EY today announced the six successful entrepreneurs from across the country in the running to be EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2021 Australia.
For 21 years, the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year program has recognised ambitious leaders who build and sustain successful, dynamic businesses and reframe the future.
This year, the program celebrates finalists selected by a group of highly respected judges, themselves considered entrepreneurial trail-blazers, chaired by Lucy Turnbull AO. Finalists will be judged on their demonstration of entrepreneurial spirit, value creation, strategic direction, innovation, personal integrity, and national and global impact. For the first time, there will also be a People’s Choice award, with the public having the opportunity to vote for their favourite finalist.
2021 Australian finalists are:
- Izhar Basha, Founder and CEO, EHPlabs
- Linda Brown, President & CEO, Torrens University Australia
- Doug Fitch, Global CEO, Agworld
- David Fogarty, CEO & Director, The Davie Group
- Dr Sean Parsons, CEO & Managing Director, Ellume
- Anson Zhang and Jeff Yu, Co-founders, One Stop Warehouse and Discover Energy Pty Ltd
“The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is much more than an awards program – it’s an exciting opportunity to celebrate entrepreneurs and the incredible impact they create for Australia. For participants it’s a chance to embark on a lifelong journey with an alumni network of like-minded and talented entrepreneurs,” remarked EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Australia Leader Justin Howse.
“They demonstrate the drive and determination that it takes to disrupt and transform their respective industries. It takes willpower, imagination, and a certain amount of courage to look beyond the status quo and create next-generation offerings and contribute to the momentum that will push industry forward into the future, especially in these uncertain times.”
Mike Vacy-Lyle, Group Executive of Business Banking at CBA said:
“Over the past year, we have seen businesses continue to innovate to help drive the country’s economic recovery – and Australia’s entrepreneurs are at the centre of this innovation. CBA is pleased to again be supporting the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year awards, celebrating the very talented people who are making a difference in the business community and helping to build a brighter future.”
The winner will be announced in April following a final round of judging interviews in February. The Australian winner of EY Entrepreneur Of The Year will continue forward to represent Australia at World EY Entrepreneur Of The Year in June 2022.
To find out more, please head to https://www.ey.com/en_au/entrepreneur-of-the-year/australia
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About EY Entrepreneur Of The YearTM
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and recognises the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognising them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries.
The Australian Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program, launched in 2001, is conducted in five regions culminating in the national awards. The program honours entrepreneurs whose ingenuity and perseverance have created and sustained successful, growing business ventures. Entrepreneur Of The Year’s primary objective is to identify, acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding contribution entrepreneurs make to the Australian business community and economy.
EY encourages women to apply to enter the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards. The program empowers women entrepreneurs to think bigger, gain access to capital, enhance their business profile, network, learn from their peers and find seasoned advisors.
The Australian Entrepreneur Of The Year program now has alumni of over 1,400 entrepreneurs who have participated in the program. Since the program’s inception more than 15,000 people have attended Entrepreneur Of The Year events and award ceremonies in Australia.
About EY
EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.
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This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young Australia, a member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited.
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