Nominations for the annual Sydney Awards have been extended to Tuesday 19 July, prompted by a late surge in nominations and a generous new prize for winners.

Macquarie Business School has joined as Sydney Awards Major Partner, offering winners prizes to develop their skills and build on their reputation as leaders.

To celebrate this Major Partnership, urban policy think tank Committee for Sydney is extending the nomination deadline to Tuesday 19 July.

The awards will be presented at a Gala Dinner at the Sofitel Wentworth on Monday 12 September.

Gabriel Metcalf, CEO of the Committee for Sydney, said: “We’ve been incredibly impressed by the nominations coming in from across Sydney – corporate leaders and comedians, artists, architects and government leaders – all people who’ve gone above and beyond to make our city great.

“The opportunity to study at Macquarie University’s prestigious business school is a real coup for the awards and our winners, we hope it’ll inspire even more people to get their nominations in.”

Eric Knight, Executive Dean at Macquarie Business School and Professor of Strategic Management, and Sydney Awards judge, said: “Macquarie Business School is delighted to become the major sponsor for Committee for Sydney’s Sydney Awards for the next three years.  

“As one of Asia’s leading Business Schools and located within Greater Sydney, we look forward to working with the Committee for Sydney to make Macquarie Park Innovation District and Sydney more widely a major destination for students, international employers and job seekers.”

Usman Iftikhar, CEO and Co-Founder of Catalysr, 2021 Western Sydney Champion award winner, and Sydney Awards judge, said: “I’m really stoked to be involved with this program that’s about celebrating the champions of our city, and shining a light on achievements that don’t necessarily get the recognition they deserve.

“There are so many amazing people doing fantastic work, across the built environment, arts, education, government, tech and community. I can’t wait to dive into the nominations.

“Having experienced the awards last year as a nominee and winner, I jumped at the chance to participate in the judging panel.”

The annual Sydney Awards recognise achievements of individuals, groups or organisations across five categories:

• Global Sydney Award, proudly supported by ISPT: Celebrating a significant contribution to elevating Sydney’s position as a leading world city and boosting our global competitiveness.
• City Visionary, proudly supported by Mirvac Design: Celebrating impact on the evolution of Sydney’s physical environment.
• Western Sydney Champion, proudly supported by Aurecon: Celebrating a significant contribution to Sydney’s engine room – Western Sydney.
• Emerging Leader: Celebrating an up-and-coming Sydney leader under 30 years of age.
• Unsung Hero, proudly supported by Coles: Celebrating those who go under the radar and help make Sydney the best city in the world.

Previous Sydney Awards winners include Elizabeth Ann Macgregor OBE (MCA Australia), Scott Farquhar & Mike Cannon-Brookes (Atlassian), Romilly Madew AO (Infrastructure Australia), Usman Iftikhar (Catalysr), Maha Krayem Abdo OAM (Muslim Women Australia) and Emily McDaniel (Powerhouse).

The Sydney Awards judging panel is made up of eminent and experienced Sydneysiders, people who are passionate about the city and know it well:

• Mike Baird AO, CEO HammondCare, former NSW Premier
• Tanya Hosch, Executive GM Diversity and Inclusion, AFL
• Usman Iftikhar, CEO and Co-Founder Catalysr, 2021 Western Sydney Champion winner
• Eric Knight, Executive Dean at Macquarie Business School and Professor of Strategic Management
• Sara Mansour, Co-Director Bankstown Poetry Slam, lawyer Allens Linklaters
• Ann Sherry AO, one of Australia’s top business leaders.

Notes for editors: The Committee for Sydney is the peak advocacy and urban policy think tank for Greater Sydney. We are advocates for the whole of Sydney, developing pragmatic and innovative solutions to the most important problems we face. We are funded by a group of Sydney’s leading corporations, government departments and cultural institutions. Our goal is to make Sydney the best city in the world.