In a significant recognition of corporate leadership, Ryan Stokes has been honoured as the Business Leader of the Year at the prestigious Western Australian Pinnacle Awards. The ceremony, held at Crown Perth's Grand Ballroom, celebrated the achievements of the state's most influential business figures.
A Legacy of Strategic Leadership
The award acknowledges Stokes' exceptional leadership across multiple sectors through his role as chief executive of Australian Capital Equity and his position as managing director of Seven Group Holdings. Under his guidance, Seven Group Holdings has demonstrated remarkable performance, with the company's share price surging by approximately 40 percent over the past year.
Stokes' business portfolio spans diverse industries including media through Seven West Media, industrial services via WesTrac, and investments in Beach Energy. This diversified approach has proven highly successful, with the conglomerate reporting substantial returns across its various operations.
Celebrating WA's Business Excellence
The WA Pinnacle Awards represent one of the state's most prestigious business recognition programs, organized annually to highlight outstanding achievements in the corporate sector. This year's event brought together more than 800 business leaders, entrepreneurs, and industry representatives at the luxurious Crown Perth venue.
Judges highlighted Stokes' strategic vision and his ability to drive growth across multiple business units simultaneously. His leadership has been particularly noteworthy in navigating challenging market conditions while maintaining strong performance across the group's diverse holdings.
The selection process involved rigorous evaluation of candidates based on criteria including financial performance, innovation, leadership style, and contribution to the broader Western Australian business community.
Continuing a Family Legacy
Ryan Stokes represents the second generation of business leadership in his family, following in the footsteps of his father, Kerry Stokes, who built the media and industrial conglomerate from humble beginnings. The younger Stokes has successfully expanded and diversified the family business while maintaining its core values and strategic direction.
His recognition at the Pinnacle Awards underscores the continued influence of the Stokes family in Australian business circles and highlights Ryan's individual achievements in steering the conglomerate through evolving market landscapes.
The award comes at a time of significant growth for Seven Group Holdings, with the company recently reporting strong financial results across its media, equipment, and energy divisions. Industry analysts have praised the company's strategic positioning and Stokes' hands-on leadership approach.
As Business Leader of the Year, Stokes joins an elite group of Western Australian executives who have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to the state's economy and business landscape. The award solidifies his position as one of Australia's most influential corporate leaders.
