EP Australia announced as a winner of the 2023 Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards

Sep 25, 2023

Australia's premier executive search and recruitment agency for the creative, sports and entertainment sector, EP Australia, has been named the winner of the Champion Recruitment Services category of the 2023 Australian Women's Small Business Champion Awards.


The announcement was made at the Awards’ glittering National Presentation Evening held at the new Western Sydney Conference Centre on Saturday, September 23, 2023, where MD and Co-Founder, Patricia Powell-Hughes from EP Australia accepted the award on-stage on behalf of her business before almost 1000 attendees.

EP Australia was presented with a customised statuette trophy and certificate and gained invaluable kudos as a nationally recognised recruitment industry leader.


Patricia, who was also a Finalist in the Influential Women category said, “Winning the Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Award for Recruitment Services is not only recognition for myself as a leader, but recognition for my family, all of whom have worked in the business over the 25-year history and who have supported me through many challenging times. And to my incredible team, especially to Leanne Bushby, who has been with me for 24 years, for your commitment to EP Australia; I couldn’t do it without you.”


“I have to especially thank my mum, Catherine Powell, who started EP Australia with me back in 1999. Over Yum Cha and with just $5k in our pockets, we set our minds to opening a recruitment business in the film, TV, and entertainment industries.”


Since the early 2000s, Patricia has been a passionate advocate for increasing and improving diversity and inclusion within the creative sector. As part of her commitment to building indigenous representation in the media sector, she joined Media RING (Reconciliation Industry Network Group) at its inception in 2009 and, from 2015-2020 served as the Vice Chair.


Patricia continues to mentor women in the Australian film, TV, Arts & music industry and strongly believes in gender equality and diversity in the sector. She is a volunteer mentor for Mentor Walks, is on the Board of the Australian Women in Music Awards, and is an active member of Women on Boards, the Screen Diversity and Inclusion Network (SDIN) and the Screen Producers Association.


During 2020-2022, Patricia was on the Board of SPRUNG!! An integrated Dance Theatre is a not-for-profit and community-based organisation providing workshops and specialised dance and theatre training for people with disability.



About the Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards

This year marks the second consecutive year of the Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards,  a prestigious and comprehensive program that celebrates the growing number of Australia’s most inspiring and influential women in small business.


“There's no doubting the rising success of female-led small businesses from all corners of this country,” said Steve Loe, Awards Founder and Managing Director of Precedent Productions, which coordinates the Australian Women's Small Business Champion Awards.


“Just as the Matildas shone during this year’s World Cup, attracting the nation’s admiration, and highlighting the positive contribution of women in sport, the Australian Women's Small Business Champion Awards program has been specifically created to shine a spotlight on the rising economic and social contributions of women in small business — spanning all capital cities as well as rural, regional, and suburban towns.


“Precedent Productions has been running the Australian Small Business Champion Awards since 1999, so we're generally in tune with the country’s best-performing business operators. We created this standalone female-focused awards program because frankly, it's high time for greater recognition of Australia’s female business trailblazers who still face unique challenges with incredible grit and positively infectious entrepreneurial spirit,” added Mr Loe.


The Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards saw thousands of entries this year and honoured the achievements of a total of 65 category winners from a broad cross-section of industries. Additionally, four individual category winners were recognised at the red-carpet event, which was hosted by accomplished journalist and popular broadcaster Deborah Knight.


The 2023 Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards is sponsored by Nine Plus, CUB, NOVAEmployment, Castaway Forecasting, Xcllusive Business Sales, and Big Clean.


For more information — including a full list of 2023 winners — visit: womensbusinesschampions.com.au.


About EP Australia

EP Australia is a boutique recruitment firm specialising in executive search, permanent and contract recruitment, and HR consulting, working exclusively with Australia's creative, film, TV, arts, music, sports, and entertainment sectors.


As industry pioneers, we redefine search and recruitment in the creative economy, setting industry benchmarks for excellence. We are a small business making a big impact with our extensive network, deep industry knowledge, and candidate intelligence. Our global reach has enabled us to access top talent globally, and we’re proud to have placed some of the industry’s most prominent decision-makers and those who have shaped the creative economy.


Our 25-year heritage and unwavering commitment to purpose-driven approaches help to set us apart. Our unique location within Sydney’s Disney Studios Australia, at the heart of film and TV production, fosters dynamic connections with our community, further differentiating us. We are deeply committed to DE&I, with a 100% staff retention rate showcasing our dedication to employee well-being.


Our core mission is to create a reliable talent pipeline for the creative economy by connecting businesses with individuals who not only meet job requirements but also share their values and passion. Our placement history and community involvement exemplify our commitment to diversity.


FOR ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES FOR EP AUSTRALIA — INCLUDING IMAGERY AND INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES — CONTACT:

Jeannette Borg

Mobile: +61-(0)409 870 377 

Email: jeannette@yourvirtualcmo.com.au

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