Family Business Association proudly presents the Family Business Insights State Conference in Western Australia on Tuesday, 23 September 2025.
Immerse yourself in this half-day premier event that brings together the Western Australian family business community as you connect, share and grow with your peers.
Throughout this unrivalled conference program, you will be inspired by high calibre speakers and a keynote presentation. You’ll gain valuable insights as they delve into a range of impactful topics designed to support and elevate the family business journey.
Family Business Excellence Awards
This year, we will also be announcing and celebrating your local Family Business Excellence Awards winners over lunch before the program begins.
Meet the speakers
MC: Ingrid Maynard
Founder, The Sales Doctor
 |
From Olympic Gold to Generational Leadership
 |
| Todd Pearson Managing Director Statewide Oil |
Join Olympic gold medallist Todd Pearson as he shares his remarkable journey from the podium to the boardroom. A champion at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, Todd is now Managing Director of Statewide Oil—a business founded by his father, Bob Pearson, in 1985. Today, he leads one of the Asia-Pacific’s leading ExxonMobil distributors, serving clients across multiple Australian states and territories.
In this inspiring session, Todd reflects on how the values forged through elite sport—resilience, teamwork, and leadership under pressure—continue to shape his approach to business, succession, and family life. Drawing on his experience working alongside his father and navigating generational transition, Todd offers unique insights into applying a high-performance mindset within a family enterprise.
His story is one of discipline, trust, and purpose-driven leadership—offering timely lessons for both established family business owners and next-generation leaders forging their own paths.
 |
Freedom Without Succession: A Founders’ Perspective on Growth, Legacy & Letting Go
 |
 |
 |
| Bob Biernat Freedom Pools and Spas |
Rona Biernat Freedom Pools and Spas |
Grant Craig Freedom Pools and Spas |
Family businesses often face complex questions when it comes to succession — and statistics show that many don’t make it past the third generation. But for Bob and Rona Biernat, founders of Freedom Pools and Spas, the focus has never been on tradition for tradition’s sake.
Established in 1974 as Narrogin Fibreglass, their business has grown from manufacturing water tanks for Wheatbelt farmers into one of Australia’s most recognised pool brands, exporting globally and leading innovation in the industry. Along the way, their children have contributed in various ways, but there’s no expectation that they will take the reins.
In this honest and insightful conversation, Bob and Rona together their General Manager Grant Craig will share how they’ve approached the question of succession, why they’ve chosen to prioritise sustainability and professionalisation over keeping the business “in the family,” and how they’ve worked to preserve their legacy through values, not just ownership.
This session offers a rare opportunity to hear from founders who have successfully built — and thoughtfully future-proofed — a family business, all while redefining what legacy means in the modern age.
 |
Creating A Thriving Family Business – Progress Not Perfection
 |
| John Broons Family Business Consulting |
Creating a thriving family business takes ongoing progress, shared purpose, and a willingness to learn from experience—not perfection. In this candid and insightful session, experienced family business advisor John Broons shares practical lessons drawn from decades of lived experience—both as a former business owner and a trusted advisor to many.
From riding alongside his grandfather in the family packaging plant to eventually buying and exiting the business himself, John has lived the realities of family enterprise. He understands the emotional, strategic, and relational complexities that come with running and sustaining a family business.
Whether you’re preparing to hand over the reins or just starting out, John’s stories and strategies will offer a thoughtful, honest, and inspiring perspective on how families can move forward—not perfectly, but purposefully.
Program Outline
Please note: addtional session to be added and full program may be subject to change.
Networking Drinks
Networking drinks will round off the celebrations, so we hope you will stay for this wonderful opportunity to connect with other members.
 |
 |
Conference and Family Business Excellence Award Lunch Registration
Registration includes the seated two-course lunch, afternoon tea and post-event networking drinks and canapes.
Early bird pricing ends on Thursday 14 August.
* Prices include GST.
Venue
Aloft Perth offers free flowing, open and bright spaces as the focal point of this design styled hotel.
 |
 |
Please contact our office on 1800 249 357 or at events@familybusiness.org.au if you have any questions or require assistance with your registration.
For information regarding cancellation and substitutions, please click here.
