Presidents Report to the ACETA Annual General Meeting 2025
Greetings and thank you for taking the time to attend and participate in the ACETA AGM for 2025.
Akin to any high achieving organization, ACETA is resolute in maintaining currency whilst holding fast to its purpose and values, and preserving relevance by nurturing the member driven ethos. To propel this culture, in 2025 we elevated our marketing program by adding new contact streams and increasing the frequency of our overall information flow, to better inform and extend our industry reach.
It is pleasing to report that membership has grown this year and broad industry interaction reveals, that regardless of their size or sector, many organizations are embracing the industry peak body. This reality is a clear endorsement of ACETA’s programs and activities, whilst recognizing the need for industrywide advocacy, influence and higher standards. Furthermore, in an increasingly complex and uncertain world, there is an innate desire to belong, to be part of the solution, and to influence one’s future.
The ACETA board of management is continually evolving and throughout the year has revealed its collective potential. Moving forward we are confident the board will remain diverse in age, gender, skill and sectorial representation, it is a cohesive team delivering energy, responses, insights and networks. Throughout the year the board achieved its mandated meeting schedule with a personal attendance rate over 90%. Furthermore, the board hosted several highly successful industry open house networking events in 2025, both sponsored by generous ACETA members. Such is the importance of these gatherings we plan to make them a regular occasion when possible, moving forward. Due to retirement, Frank Andrewartha will not be nominating for board membership in 2026. However, it is not goodbye as he will continue to contribute to ACETA as a member of the, soon to be formed, Accreditation Panel. Frank has been with ACETA from the very beginning some 16 years ago, a valued and willing contributor and loyal colleague, he will be missed on the board, and thank you mate, you will not be forgotten.
By virtue of diverse industry feedback, it is apparent some sectors are experiencing increased sales and service demand, whilst others are not, such is the nature of an industry in transition on many fronts. However, it is also evident that gross profit margins are under pressure, the cost of doing business continually escalates, industry debt level seems to have increased, as has the debtor’s ledger, whilst skill shortage remains an undermining challenge. These vital commercial imperatives are often overlooked due the industries propensity for turnover at any cost. Tight control and understanding of outgoings, a zealous protection of gross profit margins, constant monitoring of the debtor’s ledger and upskilling of the workforce must be maintained, to neglect these core business drivers, will negatively impact sustainability and ultimately the bottom line. In this regard, ACETA will continue to support its members in their pursuit of corporate team building, improved culture, financial performance and bottom lines.
Be aware history has shown, if you don’t have a passion and respect for the industry, you will not prevail.
To our constituents, I commend the outgoing board of management and heartily welcome the new incoming team. Furthermore, our gratitude is extended to ACETA manager Jules, for another year of dedicated multi-tasking service, that ensures our administration and member connection remains at the friendliest and highest possible level.
Frank Hinton
ACETA President (Outgoing)
25th November 2025
Akin to any high achieving organization, ACETA is resolute in maintaining currency whilst holding fast to its purpose and values, and preserving relevance by nurturing the member driven ethos. To propel this culture, in 2025 we elevated our marketing program by adding new contact streams and increasing the frequency of our overall information flow, to better inform and extend our industry reach.
It is pleasing to report that membership has grown this year and broad industry interaction reveals, that regardless of their size or sector, many organizations are embracing the industry peak body. This reality is a clear endorsement of ACETA’s programs and activities, whilst recognizing the need for industrywide advocacy, influence and higher standards. Furthermore, in an increasingly complex and uncertain world, there is an innate desire to belong, to be part of the solution, and to influence one’s future.
The ACETA board of management is continually evolving and throughout the year has revealed its collective potential. Moving forward we are confident the board will remain diverse in age, gender, skill and sectorial representation, it is a cohesive team delivering energy, responses, insights and networks. Throughout the year the board achieved its mandated meeting schedule with a personal attendance rate over 90%. Furthermore, the board hosted several highly successful industry open house networking events in 2025, both sponsored by generous ACETA members. Such is the importance of these gatherings we plan to make them a regular occasion when possible, moving forward. Due to retirement, Frank Andrewartha will not be nominating for board membership in 2026. However, it is not goodbye as he will continue to contribute to ACETA as a member of the, soon to be formed, Accreditation Panel. Frank has been with ACETA from the very beginning some 16 years ago, a valued and willing contributor and loyal colleague, he will be missed on the board, and thank you mate, you will not be forgotten.
By virtue of diverse industry feedback, it is apparent some sectors are experiencing increased sales and service demand, whilst others are not, such is the nature of an industry in transition on many fronts. However, it is also evident that gross profit margins are under pressure, the cost of doing business continually escalates, industry debt level seems to have increased, as has the debtor’s ledger, whilst skill shortage remains an undermining challenge. These vital commercial imperatives are often overlooked due the industries propensity for turnover at any cost. Tight control and understanding of outgoings, a zealous protection of gross profit margins, constant monitoring of the debtor’s ledger and upskilling of the workforce must be maintained, to neglect these core business drivers, will negatively impact sustainability and ultimately the bottom line. In this regard, ACETA will continue to support its members in their pursuit of corporate team building, improved culture, financial performance and bottom lines.
Be aware history has shown, if you don’t have a passion and respect for the industry, you will not prevail.
To our constituents, I commend the outgoing board of management and heartily welcome the new incoming team. Furthermore, our gratitude is extended to ACETA manager Jules, for another year of dedicated multi-tasking service, that ensures our administration and member connection remains at the friendliest and highest possible level.
Frank Hinton
ACETA President (Outgoing)
25th November 2025