EY today revealed the 17 successful entrepreneurs from Queensland in the running to be named 2016 Australian EY Entrepreneur Of The Year, including DINGO’s Paul Higgins
Queensland’s EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ regional finalists announced
The finalists from Australia’s Northern Region will join 64 other talented entrepreneurs from across the country nominated for this year’s awards.
EY’s Queensland Managing Partner, Paul Laxon, said this year’s Northern Region finalists brought together a unique mix of entrepreneurs ranging from construction and real estate, through to not-for-profit, skin clinics and swim schools.
“I’m delighted that we have such an impressive display of entrepreneurial talent in Queensland this year,” Mr Laxon said.
“These entrepreneurs and their organisations are inspiring others by creating new jobs, driving innovation and productivity, and importantly, driving our local, and national economy forward.
“It’s now well understood that entrepreneurship drives innovation, job creation and economic growth, and it’s clear Australia is fast becoming a hub for the entrepreneurial spirit.”
Mr Laxon said the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards were a highlight of the year for EY, its alumni and Queensland, and a chance to celebrate the entrepreneurial talent in the state, while helping to grow and nurture the entrepreneur community.
“Bringing these entrepreneurs together is also about challenging their own thinking and helping them build relationships to create an even stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem in Australia,” Mr Laxon said.
“Each finalist should feel proud to be taking part in the Entrepreneur Of The Year program. It’s a significant milestone and we wish all of this year’s regional finalists the best of luck.”
Mr Laxon said EY had been celebrating, advising, guiding, recognising and connecting the best entrepreneurs for more than 30 years, not only through the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Program but through the firm’s Global Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and looked forward to a fantastic year ahead for Australia’s entrepreneurs.
Mark Toon, Queensland General Manager, Corporate Financial Services, Commonwealth Bank, said entrepreneurs play a critical role in the local economy.
“Queensland continues to be a strong breeding ground for entrepreneurial talent as shown by the high calibre of the 2016 Northern Region finalists. It’s really encouraging to see our local entrepreneurs thriving as they give the broader community a boost through new ideas and job creation.
“At the Commonwealth Bank, innovation is part of our DNA and we are honoured to be associated with some of Australia’s top business innovators, who continue to inspire and motivate those around them.
“Congratulations to all the finalists. I wish them well in their pursuit of the awards.”
The finalists will go on to compete at a national level in Sydney in October. The overall Australian winner will then continue on in the global program, travelling to Monte Carlo in June 2017 to compete for title of EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™.
The finalists will be assessed by a panel of independent judges, including previous Entrepreneur Of The Year award winners and other successful Australian business leaders across six core criteria: entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, personal integrity and influence, financial performance, strategic direction, and national and global impact.
The list of Northern Region finalists in the 2016 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program is below.
Northern Region finalists
Peter Harbison – Australian Rig Construction Pty Ltd
Deb Farnworth-Wood – Australian Skin Clinics
Peta Fielding – Burleigh Brewing Company
Wayne Romer – Deswik Group Pty Ltd
Paul Higgins – DINGO
Jordan Grives – Fonebox
Ian Campbell – JUMP! Swim Schools
Roy Wilson – NuGrow
Paul Costello – Queensland Prestressing Pty Ltd
Adrian Rosatto – Raw Group Management Pty Ltd
Warren Ebert – Sentinel Property Group
Damien Stokes and John Wheeler – Stokes Wheeler
Bruce and Denise Morcombe – The Daniel Morcombe Foundation
Rafael Luna – Universal Communications Group Ltd
Andrew Coronis – Coronis Group
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Kat Rellos
Ernst & Young Australia
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