Suresh Manickam will join NECA as the new national chief executive in February 2014. Suresh is currently the executive officer of Strata Community Australia (NSW) – the industry’s peak body, and has an extensive background in government relations and regulation affairs.

Suresh has also worked for the HIA, the NSW Minerals Council and across a number of insurance-related industries. Initially, he studied economics and went on to do an MBA – both at Macquarie University, Sydney. His first job was as a government advisor to a Senator Marise Payne in the Howard Government.

“We are delighted to welcome Suresh to NECA. He brings exactly the right set of skills and experience to the job for the next phase in our association’s development. His exposure to government at all levels and his understanding of how industries like ours work, will enable him to hit the ground running,” NECA national president Wes McKnight says.

“As with any organisation, NECA needs to keep evolving. Our members are demanding more from us than ever before and we must rise to that challenge. Suresh’s stakeholder management experience will be a great asset to us as we move into this new phase of our development,” Wes adds.

Suresh also sees this move as a great opportunity. “I’m very excited about the potential for NECA to provide the Abbott Government with innovative solutions as they commence their whole-of-government Review in 2014. I know a number of the ministers NECA works with and it will be very rewarding to build on those existing relationships. Plus I’m looking forward to the challenge of getting to know the industry players and regulators,” he says.

The changes in leadership were announced at the annual National Excellence Awards – where NECA also thanked James Tinslay, the out-going chief executive, for his outstanding contribution to NECA over his 25-year tenure.

“So 2014 looks all set to be a very interesting year for us at NECA,” Wes adds.