E&Y names WA finalists for Entrepreneur of the Year awards

Professional Services firm Ernst & Young has named 17 Western Australian regional finalists in its national Entrepreneur of the Year awards, with the winner to be announced on August 2 this year.

The full text of a company announcement is pasted below

Seventeen of the State's best entrepreneurs will this year vie for the coveted title of Entrepreneur Of The Year and between them have a turnover of nearly $1.5 billion, employing some 3,900 people.

In announcing the 2007 regional finalists, Ernst & Young Regional Director for the EOY program in WA Lui Giuliani said: "Western Australia is offering up some of the nation's best and brightest entrepreneurs. The leadership, vision and business acumen we're seeing in this year's finalists is exciting and inspiring and we're looking forward to a great year ahead."

Since Ernst & Young's global program started in Australia in 2001, over 500 leading Australian entrepreneurs have been recognised for their entrepreneurial spirit. Entrants are assessed by a leading panel of independent judges on their innovation, integrity, influence, strategic direction and national/global impact. Their relationships with their local communities are also taken into account.

"Ernst & Young is committed to the development and recognition of the entrepreneurial spirit which is so vital to the lifeblood of Australia", Mr Giuliani said.

WESTERN REGION (WA) - other regions listed below
Shane Attwell, ISS Group Limited
Alan Brierty, Brierty Contractors
Brenton Cunningham, The Accuweigh Group
Jim Fitzgerald & Stuart Kenny, AGC
Jim Giumelli, Ertech
Phil Guy, Nomad Building Solutions
Kym Illman, The Message Group
Anna Kluczewska, AION Diagnostics
Michael Malone, iiNet
Antony Middleton, Advanced Engine Components Limited
Leeanda Paino, Sealanes (1985)
Robert Panizza, Western Plant Hire
Danny Pavlovich, BPG Imports
Laurie Puddy, United Equipment
Dave Simmons, TSG Key Group
Dan Smetana, Joyce Corp

Entrepreneur Of The Year is one of the leading business awards program in Australia and the only program of its kind with an international platform. Founded and produced by Ernst & Young, and launched in Australia in 2001, it celebrates entrepreneurs who build and lead successful businesses. The international recognition of the awards positions finalists and winners as world-class entrepreneurs and provides a benchmark for entrepreneurial excellence.

The EOY program is conducted across five regions with these winners progressing to the national awards ceremony in November. In total, across the nation, there are 84 entrepreneurs in this year's awards. Independent judging panels drawn from a broad range of successful Australian businesses assess the entrepreneurs on their innovation, integrity, influence, strategic direction, and national or global impact. This year's Western Region winners will be announced at an award ceremony in Perth on 02 August 2007.

The Australian Entrepreneur Of The Year is invited to represent Australia at the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year held annually in June in Monte Carlo. Former Australian winners have included Peter Farrell of ResMed Limited (2001), John Rothwell AO of Austal Limited (2002), David Bussau AM of Opportunity International (2003); Robert Gerard AO of Gerard Corporation (2004) and Tony D'Antonio and Peter Hosking of Global Machinery Company Worldwide (2005); and Mike Cannon-Brookes & Scott Farquhar of Atlassian (2006).

The program was first established in the US in 1986. Entrepreneur Of The Year winners outside of Australia have included Scott McNealy, Sun Microsystems (1987), Michael Dell, Dell Computer (1989); Howard Schultz, Starbucks (1991); Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com (1997); Eddie Jordan, Jordan Grand Prix (2000); and Narayana Murthy, Infosys Technologies (2003).

In Australia the Entrepreneur Of The Year program is sponsored by the Westpac Business Bank, Qantas and supported by Austrade and AusIndustry.