Some of Western Australia's most successful entrepreneurs received top honours last night at the regional Entrepreneur Of The Year awards held at the Hyatt Regency in Perth.
Some of Western Australia's most successful entrepreneurs received top honours last night at the regional Entrepreneur Of The Year awards held at the Hyatt Regency in Perth. The Entrepreneur Of The Year program, founded and produced by Ernst & Young and held in 40 countries, this year has 107 entrepreneurs taking part across Australia.
Lui Giuliani, Ernst & Young Regional Director of the Entrepreneur Of The Year program in Perth said: "My hearty congratulations go out to each of tonight's winners. The judges had a challenging task in making their decisions, but all the finalists should feel extremely proud of themselves for being nominated for an Entrepreneur Of The Year award - a nomination that signifies their role as a leader within the Australian business community."
Details of the winners representing Western Australia in the competitive categories, with comments from the judges, follow.
Retail, Consumer and Industrial Products
Peter Fitzgerald, Nev Hurring, Peter Nichols, Brian Piggott: STEEL BLUE
"The four entrepreneurs behind Steel Blue have pooled their talents and vision to create a great combination of innovation, risk taking, national and international impact, and financial success. Steel Blue represents a simple, but well executed business that has achieved consistent strong growth and international success."
Technology, Communications, E-commerce and Life Sciences
Andrew van der Meer & Jim van der Meer: VAN DER MEER GROUP
"Andrew and Jim van der Meer's unique blend of technical competencies has led to the development of a significant engineering consulting business which is innovative in its approach to the use of technology, materials and concepts. The twin brothers display integrity in their pricing strategies and have a 'can do, no is not the answer' attitude."
Western Region Young Entrepreneur Of The Year
Dr Andrew Rado: REWARDS GROUP
"Dr Andrew Rado has developed a significant, innovative business that survived industry setbacks in 2001 that saw the end of many large industry players. Rewards Group has since flourished due to a substantial broadening of its product base and innovation, which has created new agricultural export industries for Australia. The company's financial performance has been truly remarkable over a short timeframe."
Services including Financial, Business and Property
Brett McKeon, AFG
"Brett McKeon has demonstrated outstanding success in a highly competitive industry. He has doubled the size of AFG in three years by expanding its product range to diversified financial solutions. At the same time, he has maintained profitability and has exerted a considerable influence on the broader community."
The winners of two non-competitive categories were also announced: Western Region Champion of Entrepreneurship 2006 awarded to Denis Cullity AO, Chairman of Wesbeam Holdings Limited and Western Region Social Entrepreneur Of The Year awarded to Ros Worthington OAM, CEO and Founder of the Breast Cancer Foundation of Western Australia.
The 2006 Australian Entrepreneur Of The Year will be announced on 30th November 2006.
