Business community turns out for 14th annual business awards
A retail boss, top builder and a virtual legal enterprise are among the winners named at a star-studded night for the Brisbane business community.
QLD Business
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THE co-founder of a leading Australian retail group has taken out the top gong at this year’s Lord Mayor’s Business Awards.
Maxine Horne, the CEO and co-founder Vita Group, was named Brisbane’s top business person last night at the 14th annual business awards.
Ms Horne received The Courier-Mail Award for Business Person of the Year at the City Hall gala ceremony in front of 650 of her Brisbane business colleagues.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Ms Horne was a role model for aspiring business people and described her leadership and passion as “inspirational”.
“Ms Horne is a shining example of how an entrepreneurial spirit, astute business acumen and
determination to succeed can grow a prosperous business in Brisbane and beyond,” he said.
She took the helm of Vita Group in 1995 and guided the company’s growth from Australia’s first mobile phone retailer Fone Zone to a leading publicly-listed company.
Her network of brands range from telecommunications to medical aesthetics and athletic wear.
“Under Ms Horne’s stewardship, Vita Group now employs 1,700 people and achieved a significant $685 million in revenue in financial year 2018,” Cr Schrinner said.
Jonathon Ruge, founder and CEO of VostroNet, took out The Singapore Airlines Award for Young Business Person of the Year.
With a vision to improve the delivery of internet within Australia, Mr Runge established what is now a leading provider of high-speed internet and fibre networks across the Asia Pacific.
“Within just five years, VostroNet has grown to service over 25,000 connections to hotels, co-
working spaces, student accommodation and residential apartments,” Cr Schrinner said.
For his contribution to Brisbane a special Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Hutchinson Builders chair Scott Hutchinson.
“Mr Hutchinson has not only led the rise of Australia’s largest privately-owned building company but has also helped keep Brisbane’s music scene thriving through advocacy and investment in The Triffid and The Fortitude Music Hall,” Cr Schrinner said.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
The Courier-Mail Award for Business Person of the Year
Winner: Maxine Horne - Vita Group
Lifetime Achievement Award
Winner: Scott Hutchinson – Hutchinson Builders
Singapore Airlines Award for Young Business Person of the Year
Winner: Jonathon Runge – VostroNet
Optus Business Platinum Award and Australia Pacific LNG Award for Business Innovation
Winner: Nightlife Music
Queensland Urban Utilities Award for Product Innovation
Winner: Microba
Brisbane City Council Award for Outstanding Micro Business
Winner: Law on Earth
ANZ Award for High-Growth Business Start-up
Winner: MOVUS Australia Pty Ltd
HSBC Award for Doing Business in Asia
Winner: Palladium
Yurika Award for Environmental Sustainability in Business
Winner: TyreStock Pty Ltd
ISPT Award for Outstanding Social Enterprise
Winner: Food Connect
CCIQ Award for Outstanding Small Business
Winner: CrossFit Torian Pty Ltd
Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd Award for New Investment in Brisbane
Winner: The Fortitude Music Hall
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