The SBDC is governed by a Board, drawn from the private sector under the auspices of the Small Business Development Corporation Act 1983. The eight-member SBDC Board meets on a monthly basis to consider issues relevant to the direction and operation of the Corporation.

As the SBDC’s governing body, the Board has responsibility for performing the functions set out in the Small Business Development Corporation Act 1983.

The SBDC Board has four strategic roles:

• direction of the organisation
• determination of standards
• coordination of planning, policies, and decision-making frameworks
• acting in an advisory capacity to the Minister, the Government and other agencies.

Operational roles of the Board include:

• setting strategies
• focusing on client service and customer needs
• striving for organisational best practice and compliance with standards
• delegation of operational decision-making to officers within the SBDC.

Patria Jafferies - Chair

Patria Jafferies was appointed Chairman of the SBDC Board on 30 April 2007, a role to which she brings considerable expertise gained over twenty years with such well known Australian entities as Dome Coffees Australia, Matilda Bay Brewing Company, Cullen Wines and the Reserve Bank of Australia. Ms Jafferies was named Australian National Telstra Businesswoman of the Year in 2000, and in 1995 won the Austrade New Exporter of the Year Award and the AIM Excellence in Management Award for Women.

Larissa Beeson

Larissa Beeson has been a member of the SBDC Board since December 2004. Ms Beeson is also Regional Head of Transaction Banking WA/SA, Institutional Bank at the ANZ Bank and has worked with many business groups ranging in size from small to large, and with women in business during her career. Additionally Ms Beeson, together with her husband, operates a furniture upholstery business.

Geoff Brayshaw

Geoff Brayshaw was appointed to the SBDC Board in January 2005. Mr Brayshaw is a Non Executive Director, Audit Committee Chairman of the Fortescue Metals Group Limited and Poseidon Nickel Limited and Non- Executive Director, Audit Committee Chairman of Forton Insurance Group Limited. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Associate of the Institute of Company Directors and past National President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Chris Jones

Chris Jones was appointed to the SBDC Board in December 2004 and is a Director of Chris Jones Plumbing which services the Pilbara, Gascoyne and Mid West regions with bases in both Port Hedland and Kalbarri. He is Past President of the Port Hedland Chamber of Commerce and former Councillor of the Town of Port Hedland. Mr Jones is also Deputy Chair of the WA Plumbers’ Licensing Board, representing regional plumbers throughout Western Australia and a current member of the Mid West Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Ray Mountney

Ray Mountney was appointed to the Board in August 2009 following his very successful business career in the motor industry. As owner and Managing Director of Fennessy Holden and Nissan in Busselton, Ray has also served as State delegate to the National Franchise Councils of Holden and Nissan, and been active within the broader community of the South West, holding executive positions with the Busselton Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Centre Vasse. Ray brings a set of skills which complement those of our existing board members.

Paul Niardone

Paul Niardone joined the Board in April 2007. He is currently Executive Director of Professional Public Relations (WA), a Director of Meridian Minerals, Murdoch University Senator, Advisory Board Member of Perth Glory Football Club and a Member of the Institute of Company Directors. Mr Niardone has extensive experience in business and was the Manager of the Peel Region Business Enterprise Centre.

Kitty Prodonovich

Kitty Prodonovich was appointed to the Board in May 2008 and took up her position in September 2008. Ms Prodonovich has owned and operated a number of small businesses, including two award winning businesses in the Goldfields. She was the recipient of the Goldfields Young Achiever Award and winner of the 2002 Goldfields Business of the Year. She was elected the youngest executive member of the Kalgoorlie Boulder Chamber of Commerce and Industry and is a past president. Ms Prodonovich is currently the President of the Regional Chambers of Commerce and Industry in WA and Business Manager at Como Engineers.

Stephen Moir (Member ex-officio)

Stephen Moir was appointed Managing Director of the SBDC in June 2007, having acted in the position since July 2006. Mr Moir was previously the Director, Business Facilitation Services. He has a background in retail, tourism, business management, and human resource development.

Back to top