AIM Celebrates NT's Top Managers

The Northern Territory's leading managers were recognised at the 2011 Management Excellence Awards Final and Gala Dinner, hosted by the Australian Institute of Management (AIM) on Saturday 29 October.

The Awards celebrate the achievements of exceptional leaders and managers in the Territory across a range of industries. Finalists competed in four categories, each designed to recognise and encourage all levels of management.

The 2011 Northern Territory Management Excellence Awards winners are:

• Professional Manager of the Year - Public Sector - Jo-Anne Harkin, Regional Director Central Australia, Tourism NT
• Professional Manager of the Year - Private Sector - Morgan Hoyes, Partner NT - NAB Government Business, National Australia Bank Limited
• Young Manager of the Year - James Smith, Program Leader, Health Promotion Strategy Unit, NT Department of Health
• Not for Profit Manager of the Year - Ross Coburn, Chief Executive Officer, St John Ambulance

In addition, Kellie Robinson, Director and Manager of KDNT Enterprises Pty Ltd, was awarded the Emerging Owner Manager Certificate of Recognition during the evening.

Chair of the 2011 Management Excellence Awards Julie Boyd said the winners were judged on their ability to manage complex tasks and processes, mentor staff, develop best practices and balance professional and personal commitments.

"The winners are all successful and motivated people who have a marked impact on their staff and peers and contribute positively to the culture of their workplaces."

"The quality of the finalists in the Northern Territory this year was impressive, representing private companies, innovative start-ups, government institutions and community-based organisations," Ms Boyd said.

Profiles of winners:

Jo-Anne Harkin, Regional Director Central Australia for Tourism NT, was recognised for her achievements in bringing a sense of direction to Remote Health Services and providing leadership to tourism, such an important industry to Central Australia. She is a strategic thinker and contributes significantly to the overall strategic plan of Tourism NT and its implementation. Her leadership style is defined by the context in which she is working and she focuses on achieving results through people. The judges were impressed by the valuable contribution Jo-Anne makes to Tourism NT and the wider Alice Springs community.

Morgan Hoyes, Partner NT, NAB Government Business, is a leader with a constant focus on performance improvement to deliver long-term business sustainability through innovation and active stakeholder engagement. He achieved success in taking an under-performing community banking institution, returning it to profitability and strategically aligning it for further growth. Morgan impressed the judging panel as an engaging and modest leader who has learned the importance of work/life balance in his career and for his staff and whose collaborative team leadership style seeks to understand what drives his team members.

James Smith, Program Leader, Health Promotion Strategy Unit, NT Department of Health, is a strategic thinker working in a complex environment, building capacity to deliver outcomes in order to achieve strategic priorities. His civic commitment and contribution to the community is significant, reinforcing his maturity and strong communication skills. The judges found James to be insightful and thoughtful, and recognising of the importance of learning from other cultures and generations. They remarked that James is an outstanding young manager with a great future in the Northern Territory.

Ross Coburn, CEO of St John Ambulance, demonstrates an obvious passion for and pride in his organisation. He has a strong strategic focus along with an awareness of the relevance and commercial viability of the business operations, with excellent financial management knowledge and skills. Ross has a strong corporate governance focus and an awareness of issues facing the not-for-profit sector, in addition to demonstrating an innovative approach to the sector. He impressed the judges as an experienced and excellent all-round manager who has turned St John Ambulance into a strong, commercially-viable operation that is able to provide important services to the NT community every day.