Small Business Commissioner, David Eaton PSM, has announced he will not be renewing his contract at the end of his current five year term in January 2025. David shares the following message for the SBDC’s clients, collaborators and stakeholders.
As valued clients and stakeholders of the SBDC, I would like to share with you a significant organisational, and personal, update.
I was appointed as the inaugural Small Business Commissioner in 2012 and my current five year tenure ends January 16, 2025.
The Public Sector Commissioner, with the support of the Minister for Small Business, Hon Jackie Jarvis MLC and the SBDC Board, asked me to consider another term. After careful deliberation, I have made the decision that it is now time for me to move into a new phase, personally and professionally.
It has been a privilege to serve the small business community of Western Australia as Small Business Commissioner and CEO of the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) for the last 13 years. I am extremely proud of how our agency has supported the sector over this period, including through various economic ups and downs, and the incredible disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic. The milestone of the SBDC’s 40th anniversary this year has given me and my team the chance to reflect on the many achievements and evolution of the agency over the four decades, and I’m honoured to have played a small part in that story.
The Public Sector Commission will now commence a national recruitment process. I will remain as Small Business Commissioner and CEO until this process is concluded.
I am very confident that, with the support of our Minister, Board, leadership team and dedicated staff, the SBDC is well placed to continue its valuable support of the WA business community into the next decade.
I have worked with many extremely talented and passionate individuals, not only within the SBDC, but more broadly across WA and Australia, too many to acknowledge individually.
I want to thank my family for their support during my tenure, particularly my wife Heather. I am looking forward to the next phase of life, which includes spending time with my new granddaughter and contributing to our community on other capacities, in due course.
Thank you all for your support during the past 13 years. I look forward to catching up with many stakeholders and colleagues over the coming months and facilitating a smooth transition for my successor.
