ABOUT – Adelaide Business Collective

Adelaide Business Collective is a not-for-profit body that works on behalf of its business members in the City and North Adelaide to create a vibrant and prosperous business environment.

The independent 'BUSINESS VOICE' for the ADELAIDE CBD

WHO ARE WE?

The Adelaide Business Collective represents over 300 businesses based in the CBD and North Adelaide. Since forming as an incorporated body in 2018 the group has advocated for a Feasibility Study into the positive impacts that a Citywide Business Model could have on the economic performance of the CBD. Council completed a study in 2019 with input from our ABC Member survey that highlighted business needs and priorities. The ABC Committee presented the findings of our Member survey to Council to help shape the next stage in the development of a Citywide Model. In 2020 we worked alongside Council on behalf of businesses to ensure their business voice was heard. Following additional consultation the Adelaide Economic Development Agency (AEDA) was launched in 2021 and the ABC provides a valuable link between AEDA and CBD and North Adelaide businesses. We continue to lobby for an independent business-led Citywide Business Improvement District that would be tested with a Pilot model to demonstrate the benefits.

WHY ARE WE HERE?

The Adelaide Business Collective was created initially with the main purpose of investigating the feasibility of creating a best practice business led Citywide Business Model to represent City businesses and support them as they faced challenges from suburban centres and online retail and now post pandemic effects. More than 3000 Cities and Towns overseas including Auckland, Dublin and London are reaping the benefits of business partnerships such as Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) that bring businesses together making them more resilient. The consistent focus of the ABC has been to work with all City business stakeholders to develop a City-wide business group that is inclusive, transparent, accountable, collaborative and effective. We have worked constructively with the City of Adelaide, elected members and key precincts to educate and inform key stakeholders about the benefits of BIDs. We have also presented our case to the State Government for due consideration. The NSW Government has embraced the BID concept by establishing a New Sydney Waterfront BID and developing a new PILOT program to encourage more communities to set up BIDs. We applaud this positive action.

WHAT ARE OUR AIMS?

Ensure the voice of all retail, hospitality and service businesses in the City is heard
Define the business priorities from the broader business community and ensure they are being addressed
Represent the views of our Members City-wide to Council and State Government
Engage with our City business Members through surveys and communications to understand and meet their needs
Leverage promotional activity and marketing campaigns to ensure the optimal benefits for businesses
Develop a collaborative working arrangement with the Adelaide Economic Development Agency and Council
Work closely with Rundle Mall, Adelaide Central Market, Precincts, mainstreet businesses and independents
Consider opportunities that may reduce business costs for ABC Members
Engage with property owners to attract new businesses and reduce vacancies
Partner with key agencies and the State Government to drive economic growth in the City
Develop a Terms of Reference with AEDA as a key partner
Promote best practice models such as Business Improvement Districts
Launch a PILOT program to test the benefits of this modern concept

WHAT HAVE WE ACHIEVED SO FAR?

Established an Incorporated Association called the Adelaide Business Collective (2018)
Developed a business and retail sector skills-based Committee representative of the various business sectors and geographical locations of the City and North Adelaide (2018)
Sought funding from the City of Adelaide (Council) to conduct a Feasibility Study of a Citywide business partnership consistent with overseas models of Business Improvement Districts (Council provided funding for the Study in 2019)
Ensured that our ABC Members including traders in Rundle Mall, Central Market and Precinct Groups were engaged in the Feasibility Study (online consultation, Members survey)
Shared outcomes with ABC Members and stakeholders, to progress with Council to a 3-year pilot period. The ABC welcomes the new ADELAIDE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY that commenced operating in January 2021
We lobbied Council & the new Agency to establish an Advisory Committee to represent the business sector right across the City and this has been achieved. Andrew Wallace and David West have served on the Committee from 2021-2023.
Jaimee Charlton an important ABC Committee Member has been appointed to the AEDA Board.

THE ABC COMMITTEE

DAVID WEST – CHAIRMAN

David is an experienced shopping centre manager (10 years), Rundle Mall Manager (6 years) and a retail consultant for over 20 years. He was instrumental in forming the Rundle Mall Management Authority in 2008 which moved under AEDA in 2021. David is a founding member of the Adelaide Business Collective and he believes a City BID could deliver excellent outcomes for the city.

David developed and implemented the 2015-2020 Experience Adelaide City Retail Strategy working for Council. Has written Retail Strategies for Christchurch NZ, Queanbeyan, Fremantle, Parramatta and Fed Square Melbourne. He is author of Mainstreet Management – Successful Retail Strategies that was released in 2017 and has sold 500 copies.

FIONA KRAWCZYK – DEPUTY CHAIR

Fiona is a senior manager and head of marketing at Haigh’s Chocolates. Fiona’s key responsibilities include the company’s marketing strategy, leadership, online store, digital presence, customer experiences, pricing, product development, brand and communications functions. Fiona leads the development of strategic marketing plans and their implementation, the management of marketing operations and activity including PR, customer experiences, events, digital, print, radio & sponsorship.

Fiona is a strategic thinker, capable leader, dedicated, efficient, loyal and hardworking. She thrives on fast paced environments and can manage several projects at a time. I’m engaging and approachable and have an inherent understanding of consumers, the customer experience and the marketplace. Fiona is a member of TEC (The Executive Connection) and have been involved with, and led, community committees and boards, including a board position at the Rundle Mall Management Authority (RMMA) in 2020.

