Charity wins business of year

SCOTT Rankin sure has got a big heart, so it’s only fair that his social justice charity got the nod as Tasmania’s best business for this year.

Mr Rankin’s is chief executive of charity Big Hart, which was last night named the 2017 Tasmanian Business of the Year at the Telstra Tasmanian Business Awards.

The charity was set up as an experiment to find new ways of dealing with social disadvantage and hidden cases of injustice. It also claimed the Tasmanian Charity Award.

Mr Rankin said that since 1992, the organisation had raised the profile of issues such as family violence, incarceration of indigenous people and slavery at sea.

“Big Hart focuses on what is strong, rather than what is wrong, in communities to deliver much-needed pathways to economic participation for some of the most at-risk and hidden groups in the country,” he said.

The awards showcase the achievements and entrepreneurial spirit of the best small and medium businesses and charities.

Telstra director of branded channels Mike Tregurtha said Big Hart’s work on social issues had resonated with communities nationwide.

Other businesses recognised at the awards: Ankalia Textiles (New Business Award), House of Dance Tasmania (Micro Business Award), Salamanca Dental (Small Business Award).

All the business will now join other state and territory category winners at the Australian Business Awards in Sydney on August 25.