Almost 40 Brisbane companies and business leaders have been recognized for their achievements as finalists in the Lord Mayor’s Business Awards.
A quartet of corporate high-flyers, Brett Clark (Chemist Warehouse), Michael Rayner (Blight Rayner), Garth Chester (Valenhold) and Karuna Mazzocchi (Coronis Group) are up for the coveted Business Person of the Year award, with 10 other categories also to be decided at a gala awards night on November 6.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the 2025 event would celebrate two decades of local businesses driving innovation and fuelling Brisbane’s economic momentum.
“Brisbane has grown and flourished over the past 20 years because entrepreneurs and enterprises have driven bold ambition and helped Brisbane’s economy surpass $200 billion,” Lord Mayor Shrinner said.
He said this year, 31 businesses and eight business leaders across all sectors and industries, from grassroots start-ups to established global players, were finalists.
“Among this pool of local talent are start-ups offering renewable energy and safety innovation solutions, tourism initiatives improving our visitor economy, hospitality companies serving the best of Brisbane to the world, and organisations on the cutting-edge of MedTech and health breakthroughs.”
Lord Mayor Schrinner said beyond individual recognition, the Awards showcased the collaborative nature of doing business in Brisbane.
“Brisbane’s momentum accelerates across key sectors including advanced manufacturing, logistics and knowledge industries. These businesses drive that growth and make Brisbane an even better place to live and work.”
He said the Brisbane Economic Development Agency’s 2025 State of the City report, showing the Brisbane economy had topped $200 billion, represented a $28 billion, or 16 percent, uplift since 2020..
“Brisbane is also home to Australia’s fastest-growing experience economy, with a record $13.7 billion visitor spend and domestic growth three times higher than the next capital.”
The 11 category winners will be announced at the 2025 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards gala on Thursday November 6 at Brisbane City Hall.
2025 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards Finalists:
Product Innovation Award
- AI Carer.
- Blue Carbon Pty Ltd.
- EV Fire Protection.
- Sharpe Engineering.
High-Growth Business Award
- Attekus.
- Airport Retail Group Australia.
- Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers.
- Karmo.
Business Transformation Award
- Audeara Limited.
- Cooler.
- Priestley’s Gourmet Delights.
- Sharpe Engineering.
Small Business Award
- Anti Ordinary Pty Ltd.
- Like a Photon Creative.
- Localis.
- The Equine Practice Company.
Environmental Sustainability in Business Award
- Blue Carbon Pty Ltd.
- Tom’s Pallets Pty Ltd.
- My Nu Energy Pty Ltd.
- Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.
Social Enterprise Award
- Austep Eco.
- Happy Paws Happy Hearts.
- Help Enterprises.
- Whitebox Enterprises.
International Business Award
- Audeara Limited.
- iOrthotics.
- The Equine Practice Company.
- Valenhold.
Investment in Brisbane Award
- Archerfield Airport.
- Aria Property Group.
- Charter Hall.
- Valenhold.
Micro Business Award
- GM Coffee.
- Humanology Group.
- Nadu.
- Valere Health.
Young Business Person of the Year Award
- Alexandra French, Nadu.
- Jasmine O’Reilly, The Outlier Group.
- Dr Navid Toosi Saidy, Propel Health AI.
- Rob Joseph, Anti Ordinary Pty Ltd.
Business Person of the Year Award
- Brett Clark AM, Chemist Warehouse.
- Michael Rayner AM, Blight Rayner.
- Garth Chester, Valenhold.
- Karuna Mazzocchi, Coronis Group.
