Adelaide entrepreneur and ZEN chief executive Richard Turner wins Ernst & Young award for cleantech

Zen home systems CEO Richard Turner at their Norwood warehouse. Picture: Greg Higgs Source: The Advertiser

Mr Turner, chief executive of ZEN Home Energy Systems, won the cleantech category at the 10th annual Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. It caps off another year of strong growth for ZEN, a company Mr Turner started five years ago.

n July, Mr Turner won the SA/NT Ernst & Young award for cleantech, which culminated in him winning the national prize at Wednesday night's ceremony, held in Sydney.

ZEN was also on track to reach $100 million turnover this financial year.

In 2007-08, ZEN's turnover was just $500,000, but Mr Turner previously told The Advertiser the acceleration in growth of his business had been self-funded and driven by a demand for energy solutions.

This was coupled with brand development, national expansion and strategic partnerships had led to the company's strong returns.

Mr Turner yesterday said the win was a great vote of confidence for him and his staff. ``The calibre of the interstate winners we were up against was exceptional and inspiring,'' he said.

West Australian resorts developer John Spence, founder of Karma Royal Group, was named Australian Entrepreneur of the Year.

For a full list of winners, visit: www.ey.com/AU