![](https://static.businessnews.com.au/sites/all/themes/bn2020/images/squares.gif)
![40under40 - Special Awards](https://static.businessnews.com.au/sites/default/files/default_images/default-article-image_1440x960_0.jpg)
WA Business News’ 40under40 Awards is not about first and last, it is not about creating tallies, scoreboards, or runnersup. Rather it is a collection of talented entrepreneurial leaders under the age of 40.
However, the program does aim to choose one person from the winning 40 to act as the group’s ambassador – the 1st Among Equals.
Last year the judging panel could not pick a clear leader of the group and instead appointed two people as joint winners of the 1st Among Equals title. They were Feature Tours CEO Manny Papadoulis and Poynton and Partners and GEM Consulting managing director and CEO Mark Barnaba. This year, however, the judges found one individual who stood apart, Nathan Buzza.
WA Business News’ Strategic Alliance Partners also chose one individual worthy of a special commendation award. They are:
City of Perth winner-
Susan Pervan: Gooding Pervan Chartered Accountants.
Curtin University winner-
Dr Paul Watt, Telethon Institute for Child Health Research.
Edith Cowan University winner-
Andrew Ford, Ford and Doonan Air Conditioning.
Murdoch University winner-
Lianne Hulse: Vetwest Animal Hospitals Pty Ltd
University of Western Australia winner-
Dr William Ardrey, CustomVis.