Macarthur Business Enterprise Centre : Our Team

Board of Directors

The Macarthur Business Enterprise Centre's Board is made up of dedicated local business leaders from various industries.

Bruce Hanrahan AM , Dip Law – Chairman

Bruce is a founding Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors. He is a Principle in the firm Dignan and Hanrahan, Solicitors since 1982, which practices in commercial, small business and general law litigation and has been a resident in Camden since 1984. Bruce is Vice President and past President of Macarthur Law Society, Chairman of MACROC Committee, Chairman of MACROC Marketing Committee, Representative on South West Consultative Committee, Director of Kids of Macarthur Health Foundation, Chairman of St Gregory's College Foundation, past Secretary Campbelltown Chamber of Commerce, past Chairman Austool Pty Ltd, and past Chairman Campbelltown Red Shield Appeal. Bruce plays an active role in the business community in the Macarthur region.

Tim Bryan B. Comm C.A. - Vice Chairman

Tim is a Director of BCP Group Services and partner of the accounting division, BCP Accounting and Business Advisors. Established in Campbelltown in 1979, the form specialises in growth solutions, business planning, taxation, GST and traditional accounting services. Tim is also a director of the Kids in Macarthur Health Foundation. Tim is a Macarthur resident and is dedicated to the development of the business in this area.

Phil Tolhurst - Director

With experience in both the private and public sectors, Mr Tolhurst has as wealth of expertise that enables him to lead Council’s management of Liverpool’s growth as a major regional centre.

Mr Tolhurst has tertiary qualifications in Engineering and Urban and Regional Planning. He has worked in local government for the past 30 years, primarily in the planning and transport areas. Mr Tolhurst has been at Liverpool City Council since 2001.

Mr Tolhurst was appointed General Manager in October 2006. Prior to this he held a number of senior management roles at Liverpool City Council, including Corporate Manager Planning.

The Liverpool local government area covers 305.4 square kilometres and has a current population of 170,000. Over the next 20 years the population is expected to grow to over 300,000 bringing with it the challenges to manage the growth within the available budget. Mr Tolhurst’s planning knowledge and leadership skills will play an instrumental role in ensuring that community expectations are met during this challenging time.

Mr Tolhurst successfully prepared the Council for elected Councillors after four and a half years under administration and played a crucial role in overseeing the development of the comprehensive Liverpool Local Environmental Plan 2008, which was one of the first to be gazetted in the State Government’s new format.

Mr Tolhurst will continue to work closely with the elected members to ensure that Liverpool is well placed to meet the needs of the community.

Sue Kennedy

Sue is the Manager of the Liverpool Leader newspaper the local community newspaper, which is part of the Cumberland /Courier News Limited Group, with over 35 years experience within the media industry and 11 years with Cumberland Community Newspapers Sue brings a wealth of local knowledge and experience to the Liverpool Leader.

The Liverpool Leader places a great importance on their families home and community, our readers are predominately younger households, they are adopters, influential and diverse reflecting the character of the area.

Sue has been a supporter of the Macarthur Business Enterprise Centre during her time, working for Newspapers in Macarthur and is pleased to have the opportunity to represent and assist Liverpool’s Business Enterprise Centre.

Sue is married with a grown up family and grandchildren and resides in Macarthur.

Sue is also the Secretary of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce where she has been on the Executive Committee for the past 3 years.

Geoff Ellis B.Bus, M.Bus, FCPA, FAIM, AIMC, JP

Geoff owns and runs the Profit Advantage Group which provides specialised business development services. Geoff is a Director of the Australian Institute of Management Consultants, Director of Compliance Resource Associates International and is actively involved in a range of professional associations including Member CPA Australia, National Business and Management Centre of Excellence, Member CPA Australia National Reference Panel for Continuing Professional Development, listed in the CPA Australia National Directors Register, Member MYOB Small Business Panel, Member NSW Executive of the Institute of Management Consultants. Geoff’s experience has been recognised internationally with his biographical listing in the two Marquis publications of Who’s Who in Finance & Industry and Who’s Who in the World. Geoff received a Risk Management Award from the NSW Government for his work on the site and facilities for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Geoff has been a proud resident in Macarthur since the late 1980’s, is the President of the Campbelltown Chamber of Commerce and actively works to assist businesses in the region.

Les McMahon

Les is General Manager of Wollondilly Shire Council since 2005.The Council is one of 4 Councils ( Liverpool, Campbelltown and Camden) in the South West area, incorporating the Macarthur region and represents 43,000 people.

The Council has developed a Community Strategic Plan 2030, to assist the Shire realise its vision of "Rural Living", with one of its 5 areas on the Economy- Providing prosperity, nurturing new enterprises and employment initiatives and offering high employment.

Les is also Deputy Chairman and Director of MG- My Gateway, a Group Training Company for trainees and Apprentices for the Macarthur and surrounding areas.

Wanda Sharpe

Wanda is the proprietor of Wandalite Retail Outlet in Camden established in 1970. Her well known motto is "let me brighten up your life with a light from Wandalite at Camden". A pinnacle to her success in retailing was winning the 1999 Macarthur Small Business Awards in the Home Furnishings/Electrical Category. Wanda is a past President 1988-1992 and 1996-1998 of Camden Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Vice President in 2001-2002 and Treasurer for the 2002-2004 period. Wanda has received Life Membership of SWAP International and brings strong retail expertise to the Board. Wanda played a key role in the success the BEC has had with the Women in Business Mentor Program. Wanda is a BEC Founding Director.

BEC Sponsors