Winners all round as five take home special prizes

A handful of the 40 winners were also awarded special prizes by some of the organisations involved at the founding of the WA Business News 40under40 Awards.

The winners were selected by the program’s strategic alliance partners – Western Australia’s four public universities and the City of Perth.

Each of the special prizes included a cash component and was based on the partner’s own criteria.

City of Perth Award – Edward Rigg, managing director, Argonaut Ltd

Mr Rigg is the co-founder of Argonaut an integrated investment bank specialising in the resources field. He was presented with his award by City of Perth councillor Michael Sutherland.

Curtin University Business School Bankwest Entre-preneurship and Business Development Unit Award – Justin Anderson, managing director, TFG Pty Ltd

Founded by Mr Anderson, The Foodline Group (TFG) is the parent group of Austline Fabrications, Heat Exchanges WA, Foodline Stainless Installations and Pumpline. Tim Atterton presented his award.

ECU Award – Sandy Cikara, operations manager, McDonald’s Australia 

Presented her award by Professor Robert Harvey, Ms Cikara is the youngest operations manager in Australia, overseeing 1,359 employees in WA, the most profitable McDonald’s operation in Australia.

Murdoch University Award – Kim Brotherson, managing director, Pharmacy 777 and Pharmacy Help Group

Mr Brotherson has overseen a big expansion of the group since taking over in 2003, including a doubling of staff to 450. He was presented with his award by Professor Gary Martin.

UWA Business School Award – Ainslie Van Onselen, Litigation partner, Tottle Partners and director, Web Central Ltd

Ms Van Onselen is not only a successful lawyer but sits on the board of Australia’s biggest listed Internet products and services company, WebCentral, which has a significant role in supplying the legal industry. She was presented with the award by Tracey Horton.