Boating Industry Association going national

The Boating Industry Association of NSW & SA has today announced the appointment of Howard Glenn as National Chief Executive Officer.

Howard Glenn is no stranger to the industry having held key and senior roles in the marine divisions of the NSW Government since 2008.  He has specialised in getting the private and community sectors working together with governments on complex problems. 

Mr Glen has had an extensive executive career in government, non-government organisations and the private sector. He spent the last seven years with NSW and nationally in leadership roles directing boating and maritime policy.

In his roles, he has worked closely with the industry to achieve many significant and timely milestones.  His previous roles in the ‘not-for-profit’ sector, combined with his understanding of the marine industry made him the ideal person to lift the industry in the coming years.

Alan Blake, President of the Boating Industry Association of NSW & SA said: "Our work with the Boards of the BIA of Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia has made some positive and significant steps in recent months to expedite the nationalisation of the BIA."

"Queensland and Northern Territory will be formally incorporated into the group imminently, with Western Australian discussions moving positively with the hope that will be finalised early in the New Year.  The Houseboat Hirers Association of SA will become a Division of the BIA by year end and in-turn work to nationalise their good work," Mr Blake added.

This process of the national amalgamation is not new, with discussion about improving efficiencies and creating a united industry body on the table for almost 10 years. 

Darren Vaux, Chairman of the Boating Industries Alliance Australia said: "The time arrived when we had to stand back and look at ourselves as an industry body and ask if we need to find new ways to better serve our industry.  We exist for the purposes of seeing our members prosper and we do this through our advocacy, promotion of the boating lifestyle and empowerment of our members to get a better return for their business efforts."

"The nationalisation of the BIA will see the current national body morphed into the new national and amalgamated BIA, with a restructure to help deliver better results for industry.  Howard Glenn is the person that will oversee this transformation and drive our industry through its work in the future," Mr Vaux said in a ringing endorsement.

With the ongoing effort for the national amalgamation of the state Association bodies, the BIA Board of Directors identified the need to appoint a national CEO to continue the positive work done to date, and build a harmonious, efficient and fit for purpose industry body for the benefit of its industry members and the recreational boating lifestyle.

The Boating Industry Association of NSW & SA successfully amalgamated late in 2014 and in doing so lay the foundation for other willing states to join the fold.  The BIA of Victoria has been invited to engage with the amalgamation process.

Alan Blake said: "Our ability to have Howard join and lead the BIA team is a windfall for the recreational boating industry nationally. His background and expertise will lift the current team’s ability to better achieve our industry objectives.  Howard is not replacing any individual, but will be looking to utilise the extensive industry knowledge and expertise that currently exists within the BIA to build on our current efficiencies and output nationally."