Here, the judging panel reflects on the challenges and opportunities business leaders have leveraged for growth and success over the past year or so.

Filtering through all the finalists to decide on one winner in each category is arguably not an easy task. However, as well-respected experts within their fields, each judge is well-versed in critiquing the leaders who made it to the shortlist.

This year’s judging panel comprised Chris Dutton, Founder, The CEO Magazine; Anna Dutton, Co-Founder and Executive Director, The CEO Magazine; John Karagounis, Executive Chair, The CEO Circle; Ronni Kahn, CEO and Founder, OzHarvest; Andrew Hume, CEO, Converge International; Scott Power, CEO, BMD; and Tristan Sternson, NCS NEXT Global Co-Lead, ARQ Group CEO & NCS Senior Partner.

Pointing the Compass to North

From not-for-profit trailblazers and young executives to managing directors and CEOs, this year provided plenty of proof that a wind of change is in the air, as entrepreneurship reached new heights.

“There’s been a surge in startups and entrepreneurs, which really floats my boat,” Founder of The CEO Magazine Chris Dutton reflects. “It’s great to see Australia as a genuine place in the world where business can actually be formed and flourish from just an idea.”

“It’s great to see Australia as a genuine place in the world where business can actually be formed and flourish from just an idea.”
– Chris Dutton

For Dutton, the Awards continue to acknowledge the people who drive business excellence, not just the organisation itself, which is an important distinction. During a thought leadership session with Richard Branson this year, Dutton recalls the most relevant theme for leaders to be aware of.

“One thing the great leaders do is help provide a clear path and ladder for employees to get where they want and to succeed within their companies, but more importantly, be accountable themselves for the growth and success of those people,” he says.

This sentiment is echoed by The CEO Magazine’s Co-Founder and Executive Director Anna Dutton, who highlights the significance of celebrating achievements in order to keep the ball rolling towards more equitable and inclusive leadership.

“I am always excited to see what’s new in the business world and how people have positively pivoted their businesses for success,” she says. “For me, and other women executives, this is so important, as we still have a long way to go to achieve parity in the business world.”

Masters in Resilience

John Karagounis, returning judge and Executive Chair of The CEO Circle, says he was keen to shine a light this year on the individuals who steered their teams through choppy waters. Karagounis’ story of resilience was truly demonstrated when he left behind a blossoming career in financial services to take a calculated risk as CEO of the membership organisation.

“It’s even more challenging to actually succeed during these times,” he notes. “I’m looking forward to seeing resilience, innovation and people striving to succeed in spite of all the noise and chaos happening out there.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing resilience, innovation and people striving to succeed in spite of all the noise and chaos happening out there.”
– John Karagounis

If there was a badge of honour for social impact changemakers, it would undoubtedly go to OzHarvest’s Ronni Kahn.

“I left a business that sometimes could have made A$50,000 on a single weekend – but it was the best thing I ever did,” she admits. “The challenges we face in this broken food system are complex and we need all levels of society to support and help fix this, from the government to citizens.”

On receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award last year, Kahn was quick to acknowledge the 300 staff and 4,500 volunteers upon whose shoulders she stands. In doing so, she showed how honouring standout leadership extends and pays tribute to the wider organisation.

Looking Within

With remote work here to stay and employee wellbeing front of mind, Converge International’s CEO Andrew Hume points out how instilling a sense of lightheartedness is the agency’s secret sauce.

Quoting advertising legend Keith Reinhard from his book Any Wednesday, Hume tells The CEO Magazine that the freedom to be is essential for any business wanting to retain talent and pursue a genuinely welcoming culture, and it’s up to managers to foster this.

“Not only do we ask managers to respect each individual’s right to a life outside the workplace, we also expect them to maintain an environment that encourages laughter and celebration on the job,” he cites from Reinhard’s book.

From the tech sector, Tristan Sternson chimes in to add that caring for your people is also good for business. “I was looking for how other leaders were nurturing and focusing on their people to achieve goals and build long-term business performance,” he says. “Good, sustainable businesses are consistent.”

“I was keen to continue my involvement with such an amazing calibre of executives.”
– Tristan Sternson

As a Runner-Up in the highly coveted CEO of the Year – A$100m+ category in 2022, the NEXT Global Co-Lead, ARQ Group CEO & NCS Senior Partner was excited to continue his involvement in the Awards – this time as a judge.

“There was a fantastic mix of executives in the room, across a broad range of industries,” he reflects. “I was keen to continue my involvement with such an amazing calibre of executives.”

As the CEO of his family-owned business BMD Group, Scott Power brought yet another unique perspective to the mix. Like Sternson, he believes that the Awards foster a sense of community from which everyone participating can benefit.

“Acknowledging and celebrating outstanding achievements in leadership lifts and inspires everyone to new heights. It provides visibility into innovation and excellence, from which we all learn.”

With the Awards ceremony over for another year, the night once again opened up new pathways to building business success and rewarding partnerships.

“We had a really solid year of applications in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era,” Chris Dutton says. “It’s been fascinating to look under the bonnet again into some of Australia’s best run companies, and indeed most successful startup stories, to see people and companies doing really well.”

And with that in mind, until next year…