The Commercial and Asset Finance Brokers Association of Australia (CAFBA) has appointed David Bushby as Chief Executive Officer.

Bushby will replace David Gill, who announced his decision to step down as CEO in March 2023.

Reflecting on his 11-year tenure, Gill said that commercial brokers had traditionally been the conduit for SME businesses to access finance, a role he said had only increased as the level of professional within the industry had increased.

The peak body representing commercial and asset finance brokers in Australia said that it had followed a rigorous selection process for the CEO position.

With 30 years’ experience practising law, David Bushby has worked as a company director in government and community relations, law making, politics and diplomacy.

An admitted solicitor to the High Court of Australia, the incoming CEO served as a Federal Senator for Tasmania from 2007 to 2019, where he was chief government whip of the Senate from 2014 onwards, CAFBA said. Most recently, he served as a consul-general in Chicago for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Commenting on the opportunity to join CAFBA at an important time in its growth, Bushby acknowledged that CAFBA represented brokers who focused on supporting the financing needs of “millions of small businesses” which formed the backbone of the Australian economy.

“The work CAFBA has done to ensure its members operate with the highest possible professionalism, knowledge and understanding of their clients’ needs and how to best support them, means that small business can take great comfort in dealing with a broker who is a CAFBA member,” Bushby said.

The incoming CEO, who will start his role on October 2, 2023, said that he looked forward to working with CAFBA members to reinforce and build on their existing professionalism and the value of membership for brokers and their small business clients.

Taken from Commercial and Asset Finance Brokers Association of Australia (CAFBA) Media Release on 22 August 2023.