Bruce Billson (1)

Bruce Billson

Best advice ever received:
"The world is run by people who turn up."

 

Chair Since: 2026
Former Positions

  • Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (2021-2026)

  • Founder & Principal, Agile Advisory (2016-2021)

  • Special Counsel, Royce Communications (2016-2021)

  • NED/Board Committee chair, Judo Bank (2017-2021)

  • Independent Director/Chair, Australian Property Institute (2016 - 2021)

  • Endeavour Group advisory council (2018-2021)

  • Co-founder/Chair/Director - Growth & Development, BDC Partners (2019-2021)

  • Director - Small Business & Enterprise, Deakin University Faculty of Law & Business (2016 - 2021)

  • Commissioner, City of Whittlesea (2020 - 2021)

  • Independent Director, Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (2020 - 2021)

  • Executive Director, Franchise Council of Australia (2016 - 2018)

  • Sky News contributor, Australian News Channel (2018)

  • Cabinet Minister (Treasury) for Small Business (incl. Competition Policy & Consumer Affairs) (2013 -2015)

  • Minister for Veterans Affairs and Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence (Personnel, recruitment/retention & industry collaboration) (2006 - 2007)

  • Parliamentary Secretary/Assistant Minister - Foreign Affairs, Trade, Immigration, Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs) (2004 - 2006)

  • Federal Member for Dunkley (7 terms) 1996 - 2016

  • Senior adviser, (Vic) Minister for Natural Resources (1994 - 1996)

  • Senior Executive - Local Government various municipalities (1987 - 1994)
Training & Qualifications

  • Master of Business Leadership (MBL), RMIT University

  • Graduate Diploma of Management, RMIT University

  • Bachelor of Business, RMIT University

  • Graduate, Australian Institute of Company Directors

 
Memberships

  • Australian Institute of Company Directors

  • National Press Club

  • Richmond Football Club

  • Various local sporting and social clubs

Bruce Billson is recognised as a leading SME 'champion'. He has committed much of his professional life to 'energising enterprise' through leadership and C-suite/board roles in the public, private, not-for-profit and advocacy/industry association sectors.

Bruce recently concluded a 5-year term as the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (2021 - 2026) - an agency he created as the former Treasury portfolio Cabinet Minister for small business and competition policy (2013 - 2015). During his 7 undefeated parliamentary terms as the House of Representatives Member for Dunkley (1996 - 2016), Bruce held numerous Ministerial/executive positions and parliamentary committee chair roles.

Bruce was a founding Director of Judo Bank and has held various board appointments, including the Franchise Council of Australia and Australian Property Institute and a number of advisory board roles including the Institute of Public Accountants / Deakin University SME Research Centre and for several family businesses.

Bruce was the Director - Small Business & Enterprise at Deakin University Business School and has founded and operated several small businesses across retail, business advisory and professional services.