MICHAEL RAYNER HONOURED FOR SHAPING BRISBANE’S SKYLINE AND AUSTRALIAN DESIGN
Article by Clémence Carayol, published in the Architecture & Design, on the 13 Nov 2025.
The spotlight of the 2025 Lord Mayor’s Business Awards shone brightest on Michael Rayner AM, whose visionary influence on Brisbane’s built environment earned him this year’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.
Announced at City Hall on Thursday 6 November, the honour recognised Michael Rayner’s decades-long contribution as co-founder of Blight Rayner Architecture and as the creative force behind some of the city’s most defining landmarks.
From flood-resilient ferry terminals and iconic bridges to the Brisbane Convention Centre and QPAC’s soon-to-open Glasshouse Theatre, Rayner’s work has reshaped how residents and visitors alike experience Brisbane.
His designs embody a philosophy of creativity, resilience, and connection, principles that have left a legacy extending far beyond architectural form and into the cultural character of the city itself.
Rayner’s recognition headlined a milestone evening for the Awards, now celebrating their 20th year of acknowledging the entrepreneurs and enterprises driving Brisbane’s growth.
“I want to congratulate all the winners and finalists and thank each of them for helping strengthen Brisbane’s reputation as Australia’s most business-friendly city,” Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner says.
“For 20 years, the Lord Mayor’s Business Awards have championed and celebrated our city’s thriving business community.
“This is about recognising the innovation, resilience and growth that make Brisbane such a standout on the global stage.”
While Rayner’s lifetime contribution stood as the emotional centrepiece of the ceremony, 11 additional award recipients were recognised for their achievements across a wide spectrum of sectors.
Chemist Warehouse Managing Director Brett Clark AM was named The Courier-Mail Business Person of the Year, marking his own 20-year milestone since co-founding the now ASX-listed global pharmacy network.
Rob Joseph, founder of Anti Ordinary, received the Port of Brisbane Young Business Person of the Year for his mission to “protect the people we love” through an innovative beanie helmet now used in 51 countries.
Other category winners highlighted Brisbane’s vibrancy in emerging industries, sustainability, technology, and manufacturing.
Homegrown innovator Nadu took home the oOh!Media Micro Business Award for breakthroughs in nasal health, while Like a Photon Creative secured the Carers Queensland Small Business Award for its internationally acclaimed family content.
Priestley’s Gourmet Delights, with nearly 30 years of growth from suburban supplier to national distributor, won the Australia Pacific LNG Business Transformation Award and the Optus Platinum Award as the year’s most outstanding business success.
Brisbane’s expanding technology frontier was evident in awards for Attekus, winner of the ANZ High-Growth Business Award, and Blue Carbon, honoured with the Accenture Australia Product Innovation Award for the world-first oPod autonomous ocean pump.
Valenhold’s advancements in sustainable mining equipment earned the company the ISPT Investment in Brisbane Award, and The Equine Practice Company was recognised internationally through the BDO International Business Award.
Commitments to sustainability and community impact were also celebrated: Tom’s Pallets earned the Dentsu Environmental Sustainability in Business Award and Help Enterprises received the Hutchinson Builders Social Enterprise Award.
The Awards coincided with the release of the 2025 State of the City Report from Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA), confirming the city’s economy has surpassed $200 billion, representing 16% growth in four years, and is projected to reach $275 billion by 2041.
The findings highlighted strong 10-year growth predictions across property and construction (41%), advanced manufacturing (29%), transport and logistics (43%), and knowledge industries (50%). Brisbane is also leading the nation with the fastest-growing health industry ($22 billion) and experience economy ($13.7 billion).