Our staff
Phillip Kemp – Executive Director
Phillip has qualifications in agricultural science, small business facilitation and company management and is recognised as an industry expert in the field of small business development. He has published widely on SME and micro-enterprise development issues with particular reference to international best practice in business incubation operation and has conducted international research and published comparative international studies on the provision of SME and micro-enterprise business advisory and support services.
He holds key positions on a number of national boards and associations including Chairperson of Business Innovation and Incubation Australia and a member of the Enterprise Connect Manufacturing Advisory Board.
Tony Beard – Business Advisor
Tony has spent the past twenty five years working with, and delivering services to, small business operators and managers. He specialises in management and marketing and succession planning strategies.
His experience has been garnered across all Australian states in a variety of sectors, from financial services to hospitality to heavy industry.
Tony has worked with over 2000 business operators in “one on one” development sessions.
He advises established businesses working on growth strategies and structural efficiencies, and helps start up or emerging businesses looking for resources and guidance.
Tony is also an accomplished workshop presenter.
Kim Charles – NEIS Project Officer
Kim has recently taken up this position to coordinate of all aspects of NEIS (New Enterprise Incentive Scheme) service delivery for Business Foundations.
She has previously run the "Be Your Own Boss" program in New Zealand. Kim has also spent 15 years owning and running two successful small businesses. She has experience in economic development and facilitating workshops for upskilling business owners.
Kim is passionate about delivering a quality service to all NEIS clients.
Don Geare – Business Advisor, Enterprise Connect
Don has a general management background, having managed a variety of manufacturing and service businesses in Australia, New Zealand, and England.
Don has served as CEO with two primary industry co-operatives in Western Australia, and has been intensely involved in food processing, value adding, and export of food products to areas in Asia and the Middle East.
Don was named Telstra SW (WA) Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year 1997 in recognition of export and business expansion achievements.
Now living in Bunbury, Don has more recently been involved with small business in the South West of Western Australia. He was Business Manager of Bunbury Air Conditioning and Electrical Services (2005-07), during which time the company won awards including overall winner in the 2007 WA Regional Small Business Awards.
Terry Hicks – Business Advisor, Enterprise Connect
Terry has had over 40 years experience in the manufacturing industry with Tubemakers of Australia, BHP and Onesteel. He has held positions including production foreman, production manager and sales and marketing manager.
In 1992, Terry was transferred to Perth from the eastern states as State Sales Manager for Structural and Pipeline Products with Onesteel. Retirement from the steel industry in 2000 saw Terry take consultancy roles with a number of manufacturing operations.
Terry has served on a number of committees and boards of directors over the last 30 years, and was recently on the board of directors for Business Foundations (formerly Coastal Business Centre).
