Business Briefs

New partner for Berkmans Chartered Accountants

Wyong based accountancy practice, Berkmans Chartered Accountants, has announced that Warwick Jackson has joined the firm as a Partner.

Mr Jackson, a Chartered Accountant, has ten years professional and commercial experience having worked with Chartered Accountants Macquarie Partners in Sydney and LWM Group in Gosford. He was Financial Accountant for Avon Cosmetics Australia and a Business Analyst for the multi-national engineering company Honeywell Limited.

He is also employed as a teacher with the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia, teaching young accountants in two post graduate subjects in the Chartered Accountants Program - Tax and Management Accounting.

Berkmans which was originally owned by Graeme Andrews and purchased in 1995 by Anthony Berkman (Chartered Accountant) and has steadily grown over the past fifteen years.

Commenting on the future direction of the firm Mr Berkman said, "Bringing Warwick in as a partner will take the business to the next level and secure the future of the business. With a team of seven our future looks better than ever."

Mr Berkman said, "there is so much we can do for our clients to assist them in five key areas: Their business growth, Business profitability; Cash Flow management; Asset Protection; and Sale of business and succession.

We see Berkmans as a "business hub" going far beyond accounting and taxation compliance services. Compliance services need to be done with great skill, knowledge and efficiency! However it is the working relationship, the level of communication and understanding of our clients? real needs that makes a difference in the eyes of our clients."

Federal Government appoints Innovative Regions Facilitator for Central Coast

Innovation Minister, Senator Kim Carr, has announced the appointment of Graham Baker as Innovative Regions Facilitator attached to the Innovative Regions Centre of the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.

The National Centre, based in Geelong Victoria, develops region-specific strategies to encourage business growth and is part of the Rudd Government?s $50 million a year Enterprise Connect Network to boost small business productivity, innovation and competitiveness.

The Central Coast Region was incorporated into the Network in December 2009.

Mr Baker was appointed in January 2010 to collaborate with state and local governments, business organisations and individual businesses on regional innovation strategies to help the Central Coast grow.

Prior to taking up his position Mr Baker was for almost six years Regional Manager for AusIndustry where he assisted companies access innovation grants and R & D support. His focus was assisting early stage companies with commercialisation and R & D projects.

In previous roles he worked in the delivery of the Dairy Regional Assistance Program and the roll out of GST. His knowledge and skills will enable him to drive innovation and assist the Central Coast become a globally competitive
smart region.

Bendigo Bank appoints new manager at Ettalong Beach branch

Ettalong Beach Community Bank branch of Bendigo Bank has announced the appointment of Peter McKeon as Branch Manager.

Mr McKeon was formerly Regional Executive - Business Banking for the Central Coast at the nab with a team of twenty-five staff with responsibility for the bank's commercial and business lending in the region.

Prior to that, in 1998 he established a commercial lending operation for the Trust Bank in Sydney before it was taken over by Colonial. After that he joined Investec Bank specialising in leveraged property lending. It was from there that he joined the nab.

A long time Central Coast resident Mr McKeon said that he is looking forward to looking after Bendigo Bank's customers at Ettalong Beach and on the Peninsula and making the branch strong. He succeeds Tony Gravas who has taken a Sydney position with Bendigo Bank.

The Ettalong Beach branch of Bendigo Bank is operated by Ettalong Beach Financial Services Limited and opened in April 2005.

The Company's present directors are: Chairman, Don Leggett AO; Secretary, Brian Wright; Treasurer, Don Wilson and Matthew Wales, Simon della ve Dova, Debra Wales, Eric Leggett, Alan Gleeson and Mick Gage.

New Coach for Mariners

Central Coast Mariners Executive Chairman, Lyall Gorman, has announced the appointment of Graham Arnold as Head Coach of the Club leading into next season.

He succeeds Lawrie McKinna who has been appointed Commercial and Football Operations Manager for the Mariners.

Mr Arnold doesn't officially begin his new role until after his commitments with the Qantas Socceroos end at the FIFA World Cup.

The former NAC Breda, Sydney Olympic and Northern Spirit striker said, "my vision is to try to get the Central Coast Mariners back up the top. With their Centre of Excellence this should be the club that everyone wants to be at over the next five years," he said.

Mr Arnold has been the National team assistant since 1999 and has held roles as Under 20's coach and interim national team boss, and believes his time learning under the likes of Frank Farina, Guus Hiddink and Pim Verbeek through three World Cup qualifying campaigns - two of those ultimately successful - holds him in good stead for the next chapter.

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