Begley, Vassallo among top Entrepreneurs

Matrix Composites and Engineering chief Aaron Begley and Vassallo Corporation boss Rory Vassallo were among the eight regional winners at Ernst & Young's Western Australian Entrepreneur of the Year awards last night.

Mr Begley won the technology category, while Mr Vassallo took out the gong for emerging industries.

 Other winners included Alloy Steel International chief executive Gene Kostecki in the industry region, and Perth Energy's Ky Cao for services.

 Also recognised in the non-competitive regional award categories were:

• Listed – Michael Malone, iiNet

• Social entrepreneur – Professor Michael Henderson and Professor Bruce Robinson, International Skills and Training Institute in Health

• Champion of Entrepreneurship – Andrew Forrest, Fortescue Metals Group

Ernst & Young Perth office managing partner, Mike Anghie, said the calibre of this year’s nominees and winners showed that entrepreneurship was alive and well across the state.

“Western Australia has a strong history of innovation and business excellence and our 2011 award winners are prime examples of that entrepreneurial spirit,” Mr Anghie said

“Last year, Western Australian nominee John Spence of The Karma Royal Group was named Australian Entrepreneur Of The Year for 2010 and represented the country at the World Entrepreneur Of The Year awards, following in the footsteps of previous Western Australian based National winners John Rothwell and Rod Jones.”