Engineering consultancy Engenium’s Wayne Peel, Five Senses Coffee’s Dean Gallagher and communication systems company AVI’s Tony Routledge have been named among the WA finalists for this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards.

The trio join Adam Lamond (Veris), Aidan Jenkins (Infinite Energy), Danny Pavlovich (Nutrition Systems), David Zucaro (Teck Global) and Matthew and Michael Martella (Anergy).

The finalists, who run companies with a collective turnover of $480 million and about 3500 employees, will compete for the coveted title of Australian EY Entrepreneur of the Year at the national finals in October, with the winner going on to the international awards in Monaco next year.

Camera Icon AVI’s Tony Routledge. Credit: The West Australian

Camera Icon Power Ledger’s Jemma Green. Credit: The West Australian

Camera Icon Veris’ Adam Lamond. Credit: The West Australian

Also, Power Ledger’s Jemma Green was named as a finalist in the fintech category, while Alicia Curtis from ‘giving circle’ 100 Women is this year’s regional Social Entrepreneur and iron ore magnate Gina Rinehart the regional Champion of Entrepreneurship.

WA has been prominent in the EY national awards, with spud king Tony Galati the last to taste success after taking out Australian honours in the industry category last year.

EY’s WA managing partner Fiona Drummond noted that several of this year’s finalists had built successful businesses outside mining and resources, “which is good news for the diversification of the WA economy”.

“But there is a lot more work to be done that will require a collaborative effort from government and industry,” Ms Drummond said.

The finalists will be assessed by a panel of independent judges, including previous winners, across six criteria — entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, personal integrity and influence, financial performance, strategic direction, and national and global impact.