Last year’s Business News Rising Stars winner, emergency response and security services provider Executive Risk Solutions, has taken the top prize as the 2015 Telstra Australian business of the year.
Last year’s Business News Rising Stars winner, emergency response and security services provider Executive Risk Solutions, has taken the top prize as the 2015 Telstra Australian business of the year.
ERS chief executive Scott Houston, who served in international conflicts as a former Special Air Services regiment trooper, set up his risk management venture in Western Australia in 2008, recruiting staff experienced in police, military special forces and fire and emergency services to work for Australia’s largest companies in the resources and oil and gas sectors.
The company recently took out the 2015 Telstra Western Australian business of the year, making it a contender for last night’s achievement.
The business has a workforce of 110 and offices domestically and in Dubai, and has won operational contracts ranging from security for the Roy Hill project in the Pilbara to emergency services at the Port of Geraldton.
Mr Houston was also a contender in the 2015 EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards.
Scott Houston (left) with his wife Fiona at the Telstra Australian business awards. Photo: Supplied
“We have experienced exponential growth and, in a highly competitive market, we have focused on delivering a more professional service than our competitors,” Mr Houston said.
"Our commitment to professional development is paramount to our success – our investment in sending key personnel to the US for training each year has opened new doors for us in the oil and gas industry and port facilities.”
ERS has also branched out into vehicle design and fabrication for first-response emergency vehicles.
Other winners at last night's Telstra awards were ice tea beverage manufacturer Nexba and cotton processor Southern Cotton, both from New South Wales, and two Victorians, industrial electrical specialists Furst Electrical and corporative uniform manufacturers Cargo Crew.
Telstra business group managing director Will Irving said ERS was a fast-growing company with deep expertise and a very strong business culture that it was leveraging across Australia and overseas.
“Scott Houston has developed a world class team with proven expertise in emergency response that has expanded to broader risk and issue management services,” Mr Irving said.
“His leadership is shown by an absolute commitment to high performance and investment in his staff.
“As CEO, Scott plays to his strengths, recognises his weaknesses and knows where and when to seek advice,” he said
