Job Roles | Qualifications |Certifications | Board Appointments | Memberships & Affiliations | Core Competencies | Local Government Experience
With a robust academic background in accounting, business management, and social sciences, coupled with a wealth of experience as a seasoned business manager and board member, I have occupied senior commercial, operational, and general management roles.
I excel in developing and implementing long-term strategies, governance structures, procurement processes, and efficient management systems and procedures. My operational experience delivers tangible corporate benefits, transforming the way organisations are managed.
I thrive on tackling challenges head-on, making me a go-to problem solver. Whether it’s leading teams, crafting and executing winning strategies, or establishing effective management frameworks, I deliver organisational efficiency, effectiveness, and overall success.
Key strengths that set me apart include a strategic vision, unwavering resilience, impeccable organisational and time management skills, adeptness at navigating ambiguity, and the ability to connect across domains. My influential nature, coupled with strong negotiation and communication skills, allows me to drive results and enact positive change.
I offer a holistic perspective on business, blending whole-of-business awareness with the capacity to get the job done. My diverse skill set empowers me to manage multiple facets of a business, overseeing specialised functions and handling tasks that might typically require a team of individuals.
Elevate your organisation’s potential – partner with a professional who not only understands the big picture but also possesses the demonstrable capacity to turn challenges into triumphs.
Job Roles
Prior to commencing his consulting business David Ashton held the following positions within government and industry:
- Commercial Manager (R2R Services)
- Regional Operations Manager (United Group (Resources) Ltd)
- Contract Manager (United Group (Resources) Ltd)
- WA Asset Manager (Metcash Ltd)
- Manager Administration & Supply (WA TAB / RWWA)
- Senior Administration Officer (Shire of Ashburton)
- Administrative Support Officer (City of Cockburn).↑ top
Qualifications
- Graduate Certificate of Professional Accounting (Commercial Law, Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Finance) – 2020
- Diploma of Quality Auditing (OHS , QMS, EMS, Risk) – 2012
- Master of Business Administration (Finance, HR, Marketing, Management, Business Strategy) – 2001
- Bachelor of Arts (Social Sciences) (Economics, Political Economy, Management Theory, Asian Business and Culture, Media) – 1994
Certifications
- Working with Children Check (WA Notice Number: 3959449) – Exp. 22/12/2025
- Certificate of Accreditation – Standard Mental Health First Aider – 2022
- COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate (Valid from 22 October 2021 – Doc No.: 1002 0397 8769)
- CPCCWHS1001 Construction Safety White Card-WA Course (W/C No.: 10665736) – 2020
- Graduate – AICD Company Directors Course (Residential Program) – 2012 ↑ top
Board Appointments
- Board Member (Consumer Representative) – Architects Board of Western Australia (Ministerial Appointment, since October 2017) – Member of the Governance Sub-committee.
- Expert Director – South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALSC) (April 2016 to April 2022) – Chairperson of the SWALSC Finance, Risk and Audit Sub-committee.↑ top
Memberships and Affiliations
- Bunbury Geographe Chamber of Commerce & Industries.
- Australian Institute of Company Directors (Graduate Member).
Core Competencies / Skills
- Financial Management / Accounting / CFO / Multi-million Dollar Budgets & Budgeting (PL, BS, CAPEX)
- Internal Controls / Project Controls
- Business Continuity Planning / Incident Management
- Contract / Commercial Law
- Enterprise Governance, Risk & Compliance Management (AS8000 / ISO31000)
- Internal Audit (Systems, Policies & Procedures)
- Policy / Procedure Development & Implementation
- Business Analysis / Process Improvement
- Strategic & Business Planning / Implementation
- Project Planning / Management (Prince2, PMBOK)
- Quality Management Systems (ISO9001)
- Health & Safety Management Systems (ISO45001)
- Environment Management Systems (ISO14001)
- Information Security Management Systems (ISO 27001)
- ISO Certification
- Human Resource Management
- Performance Management
- Management / Team Building.
- Leadership / Lateral Thinking
- Organisational Change Management
- Executive Management / Board Member
- Aboriginal Engagement / Reconciliation (RAPs)
- Diversity / Disability Consultancy (DAIPs)
- Community & Stakeholder Engagement
- Workshop & Webinar Facilitation / Chairing Meetings
- Grant Writing / Strategy
- Tender / Bid Writing / Strategy
- Procurement & Contract Management
- Research / Report Writing / Feasibility Studies
- Public Relations / Speaking / Advocacy / Networking
- Customer / Client / Supplier Relationship Management & Engagement
- Business Advisory / Management Consulting
- ICT System Administration
- Microsoft Office, SAP, Social Media Applications
- Construction / Capital Works Supervision
- Asset & Facilities Management / Planning (Asset Management Plans)
- Asset Management Systems (ISO55000)
- Property Sales & Leasing (All property classes)
- Corporate Real Estate (Rent, Outgoings, Lease Negotiation & Management)
- Property Development / Land Management / Subdivisions
- Local Government / Public Sector Management
- Local Government Law Enforcement / Statutory Approvals
- Bushfire / Emergency Management. ↑ top
Local Government Experience
David has a unique experience with and understanding of local government having been a manager and elected member with, and a consultant to local government. Through this he has gained an extensive knowledge of and experience in local government governance, policy-making, strategy, statutory approvals and management generally.
As Deputy Mayor and an elected member, he played a leading and constructive role in shaping modern Victoria Park and served as a member of the following committees:
- Integrated Movement and Transport Advisory Working Group (Chair)
- Victoria Park/South Perth Local Government Reform Taskforce
- Development Assessment Panel (Ministerial appointment)
- Business Life Working Group (Chair)
- Disability Access Working Group
- Regional Planning Committee (SE Metro Zone) (Ministerial appointment)
- WA Local Government Association (SE Metro Zone)
- Community Environmental Working Group
- Community Safety Working Group
- Audit Committee (Chair)
- Lathlain Park Redevelopment Working Group
- Multi-purpose Sports Centre Working Group
- Parking Management Committee.
His professional skills and experience were used to advocate for and drive the development and implementation of strategies regarding transport, parking and road safety, economic development, public art, corporate governance, financial management, community engagement and strategic town and infrastructure planning.
