Robert Gerard (pictured right)  has been appointed as the first ever patron of the Australia Made campaign by chairman Glenn Cooper (pictured left) at a board of directors dinner earlier this week.

Robert, whose grandfather Alfred established Clipsal, was appointed in the presence of senior business leaders from around the country and the man who re-launched the Australian made campaign in 1999, former Prime Minister, John Howard.

In his role as president of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the 1990’s Robert was instrumental in forming the Australian made campaign.

The not-for-profit organisation administers and promotes one of Australia’s most recognised and trusted icons, the green-and-gold Australian made, Australian grown kangaroo logo.

He served as a director of the Australian made campaign for 15 years, from 2001-2015, and was chairman from 2001-2009.

Robert is well-known nationally and internationally for his contributions to Australia’s business community and has also had a significant impact on Australia’s educational and sporting communities.

He is the executive chairman of Gerard Corporation, the chairman of the Hall of Fame Governors for the SA Sports Hall of Fame, a director of the Order of Australia Association Foundation, a patron of the Duke of Edinburgh award in SA and world fellow, and was once named 2004 Ernst & Young entrepreneur of the Year.