Collins Hume named Business of the Year at Northern Rivers Awards

What a night! Our team is still buzzing after being named Business of the Year at the 2025 Northern Rivers Business Awards.

The Northern Rivers community is full of inspiring people and business owners, so to be recognised among them is a real honour.

On top of that, we proudly brought home:

• Excellence in Business & Professional Services recognising outstanding achievements, innovation and client service in our field

• Excellence in Sustainability celebrating businesses that make measurable environmental and social impact beyond their core services.

We were especially thrilled to see Kirra Connell recognised as Highly Commended in the Outstanding Trainee of the Year category, and Nathan McGrath celebrated as a finalist for Outstanding Business Leader.

With strong community roots and a forward-thinking mindset, Collins Hume continues to support clients, develop our people and contribute to the Northern Rivers with purpose and pride — we wouldn’t be the business we are without them.

Christopher Atkinson, Collins Hume Chief Executive, summed it up best:

"When Collins Hume began In 1980 our mission was simple: To be the best tax service In Ballina, but the world has changed and so have we.”

“Our overriding purpose is: To Inspire business owners to achieve business and lifestyle success In powerful and meaningful ways. Working every day with 32 delightful humans engaged in that purpose is an honour."

As business support and advice becomes a growing service across the accounting profession, Collins Hume sees sustainability as central to that role. Clients increasingly turn to their accountants as trusted advisers, and we believe leading by example — through ESG initiatives and giving impacts — strengthens our ability to guide small businesses towards more resilient, responsible and future-focused strategies.

Next stop: we’ll be representing our stunning region at the NSW Business Awards on 29 October in Sydney, lining up against some of the best businesses across the state. Wish us luck!

A huge thank you to Business NSW Northern Rivers, Ballina Chamber of Commerce, Ballina RSL and category sponsor Telstra for coordinating such a brilliant evening, and to all the incredible businesses who took part to help celebrate and showcase everything that makes our region so special.

Read more on this story

• Ballina News Daily feature story https://ballinanewsdaily.com.au/2025/09/28/ballina-businesses-shine-as-mayor-calls-on-premier-to-visit/ 

Photo credits: Ballina News Daily. See more at https://www.collinshume.com/awards