The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia, a national body representing the rights of small businesses, this week announced the retirement of Peter Strong, who was CEO over the last decade. He has played a substantial role in supporting Australia’s small businesses over the past decade, and been intimately involved in key policy areas affecting small business, including industrial relations and vocational training, as well as the introduction of policies such as Single Touch Payroll and e-invoicing. 

Alexi Boyd who took over as interim CEO, will be sworn in as the new CEO. Matthew Addison, COSBOA Chairman was elated to welcome Boyd as the new CEO and is looking forward to a  new phase of COSBOA’s growth and future of business advocacy. She has extensive experience in small business advocacy and also maintains contacts and good relations across the industry. Boyd was already serving as the interim CEO since June 2021, and will continue to represent COSBOA. She  hopes to build on Strong’s legacy and carry on developing the honest and dependable foundation that he raised. 

On his (partial) retirement, Strong mentioned the fantastic work that COSBOA has pulled off in the last 18 months of the pandemic. Small business associations showed their mettle and resilience, and were supported completely by the various state small business commissioners; and other stakeholders. He mentioned that their experience, knowledge and skills added depth to COSBOA’s advocacy. 

Strong also said that he had taken a sabbatical and will not fully retire. He will provide his guidance and support on matters related to small businesses and issues based on policy development, advocacy, and the well-being of the self-employed and their workers.