Kaynar Group founder takes out top gong at 40u40 awards
Kaynar Group founder Kyle Ringin has been named First Among Equals at the 2026 40under40 business awards, the highest award recognizing Western Australia’s emerging business leaders.
More than 600 people traveled to Crown to celebrate the tradesman-turned-entrepreneur, and 39 for the 25th year.he year Business News Awards ceremony on Friday evening.
Attendees were entertained throughout the night with performances from Williams Creative Co, Japanese Wadaiko troupe Taiko On and the DJ combined with live music duo The New Now.
Judging most of the 40under40 awards since its inception in 2002 Business News veteran journalist and chief judge Mark Pownall said WA continued to deliver a wide range of excellent candidates.
He said choosing the winners was a challenging process from the beginning.
“In our first year at 40under40 the judging panel decided to pick two winners, causing some concern for the event organisers, as we were unable to split the tied pair,” Mr Pownall said.
“One was from a family business and the other was from corporate WA.
“I felt like this start set the tone for 40under40.”
Now a total of 1,000 of WA’s business leaders have been named 40under40 winners.
“This isn’t about any one sector in the state; it’s not just small businesses, family businesses, start-up founders or careerists who are successful in St Georges Terrace,” Mr Pownall said.
“All of these can and do have cracks.”
After completing an extensive interview and application process, Mr. Ringin was selected as the winner of both the First Among Equals and Family Business categories.
While working as an apprentice auto electrician and workshop foreman in Broome, he spotted a gap for a reliable, local skilled trades provider in the Kimberley.
This led him to launch maintenance, mining and civil solutions provider Kaynar Group in 2020 with his wife and co-founder Shaylee Greechan.
Mr Ringin has turned working in extremely remote areas into a competitive advantage and has also made a real impact for WA’s north.
Kaynar Group has grown rapidly in terms of both revenue and personnel in the last five years and employed more than 130 people.
But the secret to Mr. Ringin’s success is simple: seizing every opportunity when it comes.
“One of our clients needed a mining provider when their current mining provider left,” he said after receiving the top honor.
“We intervened without having any right to do so and for six months delivered a mining program of an outstanding standard that taught us that we could also deliver other disciplines.”
Using a people-first approach, Mr Ringin continues to build the local workforce and create opportunities for remote young people, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, through apprenticeships, TAFE and community partnerships.
“We are a people business and we trade over time, but our product is trust and this represents that,” Mr Ringin said.
Amongst Equals First finalists Jessica Wilson, Ben Smith and Kyle Hoath missed out on the grand prize but all won in the other categories.
Yincibarndi and Njamal entrepreneur and artist Ms Wilson took home the Indigenous Business award.
As the founder of Seven Sisters Collective, she helps find opportunities for Indigenous artists on major projects and builds education among businesses.
After a career spanning hyper-growth consumer brands, Mr Smith’s leadership as managing director of alcohol, drug and mental health support provider Holyoake earned him the Community, Social Enterprise or Non-Profit award.
And a defining voice in the state’s medical and civic leadership, Dr. Hoath won the Small Business or Startup Business award.
Consultant psychiatrist and newly elected President of the Australian Medical Association WA has co-founded Oqea, a technology platform modernizing mental health care.
Pantry Group founder Sam Kaye has been awarded the People’s Choice award, which recognizes his journey from working at Daisies Cottesloe to owning the cafe along with three other hospitality venues.
Other major category winners are:
You can read more about each of the winners in the May 18 issue of Business News’ print magazine, which will also be available online.
Congratulations to all 2026’s 40under40 winners:
Kyle Ringin: Kaynar Group
Jessica Wilson: Seven Sisters Collective
Ben Smith: Holyoake
Kyle Hoath: Oqea
Sam Kaye: Pantry Group
Zoran Aleksic: PCH Civilian
Stephen Tormey: Bennco Engineering
David Gozzard: University of Western Australia
Libbi McLean: Pragma Lawyers
Justin Barnes: Rocket Launcher
Tandin Dorji: Kingston International College
Joshua Wigley: Hyperion Systems
Mathew Wilson: Wilco Care Solutions
Matthew Oldakowski: Earflo
Rowan Theatre: Mayfair Building Company
Simon Grantham: Xcircle
Kane Smith: Smart correction
Alastair Mackenzie: Buddiup
Curtis Reddell: Therapy Focused
Benn Ellard: White Spark Pictures / Environmental Sync
Jo Gibb: The Living Collective
Mark Bond: Consolidated Electrical Solutions
Luke Whelan: Perth is doing well! / Social Meteor
Kassia Kazmer: Prospex Group
Michael Agostino: Trendsetting Homes / Choose Life
Andrew Dornan: Sun Silver
Damien Wragg: Trenwest
Ashley McGrath: Gender Equality CEOs
Isabelle Charter: Betterlabs
Jeroen van Dalen: Integral Development Partners
Mathew Bouse: La Vida Houses
Bianca Lore: Wiimali Company
Owen Hightower: RFF
Harriet Page: Page Recommendation
Catherine Hyde: Friendship Resources
Rachel Falzon: Women in Defense Association
Eli Barlow: Funday Entertainment Group / Lavender Mansion
Jonathan Cover: JPS Management and Enforcement / Secure Isolation Australia
Mark D’Alessandro: Contec Australia / JCM Property Group
Samantha Johnson: Center for Sexual Health
