This year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year winners have been named
DISCOVERY Parks chief executive Grant Wilckens has taken out a national prize at this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards.
DISCOVERY Parks chief executive Grant Wilckens has taken out a national prize at this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards.
Mr Wilckens was named services entrepreneur of the year at the awards ceremony, with MECCA Brands founder Jo Horgan taking out the main prize of 2018 Australian EY Entrepreneur of the Year.
Robert Hill-Smith from Yalumba Family Winemakers was prized with the family business award for excellence.
EY Oceania chief executive Tony Johnson paid tribute to all winners in this year’s awards program.
“EY is proud to support each of this year’s finalists who have taken challenges, and turned them into opportunities – with an unwavering focus on improved outcomes for their people, their products and services and their communities,” he said.
“Collectively our entrepreneurs in this year’s program have created over 13,000 jobs, generated $6.5 billion dollars in revenue and contributed countless billions of dollars in economic activity.
“These exceptional people have demonstrated that through hard work, sheer determination and self-belief you can achieve your dreams.”
After establishing Discovery Parks 14 years ago, Mr Wilckens expects the company to grow its network to 400 holiday parks by 2020, generating $184 million by that time.
Ms Horgan founded Melbourne-based MECCA Brands in 1997, with the company now operating more than 95 stores across Australia and New Zealand, and employing more than 3000 people.
She will travel to Monaco in June to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year award.