Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the largest and most influential not-for-profit business organisation in Victoria, informing and supporting 47,000 members and clients across the state. Founded in 1851 with headquarters in Melbourne, the influential employer group is focused on leading business into the future by providing policy leadership, information, representation, training and networking opportunities.

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Formation1851
TypeNon-profit organisation
Location
Key people
Paul Guerra, Chief Executive
Websitehttp://www.victorianchamber.com.au

As a major shareholder of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Victorian Chamber plays a critical role in policy development at both state and federal level. Campaigns centre on securing practical and direct gains for Victorian business in areas including workplace relations, taxation, regulation, infrastructure and skills.

With an annual turnover of $40 million, the Victorian Chamber employs around 220 staff across its Melbourne, Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Wodonga and Traralgon offices.

History

The Victorian Chamber was founded as the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce in 1851. It was Victoria’s first business organisation. The Chamber’s members – bankers, accountants, financiers, merchants, importers, lawyers, ship owners and agents, manufacturers and stock, share and product brokers – sought to advance trade and commerce and make Melbourne one of the world’s great free ports. It helped to establish the Melbourne Harbor Trust and Marine Board.

In October 1986, the Chamber changed its name to the State Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Victoria), which merged with the Victorian Employers’ Federation to become the Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) in 1991, serving Victoria’s small and medium enterprises.

In November 2015, the Victorian Chamber underwent a rebrand and name change to the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in line with rebrand of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, demonstrating a commitment to a common national purpose through a shared identity and voice.

In 2013, the Victorian Chamber re-established the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce, which specifically caters for Victoria’s leading corporations across all sectors of the economy.

Core divisions

Key personnel
  • President – Adrien Kloeden was appointed President of the Victorian Chamber in 2023, following his previous position as Deputy President. Adrian’s management experience covers a wide variety of industries, including forestry, agribusiness, manufacturing, distribution, retail, research and development, brand management, technology, e-commerce, defence and tourism and transport. He has held CEO or leadership positions in large and small public and private companies and a government related organisation and has operated in many regions of the world.
  • Deputy President – Jeremy Blackshaw was appointed Deputy President of the Victorian Chamber in 2023. He has extensive corporate practice, advising in multiple jurisdictions across industry sectors such as energy, infrastructure, financial services, health and consumer brands, and energy.
  • Chief Executive – Paul Guerra was appointed Chief Executive of the Victorian Chamber in 2019, commencing in 2020. Paul is an internationally experienced leader having held Managing Director/CEO and Chairman level roles across Australia and Asia Pacific, spanning several key industries. Prior to joining the Victorian Chamber, Paul was the Chief Executive of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV).
  • Chief Executive, Melbourne Chamber of Commerce – Scott Veenker joined the Victorian Chamber in 2016 after more than 20 years' experience in banking and finance, having held senior positions across multiple distribution channels with Esanda Finance and ANZ.

Past Publications
  • Business Excellence – quarterly Victorian Chamber and MCC member magazine
  • Tourism Excellence – quarterly VTIC and VEIC member magazine
  • Survey of Business Trends and Prospects – quarterly results booklet
  • Latest policy papers: Strengthening the Competitiveness of Victoria's Higher Education Sector,[1] Regional Victoria Means Business,[2] Reforming the Victorian Vocational Education and Training System, Small Business. Big Opportunities[3]

References
  1. "Higher Education Taskforce".
  2. "Victoria Summit 2015 - Regional Victoria | Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry". www.victorianchamber.com.au. Archived from the original on 23 November 2015.
  3. "Small Business Taskforce".
  1. ^ About the Victorian Chamber. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
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