Media Release: Judging Panel Announced for the 2026 Northern Territory Export & Business Awards
CHAMBER NT BUSINESS NEWS
24 June 2026
The Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Chamber NT) is proud to announce the prestigious Judging Panel for the 2026 Northern Territory Export & Business Awards.
The 2026 Northern Territory Export & Business Awards (the 2026 Awards) is the official business awards of the Northern Territory, supported by the Northern Territory Government and delivered by the Chamber NT, bringing together the long-standing Export Awards and the well-established Business Excellence and Outstanding Customers Service Awards.
The 2026 Awards celebrates the achievements and contribution of businesses, organisations, and individuals driving economic growth across a broad range of industries in the Northern Territory. The Awards provide a platform to celebrate outstanding Territory businesses, highlight business excellence, and acknowledge the individuals and organisations helping to grow the Northern Territory economy.
The 2026 Awards have attracted a great lineup of some of the Territory’s most experienced and prestigious business leaders. They will undertake a fair and thorough assessment to judge the regional and Territory finalists, and then, the winners.
Led by two esteemed Co-Chairs, the Judging Panel will assess the applications against selection criteria to identify the most outstanding businesses in each category, including finalists and winners.
Minister for Trade, Business and Asian Relations, Hon. Robyn Cahill OAM, said “The Export and Businesses Awards celebrate the best across our regions and showcase businesses that are leading, innovating and setting the standard in our local community.”
Chamber NT President Natalie Bell said, “These awards showcase the very best of Territory business, and the judging panel plays a critical role in recognising the innovation, leadership, and excellence that exists across our regions and industries.”
“As the premier awards of the Territory, the 2026 Northern Territory Export & Business Awards must be fair and transparent, with rigorous assessment of all nominations.”
Chamber NT CEO, Glen Hingley said, “Maintaining the highest standards of integrity in judging export and business awards is absolutely critical for a number of important reasons. First and foremost, it is about respecting the extraordinary time, effort, and care that nominees invest in their submissions. For many business owners and managers, their business is like family, they take immense pride in what they do, and that deserves to be honoured through a fair and considered process.”
“Secondly, the calibre of entrants is exceptionally strong. This makes it essential that judging is conducted with the utmost rigour, fairness, and balance, ensuring every business is assessed on an equal and transparent basis.”
“Finally, for those who are recognised, the impact can be significant. Being acknowledged as among the best in the Northern Territory provides a powerful platform and a genuine competitive advantage in the marketplace.”
“I am deeply grateful to the esteemed panel of judges who have put themselves forward. Their willingness to commit their time and expertise reflects a strong sense of responsibility, and I sincerely thank them for undertaking the important task of judging the 2026 NT Export & Business Awards.” Mr. Hingley said.
2026 JUDGING PANEL
The 2026 Awards Judging Panel includes:
Co-Chairs:
- Kelly Ralston, Deputy CEO, Department of Trade, Business and Asian Relations
- Dr Guzyal Hill, Special Counsel | Chair, AI Governance Committee, HWLE Lawyers
Judges:
- Annette Gillanders, Director, Biznorth
- Ben Schmidt, HSE Operations Manager, INPEX
- Claire Bell, Founder Managing Director, AA&P
- Darren Gore, Chief Financial Officer, MEC NT
- Dr Edwin Joseph, President, Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory
- Grant Whan, Business Mentor, Business Enterprise Centre
- Jeannette Button, Director Strategy, Brand and Engagement, St John NT
- Keely Quinn, Branch Director, Pharmacy Guild of Australia
- Kylie Coy, Principal - Private Advisory, Deloitte Private
- Leon Loganathan, Partner, Ward Keller
- Louis Le Roux, Chief Financial Officer, Australian Cattle Enterprises
- Michael Scott, Director, DBS Investments (NT)
- Rae Finlay, Regional Director - Business & Regions South, Department of Trade, Business and Asian Relations
- Ryan Akers, General Manager – Strategy and Growth, Darwin Port
- Stuart Kenny, Director, Territory Instruments
- Tim Nicol, Manager – Regional Development and Engagement, NBN Local
- Tristan Cribb, Executive General Manager, Airport Development Group
- Willem Westra van Holthe, Director, Aus North Trading/ Territory Proud
The judging process is confidential and conducted independently to ensure integrity and fairness.
Winners of the regional awards will go through as finalists to the Northern Territory Export & Business Gala Awards Ceremony in Darwin on 23 October 2026.
NOMINATIONS
The Territory’s local businesses, start-ups, medium, and large corporations, and outstanding individuals across Territory are invited to nominate for the 2026 Northern Territory’s Business Awards.
The Business Categories of the 2026 Awards are open for nominations until midnight, Sunday 19 July 2026.
- All Territorians are welcome, from start-ups to established industry leaders.
- No cost to nominate yourself or another individual or business.
- Open to all Territory businesses, whether you are a Chamber member or a non-member.
Businesses can self-nominate or be nominated by others across a range of categories including:
- Outstanding Customer Service for Individual
- Outstanding Customer Service for Business
- Small Business
- Medium & Large Business
- Not for Profit
- Outstanding New Start-Up
- Community Event
- Business Summit or Conference
- Venue of the Year
- Defence Industry, Supply Chain and Sustainment
- Mining and Energy, Supply Chain and Sustainment
- Construction Industry, Supply Chain and Sustainment
- Logistics and Supply Chain
- Manufacturing Innovation
- Community and Social Services
- Employee of the Year
- Business Leader of the Year
- Employer of the Year
- Peak Industry Body/Association Advocate of the Year
TIMELINE
🔸 The Business Categories of the 2026 Awards are open for nominations until midnight, Sunday 19 July 2026.
🔸 Awards shortlisting and judging: 20 July – 31 July
🔸 Regional Business Awards Ceremonies:
- Barkly region: 18 August
- Central Australia: 21 August
- East Arnhem: 28 August
- Katherine & Big Rivers: 4 September
- Greater Darwin: 11 September
🔸 2026 NT Export & Business Awards Gala Ceremony: 23 October in Darwin
HOW TO NOMINATE
For eligibility criteria and to nominate, please visit: The 2026 Awards - Business Categories | Nominate Now
For further information, please visit: The 2026 Awards - Business Categories | More Information