COSBOA, one of the most influential small-business advocacy bodies in the country, has officially appointed Skye Cappuccio as its new Chief Executive Officer. Her appointment heralds a new era for the organisation as Australia’s small-business community navigates economic uncertainty, rising operational costs, and fast-changing regulatory requirements.

Ms Cappuccio, who until recently served in senior leadership roles at Optometry Australia and other national health and professional bodies, brings decades of policy, advocacy, and stakeholder-management experience. Her appointment is being widely viewed as a move aimed at strengthening COSBOA’s policy influence in Canberra while modernising the organisation’s approach to small-business representation.

He will take over the role next February in a position that has become increasingly significant. With over 2.5 million small businesses creating more than a third of Australia’s GDP, COSBOA is the key player in lobbying government and shaping the national conversation on workforce policy, taxation, workplace relations, digital transformation, and regulatory compliance. During times when inflation, supply-chain disruption, and ongoing skills shortages are making life increasingly tough for small enterprises, Cappuccio brings stability and strategic direction to the leadership of COSBOA.

In a statement after the announcement, Cappuccio said she felt “deeply honoured” to accept the role and vowed to “amplify the collective voice” of small business operators throughout the country. She underlined that ensuring entrepreneurs have a strong voice inside the federal discussion is of primary importance, especially in times when new employment laws, cyber-security requirements, and cost-of-living pressures affect daily business operations.

Cappuccio’s health sector background has been described by analysts as an added asset due to the parallel challenges faced by small clinics, practices and allied-health providers — many of whom are part of COSBOA’s wider membership network. Her experience with member-based organisations, complemented by her work in compliance, professional standards and stakeholder advocacy, is likely to fortify COSBOA’s internal governance and external impact.

Colleagues who have worked with Cappuccio attest to her reputation for clarity, collaboration, and firmness in the negotiating of policy detail. She balances empathy with strategic insight, making her well-suited to an organisation that must navigate both government diplomacy and grassroots engagement. Her appointment also underlines COSBOA’s continued commitment to lifting strong female leadership within the sector.

The Australian small-business landscape is changing rapidly at the moment. The rate of digitisation is accelerating across all industries, while consumer behaviour continues to change in a post-pandemic environment. Many small businesses are battling to find staff, increases in energy costs and a greater drive to adopt new technologies just to stay competitive. COSBOA has been increasingly vocal about the need for targeted government support to help small operators adapt and thrive.

Coming in as the new Chief Executive Officer, the likely priorities of Cappuccio are the strengthening of COSBOA’s national influence, building deeper relationships with policymakers, improving member engagement, and extending research-driven advocacy. She is also likely to champion fairer regulatory frameworks, simplified compliance burdens, and better access to digital tools for small businesses throughout regional and metropolitan Australia.

Her predecessor’s term found COSBOA playing a leading role in key national debates on the reform of workplace relations, small-business tax structures, and the rollout of digital-identity systems. Cappuccio’s leadership is likely to continue this platform while placing more emphasis on resilience, innovation, and long-term sustainability for small enterprises.

The various industry groups have welcomed her appointment, citing it as timely and strategically aligned with the renewed focus of COSBOA on practical, business-centred policy. Small-business owners are equally optimistic, saying she has a track record of listening, consulting widely, and making sure the member perspectives shape the national discussion. Cappuccio’s appointment presents a seminal moment for COSBOA, as the organisation seeks to strengthen its voice during what many describe as the most challenging period for small business in a decade. With her mix of advocacy experience, sector knowledge, and collaborative leadership style, she’s positioned to lead COSBOA through a new era of reform, representation, and national influence.