Celebrating businesses and leaders pushing boundaries, championing innovation and driving economic growth, the Awards shine a light on Brisbane’s diverse business community and entrepreneurial spirit.

At the helm of BESIX Watpac, CEO Mark Baker was named The Courier-Mail Business Person of the Year. Having overseen some of Brisbane’s most significant projects, including Suncorp Stadium and Kangaroo Point Bridge, Baker has also steered the company toward its most recent appointment as the preferred builder of Brisbane’s Olympic and Paralympic Stadium.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said this year's winners showcased the hard work, determination and resilience of Brisbane's business community.

"Behind every successful Brisbane business are hardworking people who have backed themselves, taken risks and had a go.

“From small family businesses to companies making their mark around the world, Brisbane is full of people doing incredible things.

“These businesses aren’t just creating great products and services, they’re creating local jobs, supporting other businesses and helping our economy grow.

“A strong local economy means more opportunities for Brisbane residents and that’s why we’re proud to back the businesses and entrepreneurs who are helping our city thrive.

"Congratulations to this year’s winners for showing what’s possible when Brisbane people have a go.”

Baker was one of three construction industry winners recognised for their role in shaping Brisbane’s infrastructure and supporting the state’s $174 billion pipeline of major construction projects to 2029-30.

Premier Scaffolds Manufacturing won the Accenture Australia Product Innovation Award for its innovative, patented hybrid scaffolding system, engineered to deliver lighter, safer and more efficient access solutions. The Brisbane-developed technology is supporting major local projects, from a bespoke cantilevered solution for Customs House’s iconic dome to purpose-built access solutions at the University of Queensland.

Premier Scaffolds Group also took out the Optus Platinum Award as the most outstanding business success of the year.

Meanwhile, Rohrig Group took home the Dentsu Queensland High-Growth in Business Award, have evolved from their early roots in Brisbane’s hospitality sector into a national commercial construction company, expanding its capabilities, portfolio and presence across three major Australian cities.

Midwife-turned-entrepreneur, Remy Tucker was named the Port of Brisbane Young Business Person of the Year for founding social enterprise On The House, an organisation on a mission to make free period products accessible to every woman through digitally enabled dispensers in public and commercial bathrooms.

Tucker was among several small businesses and emerging enterprises recognised for making a meaningful impact.

Taking home the oOh!media Micro Business Award, Love Me Again Market is building community through its weekly market, giving pre-loved clothing a second life while contributing to Brisbane’s circular fashion economy.

Happy Paws Happy Hearts won the Hutchinson Builders Social Enterprise Award for its innovative shelter program, which pairs socially isolated people with animals to foster connection and wellbeing, supporting people and pets alike.

Other category winners were The Equine Practice Company received the Commonwealth Bank of Australia Small Business Award for its specialised, case-based education and mental health support for equine veterinarians.

Looking to the future of sustainable transport, Aus Ships won the Containers for Change Sustainable Impact in Brisbane Award, recognised for its mission to decarbonise the maritime industry, with Australia’s first fully electric commuter ferry currently under development.

The final three winners highlight how Brisbane-born businesses are tackling complex challenges on a world scale through advanced technology.

Southern RNA won the JLL Investment in Brisbane Award for its work manufacturing the building blocks of future vaccines, including personalised vaccines being investigated in a Queensland-led clinical trial for childhood brain cancer.

Genics took the top gong for the Facilitate International Business Award for its world-first pathogen testing technology, now being implemented across 60 countries. Its work helps farmers detect disease threats and protect seafood production around the world.

And Megaport won the Moreton Hire Business Transformation Award, an ASX-listed technology company connecting enterprise customers to more than 1,000 data centres across more than 30 countries.

Lastly, Karl Morris AO, CEO and Managing Director of Ord Minnett, was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his more than 30-year career contributing to Australia’s financial services and wealth management sectors.

But his contribution extends well beyond the world of finance. He has generously given his time and expertise to organisations spanning sport, education, and philanthropy, including leadership roles with the Brisbane Broncos, Australian Catholic University, and the Bravehearts Foundation Fund.

That commitment to giving back is also reflected through his work at Ord Minnett, where philanthropy and community support have become an important part of the organisation’s culture.

Together, the 13 winners challenge the idea that Brisbane plays small, demonstrating how homegrown businesses can turn bold ideas into industry-leading solutions that extend far beyond this city.

With Brisbane’s economy surpassing $200 billion and all eyes on Brisbane ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, this year’s Lord Mayor’s Business Awards winners offer a glimpse into the ambition driving the city’s ongoing growth.

Learn more about the winners at lmba.com.au

2026 Lord Mayor's Business Awards Winners

Accenture Australia Product Innovation Award

Winner: Premier Scaffolds Manufacturing

Special Mention: Megaport

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Small Business Award

Winner: The Equine Practice Company

Special Mention: Snowscene Travel and Ski Store

Containers for Change Sustainable Impact in Brisbane Award

Winner: Aus Ships

Special Mention: OzFish

Dentsu High-Growth Business Award

Winner: Rohrig Group

Special Mention: Grayza

Facilitate International Business Award

Winner: Genics

Special Mention: iOrthotics

Hutchinson Builders Social Enterprise Award

Winner: Happy Paws Happy Hearts

Special Mention: Olive Express

JLL Investment in Brisbane Award

Winner: Southern RNA

Moreton Hire Business Transformation Award

Winner: Megaport

Special Mention: Premier Scaffolds Group

oOh!Media Micro Business Award

Winner: Love Me Again Market

Special Mention: Mumbleberry

Port of Brisbane Young Business Person of the Year Award

Winner: Remy Tucker, On the House

The Courier-Mail Business Person of the Year Award

Winner: Mark Baker, BESIX Watpac

Lifetime Achievement Award

Winner: Karl Morris AO, Ord Minnett

Optus Platinum Award

Winner: Premier Scaffolds Group