Brian Gibson, B.Comm (Newcastle), MBA (Newcastle), M.Comm (Newcastle), PhD (Newcastle), is a SEAANZ President 2010–2012 and Life member.
It is with great sadness that, we note the sudden passing of Professor Brian Gibson on 10 October 2017, aged 68 years. Brian was well known by many in the SEAANZ community and respected internationally for his contributions to the small business sector. Throughout his life, Brian epitomized the four pillars of SEAANZ, effortlessly combining his firm belief in the value of education and research as informing and, as informed by, policy and practice.
Brian was a pioneer of the Small Enterprise Association of Australia and New Zealand (SEAANZ), and was very actively engaged in much of the ‘behind the scenes’ work which has made the organization the success it is today. Brian never sought authority but always excelled when he was in such positions, including the vital role he played as Editor of the SEAANZ journal ‘Small Enterprise Research’ (2005–2007). Among the key contributions he made as Editor was to encourage the synthesis of academic research with practitioner benefit, to actively partner with affiliated ICSB publications (such as the Journal of Small Business & Entrepreneurship from SEAANZ's Canadian equivalent), as well as enthusiastically seeking sponsorship for both research and publication initiatives. Recognition of his tireless efforts in the small business field came with his Presidency of the International Council of Small Business (ICSB 2008–2009) and later when he was awarded the prestigious Wilford White Fellowship from ICSB.
Brian was one of those people who had ‘officially retired’ (in 2010), but continued to actively work in both teaching and research. At the time of his death, he was the Senior Director of Research Top Education Institute, Sydney (Australia) and being the powerhouse that he was, was also a Conjoint Professor of the University of Newcastle (Australia). The energy and passion he had for teaching was reflected in his diverse teaching experience which spanned from Rangsit University, Patumtani (Thailand); The University of New England, Armidale, NSW; Murdoch University, Perth, WA; Inter American University, San German (Puerto Rico); University of Alabama (USA); University of Essex (UK) to the University of Newcastle, NSW. Not surprisingly, his teaching skills were highly regarded and his expertise in management accounting and entrepreneurial finance areas were widely recognized. His teaching was complimented by research achievements in the areas of financial management, accounting and governance of small enterprises where he published in a wide array of books, monographs, refereed journal and conference presentations.
Brian was President of SEAANZ from 2010 to 2012 and his influence here continues to this day. In accepting thanks and accolades, Brian always acknowledged the support of his family – his beloved wife Roslynne and their two children, Karen and Dean. In typical style, his reason for being unable to attend the 30th SEAANZ Anniversary in October 2017 was that he had promised Roslynne that they would at last undertake a long-awaited cruise on the Murray.
We are certainly the poorer for his passing, but Brian leaves us enriched by his dedication and vision. His aim was to unite Small and Medium Enterprise professionals in practice, education and training, and to promote SME development, communication and dissemination of ideas and information. Brian, your strength, wisdom and guidance will be missed, but the vision you had is one that many of us share and one that we will ensure lives on and is realized.