Judge: Darren Hayes - Vodafone WA

Title: General manager

In the two first years Darren Hayes has held the position of Vodafone’s general manager (WA), the business has grown by 300 per cent.

A 40under40 award winner in 2006, Mr Hayes is recognised as being the driving force behind Vodafone’s rapid growth in the local market and has led the call for Western Australians to realise the benefits of mobile voice and data communications.

Before joining Vodafone, he was national sales and marketing manager for Stratatel Limited. He has held roles with Axxess Australia, Austcom Tele Services and Mitre 10, with positions including state sales manager and national sales manager, to joint managing director.

Previously a board member of the Aquinas College Old Boys Association and Young Entrepreneur Association, Mr Hayes is an active member of the not-for-profit Vodafone Australia Foundation.