As Business NSW celebrates 200 years of representing and advocating for businesses across New South Wales, New England Northwest business and community leader Tim Coates has been recognised with a prestigious Service to the Region Award for his outstanding contribution to regional business, leadership and community development.
Presented at the Business NSW Bicentenary Celebration Gala at Sydney Town Hall, the Service to the Region Awards recognise individuals who have made a lasting difference to their communities through leadership, enterprise and service. Tim was one of just ten recipients honoured from across the state.
Business NSW President Joseph Carrozzi AM said the recipients embodied the values that have long defined regional communities across NSW.
“Across NSW, there are people who quietly get on with the job of making their communities stronger. They create opportunities, support local businesses and bring people together.”
Business NSW CEO Daniel Hunter said it was fitting to recognise people whose leadership and community spirit had made a lasting contribution to the places they call home.
“As Business NSW marks 200 years, it is fitting to recognise people whose leadership, enterprise and community spirit have made a lasting contribution to the places they call home.”
For more than four decades, Tim Coates has quietly but profoundly shaped the New England North West through business ownership, advocacy, mentoring and community leadership. Beginning his career in the hospitality and club industry, where he rose to senior executive and CEO roles, Tim went on to establish Australian Training and Consulting, building it into a highly successful regional business that supported workforce development and strengthened industries across regional Australia.
Alongside his business success, Tim has made an extraordinary contribution to business advocacy. He served nine years as President of the Tamworth Business Chamber and was the inaugural President of the New England North West Business Chamber, helping formally establish the region within the Business NSW network and ensuring inland regional issues received strong representation at a state level.
He later served two terms as President of the New England North West Regional Advisory Council and currently represents regional chambers throughout the state as President of the Regional Presidents for Business NSW.
Business NSW Regional Director for New England North West, Stephanie Cameron said, Tim’s recognition was richly deserved.
“Tim Coates has dedicated more than 40 years to strengthening our region through business leadership, regional advocacy and community service. Few people have contributed so broadly, or so consistently, to the success of the New England North West.”
“Tim has never sought recognition for his efforts. Instead, he has focused on helping others succeed, whether that’s supporting local businesses, championing regional priorities or mentoring the next generation of leaders. His influence can be seen right across our business community today.”
Ms Cameron said one of Tim’s most enduring contributions has been his commitment to developing people.
“Tim has mentored hundreds of business owners, executives and emerging leaders over many years. Through his work as a business adviser, mentor and Vistage CEO Chair, he continues to strengthen businesses and build leadership capability across regional NSW. The ripple effect of that contribution will be felt for many years to come.”
Beyond business advocacy, Tim has made significant contributions across local government, sport, regional development and workforce development, serving as a Tamworth Regional Councillor, President of the Tamworth Jockey Club, President of the Tamworth Football Federation, Chair of Northern Inland Football, Chair of the Greater Northern Skills Development Group and President of the Tamworth Regional Development Corporation.
His leadership and service have been recognised through numerous honours, including a Paul Harris Fellowship, New England North West Business Leader of the Year (2016), the Zonta Male Advocate Award (2018) and life memberships across several organisations.
“Tim’s contribution is best described as a lifetime of service to regional business and community. He has strengthened organisations, built capability in future leaders and ensured our region’s voice is heard. This award celebrates not just what he has achieved, but the lasting legacy he continues to create,” Ms Cameron said.
Media Release: Business NSW
