There has never been a better time to be part of AustCham Shanghai. Spirits are high, activities and events are constant, and the end of our 2011/2012 financial year showed our Chamber to be in the strongest position of our 18-year history.

 

We have welcomed a 20 percent growth in members since last year, with a current base of more than 435 corporate and individual members including 134 new members, 246 renewed members and 49 individual members.

 

In June, we thanked and celebrated Kate Pollitt for her five years of dedicated service as Executive Director. Kate was the heart and soul of our Chamber for the time she was with us, and created the friendly warmth that has come to define the AustCham Shanghai Secretariat.

Her key milestones included more than doubling the membership size of our Chamber during her time with us, overseeing five Aussie Balls and Annual General Meetings (AGMs), and hosting the AustCham Westpac Australia-China Business Awards in Shanghai for the first time.

 

Congratulations and welcome to new Executive Director James O’Loughlin, who has more than 20 years experience in marketing, publishing and customer account management across small dynamic enterprises and large international companies. James has contributed significantly to AustCham Shanghai as Membership Manager since early 2011 and we look forward to his continued drive and engagement with our community.

 

Our AGM at the King & Wood Mallesons (Shanghai) office in June was an opportunity to reflect on our achievements and activities, including hosting more than 140 events for over 4,500 people last year, and elect six new Board Directors for the 2012-2014 term. Thank you sincerely to Kim Gilliland, David Rosenthal and Andrew Whitford for your contributions to the Chamber as part of the Board. I have also stepped down, and would like to thank the Board and members for your support over the years.

 

As an AustCham Shanghai community, we are committed to continuing to provide first-class events, networking opportunities and business support services to progress and support our network.

 

Look out for our new National Australia Bank Mates Rates program, with member offer deals from our members. This is an innovative program proposed and launched by James O’Loughlin with some great benefits.

 

We were recently privileged to host the Australian Ambassador to China, Her Excellency Ms Frances Adamson, and Minister for Resources and Energy and Minister for Tourism the Hon. Martin Ferguson AM MP to present briefings to members. We also launched our new Human Resources Series of workshops and events, and are gearing up for a steady stream of high-quality functions with Rubina Bulot as new Events & Sponsorship Manager.

 

On the social side, it was great to see our community out in force at the Aussie-Kiwi Summer BBQ and the AustCham Shanghai-BritCham Cricket Day in June.

 

Get set for the annual highlight of the Shanghai expatriate social calendar, our Great Australian Ball XVII on Saturday, September 8.

 

We are also pleased to have launched our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) One Step at a Time project, which provides opportunities for member and friends’ involvement. It additionally provides a CSR solution for corporate members through AustCham Shanghai.

 

We welcome you to get increasingly involved in our community. Please stay in touch while you are living in or doing business within the Yangtze River Delta region. As a Chamber, we’re here to help, and I know new leadership will further invigorate and strengthen our network. ■

 

DAVID KEIR

 

 

*Pictured: Australian Ambassador to China, Her Excellency Ms Frances Adamson with AustCham Shanghai Platinum Member Representatives.

AustCham SH Board 2012-2013

 

Craig Aldous – Elders

Peter Arkell – Swann Global

Danny Armstrong – NAB

James Campbell – ANZ

Andrew Hogg – Qantas

Peter Kinnane – Off-Site Connections

Ben Lyons – Dulwich College

Tim Lyons – ManageChina

Bob Moore – BlueScope Steel

Michael Wadley – Ashurst

 

 

*For AustCham Shanghai news, member contact details and upcoming events visit www.austchamshanghai.com