Record funding awarded to SAs top business leaders.
A record $392,000 in education funding was awarded to 33 of South Australia’s top entrepreneurs, innovators and industry leaders by the Industry Leaders Fund (ILF) at an awards ceremony in Adelaide.
ASC Chairman Bruce Carter awarded the grants on 15 September to executives and managers from diverse industry sectors including wine, automotive manufacturing, engineering, electronics, bio-technology, energy, food, fitness and IT.
The number of awards this year is more than double the 16 allocated in 2013. The new scholars, chosen from 81 applicants, will attend global programs delivered by Harvard Business School, University of Adelaide, University of South Australia, Melbourne Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, the Australian Institute of Company Directors and other leading education institutions.
Among the new ILF Scholars is Patrick Power, Founder and CEO of PowerHealth Solutions.
Since establishing PowerHealth in 1995, Power has spearheaded the company’s growth, creating 50 highly skilled local jobs, and generating wealth for the State economy.
Chief Executive Officer of the ILF, Geoff Vogt, said Power exemplified leadership qualities, entrepreneurship and innovation.
Thanks to Patricks vision and commitment, PowerHealth is now an award-winning company offering a suite of fully integrated hospital and health software solutions to improve business operations, Vogt said.
The Harvard Business School program funded by the ILF will provide a springboard for Patrick to drive further growth and strengthen international competitiveness into the future.
The ILF, which transitioned from training organisation to leadership enabler in 2009, is now recognised as the states pre-eminent education grant provider.
A non government organisation that is fully funded by the private sector and governed by a Board of honorary directors, it is credited with funding professional development for some of South Australia’s highest achievers, and directly contributing to employment and economic growth.
Former grant recipients who achieved outstanding success in 2014 include:
- Shane Kelly of Kelly Engineering, who was named EY Central Region Entrepreneur of the Year 2014 (technology category)
- Anthony Kittel of Redarc, which was named Telstra Australian Business of the Year 2014
- Jeremy Hawkes of Bowhill Engineering, which was named Telstra South Australian Regional Business of the Year 2014.
Kelly Keates from Zonge Engineering said business turnover at her company had increased almost 30 percent in the first year after undertaking the ILF-funded Harvard Leadership Best Practices Course.
ILF RECIPIENTS 2014:
- Simon Atterton, International Cleaning Services
- Dr Sarah Cannard, Nova Systems
- Neil Gibbins, Beach Energy
- Meagan Franklin, Cowell Electric Supply
- Emilio De Stefano, Smart Fabrication
- Claude Cicchiello, La Casa Del Formaggio
- Michael Harrold, Glen Carron
- David Hart, Dematec Group
- Jeremy Hawkes, Bowhill Engineering
- Carl Heyne, Heynes Nurseries
- Kris Lloyd, Woodside Cheese Wrights
- Andrew Kay, Wirra Wirra Vineyards
- Anne Hinton, TGR BioSciences
- Melanie Malig-Spranz, B.-d. Farm Paris Creek
- Josephine Hugman, Redarc Electronics
- Joe Matto, Quality Plastics & Tooling
- Johnathon Matthews, The Pipette Company
- Andrea Mead, Heatlie Engineering
- Vanessa Picker, FitUsIn
- Rhett Payne, Country Blinds
- Ben Olsen, Re-Timer
- Stephanie Morris, Home Support Services
- Peter Piliouras, On The Run, Shahin Enterprises
- Patrick Power, PowerHealth Solutions
- Benjamin Radford, Rockford Wines
- Derek Rogers, Saab Australia
- Dr George Ujvary, Olgas Fine Foods
- Cher Min Teo, Nova Systems
- Jon Seeley, Seeley International
- Grant Schroeder, Maric Flow Control Australia
- Michael Ward, Jubilee Almonds
- Ben Wigzell, Australia Milling Group
- Grant Wilckens, Discovery Holiday Parks Group
Contact: For media interviews with 2014 recipients or the ILF Chairman or CEO, contact Geoff Vogt on 0457 900 202