PIAA names officers, warns on privacy

It's all change at Australia's PIAA following a series of resignations.

The employers group's board has announced a new president, deputy president and secretary, and is looking for replacements for three board positions.

It is also looking for a new chief executive following the sudden resignation of Jason Allen, appointed less than six months before.

President David Leach and member Stephen Black are the most recent resignations from the board.

Ross Black, who has been appointed president - with Kieran May as his deputy - says the board is implementing "a considered strategy to manage the transition in board leadership, including responding to member concerns.

"While losing directors with the skill, experience and foresight of Susan Heaney, David Leach and Stephen Edwards leaves a big hole, we are confident the new leadership structure will drive our vision to provide high quality and high value services to our existing and future members," he said.

Black, who is commercial manager at paper merchant BJ Ball, said the board was "very committed" to the vision and recent overall strategy, and is "extremely excited to continue the fantastic work we have been undertaking in 2015."

Chief executive Jason Allen announced an "imminent engagement plan with members" using planned roadshows in every state to elaborate on the future plans.

Black says previous communication and information "has sometimes been siloed in its delivery.

"The 2016 objective for the Board is to ensure we explore all types of communication channels, and the 2016 roadshow is certainly the opportunity to have direct dialogue with all of our members."

However, he warned of the need to "draw the correct balance" between the members' right to know, and the risk of breaching privacy rights: "No director is authorised to discuss confidential information without approval of the board and appropriate confidentiality agreements."

Craig Pearce will take on the role of honorary secretary.