ANDREW WALLACE – SECRETARY

Andrew Wallace is the president of the Adelaide West End Association and an advocate for improving business conditions in this part of Adelaide for the last 15 years. He sits on the West End Reference Group and the Lord Mayor’s Hindley St Roundtable.

Andrew has been part of the foundation group of the ABC for the last 5 years and has been Chair since 2020. Andrew is program director of Interior Architecture and Creative Industries at UniSA and a recipient of Mainstreet SA’s most valuable contribution to a main street award. As an interior Designer he has delivered projects in Adelaide, Sydney, London, for major corporates, furniture manufacturers, property developers and major infrastructure organisations. He is a past president of the Design Institute of Australia (SA).

MICHAEL GRAY – TREASURER

Michael Gray is Managing Partner of DFK GRAY PERRY a CBD based Chartered Accountancy practice.

Michael provides leadership to the firm and as a business owner is well placed to deliver valuable advice to a wide variety of business combining good communication style and technical skill with a business approach. His passion for SME has seen his career span educator, publisher and community involvement.

Michael was Chair of the City South Precent in the CBD for many years and he also sat on the board of The Fringe.

JAIMEE CHARLTON – COMMITTEE MEMBER

Jaimee Charlton is a career retailer with experience in global retail innovation and operations. Jaimee’s experience covers brand management, PR and advertising, internal and external CX, leasing, innovation leadership and digital innovation across a diverse range of ventures and projects. Jaimee is currently General Manager, Operations (GMO) at Spendless Shoes, the largest footwear chain in Australia, proudly based out of Adelaide with a store in the city in James Place.

Previous notable experience includes a global role for retailer The Cotton On Group, and an advisory role for the Art Gallery of South Australia. Jaimee joined the Adelaide Business Collective because she is passionate about providing, building, and shaping platforms for success for businesses in Adelaide to thrive. Outside of her work, Jaimee is busy with her young family keeping her on her toes.

SCOTT MOSEN – COMMITTEE MEMBER

Scott is passionate about purpose-led organisations and building better communities. He has broad experience in retail management and the NFP sector. During his tenure as National Director Business Development and Innovation, Scott led changes to the National Heart Foundation’s call centre that significantly increased its awareness and use – supporting health professionals, people living with heart disease, their families and carers across Australia.

Scott was previously the Business Development Manager for the Cancer Council. He is a Fellow of the Governor’s Leadership Foundation, Board Member of the Leader’s Institute of South Australia and a Founding Committee Member Adelaide Business Collective.”

DAVID BUENFELD – COMMITTEE MEMBER

David Buenfeld is a former president of the Grote Business Precinct Association and a strong advocate for local business in all parts of Adelaide City. David is particularly focused on improving business conditions in the wider Market Precinct since first moving to the precinct with work in 2005. He remains an active member of the Grote Business Precinct Association and several other business groups. David is one of the ABC foundation members.

David is a Director at Belle Property Commercial Adelaide operating out of a premise in Grote Street. His expertise spans across all facets of commercial property in particular development and investment sales, multi-million dollar residential built form projects and major master planned sub-divisions.

JAMES ECONOMOS – COMMITTEE MEMBER

James Economos is a registered Architect and Director of Econ Property Group, a well-established privately owned property development and investment group with a predominate focus in the city of Adelaide. James is passionate about the improvement of our cities retailers and businesses and strives to activate main streets and laneways with all the projects he works on .

He is committed to help make Adelaide a vibrant , unique, world class city. James also sits as committee member for the Adelaide West End Association which he has done so for the past 8 years.

ANNA-LOUISE COPPOCK – COMMITTEE MEMBER

Anna-Louise has significant experience at Executive and Board level across a diverse range of private and public sector industries including retail, property, major events, sport, economic development, vocational education and training, and the charity sector. She holds a senior leadership role with global real estate services firm, JLL, specialising in commercial property and investment management, providing services for real estate owners, occupiers, and investors worldwide. Responsible for both devising and implementing relevant strategies for Adelaide.

Her extensive experience in strategic retail marketing and communications, stakeholder engagement and transformational leadership have been key in delivering growth and success for some of South Australia’s largest privately owned retail property groups. Delivering effective and highly creative marketing campaigns that captivates tenants, communities and drives a strong ROI drives her passion for working for JLL. Anna-Louise is a Certified Practising Marketer (CPM) and a Fellow of the Australian Marketing Institute.

FRANZ KNOLL – COMMITTEE MEMBER

Franz has 40 years experience in the food industry across management, manufacturing, wholesaling and retailing. Strategically growing Barossa Fine Foods over 32 years successfully transitioning the management to the next generation. The business successfully acquired multiple businesses that supported the company to grow in a mature highly regulated market., he has been recognised with the Bickfords Food Industry Leaders Award 2012, South Australian Telstra Medium Business Award 2016, Honorary AMIC Master Butcher 2018, Sausage King Hall of Fame 2020 Telstra Business Awards Judge 2022 and numerous quality and product awards. Franz is passionate about the City of Adelaide and he has served as an Elected Member on Council.