were. Its promising to be an educational and inspirational presentation, watch your inbox for your invitation or click here for more information.

 Thank you to all those who have welcomed me so warmly back to FBA, I hope to meet all our new members over the coming months and please feel free to contact me if I can be of any assistance.

Lorraine Willis

State Manager WA

0458 055 980