In a night celebrating the best of Australian business, two exceptional leaders, one from Sydney and one from Melbourne, have been honoured as Australian Business Persons of the Year at the inaugural Club of United Business (CUB) Awards. 

Held at the Sofitel Hotel in Sydney, the black-tie event brought together over 450 attendees, including some of Australia’s leading entrepreneurs and innovators, in recognition of their contributions to Australian business. The event marked a significant milestone for CUB, underscoring its commitment to fostering a collaborative and supportive environment for Australia’s top business minds.

Daniel Hakim, Founder and CEO of CUB, said: “The 1st Annual CUB Awards showcased the incredible talent within our community. Each award recipient demonstrates excellence, innovation, and resilience. It was an honour to celebrate their achievements and see firsthand the impact these leaders are making in their industries and communities.”

Australian Business Person of the Year

• Bradley Gimbert (Indigenous Wealth, Sydney)
  Recognised for overcoming adversity, Bradley Gimbert has built a business that empowers Indigenous communities, fostering positive change and creating opportunities beyond financial success.
• Daniel Copsey (TMSPC Group, Melbourne)
  Known for his business acumen and social impact, Daniel leads initiatives like The Health Collab, which has served over 20,000 patients in Pakistan. His work reflects a commitment to purpose-driven business that goes beyond profit.

Best Place to Work

• Julian Fayad (LoanOptions.ai, Sydney)
  Julian has created a culture that balances professionalism with fun, offering his team a supportive, engaging environment.
• Wayne Taylor (Southern States Group, Melbourne)
  Known for his “No Dickhead” policy, Wayne has cultivated a family-oriented culture that fosters loyalty and inclusivity among employees.

Fastest Growing Business of the Year

• Tim Cullen (TradieSpec, Sydney)
  Tim’s business has evolved from a small operation to a national player, achieving multi-million-dollar revenues and rapid expansion.
• David Goodwin (Liberty Behavioural Services, Melbourne)
  Under David’s leadership, Liberty Behavioural Services has seen exceptional growth, increasing turnover, staff, and industry influence.

Most Innovative Company

• Jasmine Chilcott (FixBIOME, Sydney)
  Inspired by her own health journey, Jasmine founded FixBIOME, delivering innovative gut health solutions that have transformative impacts.
• Liz Ferentinos (Meizon Innovation, Melbourne)
  Liz’s pioneering work in biotech, particularly in ethical toxicology studies, has positioned Meizon as a leader in autism therapy research.

Young Member of the Year

• Alexandra Murray (Be Seen Socials, Sydney)
  A Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree, Alexandra’s marketing firm empowers influencers, showcasing her dedication to supporting young entrepreneurs.
• Bryce Szandro (Next-Gen Dreams, Melbourne)
  A leader in the gaming industry, Bryce has expanded his company internationally while supporting fellow CUB members.

Environmental Award

• Rosita van Vuuren (Enviro Hanger, Sydney)
  Rosita’s eco-friendly hangers, now used by major retailers, are helping to reduce plastic waste significantly.
• Julian Grasso (Reclaim Waste, Melbourne)
  Julian’s focus on the circular economy has set new standards for sustainability, reducing landfill by reclaiming and repurposing waste.

Best Marketing Campaign

• Paul Fitzgerald (Barking Dog Marketing, Sydney)
• Shaun Ryan (About Today, Melbourne)
  Shaun’s campaign for SupaGarlic transformed the brand into a market leader, using grassroots and digital strategies to drive international expansion.

Industry Awards

• Construction: Hussein Sheeth (SHEETH, Sydney) and Jayne Good (Good Constructions, Melbourne)
  Hussein and Jayne lead construction firms known for their quality, cultural commitment, and national reputation.
• Property: Rasti Vaibhav (Get RARE Properties, Sydney) and Chris Christofi (Reventon, Melbourne)
  With over 3,200 Australians supported in property investment, Chris has built a trusted name in the industry.
• Financial Services: Michelle Kvello (Lantern Partners, Sydney) and Tony Kofkin & Jamie Ardern (Kofkin Bond & Co, Melbourne)
  Tony’s firm is reshaping wealth management, with a focus on ethical investments and community impact.
• Professional Services: Paul Miller (Deutsch Miller, Sydney) and Marianne Marchesi (Legalite, Melbourne)
  Marianne’s firm is known for its social impact, including support for Indigenous students and charitable donations.
• Marketing: Blake Micola (GMS Media Group, Sydney) and Irwin Hau (ConversionCow, Melbourne)
  Irwin’s work with small businesses drives engagement and return on investment, helping them connect with customers.
• Tech & IT: Andrew Hermann (EFEX, Sydney) and Anna Furlong (The Virtual IT Department, Melbourne)
  Anna has grown her father’s legacy into a women-led IT firm that supports small businesses with transformative solutions.
• Healthcare: Yasser Zaki (Tender Loving Care, Sydney) and Melissa Stehr (HLS Healthcare, Melbourne)
  Melissa’s healthcare equipment business enhances quality of life and promotes inclusivity across Australia.
• Retail & E-Commerce: Andrew Robertson (Fix-A-Tap, Sydney) and Godwin Hili (Godwin Charli, Melbourne)
  Godwin’s brand has established a loyal following and prominence in Melbourne Fashion Week.
• Hospitality: Sven Almenning & Greg Sanderson (Speakeasy Group, Sydney) and Bubs Fahour (The George on Collins, Melbourne)
  Bubs’ post-COVID recovery has strengthened Melbourne’s hospitality sector with new venues and community support.

Mark Bouris, CUB investor added: “The CUB Awards recognise Australia’s best and brightest. It was inspiring to see the dedication and vision displayed by each winner. These entrepreneurs set a high standard for the future of Australian business, and their stories will inspire the next generation of leaders.”