Passing the baton at AICC

PROMINENT businesswoman and communal personality Jillian Segal (pictured) has been announced as the new head of the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce (AICC) in NSW.

Current president Kim Jacobs will step down at the end of February after a 25-year association with the Chamber, the last 14 as president.

Segal said she was “delighted and honoured” to take on the role.

“It’s very important that we continue the close relationship with the business community and its understanding of Israel,” she told The AJN.

“I’m looking forward to continuing on the great work that has been done by the previous team and taking it to a new level to meet the current challenges.”

Segal said Israel’s innovative culture presented enormous opportunities for Australian businesses.

“There is an increasing focus everywhere, including in Australia, on innovation,” she said.

“So there is an enormous opportunity to improve and increase the level of both understanding of Israel, but also of trade.”

She said the challenge was to keep evolving.

“I think a Chamber that is focused on facilitating business, encouraging trade, encouraging relationships has to continually itself innovate, and make sure that what we are offering suits the needs of dynamic businesses,” she said.

Jacobs said he was confident his successor would continue to develop the Chamber to maintain its position as the “pre-eminent Chamber in Australia”.

“Jillian brings a wealth of experience, having developed a strong reputation and profile across the corporate, public and not-for-profit sectors in Australia,” he said.

He said being part of the AICC had been a “privilege and great fun”.

“The Chamber has been an integral part of my life, and has provided me with the opportunity to help bring together a deeper understanding and closer relationship between two countries and peoples that I am passionate about, Australia and Israel,” he said.

“It is wonderful to be able to leave the Chamber in a solid position … I look forward to still being a part of the Chamber for years to come, albeit in a different capacity.”

AICC NSW CEO Charles Nightingale, who himself took up his post recently, said Jacobs had done an “incredible job” and would be missed.

“But we will no doubt see him at many Chamber events going forward,” he said.

“I am very much looking forward to working with Jillian and benefiting from the good counsel her extensive experience will provide.”

GARETH NARUNSKY

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