Last week’s SBIA Awards not only recognised the industry’s outstanding brands, retailers and products we also paid homage to retiring SBIA Board Member and Saltbush Surf owner Andy Ireland.  Andy was a foundation Board member and his contribution was invaluable to say the least, hanging his hat on drafting the very first SBIA Awards pro-forma which has evolved over the years to become the industry’s marquee event.    We’ll miss you Andy, and can’t thank you enough for your contribution to the SBIA and the industry.  

With Andy stepping down as a retail board member, we are very pleased to announce the appointment of Justin Hillberg, Group Operations Director of Alceon Retail, who was elected the newest SBIA Retail Board Member at last week’s AGM. 

Justin, has a long standing history in our industry, starting his career on the shop floor with Brothers Neilsen paving the way through various roles towards his current position with Alceon Retail where he is working across their Retail businesses including SurfStitch, EziBuy, Ginger & Smart, Lego and Pumpkin Patch.

The SBIA are excited to have Justin’s extensive retail and industry expertise join the board.  We look forward to his contribution over the course of his two year term which will no doubt contribute significantly to the continual promotion and enhancement of our industry. 

We are proud of the recent events that we have presented to our members including the Inaugural Women in Industry Breakfast, Industry Summit and Awards and look forward to the upcoming events in 2020. 

Following is the current SBIA Board of Management:

President: Anthony “Macka” Wilson – Saltwater Wine | Stormriders, NSW

Vice President: Mark Hudson – Director – Dragon Retail

Secretary /Treasurer: Damian Campbell – Head of Sales, Boardriders

Board Member: Alison Thomas, Volcom – General Mananger AU/NZ

Board Member: Neil Ritchie- Alto Sports

Board Member: Justin Hillberg – Group Operations Director of Alceon Retail

Independent Board Member: Russell Zimmerman – Executive Director, Australian Retailers Association (ARA)

Executive Officer: Lyndall Browning