Offering emergency response, crisis and risk management services to government agencies, corporates and not-for-profits, Perth-based Executive Risk Solutions (ERS), were crowned Business of the Year at the 2015 Telstra Business Awards ceremony in Sydney last night.
Scott Houston, who served in international conflicts as a former Special Air Services Regiment trooper, established the business in 2008. Since then, ERS has recruited a team of more than 100 specialists from police, fire and emergency services, and military special forces, that provide 24-hour services and tailored solutions to its clients.
Mr Houston said ERS’ journey from start-up to a $20 million company was representative of hard work, a can-do attitude and learning from advisors and mentors.
“We have experienced exponential growth and, in a highly competitive market, we have focused on delivering a more professional service than our competitors. Our commitment to professional development is paramount to our success – our investment in sending key personnel to the US for training each year has opened new doors for us in the oil and gas industry and port facilities,” Mr Houston said.
Will Irving, Telstra Business Group Managing Director and Telstra Business Awards Ambassador, said “the 2015 national winners are run by inspiring and resilient individuals who have taken great personal risk to start their businesses. They are celebrated for having excelled in their innovation, sector leadership and growth and all have amazing potential.
“Executive Risk Services is a fast-growing company with deep expertise and a very strong business culture that they are leveraging across Australia and overseas.
“Scott Houston has developed a world class team with proven expertise in emergency response that has expanded to broader risk and issue management services. His leadership is shown by an absolute commitment to high performance and investment in his staff.”
The individual category winners included:
Start-up Award
Furst Electrical: Specialist contractor in industrial electrical services for manufacturers and secondary processing businesses, founded by siblings Mark and Lee Furst
Micro Business Award
Nexba: From a beach in Mexico, founders Drew Bilbe and Troy Douglas were inspired to create a natural, low-calorie real ice tea.
Small Business Award
Cargo Crew: Founded by Felicity Rodgers, who used her design experience to offer fashionable uniforms that would withstand the rigours of a busy workplace and that staff would be proud to wear.
Medium Business Award
Executive Risk Solutions.
Regional Award
Southern Cotton: Established in 2011 when a greenfield site in Whitton was transformed into a $26 million gin that processed 166,234 bales in its first year.
The Telstra Australian Business Awards were attended by Federal Small Business Minister Bruce Billson, Telstra CEO Andrew Penn, Telstra CFO Warwick Bray, senior Telstra executives and Awards Alumni including Anthony Kittel of 2014 Telstra Business of the Year, REDARC.
