New CEO Gillian Corker plans to re-engage membership with 90-day plan for Denmark’s Chamber of Commerce

Gillian Corker has given herself a 90-day window to refocus Denmark’s Chamber of Commerce as she marked the end of her first week as its new CEO.

Her appointment comes only 18 months after she moved to the town, and she has hit the ground running with her plans to engage the small business community in an organisation which she believes can go beyond administering the visitor centre and holding networking sessions.

“The visitor centre contract is up in 2026 and we are at a pivotal point for the chamber where we can refocus on the membership,” she said.

“I have a 90-day plan to really get back to a membership-first organisation.

“Most people I speak to say they don’t need more business; they are busy enough, so it’s not just about networking and finding new clients.

“But the world is now compliance led, there’s HR, legal and bookkeeping, there are changes coming to superannuation and these are the sort of areas where the chamber can help.

“I want to provide training programs and development opportunities because while being a brickie hasn’t changed, the business of being a brickie has changed exponentially.”

One area where Ms Corker won’t need the chamber’s advice is in running an Airbnb because she and her family moved into the house she had built for that purpose.

“We built it to be a holiday home, but we came down for one school term and Christmas and loved it so much we stayed,” she said.

It was then she noticed a gap in Denmark’s provisions for business owners.

She was running her own SEO, website and marketing company and felt she needed support, so she started Denmark Women in Business with friend Bee Pope.

This has a weekly co-working space and morning tea, a real bonus for those working from home in a town with a changing demographic.

“There are a lot more young families coming to Denmark post-COVID,” she said.

“It means that women who are working remotely can see what’s going on and be seen.”

“I have an amazing team at the chamber and an amazing board, all with a passion for small business, so I’m looking forward to getting really involved in Denmark and really making change.”