David Smorgon experienced the highs and lows of a family business. He is a businessman who has built his success on effective communication, hard work, recognition and persistence.

David spent 25 years as an executive and director with Smorgon Consolidated Industries, followed by 16 years as the President of the Western Bulldogs AFL Club.

Although a trained lawyer, David joined the family business at the age of 23. David advanced to be a senior executive at Smorgon Consolidated Industries – the large family business that spanned meat, paper, glass, plastics and steel industries. When Smorgon Consolidated Industries was sold off in 1995 in a staged divestment it ended a 70-year family history and marked one of the lowest points of David’s life. He and others fought to save the family business and were bitterly disappointed when their efforts failed.

When the Western Bulldogs offered David the presidency in 1996, it presented a new opportunity and challenge and David quickly cemented his reputation as a force in the business and sporting worlds. As one of the smaller teams in the AFL competition, David steered the Bulldogs through constant battles of survival in the cut-throat world of AFL, where business perspective and professionalism are paramount. David stepped down as President in December 2012, ending a 16-year reign.

In 1996 David and his three sons established Generation Investments focusing on business opportunities, equity and property investments. His most recent business venture is PointMade, where he assists senior executives to professionalise their pitch and speaking skills. Drawing on his own business acumen and astuteness, he enjoys imparting his own rules for success to inspire others. Testament to his wealth of experience in family business, which taught him the importance of consultation and transparency, David was named the inaugural chairman of Family Business Australia in 1997, a position he held for six years.