BGC (Australia) Pty Limited founder Len Buckeridge has been honoured in this year’s Entrepreneur of the Year awards, as the ‘Master Entrepreneur’ category winner.
BGC (Australia) Pty Limited founder Len Buckeridge has been honoured in this year’s Entrepreneur of the Year awards, as the ‘Master Entrepreneur’ category winner.
From humbling beginnings Mr Buckeridge has built up a vertically integrated construction empire that includes building, concrete and glass businesses.
Other category winners included the Donegal Resources brothers, Ian and Leigh Junk, in the Young Entrepreneur award category.
Through innovative mining methods that produce higher-grade ore and reduce waste dilution, the Junk brothers have created a very profitable mine, enabling further expansion.
Besides their business successes, the brothers have also been able to take a community-focused approach to their business operations in the town of Kambalda.
With a well beyond industry standard success rate, Tap Oil Ltd managing director and CEO Paul Underwood won the Retail, Consumer and Industrial Products award.
During Mr Underwood’s time at the helm Tap has struck oil and/or gas in around one third of all drills.
In addition, the Technology, Communication and E-Commerce and Life Services award went to Bruce Gray, from Sirtex Medical Ltd (SML) and Gray Surgical, for his innovative cancer-targeting concept.
Frustrated by inadequate cancer patient treatment, Dr Gray founded SML in 1997.
Based upon his targeted cancer therapy concept, SML has become a global medical technology player, bringing its products to thousands of patients.
In other categories, ASG Ltd co-founder Geoff Lewis, was honoured with the Services including Financial, Business and Property award.
Through development, ASG now bids for larger and more lucrative contracts and is expanding into Australia’s eastern States.
Foodbank of WA general manager, Doug Paling was also recognised, due to the organisation’s excellence in strong professional business practices with the Entrepreneurship in a Social, Community or non-profit Enterprise award.
Foodbank WA recently expanded its reach to the mid west centre of Geraldton.
Ernst & Young managing partner, Perth Michael Minosora said: “The level of innovation displayed by entrepreneurs in WA is second to none… [as] this year’s winners have taken a unique and innovative approach to an existing market or product and made it their own”.
The Australian Entrepreneur of the Year program, founded by Ernst & Young, is now in its third year, and is part of the global Entrepreneur of the Year program that covers more than 35 countries.
