Newcastle Businessman and Scratchleys Restaurant Manager Neil Slater, was presented with the Hunter Business Chamber’s Business Leader of the Year Award on Friday night, by sponsor CPA Australia.

The awards were presented at a gala dinner sponsored by GradSchool and attended by around 500 business people from across the Region.

Chamber CEO, Kristen Keegan said that Neil was a shining example of the calibre of leaders the Hunter business community is home to.

“The Hunter is home to many individuals and organisations that represent the wider diversity and success of this region,” Kristen said. “They continue to demonstrate the high standard of ability and innovation that the Hunter has become well known for.”

In presenting the President’s Award to Quarry Mining, Chamber President Ross Taggart commented on their long term commitment to the Hunter and beyond.

“This award is recognition of the significant role Quarry Mining has played in our regional and wider economies and the history of local manufacturing over 30 years,” Ross said.

Specialised Geo was named by Newcastle Herald as winner of the award for Excellence in Small Business (-20 employees) and SRO Group was awarded the Excellence in Business (20+ employees) award by NSW Minerals Council.

Hunter Plastic Surgery was named by the Greater Building Society as the winner of the Customer Service (-20 employees) award and Jayco Newcastle won the Pacific National sponsored award for Customer Service (20+ employees).

The Local Chamber of Commerce Award, sponsored by Pitcher Partners, was awarded to Dungog District Chamber of Commerce while Port Waratah Coal Services won the Port Authority of NSW sponsored award for Contribution to the Region.

Swansea Workers Club won the Hunter Water sponsored Hunter Water Savers Award and Bryce Gibson of LJ Hooker Cessnock and Kurri Kurri was named Young Business Executive by Hunter TAFE.

Kristen said the judges had commented on the outstanding achievement of finalists in all categories.

“The winners clearly demonstrate yet again why this region remains a powerhouse economy,’ she said.

Image | Greg Farrow (Pitcher Partners), Grant Gilfillan (The Port Authority of NSW), Amber Moncrieff (Hunter Plastic Surgery), Hennie du Plooy (Port Waratah Coal Services), Jennifer Lewis (Dungog District Chamber of Commerce), Matthew Hingston (Greater Building Society), Marion Stuart (Dungog District Chamber of Commerce), Stephen Cowan (Pacific National), Kristen Keegan (CEO, Hunter Business Chamber), Damian Charleson (Jayco Newcastle), Ross Taggart (President, Hunter Business Chamber)

Provided by AJM Photography