Vacancy at the top as Chambers leaves VTA

By: Ruza Zivkusic-Aftasi

Date: 24.09.2014

Former CEO expected to be keenly sought as official announcement is awaited.

Vacancy at the top as Chambers leaves VTA

Neil Chambers and his skills are on the market

Victorian Transport Association (VTA) CEO Neil Chambers has stepped down from his position.

It is understood that Chambers is no longer involved with the association and is now a consultant "looking for the next adventure", as stated on his LinkedIn profile.

The transport and logistics sector has been abuzz with speculation for some days following his new job update, with interest in the development coming from as far afield as Queensland and Tasmania.

The VTA was not prepared to comment before an official announcement is made, which is expected within the next 24 hours.

Repeated attempts to contact Chambers failed to return a response, which may be related to the situation of the organisation.

Retired VTA CEO Phil Lovel would not comment on the Chambers departure, saying an announcement would be made today or tomorrow morning.

"He’s been on LinkedIn saying he’s a consultant now, so obviously he’s not there anymore," Lovel says.

The CEO of two years, Chambers joined the VTA in 2003 as deputy CEO.

Industry observers believe that, with his long experience in industry advocacy, particularly transport and logistics and shipping, Chambers will be in demand.

The development comes as the November state election looms and there is speculation that the VTA will move quickly to fill the vacancy.

It also comes as other trucking-related organisations see a changing of the guard recently in their senior positions, not least with Australian Trucking Association (ATA) CEO Stuart St Clair to retire next March and Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) gaining Grant Robins as its new president last month.