Ian Jones

President

Ian was first elected as president in 2018 after serving as our secretary/vice president for four years. Born in Burnie, Ian operated two office equipment businesses in Hobart before entering the corporate world with a division of Toshiba in Sydney in 1986. He occupied several senior roles with large IT companies in sales and marketing before taking an Asia Pacific general manager role with a large POS software company and ultimately relocating to Shenzhen, China, in 2002. He went back to the small business sector a few years later, operating a relocation company plus restaurants and bars catering to the expat population of Shenzhen. Ian retired back to Burnie in 2012 and was awarded Citizen of the Year in 2022.  Ian is involved in several community organisations ranging from regional development, workforce readiness and veterans’ affairs.

Ian became a director of the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (TCCI), representing the north west region, in 2022 and was willingly seconded to the Policy Committee. In late 2023, Ian was selected as the inaugural chair of Clean Energy Tasmania (CET), a working group under the TCCI banner. CET is the peak body for renewable energy project proponents in Tasmania and its members have approximately $25B of projects in varying stages of development. Ian is passionate about the enormous potential renewables have for the region and is often seen in the media advocating for this exciting business sector.

Justin McErlain

Vice president & secretary

Justin McErlain is a qualified accountant from Christchurch, NZ. His visionary thinking around technology saw him set up New Zealand’s first internet service providers when internet was in its infancy. His skills in accounting lead him to work in the US accounting software company Oracle. From there, he was recruited to Cap Gemini Ernst & Young where he was engaged in a variety of project and strategic management roles.

In 2003 Justin moved to Tasmania for a sea change. He is co-owner and manager of The Waterfront Wynyard and Coastal Pods in North West Tasmania, accommodation renowned for its quality and exceptional service. Justin is passionate about supporting tourism growth through exploration and clever utilisation of opportunities presented by new technological and online marketing platforms. He is a firm believer in the benefits of collaborative efforts between tourism and business operators to support growth in the tourism industry across the North West Coast, which has inspired him to initiate a local tourism network for coastal businesses.

His latest work has been the delivery of ‘Sensing Table Cape’, a technology-based interpretation of Table Cape funded by Austrade. This project includes VR development in association with University of Tasmania, a guided soundwalk and an Australia-first object recognition table. Together with the Business Northwest team, this has been an exciting project to showcase technology and tourism.

Antony Dry

vice president & treasurer

Ant joined Business Northwest as treasurer in 2020. Born in Zimbabwe, he immigrated to Australia in 2007, becoming a citizen in 2009. In Zimbabwe, he was involved in the motor trade for many years, ending up as the CFO and part owner of several motor franchises, one of which was Mercedes Benz. He is a chartered accountant and graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is also vice chair of the Respect Group Limited, which owns over 20 aged care facilities in Tasmania, NSW and Victoria. He is chairperson and acting general manager of the Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden (winners of the 2024 Tasmanian Tourism Awards as a tourist attraction).

Cyndia Hilliger

Executive member

Cyndia Hilliger has been involved in the hospitality industry for over 30 years. With her husband, Cyndia owns and manages a retro-styled seaside motel in Wynyard Tasmania. They developed Tasmania’s first luxury shipping container accommodation: the Coastal Pods in Wynyard.

Cyndia has been a member of the Business Northwest executive team for several years and has undertaken management of a number of projects in that time, including Renew Burnie, Sensing Table Cape and several pop-up urban activations. She is also chair of the regional tourism organisation WXNW, sits on the boards of the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania and Emu Valley Rhododendron Gardens, and is a committee member of the Cradle Coast Regional Economic Development Committee. She is a member of the Urban Renewal Preference group for the Burnie CBD and is a passionate advocate for the tourism and hospitality industry, great customer service and creating urban places that promote psychological wellbeing.

Michael Cannon

Executive member

Michael partnered a vibrant graphic design studio in Adelaide for several decades, providing extensive engagement with some of Australia and the world’s most recognised brands. Since relocating to Burnie in 2009, he has assisted many and varied Tasmanian businesses through his alter-ego, Design Eye Creative.

Michael joined the Burnie Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 2013 and accepted a roll on the executive team soon after. Michael was proudly invested in the rebranding of BCCI to its public face of Business Northwest in 2019 and remained a platinum sponsor of the entity since that rebranding.

Since his retirement in July 2024, Michael continues his association with Business Northwest as an executive member, as well as providing graphic design. He is a self-published author, singer/songwriter and runs a modest hobby farm with his wife.

Des Hodgetts

executive member

Des is a project manager with advanced diploma qualifications and a wide spectrum of experience in managing diverse projects and teams, large capital programs, and contract and contractor management. Des possesses extensive knowledge in project management, financial management, and business planning and development, with over 20 years’ experience in these fields. He has held PM roles with GHD, NT Department of Infrastructure, Taswater, Rare Innovation, Johnson Design and Shaw Contracting. Des has delivered a number of major public & private development projects and some smaller property development opportunities.

A former Burnie City Council alderman, Des has an excellent understanding of local government & government environments. He’s a current member of the Burnie City Council CBD Urban plan working group, providing input on the future advancement of our city, and is former chairman of Advance Burnie. Des’s ownership of Stanley Cabin & Tourist Park from 1997 – 2004, along with Stanley Hotel, provides him with a background in tourism.

Giovanna Simpson

Executive member

Giovanna is the current Deputy Mayor of Burnie and has been working full-time as a youth worker for 18 years. Giovanna has been a small business owner for over 22 years and is passionate about supporting young people and their families so they are able to live, work and play in their community. Giovanna also works alongside many charitable organisations and sits on a variety of boards and committees.